The Bachelor of Philosophy (BPhil) at the University of Pittsburgh’s Frederick Honors College is a highly prestigious, research-intensive undergraduate degree. It is jointly conferred by the Honors College and the student’s major department/college. The BPhil enhances a standard BA or BS with an independent, graduate-level research thesis under expert faculty mentorship, culminating in a public defense before a committee that includes an external examiner. The program is designed for students seeking advanced scholarly work, frequently leading to graduate-level research experiences during the undergraduate years. The BPhil degree requires fulfillment of both standard degree requirements for the chosen major and additional Honors College stipulations focused on research and thesis defense. There are no additional required credits beyond the student’s primary program, except in special tracks (such as International & Area Studies). The program is open to undergraduates who have completed at least two terms at Pitt with a minimum 3.50 cumulative GPA, demonstrating strong academic achievement and promise for independent research.