Polish Minor

Why Learn Polish at Pitt?

The University of Pittsburgh offers a rare opportunity to fulfill your language requirement

while gaining a competitive edge by learning Polish — an official language of the European Union spoken by over 40 million people worldwide. At Pitt, you can even pick up a 15-credit Polish minor to complement your major.

Connect with Polish Culture
Explore Poland’s rich literary, artistic, and cinematic traditions — home to Nobel Prize-winning authors and world-renowned filmmakers. Whether you’re passionate about Chopin, Szymborska, Miłosz, Tokarczuk, Kieślowski, Wajda, Matejko, or Beksiński, learning the language opens the door to deeper understanding and appreciation.

Boost Your Career

Poland has one of the largest and fastest-growing economies in Central Europe and Polish can open doors to careers within the EU in areas like translation, diplomacy, international business, and nonprofits.  Industries like IT, AI, data analysis, robotics, engineering, logistics, defense, and healthcare are increasingly seeking bilingual professionals. Having Polish on your résumé sets you apart — especially since so few U.S. universities offer it. At Pitt, you’ll also have chances to apply for scholarships, attend summer programs in Poland, and connect with international opportunities.

Gateway to Slavic Languages and Cultures
Polish provides an excellent foundation for learning related languages such as Czech, Slovak, Ukrainian, and Russian. It’s ideal for students pursuing Slavic Studies, Linguistics, History, International Relations, or Jewish Studies. Once you’ve got Polish under your belt, picking up another Slavic language becomes much easier.

Reconnect with Your European Roots
If you have Polish heritage, studying the language can be a meaningful way to connect with your family’s past. It can help you communicate with relatives, read historical records, and better understand your cultural background. And even if you’re not of Polish descent, diving into the language and traditions of Poland is a powerful way to explore Europe’s rich history.

Travel in a Meaningful Way 

Whether you're exploring Kraków’s historic charm, checking out Warsaw’s modern buzz, or taking in Poland’s lakes, mountains, and forests — knowing the language makes travel smooth and fun, but also more enriching, personal, and rewarding.

For the most current course requirements, please refer to the Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences Undergraduate Studies Department's program requirements sheet for the Polish minor. The information displayed below is intended only to serve as a reference.

Students may complete this 15-credit minor during the regular academic year or through summer study of the Polish language. SLAV 1865 may not be used to fulfill a requirement for more than one academic program.

Option 1: Academic year

_______ POLISH 0030 Intermediate Polish 3
_______ POLISH 0040 Intermediate Polish 4
_______ POLISH 0400 Advanced Polish Through Film

_______ POLISH 0410 Advanced Polish 2
_______ POLISH 0325/0870/1260 The Short Story in a Polish Context; Contemporary Polish Cinema: Literature on Film; Survey of Polish Literature and Culture
_______ SLAV 1865 The Year Communism Crumbled

Option 2: Summer study; choose one course from each of the following pairs

Program Advisor:

Agnieszka Oskiera
ago21@pitt.edu