Academic Catalog 2023-24

First Year Students

An applicant is considered a First Year Student if they are applying directly from high school or if they have completed less than 24 semester credits.

Admissions requirements, application deadlines, and notification processes change regularly. Generally, students must submit an application, essay, and academic information (such as official high school transcripts and college transcripts when applicable showing all coursework completed, attempted, and in progress). Some students may be required to submit a letter of recommendation and/or standardized test scores from the SAT or ACT. International students also may have additional application requirements and other required documentation to submit. For the most up-to-date information, please visit the Office of Admissions website.


Recommended Academic Preparation

Graduation from an accredited high school with a total of 15 units in college preparatory subjects, to include the following:
• 4 years of English
• 2 years of one International Language
• 2 years of college preparatory Mathematics: Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, etc. (3 to 4 years preferred)
• 1 year of Lab Science to be taken in grades 10-12 (2 years preferred)
• 1 year of US History or one-half year of US History and one-half year US Government (2 years preferred); one year of World History or Western Civilization is an acceptable alternative for international students

The University encourages students to choose additional courses in at least two of the following areas: Art, Computer Science, English, History, International Language, Music, and Social Science.

Home Schooled Student Applicant Requirements

Home schooled students bring unique qualities to our campus and we welcome their interest in Dominican University of California. The Office of Admissions provides the following guidelines to help home schooled applicants become eligible for admission consideration.

  • If any courses have been taken online through a home school umbrella program or an accredited college or university, or at a local high school, college or university, official transcripts must be provided showing all coursework completed, attempted, and in progress.
  • For the years of high school and/or subject areas for which there is no official transcript, responsibility for documenting the course of study rests with the student. A detailed outline of the home school curriculum, including subject areas studied, level of instruction, time spent on each discipline, texts read, work produced and assessment of performance or grade must be submitted. In addition, please provide a short narrative, written by the person other than yourself who has been most responsible for your overall academic program, providing a summary of your instruction in recent years.
  • Home school students are required to submit official test scores from either the SAT or ACT. Test scores are waived if the student graduated high school more than two years ago. • Home school students are not required to present an equivalency diploma to be considered for admission; however, Dominican requires all admitted students to present proof of graduation. Admitted home school students must submit a home school diploma (a certificate of completion that is considered the equivalent of a high school diploma in the applicant's home state), or results from a GED test prior to enrollment at Dominican.
  • We strongly encourage home school students to visit campus and complete an admissions counseling appointment with a member of our admissions staff.