Majors
Students must fulfill the requirements of a major, which is a cohesive combination of courses including introductory, intermediate, and advanced coursework that designates a student’s primary area of study. Courses that may be used to fulfill the major are designated by the academic department or program offering the major. The major must be completed with a minimum grade point average of 2.0. Departments may set higher requirements for courses and the entire major program of study.
A minimum of (30) semester hours is required for a major, and a minimum of 18 semester hours must be completed in residence at Duquesne University. Credit earned through Advanced Placement (AP) Exams, CLEP, and Credit-by-Exam may count as credits-in-residence. All students are required to complete one major, although students may elect to complete more than one. There is no restriction on credit-sharing between majors and minors, the University Core Curriculum, or a School’s or the College’s Core Curriculum, although the Schools and College may regulate or limit sharing.
Minors
Students may elect or be required to complete one or more minors. A minor is a focused area of study that may or may not be related to a major and which requires the completion of a minimum of 15 semester hours. Students may not pursue a major and a minor in the same discipline. Courses that may be used to fulfill the minor are designated by the academic department or program offering the minor. The minor must be completed with a minimum grade point average of 2.0. Departments may set higher requirements for courses and the entire minor program of study.
A minimum of 6 semester hours of the minor must be completed in residence at Duquesne University, and credit earned through Advanced Placement (AP) Exams, CLEP, and Credit-by-Exam may count as credits-in-residence. There is no restriction on credit-sharing between majors and minors, the University Core Curriculum, or a School’s or the College’s Core Curriculum, although the Schools and College may regulate or limit sharing.
Concentration
A concentration is a focus within a major which results in concentrated training in or knowledge of a particular area of the major. A concentration requires a minimum of 15 semester hours which may also count toward the minimum of 30 semester hours required for the major. Courses that may be used to fulfill the concentration are designated by the academic department or program offering the concentration. There is no restriction on credit-sharing between the concentration and the University Core Curriculum or a School’s or the College’s Core Curriculum.
Certificates
A certificate is a credential that requires completion of an organized program of study at the postsecondary, post-baccalaureate, or post-master’s levels. Certificates are generally organized to provide professional development by equipping students with specific knowledge, skills, and proficiencies. Certificates are not the same as minors since minors are academic in focus and certificates are for applied, professional purposes. A minimum grade point average of 2.0 is required for an undergraduate certificate, and a minimum grade point average of 3.0 is required for a graduate certificate.
Postsecondary Certificates require a minimum of 15 semester hours with a maximum of 3 semester hours accepted in transfer. Generally, Duquesne offers postsecondary certificates only to degree-seeking undergraduate students.
Post-baccalaureate and post-master's certificates require a minimum of 15 semester hours. A maximum of 6 semester hours may be accepted in transfer from an accredited college or university, or a maximum of 9 semester hours may be applied if previously earned at Duquesne. In either case, students must earn a minimum of 6 semester hours toward the certificate while enrolled as a certificate-seeking student. Those pursuing such certificates must hold an appropriate baccalaureate and/or master's degree as specified by the program.
Some certificate programs may be completed while students are pursuing a degree, and degree-seeking students may be eligible for federal financial aid. At Duquesne University, a certificate program pursued as a stand-alone credential does not qualify for federal financial aid since students are not degree-seeking. Certificate-seeking students may apply for other forms of financial aid that may be available to them.
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Majors |
Minors |
Concentration |
Certificates |
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Description |
A cohesive combination of courses including introductory, intermediate, and advanced coursework that designates a student’s primary area of undergraduate study. Courses that may be used to fulfill the major are designated by the academic department or program offering the major. Students are required to complete one major and may elect to complete more than one. |
A focused area of study that may or may not be related to a major but complements, broadens or extends the student’s primary area of study. Courses that may be used to fulfill the minor are designated by the academic department or program offering the minor. Students may elect or be required to complete one or more minors. |
A focus within a major which results in concentrated training in or knowledge of a particular area within the major. Courses that may be used to fulfill the concentration are designated by the academic department or program offering the major.
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A program of study, generally organized to afford professional development by providing students with specific knowledge, skills and proficiencies in an applied or professional areas of focus. Certificates can be offered at the postsecondary, post-baccalaureate or post-master’s level. |
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Minimum required total semester hours |
30 semester hours |
15 semester hours |
15 semester hours (may also count toward major) |
15 semester hours (postsecondary, post-baccalaureate and post-master’s) |
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Minimum required in-residence semester hours |
18 semester hours (maximum of 12 transfer credits) |
6 semester hours (maximum of 9 transfer credits) |
N/A |
12 semester hours (maximum of 3 transfer credits) |
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Limitations |
Students may not pursue a major and a minor in the same discipline.
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Students may not pursue a minor and a major in the same discipline. |
N/A |
N/A |
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Minimum grade requirement |
Each major must be completed with a minimum grade point average of 2.0.
Departments may set higher requirements for courses or the entire major program. |
Each minor must be completed with a minimum grade point average of 2.0.
Departments may set higher requirements for courses or the entire minor program. |
(See Majors) |
Each certificate must be completed with a minimum grade point average of 2.0. |
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Majors |
Minors |
Concentration |
Certificates |
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Credit-sharing with major(s) or minor(s) (Schools or the College may limit sharing.) |
No restriction on credit-sharing with another major.
No restriction on credit-sharing with minor(s).
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No restriction on credit sharing with a major.
No restriction on credit sharing with another minor.
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(See Majors)
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No restriction (only applicable in the context of postsecondary certificates) |
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Credit sharing with Core Curriculum, School’s or College’s Core. |
No restriction |
No restriction |
No restriction |
No restriction (only applicable in the context of postsecondary certificates) |
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Application of university approved credits from AP, CLEP or Credit-by-Exam |
Relevant credits apply to major and count toward in-residence requirement. |
Relevant credits apply to minor and count toward in-residence requirement. |
(See Majors) |
Relevant credits apply to certificates and count toward in-residence requirement (only applicable in the context of postsecondary certificates) |
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Title IV (Federal Financial Aid) funding eligible? |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Some degree-seeking students may be eligible for Title IV funding.
Non degree-seeking students who are pursuing a certificate as a stand-alone credential are not eligible for Title IV funding, but may be eligible for other forms of aid. |
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Eligible student population? |
Degree-seeking students |
Degree-seeking students |
Degree-seeking students |
Postsecondary certificates are only available to degree-seeking undergraduates.
Post-baccalaureate and post-master’s certificates require an appropriate baccalaureate and/or master’s degree as specified by the program. |