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.
Scholarship
A one-year, renewable scholarship for students pursuing a second major in Catholic Studies
- Awarded to five students each year. These students must be sophomores, juniors, or seniors, who are pursuing a second major in Catholic Studies.
- The scholarship is a total of $2,000.
- The scholarship is awarded in $1,000 increments - one each semester.
- Students may receive the scholarship more than once, but must reapply on an annual basis.
- The application deadline for the St. John Henry Newman Scholarship is August 1st.

A four-year scholarship for students pursuing a Nursing major and a Catholic Studies minor
- Awarded to three students each year. These students must be pursuing a BSN in Nursing, and eligible to pursue a minor in Catholic Studies.
- The scholarship is a total of $3,750.
- The scholarship is awarded in $750 increments, based on the number of CATH credits taken each semester.
- The application deadline for the St. Catherine of Siena Scholarship is August 1st.
A one-year, renewable scholarship for non-Liberal Arts students pursuing a minor in Catholic Studies
- Awarded to three students each year. These students must be pursuing a non-Liberal Arts major, as well as a minor in Catholic Studies.
- The scholarship is a total of $1,000.
- The scholarship is awarded in $500 increments - one each semester.
- Students may receive the scholarship more than once, but must reapply on an annual basis.
- The application deadline for the All Saints Scholarship is August 1st.
A one-time scholarship for first-year students pursuing a second major in Catholic Studies
- Awarded to three students each year. These students must declare a second major in Catholic Studies by the end of the fall semester.
- Students enrolled in CATH courses during both the fall and spring semesters are eligible for a $1,000 scholarship. The easiest way to qualify is by joining the Catholica Learning Community.
- Students enrolled in a CATH course during only the spring semester are eligible for a $500 scholarship.
- Both the $1,000 and the $500 scholarships are awarded before the start of the spring semester.
- The application deadline for the St. Thomas Aquinas Scholarship is December 1st.