Dominican University of California General Information

With students and faculty from a wide range of cultural and religious backgrounds, Dominican embraces diversity and a global perspective. Small classes and personal attention by dedicated faculty are the hallmarks of a Dominican education. The Dominican experience features such unique traditions as Shield Day, the senior thesis, and a four-year graduation guarantee. The University enrolls over 1,900 women and men in over 30 graduate and undergraduate degree programs in the liberal arts and professions.

Founded by the Congregation of the Most Holy Name, commonly known as the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael, and chartered in 1890, the University seeks to embody the Dominican educational ideals: love of truth, beauty, and the life of the mind, and a deep respect for the dignity and worth of the individual.

• Interdisciplinary Study in the Humanities: Global Perspective
  Through its programs the University seeks to foster an understanding of the human condition, an appreciation of cultural diversity and global interdependence, and to encourage the search for solutions to human problems through integration of the wisdom and perspective of many disciplines.
• Liberal Arts and Professional Programs
  In the design of its academic programs, the University places particular emphasis on the connection between liberal arts and professional programs. This connection assures that Dominican’s professional courses of study are informed by humanistic ideals and that the liberal arts disciplines are constantly challenged to integrate theory with realistic awareness of society’s needs and expectations.
• Student Life
  The University community is consciously oriented to the intellectual, ethical, spiritual, and social development of students. Faculty and staff challenge students to clarify their values, to think critically and creatively, and to listen and communicate effectively. They also challenge students to make decisions and live with the results of those decisions. Extracurricular activities, residence life, work-study, and internships give students opportunities to experiment with different roles and to experience growing competence.

Faculty: Since awarding its first bachelor’s degree in 1917, the University has built its reputation on the quality of its faculty and on excellence in teaching. The faculty of approximately 280 members hold degrees from colleges and universities throughout the world.

Environment: Located on 80 wooded acres in Marin County, California, 11 miles north of San Francisco, the University campus offers an environment of great natural beauty and peace, which both attracts students and supports their need for reflection in order to integrate all that they learn and experience.

Non-Discrimination: Dominican University of California offers equal education and employment opportunity to all persons regardless of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran’s status. This policy is in consonance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972; Executive Order 11246, as amended; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; and applicable laws of the State of California.

Student Body: Dominican enrolls over 1,900 students – graduate and undergraduate, resident and non-resident – from across the United States and more than 24 other countries. The University has had coeducational graduate enrollment since 1950 and coeducational undergraduate enrollment since 1971.

Student Life: Students enjoy on-campus concerts and lectures, art exhibits, and student government. The intercollegiate athletic program supports NAIA teams in men’s and women’s basketball, soccer, and golf, women’s volleyball, softball, and tennis, and men's lacrosse. Proximity to San Francisco and other Bay Area cities affords students many opportunities for education, cultural enrichment, recreation, and employment.

Facilities: Dominican’s physical resources include: library; science, nursing skills and other laboratories; computer center; computer classrooms; amphitheater; art gallery; fine arts studios; music conservatory with concert auditorium; recreation center; swimming pool, athletic fields and tennis courts; student center; residence halls; dining hall; and classroom buildings.