Majors
The College of General Studies offers eleven majors that combine basic skills with specific areas of study in order to best prepare graduates for the workforce. Each major requires the completion of general education requirements as well as specific curricula within the major.
Administration of Justice (BA)
Develop your understanding of the evolution, theory, structure, functioning, and process of change in the system of American criminal justice. Choose one of these three specialized areas: Adult and Juvenile Corrections, Law Enforcement Practice, or Social Policy Planning and the Legal Process. Courses in the administration of justice major are all taught by full-time and adjunct faculty members of the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA). Participating faculty members include attorneys, prison administrators, judges, law enforcement officials, and criminal justice researchers. GSPIA also offers a five-year BA/MA program to students who qualify.
Dental Hygiene (BS)
If you have graduated from an accredited dental hygiene program, this major provides you with the opportunity to complete a bachelor of science degree.
Health Services (BA)
Our health services major is designed to build communication, management, analytical, and leadership skills, while relating all to the health services field. You can choose one of two tracks in this is interdisciplinary course of study:
Managing Health Services Programs and Projects gives students key administrative and business skills with an emphasis on grant and research project management.
Community Health Assessment provides an understanding of the physical, social, and behavioral factors influencing health.
Humanities (BA)
Choose courses from three of the following departments: Africana studies, Classics, Communication, English, German, History of Art and Architecture, linguistics, music, philosophy, Religious Studies, Spanish, studio arts, theatre arts.
Pre-education Option - This major can incorporate all of the prerequisite coursework needed for admission into the certificate program in Comprehensive English Education in Pitt's School of Education. This option may be used by students interested in the Professional Year or the Master of Arts in teaching programs offered in the School of Education. Completion of the prerequisites does not guarantee acceptance.
Legal Studies (BA)
This interdisciplinary course of study combines the theories and methods of several social science disciplines and law. It is not designed as a pre-law program; its goal is to enable you to develop an understanding of the nature, content, and operation of American law and legal institutions. Courses in the legal studies major are all taught by full-time and adjunct faculty members of the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA). Participating faculty members include attorneys practicing in fields of law ranging from criminal prosecution and defense, to environmental law, consumer law, and family law.
Students with QPA of 3.5 or better planning to pursue graduate work may want to consider the graduate school options for early admission to their graduate program. To students who qualify, the University's Law School offers an early option for legal studies majors. The Graduate School of Public and International Affairs offers five-year BA/MA program .
Students pursuing a Legal Studies major in the College of General Studies may obtain the Master of Studies in Law (MSL) degree in a joint program in which credits obtained in the MSL program also count toward the bachelor's degree. Learn more about this program .
Liberal Studies (BA)
/School of Education Certification Program
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The College of General Studies and the School of Education have collaborated on a curriculum under the Liberal Studies program that incorporates all of the prerequisite coursework needed for admission into the Instructional 1 Certification programs in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education . These options may be used by students interested in the Professional Year or the Master of Arts in Teaching programs offered in the School of Education. Completion of the prerequisites for the School of Education does not guarantee acceptance to their programs. See an academic consultant for specific requirements.
Media and Professional Communications (BA)
This new major features a dual emphasis on providing students with a rigorous education in the theories of mass media process, history, and ethics, as well as the opportunity to specialize in one of three professional practice areas: Corporate/Community Relations, Writing for the Professions, or Digital Media. The three tracks are designed to strengthen both the knowledge base and proficiencies of students pursuing careers in communications fields, such as print, television, radio, film, new media, or corporate/organizational communications. This program will also benefit students pursuing careers in a variety of industries in which communication with internal and external publics is critical.
Natural Sciences (BS)
Choose courses from three of the following departments: Anthropology, Astronomy, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Geology and Planetary Science, History and Philosophy of Science, Neuroscience, Physics, Psychology.
Pre Education Option - This major can incorporate all of the prerequisite coursework needed for admission into the certificate programs in Earth and Space Science and General Science. This option may be used by students interested in the Professional Year or the Master of Arts in teaching programs offered in the School of Education. Completion of the prerequisites does not guarantee acceptance.
Public Service (BA)
This major prepares students for careers that are focused on the resolution of public problems or the delivery of public services at the local, state, national, or international level. Students take a common core and then choose one of three concentration areas: Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, or a self-designed concentration. Students who are currently majoring in Public Administration can choose to either finish their program in PA or work with their advisor to convert their coursework into the requirements for the new major. GSPIA also offers a five-year BA/MA program to students who qualify.
Courses in the Public Service major are all taught by full-time and adjunct faculty members of the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA). GSPIA also offers a five-year BA/MA program to students who qualify.
Five Year BA/MA Program - Students interested in pursuing M.A. Degrees in GSPIA may be eligible to apply for early admission to GSPIA. The Program enables a student to receive both degrees in five years. Students who have a QPA of 3.5 or better may apply. No particular undergraduate major is required for admission to this program.
Self-Designed (BA or BS)
The Self-Designed major enables highly motivated nontraditional students to pursue a unique program of studies for compelling professional or academic reasons. The Self-Designed major must be multidisciplinary, including courses from more than two departments or schools. It must have the same academic quality as existing CGS majors, and it must be substantially different from CGS majors. Faculty approval is required.
Social Sciences (BA)
This liberal arts major can be customized to meet your personal interests and career goals. Choose courses from three of the following departments: Africana Studies, Anthropology, Economics, History, Jewish Studies, Legal Studies, Political Science, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology, Urban Studies, Women's Studies.