When Swanson School of Engineering (SSOE) students are participating in a global experience, they MUST complete a SSOE course approval form regardless of what type of program the student chooses. The SSOE course approval form link will be sent to each student as DocuSign link after their acceptance to their program and they attended mandatory meeting(s).
Each SSOE student is responsible for initiating and completing the SSOE course approval form. Completion of the form includes routing it to their undergraduate major coordinator, and/or their second major, minor, or certificate advisor(s) to review and pre-approve individual courses from their global experience. There are different form options available: semester (fall, spring, or year-long programs), short term SSOE Panther Program, short term non-SSOE Panther Program, and a course change option (semester only). Students can access partially completed forms or their form progress through DocuSign on my.pitt.edu. Read more about each option below and see an example of each type of form.
For global experience courses that are not taught by SSOE faculty, students must collect course syllabi from their program providers. Students are responsible for sending the syllabi to their undergraduate major coordinator and/or second major, minor or certificate advisor(s) for review. This should be completed prior to program application, and syllabi may need to be sent again during the SSOE course approval form process.
Be aware that countries outside of the US have different credit systems, and how many credits each class is assigned will depend on various countries/programs’ credit systems. Discuss any questions regarding course credit systems with the Global Experiences and Engagement Office before completing the course approval form. (Students should always discuss credit systems with the Global Experiences and Engagement Office prior to applying to their program as well.)
Please note: students who are participating in a Co-op and/or internship must speak with the Co-op and Internship Office prior to completing their course approval form. That office will discuss the potential impact on a student’s Co-op and/or internship schedule and help answer any questions regarding Co-op and/or internships.
Semester Course Approval Form
This DocuSign form will be completed if a student is participating in a semester or year-long exchange, Panther Program, or PRP. Students will earn letter grades for Panther Programs, whereas grades will earn S/NC grades for exchange and/or PRP programs. (An S grade is earned with the equivalent of a C or better). Students are required to take the equivalent of 12 credits at minimum during each semester to be considered a full-time student, and if they do not, there may be financial implications. There will be an initial space for their first choice of classes, then a second area for alternative class options to be listed. Students will need to send the syllabi for these courses to their undergraduate major coordinator and if applicable, their second major, minor or certificate advisor for review prior to completing the course approval form. If a student needs to register for an alternate class, then they will need to complete a course change form.
Please note—students will need to register for classes through their global experience program’s registration process too!
Course Change Form
This DocuSign form is ONLY to be completed if there are any changes from their initially completed SSOE course approval form for a semester or year-long experience. Students can use the course change form to change the specific course (I.e., a cancelled course, deciding on a different course, not being able to register for their first choice). Students need to complete this form as soon as changes are made to their schedule during their global experience—students should not wait until their return to Pitt to make these changes!
Short Term SSOE Panther Program
This DocuSign form is to be completed if a student is participating in a Short Term SSOE Panther Program, which can range from 1-18 credits. The courses are taught by SSOE faculty, and typically are pre-approved by the undergraduate major coordinators. Students will earn letter grades for courses completed on these programs. If students intend to use the course(s) for their second major, minor, or certificate, they will need to input course information for that advisor and send that advisor the course syllabi prior to completing the SSOE course approval form.
Short Term Non-SSOE Panther Program
This DocuSign form is to be completed if a student is participating in a Non-SSOE Short Term Program, such as Pitt-Recognized Programs (PRPs), which can range from 1-18 credits. Students will earn S/NC grades on these programs (An S grade is earned with the equivalent of a C or better). Students will need to send the syllabi for these courses to their undergraduate major coordinator and if applicable, their second major, minor or certificate advisor for review prior to completing the course approval form.
Please note—students will still need to register for classes through their global experience program’s registration process too!