Academic Catalog 2016-2018

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Additional Requirements Specific to Some Graduate Programs

MBA Admission Requirements

  1. The following criteria may be used, at the discretion of the admissions committee, to determine admissibility in lieu of a 3.0 GPA for last 60 units of coursework:
    • A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher, achieved at an accredited institution
    • A cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher, achieved at an accredited institution (requires conferral of graduate degree)
    • GMAT (Graduate Management Aptitude Test) or GRE (Graduate Record Examination) scores
    • Work experience
  2. Statement of purpose or intent: a brief essay (3-5 pages) describing professional and/or personal goals and reasons for obtaining a graduate degree

MS in Biological Sciences

  1. Official, sealed Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Score Report
  2. Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, or its equivalent, from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning
  3. In addition, all candidates for admission are expected to have satisfied the following requirements:
    • Two semesters calculus
    • Two semesters physics
    • Two semesters organic chemistry
    • One semester biochemistry
    • One semester statistics
  4. A personal statement describing why the student is interested in pursuing a graduate degree, what he/she hopes to gain from it, his/her research interests, and his/her future goals

Competency in the above subjects may be demonstrated by either completion of a college course with a grade of ‘B’ (3.0), successfully testing out of a course through challenge exams, or completion of Dominican core competency courses. The department chair will make the determination regarding a candidate’s core competency requirements.

Students who need the core competencies may be concurrently enrolled at Dominican in the MS program and in a core competency course. The following courses are considered co-requisites: MATH 1700, PHYS 2100, CHEM 3900, CHEM 4100 and MATH 2400. These must be taken in the first two semesters of the program.

MS in Clinical Laboratory Sciences

Candidates who possess a CLS License:

  1. Bachelor’s degree in CLS, Medical Technology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, or related field from an accredited institution of higher learning
  2. Copy of CLS license

Candidates who do not possess a CLS License (applicants who are not CLS license-eligible may still apply to this program to earn a Master’s of Science degree in Molecular Diagnostics):

  1. An official copy of general Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (requirement waived for CLS-licensed applicants)
  2. Bachelor’s degree in CLS, Medical Technology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, or related field from an accredited institution of higher learning
  3. Three letters of recommendation from instructors, professors, academic supervisors, and/or professional supervisors, on letterhead (one letter is waived for CLS-licensed candidates)

In addition, candidates must demonstrate competency in the following areas prior to taking the related graduate courses in the MS program in Molecular Diagnostics prior to admission:

  • Biostatistics or Statistics in the Health Sciences
  • Medical Microbiology
  • Hematology
  • Immunology

MS in Counseling Psychology

  1. Autobiography that tells of your life up to now and includes a description of those who have been of significant influence in your life. Include experiences you believe to be related to your interest in counseling, your desire to be a counselor, and your ability to understand and help others (maximum length: 5 typed, double-spaced pages).
  2. Description of what you believe might be happening in the following situation and how you might handle it:
    • Someone who has recently moved into your neighborhood has become quite friendly with you, sharing personal feelings and problems. She tells you of a very strained relationship with her partner and difficulties she is having with her teenage daughter who she feels is on drugs. She seeks your advice and lets you know how much she depends on you. One day she calls you on the phone to say that she is thinking of committing suicide.

Students who have not already taken an undergraduate or graduate course in Theories of Personality must take this course prior to the completion of their first year in the program.

MS in Occupational Therapy

  1. Official, sealed Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Score Report
  2. A minimum of 60 hours of volunteer work. At least 40 of these hours must be under the supervision of a licensed OT. 20 of the 60 hours may be done in a human services setting under a non-OT supervisor. These hours must be completed within 2 years of the program start date.
  3. All prerequisite courses must be taken at a regionally accredited institution of higher learning, such as a community college or four-year college or university. In addition, the student must receive a grade of ‘C’ (2.0) or better in all prerequisite courses and a cumulative GPA of ‘B’ (3.0) or better.
  4. Students must complete the following prerequisites before beginning the MSOT Program:
    • Lifespan Human Development or Developmental Psychology (3 units)
    • Conceptual Physics (3 units)
    • Three Dimensional Art (e.g., ceramics) (3 units) (may be satisfied via portfolio process)
    • Statistics (Math or Psychology) (3-4 units)
    • Human Anatomy (4 units with lab, completed within last five years)
    • Human Physiology (4 units with lab, completed within last five years)
    • Introduction to Psychology (3 units)
    • Abnormal Psychology (3 units)
    • Medical Terminology (1 unit)
    • Introduction to Sociology or Cultural Anthropology (recommended, not required) (3 units)
  5. Statement of Purpose, describing interest in Occupational Therapy as a profession
  6. Professional resume, emphasizing OT-related work experience

MS in Education: Curriculum & Instruction

Candidates who have completed their teacher preparation coursework within the last five years are required to contact the School of Education to register for the MS in Education coursework.

Teacher Preparation Programs

  1. All students must verify completion of prerequisite coursework in Child and Adolescent Development prior to the end of their first semester. Dominican University of California offers this course in its regular programming. Please contact the Admissions Office or your Program Director for additional information.
  2. Official transcripts from each college or university attended.
  3. Scores on an approved basic skills exam. The basic skills requirement for admission may be met by submitting scores from one of the following:
    • The CBEST
    • The Multiple Subject CSET plus the CSET Writing Skills subtest
    • The College Board SAT (English score of 500 or above and a Math score of 550 or above)
    • The ACT (English score of 22 or above and a Math score of 23 or above)
    • College Board AP Examinations (Scores of 3 or above, contact Admissions for approved exams)
    • CSU EAP (“College Ready” or “Exempt”)
    • CSU Placement Exams (EPT score of 151 or above and an ELM score of 50 or above)
  4. Statement of Intent: Please respond to each of the following in a typed essay:
    • Why have you chosen teaching as a profession? Include qualities that you believe make you personally suited for teaching in the credential area (i.e., single subject, multiple subject, education specialist) in which you intend to teach? Please describe them.
    • Recognizing that public school students are diverse in their cultures, languages, and learning needs, what do you think will be the implications for you as a classroom teacher?
    • What are your specific strengths and areas for growth as a prospective teacher?
    • What paid or volunteer experiences have you had working with students in the credential area (i.e., single subject, multiple subject, education specialist) in which you intend to teach? Please describe them.
    • What is your current knowledge and skill with computer-based technology? Describe your skill level.
  5. Completed Certificate of Clearance or valid Credential
  6. Tuberculosis (TB) examination: Skin test or Chest X-ray. Results must be current within 2 years of entering student teaching.
  7. The subject matter competency requirement for admission may be met in the following ways:
    • Completion of an approved academic content course of study (secondary only)
    • Passing scores on the CSET examination or confirmation of registration for the examination
  8. Additional Requirements for Intern Candidates:
    • Completion of a US Constitution course or examination
    • Issuance of Certificate of Clearance, or valid Emergency Permit, Pre-Intern Certificate, or Intern Credential
    • Completion of an approved academic content course of study (waiver program – secondary only) or submission of passing scores on the CSET examination
    • Passing scores on the CBEST examination
    • Concurrent intern placement in a cooperating school district
    • 120 hours pre-service teaching experience
    • 40 hours of training in the teaching of students with english language needs

Additional Requirements for International Applicants

See the International Graduate Students section of this catalog for details.