Our undergraduate programs will provide you with a solid foundation and sound knowledge of the central themes and divisions of theology, and the research you will undertake will immerse you in the intricacies of theology as a rich field of study.

As a student in Duquesne’s Department of Theology, you will research and analyze religious texts, engaging in close readings and critical analysis of works such as the Bible, the Quran and the Talmud. Focusing on particular themes and historical contexts, you will study the development of particular religious traditions, movements or figures. And you’ll explore the diversity of religious practices across different cultures and traditions, engaging in theological reflection on various topics, such as the nature of God, the problem of evil or the relationship between faith and reason. 

Building on Duquesne’s liberal arts foundation, you will develop your own analytical and critical thinking skills—skills that will prepare you well for a variety of careers.

Many students choose an undergraduate degree in theology to supplement their primary degree.

Degree Tracks

The department offers several ways through the discipline.

Student Opportunities

You’ll pursue research and scholarship with the support of our nationally and internationally recognized faculty scholars.

Held annually each spring by the Office of Research, the Undergraduate Research & Scholarship Symposium (URSS) provides Duquesne University undergraduates the opportunity to share their research and other forms of scholarship with faculty, peers and the local community. The Symposium encourages undergraduates from all areas of study to engage in research opportunities early on in their academic career.

Check the URSS website for deadlines and additional information. For more information, contact Dr. Daniel Scheid.

 

Learning Outcomes

Explore the discipline and develop lifelong competencies.

  • Practice the methods of theological scholarship and develop religious literacy in a contemporary age.
  • Engage Christian theological traditions in conversation with different cultures, religions, philosophies and social contexts. 
  • Develop ethical awareness through theological studies.
  • Demonstrate attitudes, values and skills for identifying and addressing civic issues as agents of change with others.

Educational & Career Advantages

Build skills for life beyond your degree.

  • Alumni from the theology department go on to graduate school in a variety of fields, including law school, philosophy, theology, education and pastoral studies.
  • Provides a complement to other humanities and professional fields.
  • Helps develop the ability to communicate and think critically about religious beliefs and values.
  • Contributes to a balanced intellectual background, including study of the importance of religion for Individual and public life and the impact of theology on human society, past and present.
  • Develop religious literacy for navigating the contours of contemporary life.

"I am so grateful for the education I received at Duquesne, which provided a fine foundation for my vocation as a theologian and now as Dean of the Divinity School at Duke University."

—Dr. Elaine Heath, Dean of the Divinity School and Professor of Missional & Pastoral Theology, Duke University

Contact for more info!

Dr. James Bailey

Department Chair and Associate Professor, Theology