A College of General Studies certificate will help you to expand your skill set and enhance your marketability in today’s competitive workforce. You can enroll in a certificate program or pursue a certificate along with a degree. You may even be able to apply the credits you earn to a future degree.
Undergraduate certificate programs typically require six to ten three-credit courses and are available from the College of General Studies, the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences, and the University Center for International Studies. Prerequisites, curriculum, and admissions requirements vary, so be sure to check individual certificate program pages for more information.
College of General Studies
Undergraduate Certificate Programs
- Community Health Assessment
- Communication
- Corporate/Community Relations
- Digital Media
- Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies
- Information System Design
- Leadership*
- Managing Health Services Programs and Projects
- National Preparedness and Homeland Security
- Nonprofit Management
- Writing
- Writing for the Professions
*for degree-seeking students only
Post-baccalaureate Certificate Programs
CGS partners with the College of Business Administration to offer a post-baccalaureate certificate in accounting. You must have a bachelor’s degree to be admitted to this part-time evening program. Students interested in the certificate should apply directly to the College of General Studies.
General Information
Many courses are offered in the evenings and on Saturdays, but not all courses are offered every term. All courses are three credits unless otherwise noted. Please check course descriptions for prerequisites. Credits earned at other accredited educational institutions may be eligible for transfer. However, a minimum of nine credits must be earned at the University of Pittsburgh. Students must maintain at least a 2.0 grade point average in all University certificate courses.
How to Apply
Students currently enrolled in other schools at the University of Pittsburgh may apply to add a College of General Studies certificate by submitting an application form online. All students must meet requirements for admission; some programs may have additional requirements.
To receive a certificate while pursuing a bachelor’s degree here at the College of General Studies, you must fill out an application with your academic advisor prior to enrolling in your last term in your degree program. Check with your advisor for the application filing form and deadline and to be sure you have met all the all requirements for the certificate. To avoid a late fee, you should complete this process when registering for the term.
If you are a prospective Pitt student looking to enroll only in a certificate program, including the post-baccalaureate certificate in accounting, you must apply through our online application. Please see the Certificate/Minor Students section on the Admission page for more information.
Note
CGS also supports a graduate certificate program in Gerontology. Interested students should contact Jennifer Bissell by phone at 412-624-1019 or email at bissell@pitt.edu.