Interdisciplinary Distinctions give students the chance to explore topics across multiple fields, develop unique skills, and stand out academically. As an advisor, you play a crucial role in helping students navigate these opportunities—offering guidance on planning, connecting coursework and experiences, and supporting them as they work toward a Distinction. This page provides resources and best practices to help you advise students effectively and enhance their academic journey.
How Distinctions Can Be Utilized By Students
- The On-Ramp: Interdisciplinary Distinctions can serve as an 'exploratory on-ramp,' giving students the opportunity to investigate an area of interest both inside and outside the classroom—without the need to declare a full major.
- The Off-Ramp: Interdisciplinary Distinctions can also act as an 'off-ramp,' providing students with the opportunity to receive formal recognition for work they’ve already completed, even if they are unable or choose not to pursue it as a full degree.
- Supplemental Recognition: Interdisciplinary Distinctions can also serve as a meaningful supplement to a student’s academic achievements at Pitt. They provide a way to earn formal recognition for work that students have already completed or are planning to pursue, whether inside the classroom through coursework or outside the classroom through experiential learning, research, or creative projects. By highlighting these accomplishments, Distinctions allow students to showcase the full breadth of their learning and the unique ways they are shaping their educational journey.
Following Student Progress via the AAR
Since Interdisciplinary Distinctions are official academic credentials, they can be tracked on a student’s Academic Advising Report (AAR) just like a major or minor. This allows you to monitor progress, ensure that students are meeting the requirements, and provide timely guidance as needed. Typically, Distinctions appear at the end of a student’s AAR, making it easy to see which requirements have been completed and which are still in progress.
Distinctions Connection to Other Experiential Learning
Interdisciplinary Distinctions use the Suitable platform to track and document the experiential learning components that are central to each credential. Suitable is also widely used across campus to capture student engagement in other initiatives, including the Outside-the-Classroom Curriculum (OCC) and the Catalog of Opportunities (COO). Together, these programs create a connected system that highlights student involvement both inside and outside the classroom. To learn more about how Distinctions fit into this broader framework and how the Suitable platform supports these efforts, watch the video below.
Student Engagement Scorecard
The Student Engagement Scorecard provides a comprehensive view of a student’s involvement in learning opportunities outside the classroom. It allows you to see how students are engaging with Interdisciplinary Distinctions, the Outside-the-Classroom Curriculum (OCC), and other experiential learning experiences, helping to inform guidance and support.
A convenient quick link to the Scorecard can be found in the 'Links' section of a student’s Pathways homepage, making it easy to access up-to-date information on student engagement and accomplishments.
Marketing Resources
The following resources can be shared to prospective students that indicate they are interested in pursuing a distinction: