International OT Student Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Duquesne located?

Duquesne University is located on 40 acres on a hilltop overlooking downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The campus is close to shopping, restaurants and recreation. The area is serviced by the city bus system and is easily accessible via Interstates 279, 579, and 376 from any direction.

Pittsburgh's former reputation as a smelly, steel town has long been reinvented with downtown revitalization. The city is clean, green and surrounded by water. It is the largest inland water port in the U.S. Major sports are within walking distance of campus (hockey, football, baseball) as well as numerous civic and cultural attractions (Heinz History Center, Carnegie Science Center, Point State Park, Mt. Washington). With an urban population of over 350,000, Pittsburgh has everything to offer of any major city, including numerous choices for shopping, entertainment, and recreation. Accessed by I-79, I-76 and their tributaries, along with the Ohio, Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers, there is never a lack of transportation in the city. The Pittsburgh International Airport is a U.S. Airways hub and was ranked one of the Top 5 airports in the U.S. by Conde Nast Traveler.

Duquesne University's campus consists of 40 acres on a bluff overlooking downtown Pittsburgh, the Monongahela River and Mt. Washington. The traditional campus is steeped in atmoshphere with shaded walks and plazas, making a true respite from the busy city around it. The campus is all-inclusive, self-contained and friendly.

Duquesne University has an English as a Second Language program, so the TOEFL is not required of undergraduates. Graduate students should submit their scores, however, special situations can warrant consideration.

To have previous college courses transferred for credit, you must have received a grade of C or better, submit transcripts translated into English, and have attended an acccredited school. Consideration of transfer credits cannot be conducted without course descriptions. Applicants can transfer up to 60 credit hours.

The Occupational Therapy Program requires applications be submitted by December 1 of each year for possible admission into the following Fall's program. Transfer students into the Professional Program applications must be submitted by January 1 for start of spring classes.

Please visit the Office of International Affairs website for the most up-to-date information regarding financial aid.

The Office of International Affairs will assist you in all the necessary paperwork involved in coming to the U.S. to study. Please review their Student Services and contact an advisor if necessary. You may also want to visit the U.S. Immigration website.

Duquesne University offers on-campus housing. Visit the Residence Life website for further information. There are also hundreds of off-campus possibilities. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette classifieds can give you an idea of what is available in the area.

For many of the reasons why you should chose Duquesne University's Occupational Therapy program, hear Dr. Pat Crist, department chair, extoll the virtues of life at Duquesne.

The Office of International Affairs website maintains a list of Student Services. Also visit the website for the International Students Organization for information on their services.

Contact the Office of International Affairs at oia@duq.edu or 412-396-6113 to set up a campus visit. You can also contact the Occupational Therapy Department at ot@duq.edu or 412-396-5945. Since traveling to Pittsburgh from an international destination may not always be possible, you can take a Virtual Campus Tour.

To have your questions answered, just fill out the form below and submit it to the department. Someone will answer your inquiry within a few days.

Info on the Program

The Occupational Therapy Department is pleased to offer two master's degree programs:

• Our traditional 5 year program is for incoming freshmen and for transfer students without a baccalaureate degree.This is a five-year entry-level master's degree program. Upon successful completion of the fourth year, students will be awarded a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences. Upon successful completion of the fifth year, students will be awarded a Master of Occupational Therapy. Students have the option to pursue a minor in another discipline. Graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy and apply for state licensure, if required.

• Our 2 year program is for students who already hold a baccalaureate degree.This is a two-year entry-level master's degree program. Students with baccalaureate degrees in other fields complete 2 years of course work to earn their Master's in O.T. degree. Upon successful completion of the second year, students will be awarded a Master of Occupational Therapy. Graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy and apply for state licensure, if required.

Cost/Tuition

Current tuition and fees for international students for each semester are updated regularly on the website for Duquesne's Office of International Affairs.

Financial Aid

The Office of International Affairs at Duquesne University maintains a list of possible financial aid sources for international students.

How to Apply

Undergraduates wishing to complete a Bachelor's degree must fill out an Application for International Admission and submit all the necessary documents for evaluation. The Admissions Department website has an online application and a downloadable, printable version available. If you would like an undergraduate application mailed to you, or if you are requesting a graduate application, please fill out the request form at the OIA website.

Contact the Department

If you would like to contact the department, ask a question or schedule a campus visit, please fill out the form below.

Campus Map & Virtual Tour
Click for large map.