Academic Catalog 2020-21

Transfer Credit Policies

The comprehensive transfer policy is administered under the direction of the Office of Academic Affairs and the Dominican University of California faculty.

Dominican will grant transfer credit for college level courses and prior learning units completed at degree-granting, regionally accredited, post-secondary two-year or four-year colleges and universities, from post-secondary institutions which are candidates for accreditation (as defined in the Handbook of Accreditation, Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities, Western Association of Schools and Colleges), and for academic credit earned through College Board-approved prior learning standardized examinations (CLEP, Excelsior, and DSST). Credit will also be accepted for courses taken at accredited universities outside the United States. Courses from non-regionally-accredited institutions are not generally transferable to Dominican, but may be considered on a case-by-case basis with submission of the required supporting documentation, and at the discretion of Academic Affairs. The University accepts units from other institutions under the guidelines outlined by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Officers (AACRAO) and the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). Generally, Dominican accepts courses that are transferable to the CSU or UC systems, though not all such courses may be equivalent to Dominican degree requirements and may transfer as elective credit.

Students seeking to meet the international language matriculation requirement or an international language requirement in the major may submit the official results of a Foreign Language Examination offered by New York University's School of Professional Studies.  A score of 6 or higher will articulate to undergraduate, lower division units, with each additional point above 6 equating to one additional unit of credit, up to a maximum of 12 units for an exam score of 12. Scores below 6 will not earn Dominican units.  As with CLEP exams and Experiential Learning portfolio credits, NYU language units will be considered residency credit, not transfer credit.  Proctoring for NYU Language exams is managed by  our Director of Prior Learning, who may be contacted for further information or to arrange an exam.  There is a fee charged by NYU for the exam.  For further detail about the exam, which languages are offered, and what fees are charged, please visit:  http://www.scps.nyu.edu/academics/departments.foreign-languages/testing.html.

Students who completed coursework at a college/university operating on the quarter system will receive the equivalent semester units. For example, a 5-quarter unit course is equivalent to 3.3 semester units. When a course of this type is determined to be adequately equivalent to fulfill a CORE Curriculum requirement at Dominican, such courses will fulfill the CORE requirement, and any units of credit difference may be made up with elective credit to meet the 124-credit degree minimum. Adult Degree Completion program (ADC) applicants who completed coursework in appropriate subjects in 1995 or earlier, at a regionally accredited college/university operating on the quarter system, may meet General Education requirements with 3-quarter unit courses graded Pass, ‘C’ (2.0), or above.

A maximum of 12 units total will be granted for coursework in the areas of physical activity, work experience, computer science applications, and vocational training, combined. There are limitations on the maximum credit that may be granted for each area: for physical activity (up to 8 units, including units for basic military rating), for work experience (up to 8 units), computer science applications (up to 4 units). Vocational courses must have been taken prior to matriculation in order to be considered for transfer.

A maximum of 70 lower division transfer units may be applied toward a Dominican University of California degree in Day undergraduate programs, and a maximum of 76 lower division units may be applied toward a Dominican degree in Adult Degree Completion programs.  Units earned after matriculation at Dominican through Prior Learning Assessment (see the Credit for Prior Learning section of this catalog) are allowed in addition to transfer units accepted from another college or university and are not subject to the 76 unit maximum.

College Coursework Taken During High School

College coursework taken during high school which meets the criteria above, may be applied toward a Dominican degree, without regard to whether it is used to meet high school graduation requirements.

Off-Campus Coursework Toward a Dominican Degree

Dominican students must obtain prior approval for any coursework they seek to take from another university and apply toward their Dominican degree. With permission from the academic advisor, the student completes an Authorization to Take Courses Off-Campus form and submits it to the Articulation Officer in the Registrar’s Office for approval. The Articulation Officer, in consultation with the AVPAA/Dean of General Studies and the faculty, determines whether each course is transferable and whether it fulfills a specific graduation requirement category. The following conditions apply:

  • All earned credit will be converted to semester units, as outlined above
  • The unit limits on lower division coursework apply (70 max for Day undergrads and 76 for ADC)
  • Vocational courses do not meet degree requirements
  • Authorization forms are due at least two weeks prior to the start of the off-campus course
  • Approval must be obtained prior to the student’s off-campus enrollment
  • Allow 5-7 working days for approval from the Dominican Articulation Officer

Special Conditions

  1. There are limits to the total number of courses that may be transferred to Dominican after matriculation.
    • Day undergraduate students: No more than 24 semester units or 6 courses; only 3 courses may apply to CORE requirements.
    • ADC students: No more than 24 semester units or 6 courses; only 4 classes may apply to General Education requirements and may not include HCS 3160 Foundations: American Pluralism, which must be taken at the home campus.
  2. 28 of the final 36 units earned toward the undergraduate degree must be taken at the home campus. Undergraduate students who are considering taking courses off-campus should do so before their senior year, as they must not exceed eight units of transferable academic credit in their final 36 units preceding degree completion.

International Baccalaureate Examinations (IB)

Dominican University of California accepts the International Baccalaureate Exam as the equivalent of a high school diploma.  Additionally, it recognizes the academic challenge and motivation inherent in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. The University will grant transfer credit of lower division semester units for each Higher Level Subject examination passed with the indicated score or grade, often a 4 or higher, as indicated in the table below. No credit will be awarded for Standard Level passes. There is no limit to the number of IB or Advanced Placement (AP) exam credits that may apply to the CORE Curriculum requirements; however, no more than a total of 30 semester units of combined IB and/or AP credit may apply towards the bachelor's degree at Dominican.

The CORE Curriculum (CORE) requirements that may be met by IB examination are as indicated in the table below.  The codes for CORE requirements are as follows:

ACE: Artistic and Creative Expression

CKE: Civic Knowledge and Engagement

EL: Examined Life

PM: Purpose and Meaning

QL: Quantitative Literacy and Social Issues

SCI: Science for Global Citizens

SSHB: Social Science: Understanding Human Behavior

Students wishing to demonstrate content knowledge equivalent to a specific course at Dominican should submit syllabi from their IB courses for assessment by faculty in the specific disciplines. Pre-Nursing and Pre-Occupational Therapy students must submit syllabi from their IB courses both to the discipline in which the course is offered (e.g., Biology of Chemistry) and also the Nursing department.

    IB examinations that may meet CORE Curriculum Requirements

    IB Exam  Score Dominican Units DUC Units towards GE Dominican Units towards CORE Dominican  Adult Degree
    Completion GE
    Biology HL 5 4
    4 SCI NS*
    Chemistry HL 5 4 4 SCI* NS*
    Economics HL 5 4
    4
    CKE SS
    Geography HL 5 4 4
    None
    SS
    History (any region) HL 5 4
    4
    CKE
    SS
    Language A: Literature (any language) 4 4 0 None None
    Language A: Language and Literature (any language) HL 4 4 0 None None
    Mathematics HL 4 4 4
    QL MT
    Physics HL 5 4 4
    SCI*
    NS*
    Psychology HL 5 4 4 SSHB SS
    Theatre HL 4 6 3 CA CA

    * IB exam credit awarded for Dominican science lecture courses also fulfills the required lab components.

    The matriculation requirement that may be met by IB examination credit is the International Language Competency requirement (IL), as indicted in the table below.

    IB Higher Level Exams Approved to meet the Matriculation Requirement: International Language Competency

    IB Exams DUC/CSU Score DUC Units
    Language A: Literature (any language, except English) HL 4 8
    Language A: Language and Literature (any language, except English) HL 4 8
    Language A: Language and Literature (any language) HL 4 8
    Language B: (any language) HL 4 8

    Advanced Level Subject Examinations

    Dominican University of California awards advanced standing credit for Advanced (A) level subject examinations passed with a grade of A, B, C, D, or E. No advanced standing is granted for the Ordinary (O) level examination.  Ordinary (O) level examinations may qualify students for admission to the university.

    Advanced Placement Examinations (AP)

    Dominican will grant credit toward an undergraduate degree for successful completion of advanced placement exams taken prior to matriculation. Students must earn a score of 3 or higher as indicated below to receive credit. Please refer to the chart below to determine the policy for required scores and modes of awarding credit toward CORE Curriculum requirements, major requirements, prerequisites, or electives. In the Dominican Units column, the notation "8 (4 in CORE)" indicates that a score of 4 or 5 will earn 4 units toward the relevant CORE requirement and 4 units toward a disciplinary major or minor requirement.

    Advanced placement credit is lower division (LD) and may be applied towards specified areas. Credit will be granted for exams passed at the appropriate level, but no letter grade will be assigned. There is no limit to the number of AP or IB exam credits that may apply to CORE Curriculum requirements; however, no more than a total of 30 semester units of combined IB and/or AP credit may apply towards the bachelor's degree at Dominican.

    AP Exam Score Dominican
    Units
    CORE Adult Degree
    Completion
     GE
    Dominican Course Equivalent
    Major, Minor, Prerequisite, or Elective
    Art History 3, 4, 5 4 None None lower division Art History elective
    Biology* 3 4 SCI NS
    Biology* 4,5 8 (4 in CORE)
    SCI
    NS BIO 1000 and BIO 1100
    Calculus AB 3
    4 QL
    MT
    Calculus AB 4, 5 4 QL MT MATH 1600
    Calculus BC 3
    4 QL MT
    Calculus BC 4, 5 8 (4 in CORE)
    QL MT MATH 1600 and MATH 1700
    Chemistry* 3
    4 SCI
    NS
    Chemistry* 4, 5 8 (4 in CORE)
    SCI
    NS CHEM 2000 and CHEM 2100
    Computer Science A 4, 5 4
    None None lower division elective
    Economics: Macro 3, 4, 5 4
    SSHB SS
    Economics: Micro 3 ,4, 5 4
    None None lower division elective
    English Lang & Comp 3, 4, 5
    4
    None
    W1 lower division elective
    English Lit & Comp 3, 4, 5
    4
    None
    W1 lower division elective
    Environmental Science* 3
    4
    SCI
    NS
    Environmental Science* 4, 5 4
    SCI
    NS ENSC 2000
    Govt. & Politics/Comparative 3
    4
    SSHB SS
    Govt. & Politics/Comparative 4, 5 4
    SSHB SS
    Govt. & Politics/US 3
    4
    SSHB SS lower division HIST or POL requirement
    Govt. & Politics/US 4, 5 4
    CKE SS
    History/European 4, 5 4
    None None lower division elective
    History/U.S. 4, 5 4
    SSHB SS lower division HIST requirement
    Human Geography 4, 5 4
    None None lower division elective
    Music Theory 4, 5 6 None None MUS 1001 and MUS 1002
    Physics B* 3
    4
    SCI
    NS
    Physics B* 4, 5 8 (4 in CORE)
    SCI NS PHYS 2000 and PHYS 2100
    Physics C/Mechanics* 3
    4 SCI
    NS
    Physics C/Mechanics* 4, 5 4 SCI
    NS PHYS 2000
    Physics C/Electricity and Magnetism* 3
    4
    SCI NS
    Physics C/Electricity and Magnetism* 4, 5 4 SCI
    NS PHYS 2100
    Psychology 3, 4, 5
    4
    SSHB SS PSY 1100
    Statistics 3
    4 QL**
    MT**
    PSY 1187
    Statistics 4, 5 4
    QL MT MATH 2400
    Studio Art: Drawing 3, 4, 5
    4
    ACE
    CA
    Studio Art: 2D Design 3, 4, 5
    4 ACE CA
    Studio Art: 3D Design 3, 4, 5
    4 ACE CA
    World History 4, 5 4 SSHB
    None lower division elective
     AP Capstone Diploma
    (Seminar + Research + 4 AP courses)
     3,4,5 12 minimum,
    depending on courses
    EC1,
    CKE

     
     AP Exams in combination only***
             
    Macro Economics and Micro Economics
     4,5  4  SSHB  SS  BUS 1005
    Govt. & Politics/Comparative and
    AP Research or AP Seminar
     3,4,5  4  CKE  SS  lower division elective
    Govt. & Politics/Comparative and
    AP Research and AP Seminar
     3,4,5  4  EC1  SS  
    Govt. & Politics/Comparative and
    Human Geography
     4,5  4  SSHB  SS  lower division elective

    * AP exam credit awarded for Dominican CORE Curriculum science lecture courses also fulfills the required lab components.

    ** A score of 3 in Statistics meets the GE or CORE Math requirement for certain majors including Political Science, Psychology, and Global Public Health.

    *** Scores listed in column 2 for exams-in-combination mean that the scores for EACH exam must equal the minimum stated (3,4,or 5, as applicable).

    AP Exams Approved to meet the Matriculation Requirement: International Language Competency

    AP Exams Score DUC Units DUC Course Equivalent
    Major, Minor, Prerequisite, or Elective
    Chinese Language and Culture 3, 4, 5 8
    French Language and Culture 3, 4, 5 8
    German Language and Culture 3, 4, 5 8
    Italian Language and Culture 3, 4, 5 8
    Japanese Language and Culture 3, 4, 5 8
    Latin 3, 4, 5 8
    Spanish Language and Culture 3, 4, 5 8 SPAN 2101 and SPAN 2201
    Spanish Literature and Culture 3, 4, 5 8 lower division elective

    Key to Abbreviations for CORE Curriculum Areas:

    ACE = Creativity and Artistic Expression
    QL  = Quantitative Literacy and Social Issues
    CKE = Civic Knowledge and Engagement
    SCI = Science for Global Citizens
    EL   = Examined Life
    SSHB = Social Science; Understanding Human Behavior
    PM  = Purpose and Meaning

    College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

    The University accepts selected CLEP Examinations for college credit. Credit is limited as outlined in the Credit for Prior Learning section of the catalog. Students must earn the minimum ACE recommended score ('C' 2.0 level) or higher on CLEP Examinations to receive credit. Examination reports include the ACE Score. No more than a total of 45 semester units of CLEP credit may apply towards the bachelor’s degree at Dominican. Credit is lower division (LD) and may be applied toward electives, specified CORE Curriculum (CORE) categories, and prerequisites in some majors as noted below.

    CLEP Examinations

    Business Examinations Dominican Units Dominican Course Equivalent^ Adult Degree
    Completion GE ***
    CORE  ***
    Accounting, Financial 3 BUS 2000, BUS 4120* None None
    Business Law, Introductory 3 None None None
    Information Sys and Computer Apps 3 None None None
    Management, Principles of 3 None None None
    Marketing, Principles of 3 None None None
    Composition and Literature Examinations Dominican Units Dominican Course Equivalent^ Adult Degree
    Completion GE ***
    CORE  ***
    American Literature 3 None None None
    Analyzing and Interpreting Literature 3 None None None
    College Composition 6 None
    None
    None
    College Composition Modular 3 None
    None
    None
    English Literature 3 None None None
    Humanities 3 None None None
    Foreign Languages Examinations Dominican Units Dominican Course Equivalent^ Adult Degree
    Completion GE ***
    CORE  ***
    French Language, Level I 8 None None IL
    French Language, Level II 8 None None IL
    German Language, Level I 8 None None IL
    German Language, Level II 8 None None IL
    Spanish Language, Level I 8 SPAN 1101, SPAN 1201 None IL
    Spanish Language, Level II 8 SPAN 2101, SPAN 2201 None IL
    History and Social Sciences Examinations Dominican Units Dominican Course Equivalent^ Adult Degree
    Completion GE ***
    CORE ***
    American Government 3-4
    POL 1100 SS (3) CKE (4)
    Educational Psychology, Intro to 3 None None None
    History of U.S. I 3 None None None
    History of U.S. II 3 None None None
    Human Growth and Development 3-4 None
    SS (3) SSHB (4)
    Macroeconomics, Principles of 3-4 None SS (3) CKE (4)
    Microeconomics, Principles of 3 None None None
    Psychology, Introductory 3-4 None
    SS (3)
    SSHB (4)
    Social Sciences and History 6 None SS (3) CKE (4)
    Sociology, Introductory 3-4 HCS 1101 SS (3) SSHB (4)
    Western Civilization I 3-4 HIST 1010 None None?
    Western Civilization II 3 HIST 1011 None None?
    Science and Mathematics Examinations Dominican Units Dominican Course Equivalent^ Adult Degree
    Completion GE ***
    CORE ***
    Biology
    6 None None None
    Calculus 3-4 MATH 1600 and 1700 MT (3) QL (4)
    Chemistry 6 None None None
    College Algebra 3-4 MATH 1400 MT (3) QL (4)
    College Mathematics 3-4 MATH 1450
    MT (3) QL (4)
    Natural Sciences 6
    None None None
    Precalculus 3-4 MATH 1500 MT (3) QL (4)

    ^ Consult with Department Chair about application of equivalent courses toward lower division requirements in the major.

    *A passing score on the Financial Accounting CLEP exam meets the Financial Accounting requirement for the Adult Degree Completion Program Management major. One additional upper division business course must be selected by the student and approved by the Chair to meet the major requirements.

    ** Must be taken prior to matriculation.

    For 6 unit examinations, which fulfill three or four units of GE or CORE, the remaining units are applied as elective units.

    ***Key to Abbreviations for relevant Matriculation Requirement and Adult Degree Completion General Education Areas. CORE category coding is listed above in the Advanced Placement section.

    IL = International Language SS = Social Science
    MT = Mathematical Thinking and Quantitative Reasoning W1 = Expository Writing

    Regional Centers for CLEP Testing

    Information about CLEP testing centers is available at clep.collegeboard.org/search/test-centers.

    Students petitioning for credit must submit an official CLEP transcript to the Registrar. The CLEP code number for Dominican University of California is 4284. To receive information about CLEP examinations or to order a CLEP transcript, contact www.collegeboard.com/clep.

    Excelsior College Examination Program (formerly ACT PEP or Regents)

    The University accepts selected examinations in humanities, business and technology, and nursing with the required score 'C' (2.0) level or above. A student should contact a Dominican advisor prior to taking an Excelsior College exam to determine the usefulness of the examination within the student's degree plan. A student must provide an official transcript to have credit counted toward a degree. Students must earn the minimum American Council on Education (ACE) recommended score or higher in order to earn credit. Examination reports include the ACE score. No more than a total of 30 semester units of Excelsior credit may apply towards the bachelor’s degree at Dominican. Credit is lower or upper division and may be applied toward electives, specified Adult Degree Completion General Education areas or CORE categories, and some majors as noted below.

    Excelsior examination titles and categories may change more frequently than this catalog is published.  For information about examinations not listed here, or about titles that differ from those listed here, please consult the Registrar's Office. 

    Excelsior College Examinations

    Examination Units Level Dominican Course Equivalent^ Adult Degree Completion GE*** CORE*** Major
    Humanities
    Abnormal Psychology 3-4 U
    SS (3) SSHB (4) PSY Elec
    Anatomy and Physiology 6 L None# None# None# None#
    Basic Genetics 3 L None None None None
    Bioethics: Philosophical Issues 3-4 U PHIL 3108 PH (3) EL (4) None
    Cultural Diversity 3 U None None None None
    Earth Science 3 L None None None None
    English Composition 6** L None
    W1 (3) None None
    Ethics: Theory and Practice 3-4 U PHIL 3108 PH (3) EL (4) None
    Foundations of Gerontology 3-4 U None SS (3) SSHB (4) None
    Interpersonal Communication 3 L None None None None
    Introduction to Music 3 L None None None None
    Introduction to Philosophy 3 L None None None None
    Introduction to Psychology 3-4 L None SS (3)
    SSHB (4)
    None
    Introduction to Sociology 3-4 L HCS 1101 SS (3) SSHB (4) None
    Juvenile Delinquency 3 U None None None None
    Life Span Developmental Psychology 3-4 L None SS (3) SSHB (4) None
    Microbiology 3 L None# None# None# None
    Organizational Behavior 3 U None None None None
    Pathophysiology 3 U None# None# None# None#
    Physics 6 L None Nat Sci
    Pre-Matric only
    None None
    Political Science 3 L None None None None
    Precalculus Algebra 3-4 L MATH 1500 MT (3) QL (4) Yes
    Psych: Adulthood and Aging 3 U
    None None PSY Elec
    Research Methods in Psychology 3 U None None None None
    Science of Nutrition 3 L None None None None
    Social Psychology 3 U None None None None
    Spanish Language 8 L SPAN 1101, SPAN 1201 None IL None
    Statistics 3-4 L MATH 2400 MT (3)
    QL (4)
    BUS Core
    Weather and Climate 3 L None None None None
    World Conflicts Since 1900 3 U None None None None
    World Population 3-4 U None SS (3) SSHB (4) None
     
    Business & Technology
    Business Ethics 3 U None None None None
    Business Law 3 L None None None None
    Financial Accounting 3 L BUS 4120
    ADCP only,
    BUS 4408
    BABA Cohort
    None None Yes ADCP, No Day
    Human Resource Mgmt 3 U None None None None
    Introduction to Macroeconomics 3 L None None None None
    Introduction to Microeconomics 3 L None None None None
    Labor Relations 3 U None None None None
    Managerial Accounting 3 L BUS 4130
    ADCP Matric only,
    BUS 4408
    BABA Cohort
    None None Yes ADCP, No Day
    Operations Management 3 U None None None None
    Organizational Behavior 3 U None None None None
    Principles of Finance 3 U None None None None
    Principles of Management 3 L None None None None
    Principles of Marketing 3 L None None None None
    Quantitative Analysis 3-4 U MATH 1400 MT (3) QL (4) None
    Workplace Communication with Computers 3 L None None None None
     
    Education
    Literacy Instruction in the Elementary School 6 U None None None None
     
    Nursing
    Fundamentals of Nursing 8 L None None None None
    Maternal & Child Nursing (associate) 6 L None None None None
    Maternal and Child Nursing (baccalaureate) 8 U None None None None
    Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing 8 U None None None None

    ^ Consult with Department Chair about application of equivalent courses toward lower division requirements in the major.

    # May be used as a challenge exam to meet recent requirements for Nursing and Health Science.

    ** Must be taken prior to matriculation.

    ***Key to Abbreviations for Adult Degree Completion Program General Education Areas (CORE Category coding is listed in the IB and AP sections above)

    IL = International Language RCC = Religion Cross Cultural
    MT = Mathematical Thinking and Quantitative Reasoning SS = Social Science
    PH = Moral Philosophy/Ethics W1 = Expository Writing

    Excelsior College Examinations Information and Transcripts

    Excelsior College

    7 Columbia Circle

    Albany, NY 12203-5159

    Telephone: (888) 647-2388

    www.excelsior.edu

    The Excelsior Examinations code for Dominican University of California is 0256A. Individual computerized testing is available at selected local Prometric Testing Centers.

    DSST (DANTES Subject Standardized Tests) Examinations

    The University accepts selected DSSTs for college credit. No more than a total of 30 semester units of DSST credit may apply towards the bachelor’s degree at Dominican. Students must earn the minimum ACE recommended score ('C' level, 2.0) or higher to receive credit. Credit may be applied to electives.

    DSST Exam Dominican
    Units
    Level Dominican
    Course Equivalent
    ADC GE
    or CORE
    General Electives
    A History of the Vietnam War 3 UD None None Yes
    Art of the Western World 3 LD None None Yes
    Business Ethics and Society 3 LD None None Yes
    Business Mathematics 3 LD None None Yes
    The Civil War and Reconstruction 3 UD None None Yes
    Criminal Justice 3 LD None None Yes
    Environmental Science 3 LD None None Yes
    Ethics in America 3 LD None None Yes
    Foundations in Education 3 LD None None Yes
    Health and Human Development
    3 LD None None Yes
    Human/Cultural Geography 3 LD None None Yes
    Human Resource Management 3 LD None None Yes#
    Introduction to Business 3 LD None None Yes
    Introduction to World Religions 3 LD RLGN 1178 RCC
    Yes
    Lifespan Developmental Psychology 3 LD PSY 3122
    (OT, NURS only)
    None Yes
    Organizational Behavior 3 LD None None Yes#
    Principles of Finance 3 UD BUS 4135,
    BUS 4411,
    BUS 3013
    None Yes
    Principles of Supervision 3 LD None None Yes
    Substance Abuse 3 UD None None Yes
    Technical Writing 3 LD None None Yes

    # Electives for non-business majors only

    DSST Examinations Information and Transcripts

    http://getcollegecredit.com

    Toll Free: 1-877-471-9860

    Email: getcollegecredit@prometric.com

    Transcript Inquiries: 1-877-471-9860

    American Council on Education (ACE)/National Program on Non-Collegiate Sponsored Instruction (PONSI)

    Some courses offered by corporate, industry, and military institutions may be awarded transfer credit. The eligible courses are those which have ACE or PONSI recommendations for upper or lower division college credit. Course transferability is outlined in the National Guide to Educational Credit for Training Programs (ACE) and in College Credit Recommendations: The Directory of the National Program on Non-Collegiate Sponsored Instruction (PONSI). Military schools and courses are evaluated according to the ACE recommendations in A Guide to Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Forces. No more than a total of 30 semester units may apply towards the bachelor’s degree at Dominican.

    For ACE Credit: Students must submit an official transcript from the American Council on Education (ACE). To obtain an ACE transcript, contact:

    Registry of College Recommendations

    American Council on Education

    One Dupont Circle, NW, Washington, DC 20036-1193

    Telephone: (202) 939-9300

    Email: CREDIT@acenet.edu

    www.acenet.edu


    For PONSI Credit: Students must submit official verification from the sponsoring organization.

    Military Credit

    Eight semester units of physical education will be awarded for at least one year in active duty in the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard. A maximum of 8 activity units, which include physical education activity courses, will be applied toward graduation. Students must submit a DD214 (for retired military personnel) or a DD295 (for active duty personnel).

    Beyond credit for basic training, students may be able to receive additional credit for military coursework or training, if the American Council on Education (ACE) recommends it for credit.

    To have training evaluated, students must submit documentation as follows:

    • DD214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active duty. For a copy visit www.archives.gov/
    • Joint Services Transcript (JST): The JST replaces the Coast Guard Institute Transcript, the Army/American Council on Education Registry Transcript System (AARTS) and the Sailor/Marine American Council on Education Registry Transcript (SMART). For a transcript visit https://jst.doded.mil/
    • Community College of the Air Force (CCAF). For a transcript visit https://military.com/education

    Credit/No Credit: Proficiency Units

    Dominican University of California honors units that are completed through assessment of prior learning. These courses receive proficiency units and are graded as 'P' for 'Pass'. Semester units are applied toward degree completion but do not earn quality points and are not factored into the cumulative grade point average. Some proficiency units may be used to fulfill requirements for the major, for Adult Degree Completion General Education, or for the CORE Curriculum.  Others will satisfy elective requirements only. Proficiency unit sources are listed below. Degree requirements to which proficiency units may be applied and unit limits vary by academic major. See Credit for Prior Learning section for details regarding these unit limits:

    • Experiential Learning Portfolio
    • College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
    • Excelsior College Examination Program (Excelsior College, formerly ACT PEP or Regents)
    • DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST)
    • Basic military service more than one year
    • Units recommended by ACE/PONSI
    • Advanced Placement credit (AP)
    • International Baccalaureate Examinations (IB)
    • Dominican University of California course challenge

    Students must submit official required documentation to the Registrar's Office to receive credit for proficiency units.