Department of Psychology

Psychology at Duquesne

Internationally recognized as a center for existential phenomenology, the Psychology Department at Duquesne University engages you in the systematic and rigorous articulation of psychology as a human science. Our faculty believe that human science approaches provide an illuminating path to grasp the full depth and subtlety of human experience, and walk alongside you as you make connections and inroads to this expansive field.

Here you gain broad exposure to both the human science and natural science approaches to psychology, but our focus is firmly rooted in the human science tradition. Our emphasis on the human science perspective means that coursework aims to foster critical thinking, ethical reflection and creative attention to the nature of psychological life. Many find that our human science orientation is especially helpful to students who plan to pursue careers or graduate studies in disciplines that focus on serving others.

What does it mean to study psychology as a human science?

In contrast with a natural science approach to psychology, studying through a more qualitative, human science lens addresses questions of meaning, values, experience, history, culture and power, and is well suited for studying love, dreams, spirituality, interpersonal relationships, gender roles, race issues, and so on. Our faculty believe that human science approaches provide an appropriate and illuminating path to grasp the full depth and subtlety of human experience.

B.A. in Psychology Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology