BA Communication Science at University of Pittsburgh

Programme overview

An upper-division on-campus Bachelor of Arts giving a deep understanding of how people communicate and of communication disorders, taught by faculty from Pitt's graduate programmes. Average class size is 50-60.

Faculty: School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences | Department: Department of Communication Science and Disorders | Duration: 2 years (4 terms), full-time; 47-48 credits | Intake: Fall term (August); applications open October 5, 2026 and close March 1, 2027 | Location: Pittsburgh, PA, United States

What you will study

Communication and speech, language, hearing and swallowing disorders, with undergraduate research, independent study and study abroad options.

Career pathways

Prepares for graduate study in audiology, speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, physician assistant studies, psychology and behavior therapy.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Upper-division programme (applies to the BA in Communication Science). Current Pitt undergraduates apply through the SHRS Upper-Level Transfer Application; transfer students apply through Pitt Admissions with the application fee. Minimum cumulative GPA 2.75 (lower GPA may be admitted provisionally); 60 credits recommended, 54 minimum may be eligible. Prerequisites with C- (C for transfer): Seminar in Composition, Writing Intensive, Oral Communication, College Math (MATH 0031 or higher), Statistics (STAT 0200/1000/1100), Introduction to Psychology (PSY 0010), Human Biology or Anatomy and Physiology, and Physics or Chemistry. Official transcripts from all institutions and a personal statement are required. Applications open October 5, 2026 and close March 1, 2027.

Domestic applicants: USD 27,186 a year (2026-27). Pennsylvania-resident undergraduate tuition for the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Pittsburgh campus, full-time two terms (fall and spring). Tuition only; mandatory fees, housing and other expenses are listed separately and excluded. Source

International applicants: USD 55,072 a year (2026-27). Out-of-state (non-PA resident) undergraduate tuition for the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Pittsburgh campus, full-time two terms (fall and spring); Pitt charges non-PA residents the out-of-state rate. Tuition only; mandatory fees, housing Source

First-year entry for Fall 2027 is open; the University operates on rolling admission with no set application deadline. Fall term begins August 23 and spring term begins January 10 for the admitted first-year cycle shown.

Transfer students may apply for fall, spring and summer terms (Swanson School of Engineering also lists Fall, Spring and Summer entry; Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Education and Pharmacy are Fall only).

First-year applicants apply with the University of Pittsburgh Application or the Common Application (neither is preferred); the application fee is $55. There is no set deadline (rolling admission). The STARS self-reported academic record is required for first-year applicants except international students.

The SAT/ACT is optional: the test-optional policy runs through fall 2028 for first-year and transfer applicants, including international and homeschool applicants. Proof of English proficiency is required from international students.

International first-year applicants for fall who complete their application before February 1 are automatically reviewed for international student scholarships; international undergraduate applicants must apply by April 1 for fall and summer entry and by October 1 for spring entry.

Transfer applications are on rolling admission in the Dietrich School, Business, General Studies and Public Health (recommended complete by July 30 for fall and December 1 for spring; international deadlines May 1 fall, October 1 spring, February 15 summer). Swanson Engineering: Fall July 30, Spring December 1, Summer April 1 (international May 1, October 1, February 15). Nursing: Fall April 1, Spring November 1 (international Fall April 1, Spring October 1). Computing and Information: Fall early March 1, final May 1 international and June 15 domestic, Spring October 1, Summer February 1. Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, and Education programmes: Fall only, March 1 priority deadline. Pharmacy applies through PharmCAS.

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