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Professional Enrichment Courses

Medical student curricula are packed with essential courses and content that all students must master, yet most students find time to pursue areas of personal interest. A goal of the recent curricular revision was to provide increased opportunities for such exploration and growth.

We believe, and students confirm, that pursuing studies beyond the required curriculum helps students understand the connection between their basic science coursework and medical practice, and provides exposure to topics and specialties that cannot readily be included in the core curriculum. A professional enrichment structure was developed to provide well-structured, rigorous and high quality experiences in areas not typically available to students (especially students in the pre-clinical years). 

These courses are offered to any first- or second-year student who is able to commit to attending all course sessions, typically four to eight of them. A student must be in good academic standing to enroll. Most professional enrichment courses (PECs) are only offered during the Spring Term of each academic year. Updates to the course list as well as date changes typically occur in the late Fall. An email is sent to students in early December announcing Spring registration dates. 

Please note that some of the longitudinal PECs that begin in the fall have registration through the course director or student association coordinator. Other fall PECs may have registrations through Denise Downs in late August or September. The registration information is outlined in all the course descriptions. As professional enrichment course offerings are announced and registration opens, students will be notified of the offerings and registration details via email. 

Students who have other assigned academic commitments at the course times must meet those commitments. Therefore, some students may not be able to enroll in some professional enrichment courses.

Course space is limited, based on the maximum number of students designated by the course director.

Students who successfully complete a professional enrichment course will receive a certificate of completion. It will not be shown on their official University transcript.

Additional questions about professional enrichment courses should be directed to Denise Downs in the Office of Medical Education at 412-648-8749 or ddowns@medschool.pitt.edu.

Professional enrichment courses are being updated regularly with the 2021-2022 course descriptions.

Courses for First Year Students

Summer Course

Fall Courses

Spring Courses

Courses for Second Year Students

Summer Course

Fall Courses

Spring Courses

Longitudinal Professional Enrichment Courses