Dominican University

About Dominican University

Vision Statement

Dominican University aspires to be a premier, Catholic, comprehensive, teaching university with an enrollment of 4,000 students.

Mission Statement

As a Sinsinawa Dominican-sponsored institution, Dominican University prepares students to pursue truth, to give compassionate service and to participate in the creation of a more just and humane world.

Identity Statement

Dominican University is a distinctively relationship-centered educational community rooted in the liberal arts and sciences. It is known for its rigorous and engaging academic programs, the care and respect with which it mentors students, its enduring commitment to social justice, and the enriching diversity of its students, faculty, and staff. Integral to Dominican’s success and distinction is the ongoing exploration, clear expression, and shared experience of its Catholic Dominican identity.

History

Dominican University was founded as St. Clara College in Sinsinawa, WI in 1901 by the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary. In 1922, under the leadership of Mother Samuel Coughlin, the sisters relocated the institution to its current location in River Forest, IL, where it was renamed Rosary College. The new college began immediately instituting new programs and improving its curriculum, establishing one of the first study abroad programs in the country in 1925 and offering courses in library science leading to the university's first master's degree in 1949. Recognizing its responsibility to all students, Rosary College became coeducational in 1970. In May 1997, in the context of an aggressive strategic plan, the school name changed to Dominican University, communicating the increasingly comprehensive nature of the university's programs and, at the same time, its continued commitment to its Catholic Dominican mission. There are currently six schools affiliated with Dominican University.

Founder

November 4, 2006 marked the 200th anniversary of the birth of Fr. Samuel Mazzuchelli, OP, founder of the community of Dominican sisters of Sinsinawa, WI and of St. Clara Academy, the school that grew into Dominican University.

Accreditation

Dominican University is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools as a baccalaureate and master’s degree granting institution. The Master of Library and Information Science program is accredited by the American Library Association. The accounting and business administration programs in the School of Business are accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs. The Graduate School of Social Work in 2004 was accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education. The university is approved by the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois Department of Registration and Education, and the State Approving Agency for Veterans Affairs. The program in nutrition and dietetics has development accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education.

Fall 2008

University Type:

Private, not-for-profit, coed; Master's Colleges & Universities I

Religious Affiliation:

Roman Catholic

History:

Founded in 1901 as St. Clara College in Sinsinawa, Wisconsin. Moved to River Forest, Illinois in 1922 and renamed Rosary College. Became Dominican University in 1997.

Campus:

Thirty acre main campus is in River Forest, a residential suburb located ten miles west of downtown Chicago. Classes are also offered at the Dominican Priory campus in River Forest as well as other sites in the Chicago area, in eastern Europe and on-line.

Enrollment (Fall 2008):

3,413 Total Students: 59% full-time, 41% part-time; 1,709 Undergraduate Students: 89% full-time, 11% part-time; 1,704 Graduate Students: 30% full-time, 70% part-time.

Library (Fall 2008):

235,490 books and other printed materials, 630 hard copy periodicals and 29,619 unique electronic full-text periodicals, 149 electronic databases and reference sources, 5,583 microfilm items and 112,984 government documents. Fifty public access computers are available on four floors.

Undergraduate Programs:

Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees with over 50 majors as well as eleven professional and pre-professional programs and an accelerated program in organizational leadership.

Graduate Programs:

Over 30 degree programs in Business, Education, Library and Information Science, Organizational Leadership, and Social Work.

Faculty (Fall 2008):

Full-Time: 130 Instructional, 6 Librarians,
Part-Time: 275 (Illinois locations only),Student/Faculty Ratio: 12 to 1.

Tuition (2008-2009):

Undergraduate: $23,700 full-time ($790 per credit hour part-time) Graduate: $580 to $725 per credit hour, depending on program. Room and Board: $7,350 to $8,280 (double and meal plan with flex dollars).

Financial Aid:

98% of all freshmen receive some form of financial aid, with an average award of $17,570.

Recognition:

Ranked by "U.S. News and World Report" in the top tier (#22) of all Midwestern Master's Universities.