CGS - College of General Studies - University of Pittsburgh

Mission Statement 

The College of General Studies promotes the cultural and economic ambitions of the region by providing access to University of Pittsburgh educational resources and programs to working adults, transfer students, lifelong learners, and other clients, and by providing professionally-oriented programs in response to regional opportunities.  The College of General Studies serves students who are seeking distinctive instructional programs by coordinating resources and services to provide degree completion and undergraduate and graduate certificate programs, by making instruction available by way of flexible modalities and locations, and providing advising and career counseling that meet the needs of nontraditional students.  The College of General Studies accesses and mobilizes the full resources of a diverse society and provides students with an educational experience that prepares them for life, learning, and work in the increasingly global society.

Vision

The College of General Studies seeks to achieve excellence through the development and delivery of diverse, quality programs and services to prepare students for careers in a knowledge-based economy and serve as a center of innovation for the University of Pittsburgh.  The College of General Studies will: 

• Be the leading regional provider of quality interdisciplinary liberal arts and professionally-oriented adult education programs,
• Excel in providing personal attention, student support, and programs to prepare students for careers in a competitive environment,
• Serve as a national model of adult student outreach and retention programs,
• Be recognized by the University and external communities for quality academic programs produced and delivered through innovative intra-institutional partnerships,
• Provide faculty the opportunity to engage in innovative, scholarly endeavors to advance learning opportunities for students,
• Excel in providing programs to support veteran students as they transition from military to University life,
• Be the leading regional provider of lifelong learning programs designed specifically for older adults,
• Be recognized for producing graduates who enroll in prestigious graduate programs and for alums who become leaders in industries in the region, nation and the world.