Vision Quest - A Program For Exploratory Students
Dominican University of California offers a special program, Vision Quest, to entering first-time University students who have not chosen a major. Dominican believes that these exploratory students are interested in many things, are thoughtful in making decisions, are aware that making life decisions requires research and time, and that they are enthusiastic about broadening their horizons as they enter the University. There are a few majors that require decisions upon entrance (check with your advisor) but even those can be entered later in their university career if that is what they decide. With most majors there is plenty of time to explore disciplines, meet faculty, research careers, and chart an academic course.
Vision Quest derives its name from the Native American ritual in which young people take time to seek who they are and open themselves up to discovering what they are to do in the world. The Vision Quest Program at Dominican provides a curriculum that allows students to explore social, academic, and career options while attending Vision Quest courses, which also satisfy General Education requirements. Students in the Vision Quest Program have the same academic advisor and career counselor; a unique course entitled University 101 that provides career exploration, academic acclimatization, and academic and leadership skill development; and two academic courses restricted to Vision Quest students. The program is offered during the fall of a student’s first semester.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will demonstrate the ability to:
- Synthesize information across select disciplines as a way to acquire a clearer perspective of the world and their place in it.
- Articulate their personal/social values.
- Think analytically and imaginatively about their academic and life vision.
- Distinguish the relative merits of academic programs as they relate to their lives and their place in the world.
