Academic Catalog 2024-25

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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 the last 60 units of coursework:
    • A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher, achieved at a regionally accredited institution of higher learning.
    • A cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher, achieved at a regionally accredited institution of higher learning (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, double spaced) describing professional and/or personal goals and reasons for obtaining a graduate degree OR an interview with the Dean of the School of Business

MS in Biological Sciences

  1. Official 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 of calculus
    • Two semesters of physics
    • Two semesters of organic chemistry
    • One semester of biochemistry
    • One semester of statistics
  4. A personal statement describing why the student is interested in pursuing a graduate degree, what they hope to gain from it, their research interests, and their 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: CHEM 3900/CHEM 3905, CHEM 4100/ CHEM 4105, MATH 1700, MATH 2400 and PHYS 2100/PHYS 2105. These must be taken in the first two semesters of the program.

 

MS in Counseling Psychology

  1. Autobiography summarizing your life story up to now and includes a description of those who have been of significant influence in your life. Include experiences you believe are 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. A written description of what you believe might be happening in the following situation and how you would 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 successfully completed an undergraduate or graduate course in Theories of Personality must take this course prior to the completion of their first year in the program.

MSOT and OTD in Occupational Therapy

  1. Observation/Volunteer hours require 40 hours of OT Relevant experience within the previous 3 years. Observation hours can be conducted in a virtual environment.
  2. 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 is recommended.
  3. Students must complete the following prerequisites before beginning the OTD Program:
    • Lifespan Human Development or Developmental Psychology (3 units)
    • Statistics (Math or Psychology) (3-4 units)
    • Human Anatomy (4 units with lab, completed within the last five years)
    • Human Physiology (4 units with lab, completed within the last five years)
    • Introduction to Psychology (3 units)
    • Abnormal Psychology (3 units)
    • Medical Terminology (1 unit)
  4. Personal Statement: Please provide a brief essay describing your professional and personal goals, as well as your reasons for pursuing an OT degree
  5. Professional resume, emphasizing OT-related work experience
  6. Two Letters of Recommendation: We require a minimum of two letters of recommendation
  7. Personal Interview: Applicants who have been selected to continue on in the application process will receive an invitation to interview.

MS in Education: Curriculum & Instruction

Teacher preparation program requirements prior to admissions.

  1. Bachelor’s degree and official transcripts from each college or university attended.
  2. A grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 is required for the last 60 units of graded undergraduate or graduate course work.
  3. Completed Certificate of Clearance (COC) or valid Credential.
  4. Meet the Basic Skills Requirement (BSR) with one of the following:
    1. The CBEST.
    2. The Multiple Subject CSET plus the CSET Writing Skills subtest.
    3. The College Board SAT (English score of 500 or above and a Math score of 550 or above).
    4. The ACT (English score of 22 or above and a Math score of 23 or above).
    5. College Board AP Examinations (Scores of 3 or above, contact Admissions for approved exams).
    6. CSU EAP (“College Ready” or “Exempt”).
    7. CSU Placement Exams (EPT score of 151 or above and an ELM score of 50 or above).
    8. Transcript confirmation of college baccalaureate level Math and English (Reading & Writing) courses with a B- grade or better (based on approval by the Credential Analyst).
  5. Current resume.
  6. Two letters of recommendation
  7. Statement of Intent: Please respond to each of the following in a typed essay: 
    1. 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.
    2. 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?
    3. What are your specific strengths and areas for growth as a prospective teacher?
    4. 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.
    5. What is your current knowledge and skill with computer-based technology? Describe your skill level.
  8. The Subject Matter Competency (SMC) requirement for admission may be met in the following ways 
    1. Completion of an approved academic content course of study or degree.
    2. Passing scores on the CSET examination or confirmation of registration for the examination.

Requirements prior to the end of the first semester

  • All students must verify completion of prerequisite coursework in Child and Adolescent Development (CAD) prior to the end of their first semester. Please contact the Admissions Office, Credential Analyst or your Program Director for additional information.
  • All Graduate candidates are required to take all sections of the CSET by the end of the 1st semester in their credential program. The majority of the CSETs must be passed before enrolling in the Preparation for Supervised Teaching Seminar, and all subtests must be passed prior to Supervised Teaching or an Internship.

Requirements prior to a Preliminary Credential Recommendation

  • Subject Matter Competence (SMC) by CSET or waiver. All Graduate candidates are required to meet the SMC by the end of the 1st semester in their credential program. Undergraduate candidates are required to meet the SMC requirement by the end of their junior year. The SMC is required by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing prior to entering a Preparation for Student Teaching course and prior to Student Teaching or an Internship. Candidates should request that CSET scores be released directly to Dominican for the CSET option. Alternatively, scores must be verified through http://www.ctcexams.nesinc.com by a Dominican staff or faculty.
  • All candidates must verify that they have met the U.S. Constitution requirement by receiving a passing grade in a course (at least two semester units or three quarter units) or passing an examination in the Provisions and Principles of the U.S. Constitution given by a regionally accredited college or university. This requirement must be met before a candidate can be recommended for their preliminary or intern credential. (Education Code Section 44335)
  • All candidates must verify that they have received training and have current certification in CPR for adults, children and infants, which meet the criteria of the American Heart Association or American Red Cross(Education Code 44259)
  • Multiple Subject and Education Specialist credential candidates are also required by California Education Code to pass the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA).
  • All candidates must successfully pass the California Teaching Performance Assessment (CalTPA) prior to their preliminary credential recommendation.

Requirements prior to an Internship:

  • Admission into the Teacher Preparation Program.
  • Completion of the BSR and SMC requirements by an approved academic content course of study (waiver program or passing scores on the related examinations).
  • Completion of a US Constitution course or examination.
  • 120 hours pre-service teaching experience.
  • Concurrent intern placement in a cooperating school district.