Online Courses

College of General Studies online course offerings emphasize high-quality instruction, student-centered curricula, interactive learning, and collaborative study activities. We offer a wide range of courses representing many of the University of Pittsburgh's academic departments. All of our online courses meet the same standards for content excellence and expert instruction as our traditional classroom courses, while providing you with additional scheduling flexibility. While we do not offer fully online certificate or degree programs at this time, many of our courses are available online to make your program of study more convenient.

We invite you to explore the links below to learn more about our online services and resources, online course formats, requirements, and tips for success in the online classroom. Once you have reviewed the information, complete our self-assessment online quiz to see if online learning is right for you.

Have a question? Email the Office of Online Learning and Academic Programs at cgsapa@pitt.edu.

Available Online Formats and Registration Information

College of General Studies online courses are available in the web and hybrid formats. This section is designed to help you decide which format is best for you and identify which courses are available in that format.  

Common Elements of Course Navigation

The College of General Studies and your instructors have dedicated much effort into bringing you online courses of the highest quality. And although each CGS Online course is different, there are some common elements that can help you navigate your online experience successfully.

Technology Requirements

Learn more about the technology you will need and who and where to reach out to for technical questions or problems, textbooks and other course materials.

Online Services and Resources

Students taking online courses are University of Pittsburgh students in every way, and have access to all the same services and resources. However, some of these resources are particularly helpful for web-based classes.

Frequently-Asked Questions

Check out this section for answers to many frequently asked questions about web and hybrid courses.