Undecided? Discover Your Opportunities

College is about expanding your knowledge base, embracing new experiences and understanding how your interests and skills can combine to lead to a meaningful career. It’s our joy to encourage you to learn, explore and discover how to shape your path to success using our integrated program of academic exploration, career planning and professional development.

  • Choose courses that interest you. Our Bridges Common Learning Experience includes curriculum designed to intersect with whatever major you choose, giving you space to take courses in different disciplines and pursue out-of-classroom learning that excites you. You can do this in a distinctive setting, ideal for helping you discover options and pursue your bigger goals.

  • Your dedicated network will help. Student success coaches, faculty advisors, career planning and development counselors, wellbeing and health advocates, financial aid counselors, alumni mentors and others will walk alongside you on your path to success at Duquesne and beyond.

  • Prepared for anything. Designed with input from employers and hiring managers, our Bridges courses prepare you to adapt and build momentum for your life after college. You will gain the professional confidence, impressive experience, and powerful networks you need to get a running start on a meaningful career or graduate school.

We're Prepared for You

Duquesne grads are prepared for anything. And our staff is prepared for anything you may want to explore. Let us know you want to discover your options, and we'll get you started!

Ready to Learn More About Our Discover Program?

We're ready to help you! Complete our inquiry form to be added to our mailing list and receive additional information about Duquesne's Discover program.

Discover Your Path to Success 

Explore our Discover programs and learn more about how you can customize your path, bringing your skills and passions to the forefront of your journey.

 

Three Duquesne students working together at a table with a laptop and bar graphs in the background

Destined to Lead?

During your first semester as a Discover Business student, you’ll collaborate with your peers on a class project for a real organization, giving you a taste of the corporate world. You’ll also be able to explore different classes, double your major or even select multiple minors. No need to commit to just one passion!

Discover Business
School of Education undergraduate student works at a table with children in the University's Curriculum Center.

Inspired to Teach?

Explore your many teaching options including our access to 75+ school districts, cultural immersion opportunities and pathways to our early start graduate education programs.

Discover Education
health sciences ot student with patient

Driven to Impact Healthcare?

Become a health professional with a customized Health Sciences degree. Explore various health fields, gain hands-on experiences and tailor your education with pathways, concentrations or minors to help you find and follow your unique path in the health industry.

Discover Health Sciences
Three Duquesne students walking outside on campus with cherry blossoms in the background

Interested in Transforming Our World?

With 25 major programs of study, our Liberal Arts offerings make indecision an asset. With the ability to double, or even triple count courses towards degrees, you can pursue multiple passions and still graduate in four years.

Discover Liberal Arts
Duquesne music students in the shadow by a window

Moved by Music?

Want music in your life, but not sure about the audition? Learn about music beyond instruments, including music theory, composition, and history, and how you can specialize your studies to prepare for careers in a wide range of options from music therapy, music management, or music engineering technology.

Discover Music
Students in lab.

Ready to Advance Science & Engineering?

Use your problem-solving abilities to uncover your strengths in science and engineering by exploring various courses, from biology to computer science. Develop practical lab skills, engage in hands-on research and participate in field, community and global scientific study to identify your career path.

Discover Science and Engineering

 

You Can Take Many Paths

Headshot of Viv Kuliecza

I chose Duquesne because we’re in an urban area, and I felt like there was a lot of opportunity for me here. Every professor I have is for us and cares about our education. They want to make sure we’re comfortable in class and want to know what they can do to help us.

Viv Kuliecza Discover Liberal Arts student
Discover Viv's story
Jacob Dulya in the lab

I was accepted to Duquesne as ‘undecided,’ but quickly met so many students who were incredibly welcoming and faculty who included many skilled professors and researchers. I truly think Duquesne is a hidden gem and I'm thankful that I chose it.

Jacob Dulya '25 Started as a Discover Science student, now a Physics major
Mary Pasternoster stands on campus with the chapel in the background.

During my first semester, I needed time to decide if education was the step I wanted to take. I did field experience in a first grade classroom and loved seeing the impact I could make in a student's life.

Mary Paternoster '27 Began as a Discover Education student, now an English and Secondary Education double major
Pictured is Isabella Abbott wearing headphones and holding a WESA 90.5 microphone.

Coming to Duquesne, the only thing I was certain would be a part of my college journey was the rowing team. I started as an undecided liberal arts student athlete with no dream job and no sense of belonging within a major, but as I took classes in media and writing, I began to realize that journalism was my path.

Isabella Abbott '24 Multiplatform Journalism alumna (started as a Discover Liberal Arts student), now a Grant & Public Relations Writer for Avanti Consulting Group
Learn about Isabella's journey
Student Connor Lenz headshot

I chose Duquesne for its high-quality academics, great campus life and the elite football program. As a Discover Science major, I'm exploring different areas to study. I'm interested in the sciences because I’m passionate about working out and health/nutrition. I want to be something along the lines of a trainer or coach.

Connor Lenz '26 Discover Science student
Caroline Kucko in commencement cap standing near window

When I started at Duquesne, I knew I was interested in media, but wasn’t completely sure which facet of it I wanted to study. I made a point to take classes from a variety of programs and ultimately chose Integrated Marketing Communication to get a broad understanding of the field.

Caroline Kucko '22 Integrated Marketing Communication alumna (began as a Discover Liberal Arts student) and now a Publicity Coordinator for SiriusXM
Student Samantha Vail in commencement robe at ceremony

I looked at what other majors Duquesne offered because I knew I loved the University, but was second guessing my choice in major. I found the most enjoyment in marketing and communications so I transferred to the liberal arts school to study integrated marketing communications. I knew I made the right choice because I loved my classes.

Samantha Vail '22 Integrated Marketing Communication alumna (began as a Discover Liberal Arts major) and now an Account Executive for Red Sage Communications
Read Samantha's Story

 

Discover Your Support

A dedicated network of student success coaches, faculty advisors, career planning and development counselors, wellbeing and health advocates, financial aid counselors, alumni mentors, and others will walk alongside you on your path to success at Duquesne and beyond.

A Duquesne student meeting with a student success coach

Success Coaches

After enrolling at Duquesne, you can start to discover and shape your path during the spring of your senior year of high school and the summer before you arrive on campus. Meet virtually with your Success Coach, learn more about your strengths and begin connecting with fellow classmates in your Discover cohort, designed for students exploring their options for majors.

Two Duquesne students laughing with each other

First-Year Mentors

Our First-year Mentors Program provides a unique opportunity for new students to have someone to talk to, to hang out with or to just vent. As a first-year student, you are assigned one of our many supportive University community members including an academic advisor, resident assistant and orientation team leader, just to name a few.

Duquesne students in suits talking in downtown Pittsburgh

Career Planning & Discovery

It's never too early to get to know the people in our Center for Career Development. Take advantage of a one-on-one appointment with a Career Consultant, use virtual resources, connect with employers, seek individual guidance and attend programs designed to help you explore careers and develop your job-search skills.

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Bridges Common Learning Experience logo

Bridges Curriculum

Every undergraduate student in every school of study at Duquesne takes a series of courses that emphasize intellectual and moral development through the study of the liberal arts. In addition to building crucial skills for later success, our Bridges curriculum allows you to study a wide variety of subjects and graduate with the richest possible academic experience.

How Does Bridges Help You Explore Your Path?

Our Bridges curriculum prepares you for what’s next and ensures that you’ll never have to narrow your ambitions. The curriculum is designed to overlap with every major at Duquesne so you can maximize progress toward your degree while having the opportunity to discover new interests or pursue additional goals.

Two Duquesne education students in the Curriculum Center
Our curriculum is designed to intersect with your major and to give you room to pursue courses and out-of-classroom learning opportunities that excite you. Bridges is not a pre-determined set of survey courses—we take a choose-your-own adventure approach. Know exactly where you want to go? We have a map for that. Ready to explore and discover new interests and talents? We have a map for that, too.

Designed with input from employers and hiring managers, Bridges courses prepare you to adapt and evolve in a dynamic professional landscape.

Exam credits like AP, College in High School courses, transfer credits from other institutions: bring them with you!

You can pursue credentials in addition to any major you elect to pursue, such as certificates, minors or additional majors.

Bridges introduces you to Duquesne’s specific Catholic and Spiritan heritage through courses that explore the riches of the Catholic intellectual tradition, help you develop skills for ethical reasoning, challenge you to ask essential questions, engaged you in communities both local and global.

EXPERIENTIAL/HANDS-ON LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Connect your classroom learning to the professional world with hands-on learning opportunities. We'll make sure you gain the professional confidence, impressive experience and powerful networks you need to get a running start on a meaningful career.

You can consider some or all of the following as you explore:

  • Job shadowing and externships
  • Internships, travel courses, immersion programs, and independent study opportunities
  • Undergraduate research and field work
  • Service learning
  • Study abroad

Ronnie Coleman in front of Nestle logo"As I progressed through each stage of my career journey—job search, résumé, interviews, acceptance—my career advisor was there to meet the unique challenge that came with each stage. It is advantages such as these that make Duquesne's Center for Career Development truly unique and incomparable."

Ronnie Coleman, B'23, Business Administration, Supply Chain Associate, Nestlé

Duquesne student working in Maker Space lab

Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Discover—in the classroom and beyond

Duquesne is big enough to have many options—and close-knit enough to make great connections along the way.

280+Student Organizations

Try a few out to see what you like. One of the best ways to discover your major is to get involved in things that interest you. You’ll meet great people doing things you might not know are possible. And you’ll make connections that will last a lifetime!

90Neighborhoods

Location matters. You’ll find plenty to do both on and off campus. Duquesne is situated in the heart of Pittsburgh, a city of 90 diverse neighborhoods where everyone can be themselves. And just a few blocks from campus, you’ll find Fortune 500 companies, non-profit organizations and startups—for internships and work, plus three major-league sports teams and a cultural district—for play!

10Schools of Study

When you’re ready to choose the major that fits your goals, we’ll be ready to help you make the most of your academic ambitions. With 85+ undergraduate majors and 110 graduate and certificate programs, you’ll find just the right fit for you.

1:1 HelpLearning Together

You’ll feel supported at Duquesne University by the many people who work together to help you succeed. Our student success coaches know that, as a Discover student, you are looking at options. They will help you plan your classes, your course schedule and your overall study experience.