Our curriculum empowers you to ask big questions and create big ideas. It is our responsibility—and
joy—to help you figure out what you are good at and why those talents are good for
the world.
Diversify Your Thinking
As a liberal arts student, you are challenged to excel in your chosen major and minor
course studies, and encouraged to explore other subject areas. Our course requirements,
known as our College Distribution, enable you to expand your knowledge by taking courses
outside your comfort zones to compare broader themes across the Liberal Arts. Your
professors will dare you to diversify your thinking to gain a wider worldview that
will prepare you for any career after graduation. You will learn to think, write and
speak clearly and critically, so you can seek truth about God, yourself, and society,
and contribute to your families, communities, businesses and professions.
Get ahead of the pack. From the moment you step onto campus, take advantage of our
award winning faculty who will walk alongside you as your boldest goals are realized.
Haven't decided on a major just yet? You are not alone - many Liberal Arts students
begin their first year looking to test their talents and find the right pathway. We
are a great place to explore. Learn about one of our more than 30 undergraduate majors
and minors.
Discover your path to success in the liberal arts
Considering possible majors? Finding a way to combine interests? That's good! Many
students begin college before they decide on a major, and many students change their
major at some point in their academic journey. Our Discover students have the opportunity
to diversify their thinking through multiple subject areas to determine which of those
areas they find most fulfilling.
As a first-generation student, I was looking for a campus where I'd feel both
safe and supported. Duquesne was the perfect fit. My success coach helped me start
planning my future before classes even began.
Liberal Arts students learn not just to understand, but to also create positive change.
Our students lean into the Duquesne Mission of "Serving God by Serving Students" and
providing "Service to the Church, the community, the nation and the world." You are
encouraged to question societal norms and use skills learned in the classroom to build
a society that is more fair, just and prosperous.
Building a better Pittsburgh has been at the forefront of our mission since the beginning.
Whether you go into healthcare, government and politics, sports, education, law, religion
or any other industry, Duquesne graduates attain meaningful success and impact their
circles big and small.
Take the Next Step
Next Steps as an Admitted Student
Once you're accepted into the College of Liberal Arts, you're one step closer toward
reaching your goals. Come experience Duquesne's campus as an accepted student.
Meet with faculty and staff from the College, tour classrooms in College Hall, see
students' favorite spots and learn more about your life as a liberal arts student
at Duquesne!
Alumni Transform Lives of Individuals Living with Disabilities
Heather Gray's, GA'02, career path wasn’t linear. She pursued an English degree, taking
an American Sign Language (ASL) class along the way and participating in ASL clubs
and volunteer activities. Following graduate school on the Bluff, she worked with
students at the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf and as an ASL interpreter.
In addition to interpreting at more than 300 theater performances, Joe Biden’s presidential
candidacy announcement and movies at Cinemark Theaters, she’s been present for major
life events to connect loved ones and ensure communication in the most vital settings.
Heather runs her business with compassion and empathy, and she’s grateful that Duquesne’s
mission allowed her to hone these skills. “Learning the theories of servant leadership and emotional intelligence allowed me
to expand upon the academic approach to serve individuals in the disability community,” she said.
Fresh Perspectives & Powerful Connections
For Kimberly Tucker, GA’22, a career dedicated to service also began at Duquesne.
As a philosophy doctoral student, she began her dissertation focusing on applied phenomenology,
focusing on human experience and how individuals perceive and interact with the world.
Her original focus was chronic illness, but she switched gears to focus on vision
and perception and low-vision experiences. "UPMC ophthalmologist Dr. Jay Chhablani and my dissertation advisor Dr. Lanei Rodemeyer
supported the interdisciplinary project between philosophy and ophthalmology, which
paved the way to conduct a clinical project in phenomenology.”
Kimberly's work was well-received— she was awarded Duquesne’s Distinguished Dissertation Award for 2025 in Humanities
and Fine Arts—and she now works as a postdoc researcher at the UPMC Vision Institute studying the
lived experience of individuals with vision loss. Combined with a clinical diagnosis
and treatment from a medical team, Tucker contributes to a holistic treatment plan
that allows the team to address physical, social, emotional and the often inarticulable
existential facets of health and illness. Read More About Their Success
Duquesne - Pittsburgh Connection
Volunteering for the Ryan Shazier Fund for Spinal Rehabilitation allowed me to contribute
to a meaningful cause by helping develop the communication strategy for their “Night
at the Races” fundraiser at Acrisure Stadium, an opportunity I gained through a connection
with my professor, Dr. Erik Garrett. This experience let me see the real-world impact
of our efforts and connect with others in the community in a way that truly made a
difference.
Leila Doran, A'26Integrated marketing and communication major and minor in digital media arts
Being able to get involved with broadcasting so early in my time at Duquesne was one
of the things that drew me to the College. Whether it’s through Duquesne Student Radio
(DSR), Duquesne Student Television (DSTV), or broadcasting sports on campus, it's
exciting to work with others who share the same passion.
Brendan Flatow, A'29Sports information and media major
Alumni gatherings through the McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts
have been really valuable in getting me ready for life after college. Their tips on
internships and interviews gave me the confidence to land positions with Sommer Law
Group and PA Youth Vote. These experiences have helped me grow as a student and future
attorney while building practical skills and a better sense of how to navigate my
career.
Donay Allen, A'27Double major in political science and international relations with a minor in philosophy
Heather Gray's, GA'02, career path wasn’t linear. She pursued an English degree, taking
an American Sign Language (ASL) class along the way and participating in ASL clubs
and volunteer activities. Following graduate school on the Bluff, she worked with
students at the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf and as an ASL interpreter.
In addition to interpreting at more than 300 theater performances, Joe Biden’s presidential
candidacy announcement and movies at Cinemark Theaters, she’s been present for major
life events to connect loved ones and ensure communication in the most vital settings.
