BPhil Overview and Instructions for Applicants

Introduction

The availability of a special degree distinguishes an honors college from an honors program. At the University of Pittsburgh, the University Honors College (UHC) provides the opportunity for qualified undergraduates to pursue a unique attainment-based degree.

Designed by faculty from throughout the University and designated the Bachelor of Philosophy (BPhil) by the University Board of Trustees, this University-wide Honors College degree combines (i) General Degree Requirements for an individually approved Program of Study with (ii) Special Degree Requirements for concentration and evaluation following upper-level research and independent scholarship that culminates in the thesis. Through the BPhil it is possible for undergraduate students any time after the freshman year to begin research and scholarly work toward a rigorous baccalaureate degree in a manner usually reserved for the graduate level. Simultaneously, the BPhil preserves across Pitt schools an element of intellectual scope, ever the distinctive feature of American undergraduate education.

This information contains a description of the requirements for the Bachelor of Philosophy degree. Please read carefully both the requirements and the statement on admission to candidacy. If you have any questions, or if you find that your situation is different from that anticipated in these materials, please feel free to seek assistance from UHC staff.

Additionally, you should refer the faculty member with whom you will be working to the Guide for Thesis Advisors, which outlines their role in assisting you complete your thesis.

G. Alec Stewart
Dean, University Honors College
January 2006

General degree requirements

Each BPhil candidate must:

Complete the degree requirement of his or her home school
Complete an approved UHC Program of Study

All UHC Programs of Study must be approved by the UHC Advisory Board. An approved Program of Study will demonstrate that the student has exceeded the requirements for a standard undergraduate departmental degree. In some cases existing curricular options my fulfill the Program of Study requirements, or in other cases an approved Program of Study may be highly individualized. In general, it is expected that a student’s curriculum will reflect the breadth or depth. Curricula that are built around an intellectual theme, i.e., those that reflect focus, are also acceptable.

It is incumbent upon each candidate to demonstrate the scholarly merits of the proposed curriculum as it relates to his or her own work.

Special degree requirements

The special degree requirement is met through a Degree by Thesis. There will be an individualized examination conducted by a UHC-appointed Examining Committee no later than during the candidate’s last term of residence. One member of the Examining Committee must be from outside the University of Pittsburgh.

A candidate must:

Select a thesis advisor from the faculty in his or her major department of study
Submit a synopsis of the proposed research, the Thesis Prospectus (which has been accepted by the thesis advisor) to the Honors College (preferably at least two terms prior to the student’s expected date of graduation)
Be evaluated by the Examining Committee; this evaluation consists of a public presentation and discussion of the thesis or project, followed by a private oral examination conducted by the Examining Committee

The Examining Committee will submit to the UHC Dean their recommendation that the Bachelor of Philosophy be awarded or that it be withheld. The Dean will review the candidate’s completion of both the General and the Special Degree Requirements and give a final recommendation the UHC Advisory Board. Departmental or School Latin Honors will be awarded under the rules governing the home school degree.

Admission to degree candidacy

Students who wish to pursue the University Honors College degree, the Bachelor of Philosophy (BPhil), should have completed two terms of university work prior to application for degree candidacy. Admission to candidacy will be based on academic promise, demonstrated achievement in university-level work, and potential for independent scholarship. Upon recommendation by the UHC Director of Advising, application for admission will be made through the UHC Dean to the UHC Advisory Board.

Ordinarily, students admitted to degree candidacy should have at least a B+ average (3.25 GPA) and have taken University Honors College courses. However, inasmuch as purely numerical or quantitative criteria are absolute indicators neither of academic excellence nor of potential for intellectual attainment, students with a serious interest in pursuing a UHC degree are urged to discuss their particular circumstances with the UHC Dean and Director of Advising.

Students should be advised that completing the requirements for the UHC degree generally takes about two years. As a result, students are encouraged to begin planning and consultation with the UHC as early as possible.

In order to be admitted to degree candidacy the student must demonstrate intellectual promise, defined in the context as the student’s potential for the fulfillment of curricular requirements (the Program of Study component of the General Degree Requirements) and the completion of independent scholarship (the Thesis Prospectus component of the Special Degree Requirements).

Prospective candidates will develop a formal Program of Study for final approval by the UHC Advisory Board. This is the most important component of the application for candidacy. The student must provide for his or her proposed curriculum a rationale that addresses the ways in which the Program of Study will exhibit breadth, depth, and/or intellectual focus. This statement should include, but not be limited to, a discussion of the student’s intended major(s). The student’s curriculum as a whole will be considered.

Application for candidacy must include:

A description of the student’s intended Program of Study, part of which is a statement of progress toward the graduation requirements of the candidate’s home school (or schools), including the student’s most recent transcript
A preliminary plan for the fulfillment of the Special Degree Requirement (the Thesis Prospectus)

Upon approval of the above documents by the UHC Advisory Board, admission to degree candidacy will be granted.

Apply for admission to BPhil degree candidacy »

Guide for faculty asked to serve as BPhil thesis advisors »