Department of Catholic Studies

Do you want to understand the relationship between the Catholic faith and your intellectual pursuits? Regardless of your religious faith and background, the Department of Catholic Studies welcomes you to immerse yourself in an interdisciplinary study of the Catholic faith and the contributions of Catholicism to world history as well as local and global culture. 

This tradition has been lived in different historical contexts and cultural forms for two millennia, united by a common faith in Jesus Christ. It forms a church communion that continues to have significant impact on our understanding of reality and therefore every discipline across the university. 

Whether you’re majoring or minoring, as a Catholic studies student, you'll learn to identify the theological and philosophical tenets, doctrines and practices that distinguish Catholicism from other religions, all while building a broader knowledge base through Duquesne’s broad, liberal arts education.  You’ll find limitless ways to apply Catholic teaching and principles to broader fields of study—whether business or nursing, humanities or the sciences.

As a Catholic studies major or minor, you’ll learn to describe the church as a global human family and culturally diverse gift of God's creation, while allying Spiritan principles of justice, peace and the integrity of creation (JPIC) in personal and professional life. You’ll grow comfortable demonstrating leadership, teamwork and service in Catholic, ecumenical, inter-religious contexts. 

You will also learn to articulate the impact of Catholicism on various aspects of human civilization and in different historical moments while communicating with fluency salient points about major figures in Catholic artistic and intellectual traditions.