University Council on Graduate Study Minutes
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
Presentation
Amanda Godley, Vice Provost for Graduate Studies in the Office of the Provost, and Chair of UCGS welcomed everyone and facilitated introductions. She then gave a brief presentation to members highlighting the responsibilities of the committee, what to expect at the monthly meetings, how to access proposals in Curriculog, websites and resources for reviewing academic planning proposals, and the landscape of graduate and professional student enrollment across the University.
Academic Planning Proposals
School of Health and Rehabilitation Science to change the name of the Doctor of Physician Assistant Science (DPAS) degree type to the Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc)
When the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences established the Doctor of Physician Assistant Science degree type in 2021, they were among the first across the nation to establish such a degree and there was little consensus on the nomenclature. Over the past three years, there has been significant growth in this field and the consensus on the nomenclature has become Doctor of Medical Science. Enrollment of Pitt’s DPAS degree program has decreased as students feel the degree will not be recognized in the field, and therefore they are petitioning to change the name of the degree type. There will be no changes to the curriculum and there is no budgetary impact. Upon final approval of the name change, students currently enrolled in the DPAS program will be given the option to complete the program under the original degree type or switch to the new degree type name.
A motion was made and seconded to recommend to the Provost and Chancellor that the proposal be approved. Members present voted in favor of recommending approval (24 in favor and 1 abstention).
Announcements
The Provost’s Awards for Excellence in Doctoral Mentoring is now accepting nominations. Please encourage people in your school to nominate someone.
Attendance
- Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences - Grad Faculty - Marc Coutanache
- Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences - Grad Faculty - Peng Liu
- Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences - Grad Student - PraiseGod Aminu (sub for Oluwajuwon Adenuga)
- School of Public and International Affairs - Grad Faculty - Luke Condra
- School of Public and International Affairs - Grad Student - Michaela Cushing Daniels
- School of Public and International Affairs - Grad Student - Zena Kesselman
- Katz Graduate School of Business - Grad Student - Denise Bergdolt
- Katz Graduate School of Business - Grad Faculty - Sara Moeller (sub for Badawy)
- Office of the Provost - Chair - Amanda Godley
- Office of the Provost - Staff - Jennifer Walker
- Office of the Registrar, Observer - Staff - Jonathan Helm
- School of Computing and Information - Grad Faculty - James Joshi
- School of Computing and Information - Grad Student - Sai Vivek Chava
- School of Dental Medicine - Grad Faculty - Dobrawa Napierala
- School of Education - Grad Faculty - Michael Gunzenhauser
- School of Education - Grad Faculty - Linda DeAngelo
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences - Grad Student - Abdulmohsen Alroumi
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences - Grad Faculty - Mark DeRuiter
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences - Grad Faculty - Michael Dickey
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences - Grad Faculty - Ketki Raina
- School of Law - Grad Faculty - Joshua Ash
- School of Medicine - Grad Student - Brooke Dresden
- School of Medicine - Grad Faculty - Saleem Khan
- School of Nursing - Grad Student - Myeong-ga Cho
- School of Nursing - Grad Faculty - Elizabeth Schlenk
- School of Pharmacy - Grad Student - Christina Kazarov
- School of Pharmacy - Faculty - Kerry Empey
- School of Public Health - Grad Faculty - Jeanine Buchanich
- School of Public Health - Grad Faculty - Ying Ding
- School of Social Work - Grad Faculty - Sara Goodkind
- SEPC - Grad Faculty - Michelle Schein
- Swanson School of Engineering - Grad Student - Jung-Kun Lee
- Swanson School of Engineering - Grad Faculty - Bryan Brown
- Swanson School of Engineering - Grad Faculty - Bob Parker
Presenters: School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences: David Beck