Selecting Your Liberal Studies Theme: Things to Consider
You may already have a theme in mind, but if not, think about the subjects or disciplines that excite you the most or the career you want to pursue or advance in.
- Pitt offers more than 100 majors. Explore the undergraduate areas of study first and discover how your areas of interests translate into established majors, minors, or certificates. Are there any current programs that match your personal and career goals and fit your schedule? Together with your CGS advisor you will review available options and create a transition plan for the major that best suits you.
- Students who choose the customizable Liberal Studies option will formulate a topic or theme and prepare a proposal for their course of study that supports the chosen route and differentiates it from existing Pitt majors.
Think about the end result of your work. What skills and knowledge do you hope to develop and how are they important to your future?
- Are you preparing for graduate school or seeking to secure employment? Are you looking to advance in your career, or want to complete what you started years ago?
- How will you demonstrate to graduate schools and employers that you have achieved your goals for the program?
Browse the courses in the University Catalog and list the ones that appeal to you the most. Review the descriptions and syllabi where available: how are these courses relevant to your topic?
- As you narrow down your course selection, be mindful of the prerequisites, limitations, and/or minimum GPA requirements that may be set by the department / school offering the course.
Stay in touch with your advisor. Connect with a career counselor. Find a faculty mentor. Consult often and ask for guidance in preparing your proposed plan of study and essay. We are here to help!
Getting Your Proposal Approved
Your proposed plan of study must be approved by an Assistant Dean by your first semester in your senior year at CGS.
You will prepare a 2–3-page long essay addressing the questions listed above and enclose a completed major planning checklist along with your essay.
Your essay should be double-spaced, 1-inch margins, Times New Roman, 12pt format, and free of grammar and spelling errors.
You will submit your proposal online via the Program Proposal Form.
Please allow a minimum of 4 to 6 weeks for the review process to be completed and a final decision to be made. Upon approval, you will be able to declare the major.
Note: Course changes to your previously approved plan of study will be processed via the online CGS Course Substitution Appeal process.
GO TO PROGRAM PROPOSAL FORM DOWNLOAD MAJOR PLANNING CHECKLIST