Gussin Spiritan Division of Academic Programs
A first-year experience for students qualified through the admissions process
The Robert and Patricia Gussin Spiritan Division of Academic Programs or Gussin Spiritan Division (GSD) is a comprehensive network of academic programs, support services and faculty that help a select group of students strengthen their skills to become successful learners within their chosen programs of study while at Duquesne University-and beyond!
As a GSD student, you spend at least your first academic year enrolled in the program.
You join the hundreds of students who have built a foundation of academic success with the skills learned with the GSD to graduate not only with a degree, but also with competencies that improve their entire futures. Many have also continued to pursue graduate studies.
Division students are bolstered from the beginning with exceptional resources, such as immersive support from the Michael P. Weber Learning Skills Center.
You also find friendships and a community of support with other GSD students that can last a lifetime.
Questions? Check out our FAQs at the bottom of the page!
Program Information
Minimum first academic year, including mandatory summer session prior to fall start.
Duration
1-year
Required Credit Hours
34
Explore all Spiritan Division & Learning Skills Center Services
I believe that attending Duquesne and joining the GSD is the best decision I’ve
made in my life.”
The Division gave me a chance to deepen my academic understanding, hone my leadership
skills, and get involved in the campus community.”
Associate Director Associate Director of Counseling Services, Academic Advisor/Student Success Coach Office Manager Assistant to Director of Retention and Evaluation PA Acts Advisor, Reading Specialist Assistant Director Dr. Robert Gussin, P’59, GP’61, understands the difficulties many students face in
the transition from high school to higher education.
“As with many young folks coming out of high school, I think I was not really
well prepared for college,” Gussin said. “I struggled through the first two years
without any extra help.”
GSD Student of the Year Award Winners
Meet Our Dedicated Team!
Dr. Uhuru Hotep
Vicki Bush
Tamia Pringle
Ameya Ranade
Josephine Rizzo
April Wade
Our Benefactors
A native of the Pittsburgh suburb of Scott Township, he faced obstacles when he first
came to our Bluff.
His personal experience moved him and his wife, Dr. Patricia Gussin, to establish
two generous endowments for Duquesne’s Spiritan Division of Academic Programs.
He persevered through undergraduate and graduate pharmacy school, going on to a successful
career and retiring as corporate vice president of Johnson & Johnson.
Dr. Gussin:
Being a GSD student is its own special experience. Follow the standard Duquesne University admissions process and the admissions staff
will make a determination based on your application. If you qualify, the admissions
team will notify you. Admission to the GSD means that you are admitted to Duquesne so long as you enroll
as a GSD student for at least your first year. The GSD uses intellectual potential as the overriding criterion for University admission. Retention Data for Freshman Classes: First to second year retention from 1997 (inception of the division) – 2022 Note: The fall 2023 to spring 2024 retention for the GSD freshman class is 94%. Graduation Rate for GSD & University at large: College and Schools Graduation Rates: Students who began their courses of study at Duquesne as GSD students have graduated
from every school of the University. The following is based on 636 graduates as of spring 2023. 45.4% = Liberal Arts College, 38.7% = Business, 9.7% = Education, 1.9% = Natural and
Environmental Sciences, 2.2% = Nursing, 0.5% = Music, 0.3% = Health Sciences, 0.3%
= Pharmacy, 0.3% = Leadership Gussin students benefit from a number of services that empower them as lifelong learners. Academic Review and Support Counseling Assessment FAQs
The only distinction is that you will be in the division for at least one full academic year and will transfer to the respective college that houses your major once the requirements
for the division and the school/college are met.
For the 2024-25 academic year, the summer 2024 session begins Sunday, June 30th, and
ends Friday, August 2nd.
The move-in and the Parent-Student Orientation is scheduled on Sunday, June 30th.
Classes begin the following Monday, the 1st of July and end on Friday, August 2nd.
The closing ceremony will be hosted on Thursday, August 1st.
Additionally, all GSD staff members are Certified Academic Life Coaches.Academic Life Coaching
If you have not completed the GSD curricular requirements and/or the internal transfer
requirements of your school of major, i.e. minimum QPA, you will remain in the GSD
until you are able to transfer.
Check with the GSD Academic Advisor/Senior Student Success Coach for clarification.
The only change in your curriculum requirements involves the mandatory Field Observation course that spans both semesters, along with the required summer coursework.
You will take the same number of credits during your first year, but they will be spread out to include the summer session,
therefore making the fall and spring courseload a bit more manageable.
These are University BRIDGES courses and are taught by faculty hand-selected for their dedication to and experience in
working with students within the framework of the Division’s philosophy, which is
to provide the broadest possible support so that the student can be academically successful.
The remainder of the freshman courses, including introductory courses in the intended
major, will be with the general University population.
It is critical, however, that those credits be in courses listed by your school as
satisfying the requirements for the major and degree. Some programs, such as Pharmacy,
Nursing, and Health Sciences, require more credits and generally cannot be completed
in four years.
Staying in touch with the GSD Academic Advisor/Student Success Coach will ensure you
stay on track in your academic program!Contact Us!
Gussin Spiritan Division
