Duquesne University

Duquesne University was established in 1878 by Father Joseph Strub as the Pittsburgh Catholic College of the Holy Ghost. By 1911, Duquesne evolved into Pennsylvania's first private, nonprofit Catholic institution to be given university status. Still affiliated with the Spiritan Fathers, Duquesne educates over 5,800 undergrad and 4,500 post-graduate students. With a $260 million endowment, the RU/H university operates a 50-acre urban campus in Pittsburgh's Bluff neighborhood overlooking the Monongahela River. The USNWR ranked Duquesne University as America's 124th best college, 37th top value, and 82nd most veteran-friendly school.

Duquesne University Accreditation Details

Reaffirmed through 2023, Duquesne University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), one of six recognized bodies under the U.S. Department of Education. Other relevant discipline-specific approvals include:

• American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation (APA CoA)

• Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)

• National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)

• National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)

Duquesne University Application Requirements

Classified as "selective," Duquesne University has an acceptance rate of 76 percent. First-time freshmen wishing to study psychology must receive a diploma from a licensed school district or home school. Completing a 16-unit college preparatory curriculum with four units each of English and math is preferred. Candidates with a cumulative secondary GPA above 3.0 can apply test-optional. However, accepted Duquesne freshmen have an average SAT score of 1200 (on 1600 scale) and ACT score of 25. Around 300 transfers are admitted annually from regionally accredited colleges with a minimum 2.5 GPA.

Additional Resource: The 30 Best Master’s Degrees in Student Affairs and College Counseling

Joining Duquesne's more than 90,000 alumni worldwide as a graduate student will mandate at least a four-year baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. The Graduate School uses a unique Quality Point Average (QPA) rather than a GPA. Master's programs in counseling will necessitate a minimum 2.8 QPA in the last 48 collegiate credits earned. Doctoral candidates should have higher QPAs around 3.2 to 3.5. Fulfilling prerequisites is essential; for example, the School Psychology Ph.D. requires 12 psychology courses. Admitted students have an average GRE score of 162 verbal and 152 quantitative.

Duquesne University has an Early Decision deadline of November 1st and Transfer deadline of December 1st, but other students can generally apply until July 1st. Create an online account to log onto the application and submit the following:

• Payment for the $50 application fee

• Official high school and post-secondary transcripts

• Standardized testing scores (sometimes optional)

• One to three letters of recommendation

• Typed, proofread 500-word personal essay

• Curriculum vitae or resume (graduate only)

Tuition and Financial Aid

Full-time undergraduate psychology majors will be charged flat-rate tuition of $35,062 annually. It's estimated that textbooks and supplies add $1,400 per year. Residential students should budget $3,206 and $2,674 for room and board respectively each semester. Total cost of attendance at Duquesne is approximately $48,796 yearly. Graduate psychology or counseling majors can expect paying $1,234 per credit. Select programs like the School Counseling M.S.Ed. offer a 25 percent discount to full-time learners. On average, graduates pay $21,402 per year.

According to the NCES, tuition assistance is provided to 92 percent of Duquesne Dukes. The average financial aid package is worth $17,238. After filing the FAFSA, students could obtain low-interest Federal Direct, Perkins, or Graduate PLUS loans. Licensed psychologists may be eligible for the NHSC Loan Repayment Program after graduation. Free money is gifted via the Federal Pell Grant or FSEOG Grant to undergraduates. In-state residents may earn the PHEAA State Grant, Chafee Grant, or Blind and Deaf Beneficiary Grant. Federal Work-Study (FWS) offers paychecks for up to 11 hours weekly. Majors could also claim the Duquesne Academic Scholarship, Chancellor's Scholarship, ROTC Scholars Award, and more.

Psychology and Counseling Degrees

Duquesne's School of Education draws on over 75 years of experience to present six psychology and counseling degrees. Grounded in the "Spiritan Tradition of Caring," the programs strive to prepare ethical leaders for promoting well-being across the lifespan. Right in Uptown Pittsburgh, students benefit from unparalleled resources like the Canevin Center for Educational Transformation and Social Justice. Available mental health-related degrees are:

Psychology Major

Conferring a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), the Psychology Major introduces Duquesne undergrads to the study of behavioral phenomenon as a human science and natural science. The 36-credit major requires completing a service learning project in the Pittsburgh community. Upper-division students could also intern with the Arsenal Family & Children's Center, participate in the CPRC Pain Research Experience, and/or become inducted in Psi Chi.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.S.Ed.

Following CACREP standards, the Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.S.Ed. program equips Duquesne graduates for taking the National Counselor Exam (NCE) with an average pass rate above 95 percent. The 60-credit curriculum sharpens therapeutic practice skills with field practica and a capstone internship. Coursework will delve into lifespan development, diversity, group therapy, individual appraisal, psychological testing, and more. Aspiring LPCs could also pursue a Post-Master's Counseling Track.

Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling M.S.Ed.

Consisting of 60 credits, the Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling M.S.Ed. at Duquesne University produces holistic therapists who address social functioning problems from a relational perspective. The mandatory 700 fieldwork hours satisfy Pennsylvania's Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) requirements, but won't qualify graduates as LMFTs. Coursework will include treatment planning, familial relations, group dynamics, human sexuality, and substance abuse. The program's job placement rate is 100 percent.

School Counseling M.S.Ed.

Two CACREP-accredited tracks exist for completing the School Counseling M.S.Ed. from Duquesne and satisfying the Keystone State's LPC requirements. First, the traditional 60-credit curriculum covers everything from special education to crisis intervention for bachelor's degree holders. Second, the accelerated 36-credit track allows Pennsylvania certified PreK-12 teachers add endorsement for guidance counseling. Both options will include 700 fieldwork hours in settings like Pittsburgh Public Schools.

Clinical Psychology Ph.D.

Fully APA accredited since 2001, the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program at Duquesne prepares scholar-practitioners who are well-grounded in human science to function in psychotherapy, teaching, research, and supervision capacities. The 89-credit curriculum includes a dissertation defense, comprehensive exam, and year-long predoctoral internship. Full-time assistantships for 15 hours weekly are offered with tuition waivers. The competitive program generally accepts seven students each year from 100+ applications.

School Psychology Ph.D.

Using the scientist-practitioner model, the NASP-approved School Psychology Ph.D. program trains psychologists to conduct empirical research and apply evidence-based strategies to PreK-12 schools. From the first semester, the 111-credit curriculum immerses students in research teams and field practicum sites. Courses taken include child neuropsychology, learning theory, personality assessment, and behavior analysis. After the year-long internship, graduates of Duquesne University qualify for the NCSP credential.