The Summer Semester Experience

The first-year in the Spiritan Divison begins with a mandatory 5-week summer semester running from late June until the end of July. The semester includes these study components:

  • University core and Division required courses of three credits in core English 101 (Thinking and Writing Across the Curriculum) and three one-credit courses: 
  • Research and Information Skills, from the University core
  • Strategies for Academic Success, a Division core focusing on study skills for college
  • Introduction to University Success, another Division required course.

During the summer sementer students experience

  • Tuition discounts
  • Non-credit classes that support credit course work.
  • Abilities and interests testing to determine strengths, learning style, career choice, etc.
  • Social and cultural activities to encourage community among cohort students.

Keys to Spiritan Division Student Success

  • Supportive Faculty
  • Involved Administration
  • Strong Academic Advisement
  • Monitoring of Student Performance
  • Intervention to Prevent Student Failure
  • Cohort Model to Create Community
  • Service Learning Opportunities

Student studing

 

 

 

 

Gussin Spiritan Division students are academically competitive and are among the most successful freshmen at Duquesne.