Some of the requirements above may be fulfilled through enrolling in Core Curriculum courses.
ADC applicants who completed coursework 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 higher, if such courses were taken prior in 1995 or earlier. It should be noted that the total number of units required to earn the undergraduate degree (124 units), is unchanged by this exception, so additional units may need to be earned to make up for any unit deficiency overall.
Once a student has matriculated, they must complete the Adult Degree Completion Program General Education as outlined above and must complete the following course at Dominican if they do not have an advanced writing course course equivalent to transfer in: ENGL 3409: Adv Writing & Research: Autobiography. This course may also be taken as an elective if ADC students wish to earn Experiential Learning credits for prior work experience (see below).
ADC students may complete their General Education through CORE Curriculum coursework offered by Dominican academic departments. Matriculated ADC students may take up to 12 units of allowable GE course credit off-campus after matriculation. Prior approval is required from the academic advisor, the University’s Articulation Officer, and the GE Director. Submit a completed and signed Authorization to Take Courses Off-Campus form to the Registrar’s Office prior to enrolling in any off-campus courses. The approval process may take up to two weeks, so students should allow enough lead time when submitting the Authorization form.
The Experiential Learning Portfolio is a process that evaluates college-level learning and awards credit through proficiency assessment. Selected Experiential Learning units may meet General Education requirements as well as Elective Units to complete the bachelor's degree.
Consult the Experiential Learning Handbook of Course Competence Descriptions for a list of experiential learning competencies that fulfill General Education requirements. Selected CLEP or Excelsior College examinations and course challenges may also apply to General Education Requirements (see the Transfer Credit Policies and Credit for Prior Learning sections of this catalog).
1. Advanced Writing and Research: Autobiography (4 units)
The introduction to the art of writing the personal essay and biographical sketch through readings, exercises, and workshopping, including writing about work and other experience. ADC students may elect either to complete a Creative Writing portfolio or an Experiential Learning Portfolio that documents, describes, analyzes, synthesizes, and evaluates prior experience in terms of university level learning outcomes essays. Course serves as the pre-requisite for
ENGL 3443: Portfolio Redevelopment, which supports the completion of additional Experiential Learning essays and the possible awarding of additional university credits. Satisfies the Effective Communication 2 Core area with a 'C' (2.0) or higher. Prerequisite: passing Effective Communication 1 or an equivalent transfer First Year Writing course with a grade of 'C' (2.0) or higher.
Course that Fulfills the Requirement
| ENGL 3409 | Advanced Writing & Research: Autobiography | 4.00 units |
Course Learning Outcomes
- Students will acquire a knowledge of the basic elements and methods of personal / life writing
- Students will be able to apply these elements and methods in the creation of individual works of autobiographical writing and/or an experiential learning portfolio
- Students will sharpen their critical abilities to read personal / life writing through the study of essays or excerpts as models
- Student will learn to use and understand problem-solving methods, including research, development, and synthesis as necessary components of creative thinking and the creative process
- Students will acquire the skills and values necessary to work within a group workshop process
2. Mathematical Thinking and Quantitative Reasoning (3-4 units)
The primary goals of the Mathematical Thinking and Quantitative Reasoning Requirement are to help students develop certain general intellectual mathematical abilities and to see mathematics as an enriching and empowering discipline. Students will undertake practices that encourage independent exploration in mathematics, and that develop tenacity and confidence in their abilities to use mathematics.
Course Learning Outcomes
The student will:
- Apply analytical and theoretical methods to solve mathematical problems.
- Interpret and draw inferences from data, graphs, tables, or mathematical models.
Course that Fulfills the Requirement
| MATH 1400 | College Algebra | 4.00 units |
| MATH 1450 | Mathematical Thinking and Quantitative Reasoning | 4.00 units |
Leadership and Management major meet the Mathematical Thinking and Quantitative Reasoning by completing:
| BUS 4112 | ADC: Business Analytics & Quantitative Reasoning | 4.00 units |
Psychology majors meet the Mathematical Thinking and Quantitative Reasoning requirement by completing or placing out of Intermediate Algebra with a grade of 'C' (2.0) or higher (see below), followed by:
| PSY 3187 | Statistics for Health & Behavioral Sciences | 4.00 units |
ADC Math Placement Policy
All ADC students who have not met the Mathematical Thinking and Quantitative Reasoning requirement, will complete this category in following ways:
- MATH 1400 or MATH 1450 for majors in English and Creative Writing (or placing out of this course by completion of one of the items below)
- PSY 3187 for majors in Psychology, who have passed a college course in Intermediate Algebra, or have achieved an appropriate score on the ALEKS assessment exam or the CLEP Math exam.
- Business students in the major of Leadership and Management complete BUS 4112 as part of the major to meet this requirement
Ways to place out of the Mathematical Thinking and Quantitative Reasoning requirement:
- Pass a college-level Intermediate Algebra course, articulated and approved by the University with a grade of ‘C’ (2.0) or higher
- Achieve a score of 46-100 on the ALEKS assessment exam
- Achieve a score of at least 50 on the Math CLEP exam
Note: All prerequisites must be passed with a ‘C’ (2.0) or higher before advancing to the next mathematics course.
3. Social Sciences (Understanding Human Behavior) (3-4 units)
The disciplines of social science investigate the thought and behavior of human individuals and groups as cultural contexts and social environments condition them. The aim of social science inquiry is to gather empirical evidence regarding, and to develop theories explaining, human thought, action, and interaction.
Courses that Fulfill the Requirement
| PSY 1100 | Introduction to Psychology | 4.00 units |
Course Learning Outcomes
The student will:
- Effectively communicate an understanding of the method(s) used by the particular social science under study
- Articulate at least three theories used to understand human behavior in the social science discipline
- Recognize themselves as citizens of diverse communities
4. Natural Science (Science for Global Citizens, 3-4 units)
Scientific reasoning is distinguished by understanding and applying scientific method, laboratory techniques, mathematical principles, and experimental design to natural phenomena. The natural science requirement prepares students to (a) understand the role of empirical data in establishing scientific knowledge; (b) appreciate that, in addition to empirical evidence, science involves skepticism and rational arguments; that it is not opinion but is rather a reasoned consensus among informed experts which improves over time; and (c) comprehend several paradigmatic examples of the fundamental conceptual models in at least one of the disciplines of the natural sciences including Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Geology.
To satisfy the General Education requirement in natural sciences ADC students are required to complete one course. ADC students can transfer in up to 3 units of either Biological or Physical Science, with or without a lab. ADC students who transfer without 3 units of Natural Science will select appropriate courses after consultation with their advisor.
Course that Fulfills the Requirement
| ENSC 2000 | Environmental Sciences | 3.00 units |
| and | |
| ENSC 2005 | Environmental Sciences Lab | 1.00 unit |
Course Learning Outcomes
The student will:
- Use (understand) the scientific method to carry out a quantitative experiment—develop a hypothesis and research protocol, analyze data, interpret and assess reliability of results, and draw reasonable conclusions
- Communicate the result effectively in written and oral form including use of figures, graphs, and presentation software
- Explain the method by which scientific theories and models evolve over time
- Explain key scientific ideas covered in the class
- Show the relevance of scientific findings to current social, political, and/or ethical issues.
5. Creative and Performing Arts ( Artistic and Creative Expression, 3-4 units)
The experience and growth of one's own creativity through the actual process of making art through studio work, creative writing, performing arts, visual arts, or music. The creative process should include the use of problem solving and methodology, personal experience, reflection, and invention.
Courses that Fulfill the Requirement
Any Creative Writing course could fulfill this requirement.
Applied Music Private or Class Instruction: Note: Please contact Music office for permission to enroll and for a schedule of the fees associated with this course.
Or any course that fulfills the Artistic and Creative Expression requirement in the CORE curriculum.
Course Learning Outcomes
The student will:
- Identify important concepts and methods under study
- Apply the above to the creation of works in the artistic genre
- Engage in the creative process as an effective and imaginative problem-solving method, involving research, development and synthesis
6. Moral Philosophy/Ethics (Examined Life, 3-4 units)
Practicing the art of clear and cogent reasoning in the critical analysis of various moral positions and arguments on a variety of contemporary ethical issues.
Courses that Fulfill the Requirement
| BUS 4406 | ADC: Corporate Social Responsibility, Law, Ethics | 3.00 units |
| PHIL 2123 | Ethical Being, Being Ethical | 4.00 units |
| PHIL 2109 | Healthcare Ethics and Equity | 4.00 units |
| PHIL 2520 | Self, Community and Ethical Action | 4.00 units |
Or any course that fulfills the Examined Life requirement in the CORE Curriculum and that is offered during ADC hours.
Course Learning Outcomes
The student will:
- Conduct analysis of contemporary ethical issues
- Comprehend ethical method and theory
- Make moral arguments that demonstrate awareness of and sensitivity to differing values and ethical perspectives
7. Religion (Purpose & Meaning, 3-4 units)
Sustained engagement with different religious and philosophical perspectives, and understanding contextualized aspects of these traditions historically, culturally, and politically. Analysis of the relevance of religious and philosophical frameworks to societal issues..
Course that Fulfills the Requirement
Or any course that fulfills the
Purpose and Meaning requirement in the CORE Curriculum and that is offered during ADC hours.
Course Learning Outcomes
The student will:
- Explain key features (e.g., scriptural contents and context, major historical events and their contexts, ritual practices, spirituality, ethical perspectives, theology, impact on culture) of the religion(s) being studied.
- Analyze such features critically per at least one of the following:
- Their implication for dealing with problems in contemporary social life (e.g., sexual and gender issues, ecological issues, poverty, war, religious diversity, science and religion).
- Their impact on the student’s personal quest for meaning and spiritual well-being.
- Express their knowledge in some effective written document (e.g., essay examination, research paper, reflection paper, journal).