Dominican University of California

Founded in 1890, Dominican University of California is an independent institution offering more than 60 majors, minors and concentrations. Over our 130 years of preparing students for fulfilling professional and personal lives, we’ve earned a reputation for excellence in academics, research, outreach and community involvement. We are located in the San Francisco Bay Area, in beautiful Marin County, California.

Academic Innovation and Excellence

At Dominican we integrate the liberal arts and humanities with science and professional programs.

The hallmark of our innovative curriculum is The Dominican Experience, an evidence-based approach to educating the whole student. Through this program every undergraduate student will:

• Work with an integrative coach throughout all four years
• Engage with the community through service, fieldwork, internships, or global experiences
• Complete a signature work, such as a research project, an art exhibit, or a business plan
• Craft a digital portfolio that captures the academic journey

Our Mission

Our institutional mission is to educate and prepare students to be ethical leaders and socially responsible global citizens who incorporate the Dominican values of study, reflection, community and service into their lives.

Our Values

The University is committed to diversity, sustainability and the integration of the liberal arts, the sciences and professional programs. The Dominican values include the following:

• Study: Dominican offers more than 60 programs of study, reflecting the diversity and creativity of our faculty, students and location.
• Community: The University is close-knit, friendly and supportive. With only 1,843 students, small class sizes, and a small, park-like campus, Dominican’s intimate setting allows students to make lifelong friends and truly get to know their professors. Students are involved, challenged and recognized, all while being supported, guided and encouraged by dedicated faculty and friends. Dominican also offers several student clubs and organizations.
• Reflection: Here at Dominican, students don’t have to look far to find opportunities for serenity and reflection. They are everywhere. The University’s 80-acre campus, with its beautifully manicured gardens, offers a calming influence.
• Service: Our students often find themselves sharing the basics of good sportsmanship with lacrosse campers, teaming up with local museum curators to create traveling art exhibits, and mentoring low-income families in preparing their tax returns. Last year alone, our students completed more than 8,645 service-learning hours.

Undergraduate Admissions

Apply as a First-Year Student

A first-year student is currently in high school or has completed fewer than 24 college units.

Choose one of the following:

• Common Application
• Dominican Application

Apply as a Transfer Student

A transfer student has completed at least 24 college units and seeking a more traditional, day college experience.

• Dominican Application

Apply as an Adult Degree Completion Student

Adult degree completion student programs are designed for working professionals to take courses in the evening, and who are at least 24 years old and have completed at least 24 college units.

• Dominican Application

Graduate Admission

A graduate student has completed at least one Bachelor’s Degree and seeking a higher degree.

Non Degree Admission

Not a degree seeking student? Learn more about our certificate programs below and apply today.

• Post Baccalaureate Premedical Certificate
• Applied Sport and Performance Psychology Certificate

Every time you walk across our Northern California campus, located just 12 miles from San Francisco, you’ll be reminded of our tight-knit community. Professors will say hello, staff members will ask how you’re doing, and classmates might remind you about a club meeting or game.

60 Acres. Everything You Need. Quick Access to San Francisco.

A community in itself, the park-like Dominican campus has everything resident and commuting students need throughout the day: sit-down dining and grab-and-go meals, health and wellness facilities, a library, campus store, and lots of green space for sprawling out.

Our tranquil, suburban campus has big city access, too. Did you know Dominican University of California is just 12 miles from the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco? This means our location, in the heart of the Bay Area, presents possibilities for excursions as well as internships, work, and service opportunities in one of the most exciting and diverse cities in the U.S.

15+ Clubs. Countless Possibilities.

Dominican students are highly engaged with the campus, the community, and each other. They’re athletes, they're leaders, they’re performers, they’re creators — they’re probably several of the above. You’ll find your place, too, as you build your campus life experience.

Where is San Rafael, California?

San Rafael is located just 12 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Our campus offers a small-town, residential feel with lots of open space, beautiful gardens and quiet places to study. It's also close enough to San Francisco to have the "college student in a big city" feel. Downtown San Rafael, with its vibrant restaurants, cafes and shops, is located within walking distance from campus.