Consumer Information
Student right to know
The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (HEOA) requires U.S. colleges to provide information about their operations, a requirement intended to improve the transparency of the information disclosed by colleges to prospective students and their parents. This Consumer Information page is intended to provide information about PTC that is compliant with the law and helpful to those interested in PTC’s operations.
Mission and vision
Mission
The mission of Pittsburgh Technical College is to provide a diverse student body with an immersive, academic, career-ready education that supports personal and professional growth while meeting the ever-evolving needs of business, industry, and our global community.
Vision
Pittsburgh Technical College will become a world-class academic institution, partnering with business and industry to deliver innovative, cutting-edge education that drives student and alumni success, supports the economy, and empowers the well-being of our global community.
Guiding Principles
The guiding principles as established in the PTC strategic plan are:
- Academic Excellence and Student Success
- Outreach and Engagement
- Financial Stewardship
- Institutional Excellence
PTC Catalog
From accreditation and school history to academic information, financial aid funding, and student services, the information contained in PTC’s catalog is comprehensive. The college’s catalog is published annually during the summer and updated throughout the year by addendum.
PTC CatalogPTC Catalog Archives
Student Manuals
Student Handbook
In an effort to provide you a positive environment, PTC has identified guidelines, policies and procedures that address the expectations of students as members of the PTC community. This handbook serves as a resource for this information, including students’ rights and responsibilities.
PTC Student HandbookStudent Code Of Conduct
The PTC community is committed to fostering a campus environment that is conducive to academic inquiry, a productive campus life, and thoughtful study and discourse. The student conduct program is committed to an educational and developmental process that balances the interests of individual students with the interests of the PTC community. Students are responsible for knowing the information, policies, and procedures outlined in this document.
PTC Student Code of ConductStudent Housing Handbook
Important information about PTC student housing including who to contact for questions or concerns, driving directions to campus housing, fire safety and evacuation procedures, health and counseling resources, housing rules and regulations, and more are outlined in this document.
PTC Student Housing HandbookBooks and Supplies
Books, kits, and supplies are available to purchase on E-Campus, at https://ptcollege.ecampus.com/ and can be rolled into the financial aid plan that is created during the admissions process. For students and families who would like to know which books, kits, and supplies are needed for their program of study, a detailed list, including course code and name, book title, ISBN number, and the estimated cost is accessible here.
Student Grievance Policy and Procedures
Student Privacy
FERPA
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 protects students’ rights with respect to their educational records. By accessing this FERPA synopsis, students and parents can learn more about inspecting or requesting records, when written permission is needed, and how schools are permitted to use directory-type information.
Protection of Student Privacy PolicyCampus Safety and Security
Public Safety Department
The mission of the Public Safety Department at PTC is to protect and serve the campus community. The Department is committed to being a caring and sensitive professional service organization that dedicates itself to personal excellence concepts at the highest levels and reflects uncompromising integrity, continuous improvement, productive teamwork, and efficient public service.
For more information, please view the Campus Public Safety Department Manual.
The Clery Act Campus Security and Safety Report
Signed into Federal law in 1990, The Jeanne Clery Act requires colleges and universities to disclose campus crime and security policy information in an annual report. The Clery Act also requires PTC to deliver timely warnings to the campus community about specific types of criminal activity when an ongoing threat may exist. All post-secondary institutions participating in federal student aid programs must adhere to Clery regulations.
To learn more about the Clery Act, visit The Jeanne Clery Act Information website.
PTC publishes its annual Campus Security and Safety Report to share PTC policies, information, and reports that pertain to The Clery Act.
The report contains material that an individual may reference before or after an emergency or incident so it is important for students, faculty, and staff to familiarize themselves with this information and any associated procedures. Information contained in the report includes a list of emergency numbers, timely warnings, fire and evacuation procedures, crime or missing person reporting instructions, disciplinary processes, and sexual harassment and sexual violence policies.
The document contains three individual reports: Annual Crime Statistics, which includes statistics for the past three years; Annual Fire Report, which includes statistics for student housing and academic buildings; and Missing Persons Report, which includes statistics for student housing.
Student Health
Please refer to the public safety page for updates to COVID-19 information and additional student health resources.
Title IX Resources
How to file a Title IX Discrimination (sexual harassment) Grievance
TITLE IX PROTECTIONS:
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects people from discrimination and states:
“No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”
In compliance with Title IX, PTC must respond to sexual harassment when it occurs within an “education program or activity” against a person in the United States.
An “education program or activity” includes locations, events, or circumstances over which Pittsburgh Technical College (PTC) exercises substantial control as to both the respondent and the context in which the sexual harassment occurred. Title IX applies only to conduct that occurs in the United States, not to any incident that occurs on foreign soil, including during a school-sponsored study abroad program or other activity.
Furthermore, PTC interprets “on the basis of sex” to include gender, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation. On June 22, 2021, the U.S. Education Department (ED) issued guidance that they will interpret “Title IX’s prohibition on sex discrimination to encompass discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity,” as indicated in 34 CFR Chapter I.
The Title IX Coordinator is a resource for members of the PTC community who have questions or concerns regarding sexual harassment or sexual violence, who encounter sexual harassment or violence, who want to learn their rights under Title IX, or who feel their Title IX rights are being violated.
It is the right of any member of the PTC Community who feels they experienced an act of sexual harassment or sexual violence while participating in a PTC education program or activity to file a grievance with the Title IX Office. An individual may file a grievance at any time, even if a police report is not filed, or the police conclude there is not sufficient evidence for a criminal charge.
To learn more about your rights, filing a Title IX Discrimination grievance, and PTC’s policies regarding sexual harassment, please view PTC’s Sexual Misconduct Policy, Title IX Discrimination Grievance Procedures, Sexual Assault Victims’ Bill of Rights, and the Title IX Handbook, which provides information about responding to sexual harassment and the steps one may take to help prevent it. All documents are developed in accordance with the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization of 2013 (VAWA), the Campus Sexual Violence Elimination (SaVE) Act, Jeanne Clery Act, and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.
How to File a Sexual Harassment Grievance:
It is the right of every student, employee, vendor, associate, or visitor who feels they experienced sexual misconduct while participating in a PTC program or activity to file a grievance with the Title IX Office. An individual may file a grievance at any time, even if a police report is not filed, or the police conclude there is not sufficient evidence for a criminal charge.
Title IX states that: No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.
To file a report, visit EthicsPoint and, if needed, select Pittsburgh Technical College from the list of institutions. Then select the Sexual Harassment reporting form.Your grievance will go to PTC’s Title IX office, which includes the following personnel:
- Lindsay Seal, Executive Director of Human Resources/Title IX Coordinator , 1111 McKee Road, Oakdale, PA 15071. seal.lindsay@ptcollege.edu, or 412-809-5311.
- Gloria Ritchie, Deputy Title IX Coordinator, 1111 McKee Road, Oakdale, PA 15071. ritchie.gloria@ptcollege.edu, or 412-809-5126
The Title IX Office will notify the PTC Campus Security and Public Safety Department (Public Safety) of each grievance received. Public Safety will follow up on the report. Please note that it is up to the individual filing a grievance to decide whether to file a report with the police.
For purposes of Title IX, “sexual harassment” means conduct on the basis of sex that meets one or more of the following definitions:
- An employee of an institution conditioning the provision of aid, benefit, or service of the institution on an individual’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct.
- Unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the recipient’s education program or activity.
- Sexual assault,” “dating violence,” “domestic violence,” or “stalking,” as defined in the 20 U.S. Code § 1092 (f)(6)(A)(v) and 34 U.S.C. 12291 (a)(10), (a) (8), and (a) (30), respectively. If the alleged conduct does not constitute “sexual harassment,” does not occur within an “educational program or activity,” or does not occur in the United States, PTC will dismiss the grievance for purposes of Title IX. However, the college is permitted to address such allegations through its code of conduct, Title VII, or other policies and/or regulations.
A formal Title IX grievance must be signed. Once a formal grievance is received, PTC shall provide a prompt and supportive response, which will include an offer of reasonable supportive measures to ensure equal access to educational programs and activities while protecting the safety of involved parties. PTC’s response may also include a preliminary inquiry, formal investigation, hearing, targeted prevention training, and/or new or revised educational programs.
For investigations that result in a disciplinary hearing, the Title IX office may share the complainant’s information with Chief Legal Counsel, Gretchen Gardner.
Students have the option to file a sexual harassment grievance anonymously. PTC will make every effort to provide support based on the information provided.
Additionally, students may speak with an Official with Authority (OWA) to file a grievance and request supportive measures.
- OWAs are required to disclose any Jeanne Clery Act reportable incident or crime to the PTC Campus Security and Public Safety Department. Additionally, in cases of sexual harassment or violence, to the Title IX Coordinator.
The college considers the following staff and faculty to be an OWA:
- Anyone specified in PTC’s Fire Safety and Security Report as someone to whom students and employees should report incidents or crimes.
- A PTC employee who has significant responsibility for student and campus activities, student housing, or student discipline.
If you decide not to file a grievance with the college, there are organizations that can assist victims of sexual misconduct while maintaining strict confidentiality. These organizations include:
- PTC Counseling (confidential): 1-800-647-3327
- Pittsburgh Action Against Rape (24-hour confidential helpline): 866-363-7273
- Resolve Crisis Center (24-hour, 365-day crisis service): 888-796-8226
To learn more about Title IX, visit the U.S. Department of Education website.
TITLE IX TRAINING:
Each year, the Title IX staff receives specialized training to work with individuals who report sexual misconduct. They have knowledge of on- and off-campus resources, services, and options – including the availability of supportive measures that may be provided, without fee, to protect the personal safety of involved parties, deter sexual harassment, and restore or preserve equal access to PTC’s education programs and activities.
Title IX Education 2021 and 2022
Online training provided by Thompson Coburn LLP.Module 1 – An Introduction to Managing Title IX Sexual Harassment on Campus
Module 2 – Formal Complaints of Title IX Sexual Harassment
Module 3 – Title IX Investigations & Informal Resolutions
Module 4 – Title IX Hearings
Module 5 – Title IX Determinations
Module 6 – Title IX Appeals
PCHE Title IX Education 2020
In July 2020, the Title IX staff, along with several PTC faculty and staff members, attended three training sessions that focused on your rights under Title IX, conducting a Title IX Discrimination hearing, and responding to sexual harassment and violence.
The training sessions were provided by the Office of Civil Rights (OCR), Strassburger, McKenna, Gutnick, & Gefsky, and Pittsburgh Action Against Rape in coordination with the Pittsburgh Council on Higher Education (PCHE). For your reference, these training materials are linked below.
- Session #1: OCR Webinar: Title IX Regulations Addressing Sexual Harassment
- Session #2: PCHE Summer 2020 Training Session 2 Materials
- Session #3: PCHE Summer 2020 Training Session 3 Materials
The Federal Campus Sexual Assault Victims’ Bill of Rights
The Campus Sexual Assault Victims’ Bill of Rights signed into law by President George Bush in July 1992 requires all colleges and universities (both public and private) participating in federal student aid programs to afford sexual assault victims certain basic rights. Schools violating this law can be fined or lose federal student aid program eligibility. grievances should be made to the U.S. Department of Education.
The Federal Campus Sexual Assault Victims’ Bill of Rights includes the following:
- Survivors shall be notified of their options to notify law enforcement.
- Accuser and accused must have the same opportunity to have others present.
- Both parties shall be informed of the outcome of any disciplinary proceeding.
- Survivors shall be notified of counseling services.
- Survivors shall be notified of options for changing academic and living situations.
The Campus Sexual Assault Victims’ Bill of Rights exists as a part of the Clery Act campus security reporting requirements.
Diversity and Inclusion
Inclusion Policies
All students are expected to read and comply with the policies and regulations set forth in the PTC Student Handbook, including without limitation the College’s policies regarding academic and behavioral conduct, the procedures for requesting an accommodation based upon a disability, and for reporting unlawful discrimination and harassment.
The Student Handbook is available to view and download from the College’s website at the following URL: PTC Student Handbook.
Students can access their course information and PTC email account, the PTC Academic Calendar, the Student Handbook, and many other College services through the PTC Student Portal at: https://www.students.ptcollege.edu/.
NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY
Please visit ptcollege.edu/nondiscrimination-policy for the nondiscrimination policy.
Accommodations for Individuals with Disabilities or IEP
PTC recognizes its responsibility to provide academic and nonacademic services and programs equally to individuals with and without disabilities. To this end, PTC ensures that all services, activities, facilities, and privileges are accessible to qualified persons with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Dean of Counseling & Student Development, Dr. Stephanie Svilar handles all IEP or disability related inquiries.
To Request Accommodations
- Submit documentation to PTC from a licensed professional such as a medical doctor, psychologist, or other qualified diagnostician. AND
- Contact Dr. Stephanie Svilar at svilar.stephanie@ptcollege.edu to discuss accommodations. Dr. Svilar will evaluate each request on a case-by-case basis and will notify students in writing of the approved accommodations and will notify faculty/staff on a selective “need to know” basis.
- For classroom accommodations, notify individual faculty members of the approved accommodations to be utilized in their class. Please allow faculty sufficient time to arrange accommodations.
Attendance Procedure for Pregnancy & Pregnancy Related Conditions:
In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, absences due to pregnancy or related conditions, including recovery from childbirth, shall be excused for as long as the absences are determined to be medically necessary. Students will be provided with the opportunity to make up any work missed because of such absences, if possible. For more information or requests for accommodations, students should inform their instructor(s) and/or contact PTC’s Title IX coordinator at hr@ptcollege.edu.
Attendance Procedure for Religious Observance
PTC will make reasonable efforts to accommodate students who must be absent from classes or miss scheduled exams to observe a religious holiday or participate in some other form of religious observance. Students shall be provided, whenever possible, reasonable opportunity to make up academic assignments missed due to such absences, unless doing so would create or impose an undue burden on other students or the College. At the beginning of the academic quarter, you should review the course requirements to identify foreseeable conflicts with assignments, exams, or other required attendance. If possible, please contact your instructor within the first two weeks of the quarter to allow time for us to discuss and make fair and reasonable adjustments to the schedule and/or tasks.
Preferred First Name and Pronoun Procedure for Students
Pittsburgh Technical College (PTC) commits to demonstrating professional courtesy and sensitivity. It is especially important with respect to individuals who chose to use names and pronouns other than their legal first name to identify themselves for a variety of personal and/or cultural reasons. PTC seeks to provide an inclusive and non-discriminatory environment by making it possible for students to be identified by a chosen first name and pronoun in class. Currently, official class rosters are provided to the instructor with the student’s legal name. However, you may request to use an alternate name or gender pronoun, or honorific. Please notify your instructor of your preferred name and pronoun preference at the beginning of the quarter and we will make every effort to use your preferred name. If we forget, it is not an intentional insult. Gently remind us. Chosen first names and pronouns may not be applicable in certain programs due to the requirements of accreditation organizations and clinical sites.
To learn more about our commitment, please Visit the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion webpage https://president.ptcollege.edu/diversity-and-inclusion/
You are welcome to share your thoughts as we build an authentic culture of care, communication, and collaboration. Send us an email with your thoughts to wearelistening@ptcollege.edu
Disclosure Information on Student Body Diversity
As required by the Higher Education Act, as amended, institutions must make available to current and prospective students information about the student body diversity. This data is collected and reported through the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES – IPEDS Data Center) and can be reviewed at nces.ed.gov.
Campus Accessibility
Pittsburgh Technical College welcomes all students and visitors. We work to assist visitors with disabilities in obtaining reasonable and appropriate accommodations, and in supporting equal access to our websites, academic programs, and facilities.
Please note that requests for accommodations at our facilities should be made at least one week prior to your visit. Questions about the buildings, academic programs, or specialized equipment should be directed to 412.809.5100 or james@ptcollege.edu.
Website Accessibility
Pittsburgh Technical College is committed to keeping its website compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). We welcome all feedback on how we might improve our sites’ accessibility.
Voter Registration Information
As part of the Higher Education Act (HEA), schools must make an attempt to make information available to students regarding voter registration. Why? Because voting is an important right that allows you to voice an opinion on who you want to represent you when it comes to issues that directly affect your life – like your ability to receive financial aid.
If you have not registered to vote, please consider doing so and be counted on Election Day.
No matter what state you are a resident of, you can register to vote by going to http://www.rockthevote.com/election-center/. Just click on your state of residence and the site will provide you with all of the information that you need to register to vote. If you are a resident of Pennsylvania, you can also register at this address http://www.votespa.com/
If you are registered to vote, the Rock the Vote Election Center also provides information on absentee ballots for your state. It’s easy to register to vote – and it’s important. Cast your vote on election day and let your voice be heard!
Academic and Financial Aid Information
Distance Education Outside of Pennsylvania
PTC is a member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA), which establishes national standards for interstate offerings of distance education courses and programs. As of October 2021, more than 2,300 institutions in 49 states (CA excluded), the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands participate in SARA.
Students residing outside of Pennsylvania who are taking online courses from PTC may follow the student complaint procedures detailed earlier on this page. If a student is not satisfied with the resolution of a complaint, he/she may appeal to the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) within two years of the resolution date. The PDE will notify the home state in which the student resides of the appeal. The resolution of the complaint by the PDE will be final, except in the event that PTC is in violation of applicable law(s).
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Postsecondary and Adult Education
333 Market Street, 12th Floor | Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333
Phone: 717.783.8228 | Fax: 717.722.3622
ra-collunivseminfo@pa.gov | education.pa.gov
Complaints regarding student grades or student conduct violations are governed entirely by PTC policy and the laws of Pennsylvania.
CA Residents: In compliance with California regulations (Ed. Code § 94801.5(c).), PTC may enroll residents of CA into its distance education programs.
Private Educational Loan Disclosures
In accordance with 34 CFR 668.14(b)(29)(ii), an institution must, upon the request of the applicant, discuss the availability of Federal, State, and institutional financial aid. Staff members at the Pittsburgh Technical College’s Office of Financial Aid are happy to discuss with students and prospective students, and their parents, the financial aid options available to them. Students and parents may qualify for loans or other assistance under Title IV of the Higher Education Act programs. The terms and conditions of Title IV HEA program loans may be more favorable than the provisions of private educational loans.
The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (Pub. L. 110-35) (HEOA) added section 128(e)(3) to the TILA to require that before a private educational lender may consummate a private education loan for a student in attendance at an institution of higher education, the private education lender must obtain the completed and signed Self-Certification Form from the applicant. The Federal Reserve Board’s Final Regulations published on August 14, 2009 incorporate this new requirement at 12 CFR 226.48(e). Many lenders of private loans will provide the Self-Certification Form to the student borrower. The form is also available here in PDF format: Private Education Loan Self-Certification (PDF).
General College Financing Plan
Dependent Student Financing Plan
Independent Student Financing Plan
Federal Definition of a Credit Hour
Credit Hour Definition – A credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement. The equivalency approximates are:
- One hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out‐of-class student work each week for ten to twelve weeks for one quarter hour of credit, or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time.
- The equivalent amount of work for other activities as established by PTC, which includes laboratory work, practicum, internships and other academic work.
- For every 10 hours of lecture, one credit;
For every 20 hours of lab, one credit;
For every 30 hours of internship, one credit.
In order to be successful in courses, students need to spend adequate time outside of class to complete homework assignments, projects, and papers as well as prepare for quizzes and tests. Students are expected to develop a plan to carve out time each day to keep up with the workload of their courses.
Transfer of Credit Policy
The College accepts transfer credits for comparable courses from accredited schools if students earned at least a “C” grade. The maximum time frame for transfer students is calculated based on the number of credits needed to complete the program after transfer credits are accepted. Transfer grades are not used to calculate the CGPA.
EXAMPLE: A student transfers in 20 credits of a program 100-credits in length. The student needs 80 credits to complete the program; therefore, the maximum time frame is 120 credits (80 x 1.5 = 120).
Exempted Credits Due to Transfer
Exempted credits must be counted as completed and attempted credits as it relates to the course completion rate.
Articulation Agreements
Career Assistance Data
Percentage Of Graduates Working In-Field Full-Time, Part-Time, And Freelance.
Career Assistance Data
Information Security Policy and Procedures
The college is committed to safeguarding its information resources, including personal and confidential data, through the use of appropriate physical, administrative, and technical safeguards. PTC regularly monitors computer systems to detect unauthorized access by external sources. The purpose of the Information Security Policy is to outline how the college manages information systems security, vendor oversight, identity theft prevention, and data breach protocols. Furthermore, it identifies the essential roles and responsibilities within the PTC community for creating and maintaining an environment that protects its information resources.
Additional Data Privacy and Security Policies
Customer Payment Card Data PolicyComputer Use and Electronic Communication