Admission of Undergraduate Students

Admission to Dominican University is open to individuals who are prepared academically to undertake a rigorous liberal arts program. Applicants for freshman admission are considered based on probable success as determined by grades in a college preparatory program, standardized test scores (optional), and class rank (for those applicants from high schools using a class rank). Transfer students are primarily evaluated based on course work completed at previous colleges and universities; in some cases, the high school record is considered. Admission decisions are announced on a rolling basis. Students are required to pay a tuition deposit after they have been accepted. The deposit is refundable until May 1 for students entering in the fall term and November 1 for students entering in the spring term. Housing arrangements may be made after the tuition deposit is paid. A housing application and deposit also are required for students planning to live on campus. Prospective students are urged to meet individually with an admission counselor and tour the campus. Other on-campus events are available throughout the year. Students needing special accommodations for such events are asked to contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission prior to the event.

All application materials become the property of Dominican University. Providing incomplete or inaccurate information regarding a previous academic record on an admission application form is grounds for denial of admission.

Admission From Secondary School Requirements

Entrance requirements for the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degree programs include a high school cumulative grade point average of 2.7 with special attention to grades in college preparatory courses; rank in the upper half of the high school graduating class (if available); and completion of 16 units of college preparatory work, including 14 in a combination of English, mathematics, social sciences, laboratory science, and foreign language. While standardized test scores, such as the ACT or SAT, will be accepted, they are not required to detemine admission for fall 2023. Factors such as leadership, personal qualities, and co-curricular activities also are considered. Proof of high school graduation and proof of state-required immunization must be presented prior to enrolling at the university. Dominican University recognizes the General Education Development (GED) diploma in lieu of a high school diploma.

Application Procedure

Applicants for admission to the freshman class are responsible for having the following documents sent to the university:

  1. The completed application, including an essay, which can be accessed from at www.dom.edu/apply or www.commonapp.org
  2. An official high school transcript and college transcript (when applicable); and
  3. Official SAT or ACT Composite (optional)

Advanced Placement (AP)

High school students are encouraged to take advanced placement tests and to apply for college-level academic credit based on the results. There is no maximum of credit awarded through AP examinations. Students must have official scores sent to Dominican University, Office of Undergraduate Admission.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

Dominican University recognizes the rigorous nature of the International Baccalaureate program and awards individual course credit for scores of four or above on higher-level IB examinations. Students may be awarded up to 30 semester hours of advanced standing for appropriate scores on higher-level examinations. For additional information, contact the Rosary College of Arts.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Subject to acceptable scores and to certain departmental qualifications, credit is granted for College Level Examination Program tests in various subject areas.

A maximum of 28 semester hours of credit may be granted with no more than 12 semester hours in one subject area. Students must have official scores sent to Dominican University. For additional information, contact the Rosary College of Arts and Sciences office at (708) 524-6814.

Information about the College Level Examination Program can be secured at clep.collegeboard.org.

Seal of Biliteracy

Dominican University recognizes the Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy as evidence of a student having attained a high level of proficiency in one or more languages in addition to English. Accordingly, students whose high school transcripts indicate receipt of the State Seal of Biliteracy in French, Italian, or Spanish shall receive three elective credits in each of the targeted world languages for which the Seal is being awarded. These credits may be counted towards the major or minor in the respective language. However, fulfillment of the language requirement and placement into the French, Italian, or Spanish language sequence is determined by Dominican University Assessment. Students may utilize either AP scores of 4 or 5 or the Seal of Biliteracy for course credit, but not both.

Admission to Honors Degree Program

Incoming full-time freshmen of superior ability are selected to participate in the honors degree program. Normally, students with a 4.50 or greater weighted grade point average, and who have completed honors or advanced placement classes in high school, are chosen for the honors program. Freshmen with a 3.75-4.49 weighted grade point average will be considered. Transfer students who meet comparable criteria in their previous college work may be eligible for the honors program.

Early Enrollment to Dominican University

Students wishing to begin college classes before receiving the high school diploma will be considered for admission to the freshman class upon completion of the junior year and fulfillment of the following conditions:

  1. Recommendation for admission to Dominican University by the high school principal or counselor and at least one high school teacher;
  2. Completion of not fewer than 14 units acceptable toward admission to Dominican University, 11 of which shall be in subjects prescribed for admission; and
  3. On-campus interview with the appropriate admission counselor responsible for the applicant’s high school.

Conditional Admission Opportunities

Dominican University admits a limited number of students each year who do not meet all the regular admission requirements but who have demonstrated the potential to complete university course work successfully. For these students, a condition of admission may be participation in the summer Transitions program or enrollment in the Blue Print for Academic Success. In cases where the Admission Committee believes that it is in the student’s best interest it may limit the number of hours a student can take in the first term of enrollment.

Admission of Transfer Students

A transfer student is one who has been accepted with at least 12 semester hours of transferable college credit. Students in good standing from regionally accredited two-year or four-year colleges will be considered for admission.

Candidates applying as transfer students are responsible for having the following documents sent to the university:

  1. The completed university application form;
  2. Official transcripts from each college and university attended; and
  3. The official high school transcript, when requested.

Transfer Credit

Transfer credit is generally granted for courses comparable to those offered by Dominican University that were successfully completed with a grade of “C-” or above at another regionally accredited institution. The university will evaluate all hours submitted by the transfer applicant and reserves the right to accept or deny any of the credits for transfer.

Upon receipt of official transcripts, Stars Connect, in consultation with the appropriate academic department(s), will officially assess transfer credit after a transfer student has been formally admitted and has declared a major; only those hours that satisfy requirements will be applied to the degree and included in the student’s cumulative earned hours (grade points from transfer courses are not included in the Dominican grade point average).

Up to 68 semester hours are accepted in transfer from a two-year school and up to 90 semester hours are accepted from four-year colleges and universities (see residency requirements). Four semester hours in physical education, health or recreation courses can be applied toward the 124 total semester hours required for a bachelor’s degree.

Second Bachelor’s Degree

Students holding a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution (including Dominican) may receive a second bachelor’s degree from Dominican University provided that:

  1. All university general education requirements, foundation and area requirements, and major requirements are met;
  2. A minimum of 34 semester hours is earned in residence at Dominican University;
  3. A cumulative grade point average of 2.00 is attained. Transfer student restrictions apply to second baccalaureate degree candidates.

Transfer student admission requirements and procedures apply to second B.A. or B.S. candidates.

  1. While candidates seeking a second B.A. or B.S. cannot receive financial assistance through the FAFSA, they can receive a Transfer Merit Scholarship for the amount that corresponds with their cumulative grade point average.

Admission of International Students

Applicants from countries where English is not the primary language must demonstrate proficiency in the English language. Acceptable English proficiency exams/programs would include:

  1. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of 79-80; or
  2. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) band score of 7 or better; or
  3. The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTEA) score of 53 or better; or
  4. Successful completion of Level 112 from an ELS Languague Center.

International students who have completed English 101 and 102 (or equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher at a regionally accredited US college or university are exempt from the above requirement.

Official credentials and notarized translations must be sent to the Office of Undergraduate Admission. For advanced standing and/or transfer credit, students must submit official transcripts to be evaluated by Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) or another approved agency at their own expense. This official evaluation, along with the official college/university transcript, must be submitted directly to the university.

International students should be advised that they must pay the first semester’s tuition, fees, and room and board in full prior to beginning classes. International students are advised that limited financial aid is available to them from the university. The magnitude of educational and living costs should be clearly defined.

Information needed to complete the I-20 form will be collected for all international students, including information regarding financial support.

The International Student Advisor will issue the I-20 form after the student has been accepted for admission and provided all required documents, including evidence of financial support. Students with a B-2 (tourist) visa are not permitted to study in the United States. Students with an F-2 visa are permitted to study on a part-time basis only.

All I-20 forms will be transmitted directly to the student electronically. We will not mail any I-20 forms.

Degree Completion Agreements

Dominican University, in partnership with over 10 area community colleges, offers a number of degree completion programs. Generally, completing certain programs at one of these colleges admits the student into a bachelor’s degree program at Dominican. Please contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission for a complete listing of degree completion programs.

Admission to Certificate or Licensure Programs

Students admitted to certificate or licensure programs will follow the same procedures as outlined for degree-seeking students. Students accepted into certificate programs may apply those credits toward a bachelor’s degree. The change of status must be filed with the Office of the Registrar.

Admission as an Undergraduate Student-at-Large

Students who are not seeking a degree and who have graduated from high school or earned a GED may be admitted as students-at-large. Students-at-large need to complete a special application and present official transcripts for high school and any previous college work. The college transcripts will serve to verify 1) whether specific prerequisite courses had been taken, and 2) that the student was in good standing at the most recent institution.

Students-at-large may register for up to 30 semester hours of credit before they must change to degree-seeking status. Credits earned as students-at-large at Dominican may then be applied to satisfy degree requirements.

They must meet all admission requirements when applying for degree-seeking status and are subject to all academic rules and regulations during their attendance at the university.

Students seeking teacher licensure or Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) certification, or students registering for certificate and/or licensure programs, may not apply as students-at-large. Students-at-large are not eligible for financial aid.

Tuition Exchanges

Dominican University participates in the Catholic College Cooperative Tuition Exchange (CCCTE), the Council of Independent Colleges Tuition Exchange (CIC-TEP), and Tuition Exchange (TE). Dependents of employees of participating institutions are eligible for tuition benefits at Dominican University. Additional information on these tuition exchanges is available in the Office of Undergraduate Admission.

Admission of Graduate Students

Admission Requirements

Applicants to a Dominican University master’s degree program are required to submit official transcripts from a regionally accredited college or university showing the conferral of a bachelor’s degree. Applicant’s to the PhD program are required to submit official transcripts from a regionally accredited college or university showing conferral of a master’s degree. Additional admission requirements are outlined in each school’s profile and/or included with graduate program listings.

Student at Large

Applicants interested in enrolling in a class or classes as a student-at-large-with no intention of completing a degree or other program-need to apply through the college or school that offers the course(s) they are interested in taking.

International Students

Applicants who were educated outside of the United States and/or students requiring a student visa must: