International Student Programs and Services


At Duquesne, we believe it is important to support international students who are considering Duquesne for their higher education. Duquesne welcomes students from around the world, adding to the diversity and richness of the student experience. If you are someone who may be interested in attending Duquesne as a non-U.S. citizen, make the Center for Global Engagement your first point of contact. You can reach us at 412-396-6113 or at intladmissions@duq.edu.

Center for Global Engagement

The Center for Global Engagement (DuqGlobal) provides services to international students and scholars pursuing undergraduate and graduate degree programs at the University. These specialized services include providing pre-arrival information to accepted students; assisting with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requirements; assisting in academic and cross-cultural adjustment through initial arrival and extended orientation programs; promoting and supporting events, programs, and activities which foster deeper communication, awareness and understanding among U.S. and international students at Duquesne; and providing ongoing direct service and appropriate referral services to international students and scholars on campus in a personalized and professional manner.

Study Abroad

DuqGlobal also coordinates all Study Abroad programming for the University and offers support services for students interested in our semester-long Duquesne in Rome and Duquesne in Dublin programs as well as other locations around the world, short-term spring break and summer programs, and other specialized Study Abroad programs at Duquesne. DuqGlobal supports the University's strong commitment to international education as a valued component of the overall mission of the institution.

Global English Institute

The Global English Institute is home to our English as a Second Language program that offers classes in speaking, listening, reading and writing skills to help students improve English. It enhances readiness to enroll in university degree programs which require English for academic study. No English Proficiency test scores are required for admission.

Students interested in applying only for English language study in the Duquesne University Global English Institute on either a short- or long-term basis may submit an application to study as non-degree students. ESL students must comply with all U.S. immigration regulations for maintenance of full-time student status. Additional information on the Global English Institute may be found at www.duq.edu/gei and in the catalog under Special Programs.

English Proficiency Requirements

Since English is the language of instruction at Duquesne University, all graduate students must meet the necessary language requirements for their departments. Minimum scores are required for admission unless otherwise indicated by your accepting department; minimum scores vary by department. Please check with your department for international student admission policies and language requirements.

University Language Testing Requirements

Graduate Degree Programs - All international applicants to graduate from degree programs are required to submit official TOEFL, IELTS, or DuoLingo score reports current to within one year as part of their application. Requirements vary by department and school within the range of 80 to 100 iBT and 6.5 to 9 IELTS.

Online Degree Programs - All international applicants to online degree programs are required to submit a TOEFL score of 80 (iBT) or higher, an IELTS score of 6.5 or higher or a DuoLingo Score of 115 or 125 (depending on department). The Duquesne University TOEFL Institution code for TOEFL is 2196.

International Teaching Assistants

Pennsylvania state law and Duquesne University policies require certification of sufficient English language fluency for all faculty and teaching assistants. Teaching assistants whose first language is other than English are required to take additional language tests conducted by the Duquesne University Global English Institute and the Center for Teaching Excellence in cooperation with the teaching assistant's academic department. Results determine whether the candidate has sufficient fluency to teach. If the assessment indicates a need for assistance with English, the student will be enrolled in required language classes to be taken together with degree program courses. Teaching assistants with a sub-score of 26 or higher in Speaking on the Internet-Based TOEFL (iBT) are excused from the oral test.

Graduate Pathway Program (Conditional Admission)

International applicants who have not attained the required English proficiency scores and other required standardized tests for admission into graduate programs may be eligible for conditional admission to either an academic program or admission into the Global English Institute program. Through the Pathway Program for International Graduate Students, applicants may attend up to one year (twelve months) of the Global English Institute and academic coursework at Duquesne to prepare for the required standardized tests in order to be granted full admission into a graduate program. If, after twelve months, the student has not demonstrated satisfactory progress and attained a competitive score on the standardized tests, the student will be dismissed from the program by the appropriate Program Director.