English as a Second Language (ESL) Program

The ESL Program offers instruction to Duquesne students to improve language and academic performance in English.  Classes meet on the Â鶹ֱ²¥ semester schedule:  Fall (late August to December), Spring (January to April) and Summer (May to early August).

Mission

The ESL Program serves international students and the Â鶹ֱ²¥ community by offering comprehensive English language education and services. We equip students with language skills and cultural understanding necessary to meet their educational and professional goals in an American university setting. We collaborate with University partners, providing English language evaluation, consultation and intercultural exchange to foster a diverse international community.

Accreditation

The English as a Second Language Program at Â鶹ֱ²¥ is accredited by the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA) for the period December 2017-December 2027 and agrees to uphold the CEA standards for English Language Programs. CEA is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a national accrediting agency for English language programs and institutions in the U.S.

Programs and Courses

Level and course assignments are determined by submitted scores on TOEFL or IELTS English Proficiency tests, by placement testing upon arrival, or by successful completion of Duquesne courses at prior levels. Students with conditional admission to graduate Pathway degree programs join the ESL Program at the Advanced B, CAP1, or CAP2 level with a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 60, 70, or 80 respectively, as determined by the graduate program.

Advanced B Level Intensive Courses  - Each course meets 4 hours per week.
ESL 147        ESL Term Paper
ESL 160        Academic Discourse 
ESL 151        Advanced ESL Grammar - B
ESL 152        Advanced ESL Speaking/Listening- B
ESL 146        TOEFL Preparation (2 hours per week)

Comprehensive Academic Preparation (CAP) Program CAP Level 1: Five integrated courses offer 16 hours of instruction per week for students with a documented minimum English proficiency score of TOEFL 70 (iBT) or equivalent, or permission from the ESL Program.
ESL 255        Academic Lectures for ESL             (2 hours per week)
ESL 256        Academic Reading in Context         (4 hours per week)
ESL 257        Academic Speaking in Context       (3 hours per week)
ESL 258        Academic Listening and Vocabulary in Context    (3 hours per week)
ESL 259        Academic Writing in Context           (4 hours per week)

CAP Level 2: Three courses address the specific needs of admitted students entering graduate programs with an English language requirement of TOEFL 90 or equivalent, or for students who need additional support in writing, speaking, or reading. Sudents must have a documented minimum English proficiency score of TOEFL 80 (iBT) or equivalent, or permission from the ESL Program. Each course meets 4 hours per week.
ESL 343        Graduate Research Paper
ESL 349        Seminar for International Teaching Assistants
ESL 346        Graduate Academic Discourse    

Global Health

Center for African Studies

Reviving and expanding the vision of an earlier Institute of African Affairs, the Center for African Studies at Â鶹ֱ²¥ is the key academic unit charged with assisting the University in realizing its academic goals regarding sub-Saharan Africa and the African diaspora. Through its engagement with members of the University's academic and co-curricular community who have experience and interests in Africa and the African diaspora, the Center will participate in shaping a shared strategic vision in the University's engagement with Africa and the African diaspora.

Contact:
Gerald M. Boodoo, Ph.D.
Director, Center for African Studies.
africanstudies@duq.edu
www.duq.edu/cas

Mission

The Center for African Studies promotes Â鶹ֱ²¥'s constructive engagement with Africa and the African diaspora, through teaching, scholarship and service. It strives to create and encourage opportunities to experience the many rich African traditions and cultures from interdisciplinary and multicultural perspectives.

Goals
  • To create and promote interdisciplinary academic programs in African Studies and Global Health.
  • To provide community engagement opportunities for faculty and students with Africa and the African diaspora.
  • To encourage and support research opportunities in African Studies and Global Health.
  • To engage the university community in critical discussions through invited speakers and other events on issues related to African Studies and Global Health.
  • To facilitate, support and coordinate agreements between Â鶹ֱ²¥ and academic institutions in Africa and the African diaspora.

Global Health

The Center for African Studies, supported by faculty from the schools of Health Sciences, Nursing, Pharmacy and Liberal Arts, has created an interdisciplinary Global Health graduate concentration.

The overall purpose of the concentration will be to prepare emerging leaders in global health with the relevant skills to work within the global health environment and collaboratively with professionals and organizations to address global health challenges. They focus on giving students an awareness of the major factors influencing population health in different parts of our global communities; how to begin addressing the health issues of diverse, vulnerable populations worldwide in healthcare professions and beyond; and to gain appreciation of interdisciplinarity and interprofessionalism.

This concentration, though focused on global health, is wide in scope and is meant to provide students with a broad understanding of the field with the intent that they will want to pursue studies in the area more fully.

Goals
  • To learn about health, wellness and associated topics within a global context
  • To discover alternative world perspectives on health
  • To gain knowledge to succeed in changing global environments

Graduate Concentration

Students will be required to take 9 credits to fulfill the requirements of the Global Health Graduate Concentration. It is expected that students will be able to fulfill this requirement within their major program of study and will not need to pay for extra credits to complete the concentration. These 9 credits must be taken in at least two different disciplines and from the courses listed for the program. Courses taken within the concentration may also count toward other degree requirements and may fulfill university and school requirements in accordance with university policy.

Students may petition to have a course approved to meet the requirements of the concentration. Approvals for additional courses will be based on whether the course has at least 40% global health content/focus, or can be adapted on an individual basis to meet this requirement. A faculty committee with representation from the schools of Health Sciences, Nursing and Pharmacy will make decisions regarding such requests.

Students may seek permission to take one special topics/independent study course (of no more than 3 credits) to fulfill the requirement of the concentration.

Learning Outcomes
  1. Integrate knowledge acquired across courses through an interdisciplinary lens.
  2. Demonstrate the ability to apply knowledge to situations related to global health.
  3. Employ skills to address various global health issues appropriate to their profession.
  4. Demonstrate cultural competency appropriate to the professional settings in which they engage.
  5. Navigate the changing environments of global health through adaptation and critical thinking.