These new Pitt classes and programs launch in fall 2025

Ever wonder how space stations operate? You can now explore the science and technology behind life in orbit through a new Swanson School of Engineering course on spacecraft systems and operations.

It’s just one of the fresh options available to Pitt students this fall, as schools and programs across the University launch new courses, expand existing initiatives and offer more opportunities for students to customize their academic journey.

Don’t forget, the add/drop period ends Sept. 5.

School of Public and International Affairs

This fall marks the launch of the Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy, which will introduce undergraduates to critical policy issues while building essential skills for addressing community, national and global challenges. Core courses include How Public Policy Works: Foundations of Public Policy (PIA 0101) and How To Identify Better Policy: Foundations For Policy Analysis (PIA 0201), while electives allow students to tailor their studies to their interests.

Undergraduates can also enroll in Applied Data Analysis for Public Policy (PIA 0700), which emphasizes real-world policymaking skills like data collection, cleaning and analysis. Graduate students, consider American Foreign Policy (PIA 2411), which examines the intellectual history and practice of diplomacy

Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

The Dietrich School is introducing a new PhD in astrophysics — the program will officially admit its first cohort in fall 2026, but current graduate students can transfer in starting this semester. New undergraduate programs of note include a Korean major, an anthropology minor and a foundations of English studies minor.

You can explore Afrofuturism in More Black Futures (AFRCNA 1120), a new course in the Department of Africana Studies. Other catalog additions include Regional Economic Growth Strategies in Appalachia (SOC 0311), Creative Multimedia (MUSIC 1445), Creating Buzz and Going Viral: Branding through NIL and Social Media (FMST 1887), Introduction to East Asian Cinema (FMST 1200) and Athletics of the Ancient World (HIST 1746).

School of Education

The School of Education is expanding its offerings at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. A new PhD in human development and learning sciences takes an interdisciplinary approach to research on teaching, learning and development. At the undergraduate level, students can pursue two new minors in applied developmental psychology and fitness coaching (formerly Applied Fitness, this program was renamed to highlight its emphasis on personal training and exercise instruction).

Plus, the school has reduced credit requirements so you can finish your graduate degree faster — EdD programs now require 76 credits instead of 84, and PhD programs require 72 credits instead of 90. Minors in exercise science, aquatics and fitness coaching have also been streamlined.

School of Dental Medicine

To address dental provider shortages in Pennsylvania, the School of Dental Medicine is introducing several new pathways. Residents across the commonwealth can now enroll in the new Regional Training Center Dental Assistant program and the General Practice Dentistry Residency, both designed to prepare practitioners to serve rural communities. A new Hybrid Dental Hygiene program is also in development, with its first cohort set to launch in 2026.

School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

The School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences has launched a new communication science minor for undergraduates interested in the study of speech, language and hearing. The program provides a foundation in human communication processes, communication disorders and intervention strategies, preparing students for graduate programs or careers in health and education.

School of Public Health

Be ready for natural and human-made calamities alike with Pitt Public Health’s Disaster Preparedness Certificate. The 15-credit program applies a multidisciplinary approach and a focus on community resilience in disaster response and recovery.

Also at the undergraduate level, students can take explore the role data plays in Data to Decision: Modeling in Public Health (PUBHLT 0412) and Evidence-Based Environmental and One Health Policy and Practice (PUBHLT 0420).

Graduate-level additions cover a wide range of emerging fields, including through new specialized courses such as Analyzing Health Data with the All of Us Research Program (HUGEN 2081), Python for AI in Health Data Science (BIOST 2175), Infection Prevention in Community Settings (IDM 2051) and Host Response to Microbial Infection (IDM 2103).

Looking for hands-on experience? Consider joining the Center of Excellence in Maternal and Child Health Student Training Core, which offers short-, medium- and long-term engagements.

School of Computing and Information

A new graduate-level course in the Department of Computer Science, Modern Quantum Computing (CS 2893), trains students in the practical coding and implementation of quantum systems. And, undergraduates now have the opportunity to earn honors credit through a special section of Algorithms and Data Structures I (CS 0445), which builds on the sequence begun last year when the school introduced an honors section of Intermediate Programming (CMPINF 0401).

Swanson School of Engineering

The Swanson School will keep Introduction to Space Engineering (ENGR 1073) as a permanent course after piloting it as a special topics class last year. This course introduces students to space systems and engineering principles, giving them a strong foundation in an expanding and fast-evolving field.

School of Social Work

The School of Social Work is creating greater flexibility through a new part-time online Master of Social Work degree program that offers in-state tuition rates for all online students. The 60-credit program (recent BSW graduates can receive up to 21 transfer credits) emphasizes practical and experiential learning and allows students to pursue optional certificates in children, youth and families; integrated health care; gerontology; and mental health. The first cohort will begin in fall 2026.

Frederick Honors College

The David C. Frederick Honors College is launching Catalyst Communities, a new initiative for first-year students that combines academic coursework, community and globally engaged learning, and the Honors Outside the Classroom Curriculum. The 2025-26 theme is Health for All.

Over two semesters, students will investigate pressing societal questions while participating in curated events, community experiences and signature courses. Supported by honors staff, peer mentors and faculty experts, the pilot cohort will gain opportunities for applied learning, immersion and collaborative research.

Pitt-Bradford

Pitt-Bradford is introducing two major programs this fall.

A new four-year degree in emergency medicine, offered in partnership with School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, combines EMT and paramedic certification with advanced coursework and more than 500 hours of clinical experience. Students completing the program will be prepared to enter the health care workforce or continue into graduate study.

The campus is also making its Nursing RN-to-BSN program available fully online, enabling working nurses to advance their education with greater flexibility while maintaining Pitt’s high-quality curriculum.

Pitt-Greensburg

In partnership with the European Studies Center, Pitt-Greensburg is now offering a Western European Studies Certificate and the related concentration in European and Eurasian Studies. The campus is the first regional location to expand these international study opportunities beyond the Pittsburgh campus.

Pitt-Johnstown

This fall, Pitt-Johnstown is introducing an environmental science major, giving students interdisciplinary training in biology, chemistry and earth sciences to prepare them for careers in environmental policy, conservation and sustainability.

Photography courtesy of Pitt-Johnstown