Undergraduate Programs of Study

As a liberal arts institution, Dominican University New York recognizes and celebrates the role Art plays in learning. Art courses teach students to be more tolerant and open through multicultural and historical per-spectives and through their involvement in the creative process itself.

The Biology program offers two options for a degree in Biology: the Bachelor of Science or the Bachelor of Arts.   

B.S. in Biology 
The B.S. in Biology is a challenging program for students who wish to study the biological sciences in great depth. Students in this pro-gram are strongly prepared to directly enter the STEM workforce or for graduate work in areas including research graduate studies, clinical programs in allied health, and medical school.    

B.A. in Biology 
The Bachelor of Arts in Biology combines a solid foundation in biology with the breadth and flexibility of a liberal arts program. The B.A. in Biology is offered to those interested in the 3-3 B.A. Biology-Doctor of Physical Therapy program or Adolescent Education.  

Articulation Agreements 
The Biology program features articulation agreements with multiple colleges to facilitate advanced study. The list is as follows:  

American University of Antigua (AUA): Graduates of Dominican University New York who have an overall 3.25 GPA, a minimal GPA of 3.25 in all prerequisite courses required by AUA, and faculty recommendation will be offered admission to the AUA Medical School.    

New York Medical College (NYMC): Dominican University New York seniors who are admitted into the Graduate School of Basic Medical Sciences (GSBMS) Master’s pro-grams will be allowed to take up to 8 graduate credits in each academic term (fall and spring) in the GSBMS of NYMC during their senior undergraduate year. Dominican University will accept NYMC credits towards Bachelor’s degree requirements. NYMC course credits will be applied toward graduate degree requirements in the GSBMS. Students must receive recommendations by the biology faculty in order to apply for this program.  

Dominican University students who have a minimum of 3.0 GPA with no grades below may apply for early acceptance to the follow-ing programs at NYMC: Health Policy & Management, Health Behavior & Community Health, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Envi-ronmental Health Science. This arrangement is open to students majoring in any undergraduate program, but applicants should have a balance of course work in the humanities and the social sciences and competency in English composition.   

3-3 B.A. Biology-Doctor of Physical Therapy: Entering freshmen whose high school GPA is at least 3.3 and SAT scores are at least 1150 and who have had 4 years of science in high school (including physics) may enter Dominican University New York’s 3-3 BA-DPT program. Students who maintain at least a 3.3 GPA overall and in the DPT prerequisite courses (with no prerequi-site course grade below a C) undergo a streamlined application to the DPT program in the fall of their Junior year. Successful students earn the B.A. in Biology and DPT from Dominican University.  

Biology Honor Society 
Beta Beta Beta is an honor society for undergraduate students who are dedicated to improving the understanding and appreciation of bi-ological study and scientific research. Since its founding in 1922, more than 200,000 persons have been accepted into lifetime membership, and more than 626 chapters have been established throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.  

The Nu Psi chapter of Beta Beta Beta, was founded at Dominican University New York in 2008. 

Eligibility: 

• undergraduate major in biology
• completed at least one term of the second year of a four-year curriculum or its equivalent
• completed at least three semester courses in biology, of which at least one is not an introductory course
• be in good academic standing with a GPA of 3.2 or better in all courses
• have the recommendations of the Science Department faculty
• have demonstrated service to the community (college and otherwise)

Benefits: 

• gain access to scholarships and grants to carry out independent research
• participate in regional and national conventions
• network with other undergraduate biology majors
• publish undergraduate research in the BIOS journal
• become a chapter officer and gain leadership skills
• participate in service, social, and research events sponsored by the Nu Psi chapter

Academic Requirements 
Students may be admitted to the Biology program only after com-pleting BI 221-222 General Biology I-II with a minimum grade of C and having an overall GPA of at least 2.5. All biology majors must maintain the minimum 2.5 average -- both in the program (including all Biology BI and cognate courses) and in the overall cumulative index -- with no grade in required BI and cognate courses lower 
than a C.   

Additional grade expectations apply for students seeking teacher certification: see Catalog section for Teacher Education.  

Biology majors may repeat a required course no more than three times.   

The Biology program offers several 3- or 4-credit electives, typically taken in the junior or senior year. Students may choose among any of the following courses for their Biology or Science electives:  

BI 223 Anatomy and Physiology I  
BI 224 Anatomy and Physiology II 
BI 230 Introduction to Immunology   
BI 327 Introduction to Forensic Science 
BI 328 Studies in Biochemistry I 
BI 329 Field Ecology 
BI 330 Molecular Biology 
BI 333 Neuroscience 
BI 335 Vertebrate Biology 
BI 336 Animal Behavior 
BI 337 Evolution 
BI 339 Cell Biology 
BI 340 Aquatic Biology 
BI 341 Environmental Toxicology 
CH 329 Studies in Biochemistry II 
PY 221 General Physics II 

Summary of Degree Requirements:  

Students may choose among five distinct concentrations of study within the Biology program: 

• General, for students intending to enter the STEM work-force or pursue graduate studies in science;
• Pre-Med, for students intending to pursue graduate studies in medical fields;
• Pre-PT, for students intending to enter a Doctor of Physical Therapy program;
• Environmental Science, for students who wish to emphasize study of the living environment; and
• Adolescent Education (B.A., only), for students who wish to teach biology at the secondary level.

A total of 120 credits are required to complete the B.S. degree in Bi-ology. These credits consist of Dominican Curriculum (DC) courses, Biology core and cognate courses, courses specific to the student’s chosen concentration, and free electives.    

The biology curriculum includes a first-year general biology se-quence, botanical sciences, genetics, microbiology, human physiology or histology, and bioinformatics. Required courses in the physical sciences include one year each in general chemistry and organic chemistry, and one semester of general physics (with labs). Calculus I and Biostatistics courses are also required. Students must choose 15-16 credits of biology and science electives. All students are required to complete 8 credits that focus on scientific research.  

The student of Business Management is afforded the opportunity to develop managerial and leadership skills; these include strategic, technical, human relations, operational, marketing, and administrative skills – in short, everything needed to successfully run a business. The program’s motto is “Doing Business Right” – which means learning to be successful through modern business techniques while also seek-ing to make the world a better place. Students may also pursue a concentration within the program in Sports Management.

The Business Management program is accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (I.A.C.B.E.):
IACBE 11960 Quivira Road, Suite 300, Overland Park, KS 66213 www.iacbe.org

Experiential Business Learning Requirement
In order to graduate, students in Business Management must complete an experiential learning requirement related to their field of interest. The experiential learning requirement can be met through 3-credits of internship, 3-credits of practicum or an equivalent non-credit experience in a real world or "out of the traditional classroom" context. The requirement offers students the opportunity to initiate lifelong learning through the development and application of academic knowledge and skills in new or different settings.
Experiential learning may fall into one or more of the following categories:

• Undergraduate Research, where students engage in systematic inquiry that contributes to the discovery or interpretation of knowledge significant to their field of study.
• Community/Civic Engagement, where students interact with people from diverse backgrounds, to challenge their understanding of community needs, and to explore ways of partnering with community members to address problems or improve community life. Examples could include a semester-long community engagement, or civic project where a student’s business studies assist them in serving the community.
• Career and Practical Experiences, where students use skills and concepts learned in the classroom while engaging in work-like settings that relate to their field of study or possible career path. Examples include internship, co-ops, student teaching, or tutoring experience.

Both credit-bearing and non-credit bearing experiences, paid or un-paid, may be proposed for meeting this requirement. All student experiential learning experiences must be approved by the student’s academic advisor. Furthermore, all internships must be approved by the  Career Development Center. All such experiences must include the following:

• significant opportunities for the student to apply academic ideas, concepts, theories and/or skills to practice;
• significant experience-based learning beyond that which typically occurs in the undergraduate classroom;
• sustained and significant interaction throughout the experience between the student and their faculty/staff advisor(s);
  sustained student involvement or immersion (with the total amount of time committed by the student being roughly equal at least to that required for a three-credit-hour
  course);
• a meaningful opportunity for student reflection (e.g., with a portfolio, final essay, faculty/student meeting or other opportunity) at the conclusion of the experience;
• and a level of academic rigor and education effectiveness com-parable to what is found in a typical Dominican University New York undergraduate course.
• Up to 6 internship credits may be applied to the degree.

Sigma Beta Delta Business Honor Society

Membership in Sigma Beta Delta is the highest national recognition a business student can receive at a college or university with a Sigma Beta Delta chapter.

Purposes:
The purposes of Sigma Beta Delta are to encourage and recognize scholarship and achievement among students of business, management and administration, and to encourage and promote personal and professional improvement and a life distinguished by honorable service to humankind.

Eligibility:
To be eligible for membership, a business student must rank in the up-per 20 percent of the senior or master’s class and be invited to member-ship by the faculty officers.

Communication Studies Major

The B.A. in Communication Studies at Dominican University New York is a broad based liberal arts program balancing theory and practice. It prepares students to be effective communicators, ethical leaders, and innovative media practitioners. The course work assists students in developing competencies of critical thinking, problem solving, media and message design, presentations, relational interaction, and cultural communication. All courses used to fulfill requirements for the CS major must be a grade of "C" or higher. Successful completion of CS 111 is a prerequisite to enter this major.

The program offers a choice of two tracks (15 credits each):  

Media Communication: including, but not limited to, Introduction to Mass Communication, New Media, Digital Media, Visual Communi-cation, Computer Mediated Communication, Documentary Film, Freedom of the Press, Critical Analysis of the Media, Writing for the Media, Freedom of the Press, Creation, and Sex, Pop Culture and the Media. 

Organizational Communication and Leadership: including, but not limited to, Business Communications, Business in Action: Communi-cation and Management, Global Communication, Public Relations, Communicating Change, Crisis Communication, Social Media Mar-keting, Organizational Communication, and Leadership.  

All courses used to fulfill requirements for the CS major must be a grade of "C" or higher.  

Lambda Pi Eta Communications Honor Society 

Alpha Gamma Pi is Dominican University New York’s chapter of Lambda Phi Eta, the honor society of the National Communication Association. The purpose of Lambda Phi Eta is to: (1) recognize the outstanding scholastic achievement of Dominican University New York’s Communication Studies students; (2) stimulate interest in the field of communication; (3) promote and encourage professional development among its network of over 600 national chapters.

Eligibility:

To be eligible for membership in Lambda Pi Eta, students must meet all of the following requirements:

• at least 60 hours of college credit
• at least 12 hours in Communication Studies courses
• an overall GPA of at least 3.0
• a GPA of at least 3.25 in Communication Studies courses
• exhibit high standards of personal and professional character

Communication Studies Minor

The minor in Communication Studies provides a broad-based academic experience that supports other programs at the University. Regardless of a student’s academic major, the courses for this minor are designed to help students to understand, examine, and function in, the Information Age.

Please note that there are Communication courses cross-listed in Busi-ness and Management as well as interdepartmental courses students may take to fulfill the requirements. Specific courses in English, Criminal Justice, Fine Arts, and Marketing may be options used to fulfill elective requirements.

The Criminal Justice Program is specifically designed to provide students with an understanding of the criminal justice system, the nature of crime, and the interactive roles of the individual and society in the commission, restraint, and prevention of crime. The Program offers an appreciation of the complexity of criminal justice and permits students the opportunity to understand fully the social, legal, and technological process in criminal justice agencies.

The major requires a variety of courses pertaining to the essential elements of criminal justice as well as a thorough comprehension of relevant theoretical perspectives and methodological approaches used to explore criminal behavior and its various permutations. It offers a multidisciplinary approach to understanding deviant behavior and crime, the nature of law and social control, the organization and management of criminal justice agencies, and the use of research and evaluation for planned change in criminal justice.

The Program is designed for those who have an interest in under-standing social issues associated with crime, the work performed by criminal justice professionals, and the impact public policy decisions have on the operation of the criminal justice system. The interdisciplinary nature of the course content enables graduates to pursue di-verse career paths and assume positions of leadership in law enforcement, court administration, corrections, and academia.

Criminal Justice Honor Society

Alpha Phi Sigma is the nationally recognized honor society for students in the criminal justice sciences. The Society recognizes academic excellence by undergraduates as well as graduate students of criminal justice. To become a member, the student must have completed one-third of the total hours required for graduation at his/her institution. The student must be recommended by the chapter advisor. Undergraduate students must maintain a minimum of 3.2 overall GPA on a 4.0 scale. The student must also rank in the top 35% of their classes and have completed a minimum of four courses within the criminal justice curriculum. The Honor Society is open to those with a declared criminal justice major or minor.

Criminal Justice Minor

The Criminal Justice minor offers a broad-based, interdisciplinary aca-demic experience introducing selected themes in the study of criminal behavior and the societal systems which respond to it. Students will have an opportunity to consider some significant social science perspec-tives on the origin and societal meaning of crime and justice. The mi-nor encourages students to develop familiarity with the three stages of the criminal justice system--law enforcement, the judicial process, and corrections.

Criminal Justice may also be selected as an area of concentration by Students pursuing a major in the social sciences. 

Economics Minor

The Economics Minor provides an opportunity for students in any ma-jor to study how societies produce, distribute, and consume goods and services in traditional, command, and market economics. Students can gain an understanding of the reasons for – and alternative policies to deal with – issues such as inflation and deflation, employment and unemployment, and economic stability and growth. The Economics Mi-nor supplements studies in other disciplines and increases students’ understanding of political and economic issues.

In addition to constituting a minor, the study of economics can also be pursued as an area of emphasis in the Social Sciences major. (See Social Sciences section for program details.) Courses in economics may be taken for liberal arts credit.

Students seeking qualification as teachers in the field of Childhood Education or in Childhood Education/Students with Disabilities may pursue either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science in Education degree.  The student pursuing the B.S. in Education, instead of majoring in a liberal arts discipline, majors in Teacher Education and takes an approved liberal arts Concentration in keeping with New York State standards.  The B.S./Ed/Concentration path, with its substantial but concise liberal arts requirements, is an attractive option for many students, particularly those pursuing the full dual certification program in Childhood Education/Students with Disabilities, or Childhood/Early Childhood.  

Dominican University New York offers a choice of four New York State-authorized Liberal Arts Concentrations: 

• American Studies (30 cr.)
• Humanities (30 cr.)
• Mathematics (31 cr. beyond MA 112)
• Natural Sciences (32 cr.)

Each Concentration requires 30 or more credits of study in the spec-ified field, and in each case Teacher Education standards assure expo-sure to 75 or more credits of liberal arts study in the student’s total program.  

Two of the Concentrations (Humanities and Mathematics) are re-lated to other programs in their fields and are outlined elsewhere in this Catalog:  see the Humanities and Mathematics sections.  The American Studies and Natural Sciences options are outlined below.  

The program and course offerings in English have two main objectives: to give the student a broad knowledge and lively appreciation of "the best that has been thought and said" in literature, and to develop practical skills for the student's career future.

Works of literature in the program are studied both as art and as expressions of significant thought, so as to cultivate an understanding of beauty and at the same time a capacity for dealing confidently with sophisticated ideas. Students learn how to interpret a particular statement or event by relating it to other elements in the work; how to interpret a work, or a set of ideas, by relating it to other works and ideas from different ages and societies; and, at each step, how to interpret current events or personal experiences by relating them imaginatively to the events and experiences depicted in the readings.

The emphasis is on cultural knowledge that increases the student's self-knowledge.

Simultaneously, through the class experience and the individual pro-jects assigned, emphasis is also placed on the development of skills that the student will later be able to apply to professional tasks in a variety of fields. Students learn and practice techniques for gathering information, for interpreting it, for analyzing it, and for isolating what is most important in it. They learn, in short, some of the basic procedures for making themselves experts in their chosen field.

For students majoring in English, a minimum grade of C is required in all English courses used to fulfill program requirements. Other grade expectations apply for students seeking teacher certification; See the Teacher Education section of the catalog for requirements.

Communication Skills Courses

The ability to communicate clearly, logically, and persuasively is increasingly in demand in almost every line of work today, and is among the most important professional tools the student can acquire. One of the chief functions of the English program, and one of the chief ways in which individual English courses serve students in other programs, is to develop that ability. Each of the literature courses in the program is designed to include study of the techniques of effective expression, both in the work of professional writers and in the student's own work; for students who want concentrated training in those techniques, whether for professional or personal reasons, there are also a number of non-literature courses in English and related areas that focus on the communications skills themselves.

University English Requirements

As the level of writing skills declines, and the demand for those skills in the professional world increases, Dominican University New York is committed to providing its students with the kind of preparation that will give them an advantage in their later careers.  

All freshmen entering the University are placed into courses in the “Writing Sequence.” As a result of this placement, they are enrolled in one of the following sequenced courses, the "Writing Sequence": 

1. English 119 or 120:  College Writing with Lab or College Writing & Research
2. English 123:  Writing About Literature

Students who need some catch-up work in order to get the most out of their other college courses begin the sequence with English 108, proceeding from there to English 119 or DC 120 and 123. Students who have had sufficient preparation in their previous high school  work begin with English 120, and a few exceptionally talented students begin immediately at the third level, English 123.  

Students who score a 3 or higher on the AP English Language and Composition exam, or who have earned college credit through an equivalent dual enrollment college-level course offered through their high schools, are exempt from DC 120 and are placed into EN 123. Students who receive a 3 or higher on the AP Literature exam, or who have earned college credit through an equivalent dual enroll-ment college-level course offered through their high schools, must still enroll in EN 123 but will be given three elective credits in Eng-lish literature.  

With those few exceptions, all freshmen are guaranteed at least 6 credits of training in English skills at a level appropriate to their back-grounds and needs.  

The needs of transfer students are given similarly close attention. Any entering transfer students who have not already completed the equivalent of the Writing Sequence at their previous institutions will do so at Dominican. And students who have already taken the equivalent of the Sequence elsewhere are tested to assess their skills in  relation to Dominican standards; those whose writing still shows a need for further improvement are placed in EN 115, Enhanced Writing.  

Transfer students placed in English 115 are urged to take the course as early as possible in their first year at the University; successful completion of the course with a grade of C- or better is a prerequisite for graduation. The same policy applies to the Writing Sequence.  

Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society

Sigma Tau Delta is about recognition and opportunity, and is dedicated to making a real difference in the life of each and every Sigma Tau Delta.

Our local chapter, the Alpha Upsilon Theta chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, was founded in December 2013.

(845) 398-4800, extension 6049 or fax: (845) 398-4892

The program is fully accredited by CAPTE. (Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education)  
CAPTE, 1111 N. Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314;  
phone (703) 684-2782.  

The role of the physical therapist is an exciting and challenging one. Using therapeutic intervention, the professional helps to improve the quality and satisfaction of the lives of diverse clients throughout the life span. Clientele may include children with disabilities, victims of trauma, and seniors with generalized weaknesses. Working with pa-tients, caregivers, and other health care professionals, physical therapists promote the achievement of their patients’ goals by fostering their recovery. The focus of therapy may consist of programs to in-crease strength, to relieve pain, and to assist one to achieve optimal function in the environment.  

Physical therapists also serve as teachers, providing important instruction in a wide array of areas, including on-going rehabilitation in the activities of daily living, prenatal and post-natal programs, and overall fitness and health promotion. Physical therapists can work in a variety of fields, such as rehabilitation, community health, industry, sports, private practice, neonatal intensive care, school, research, education, and administration.  

Entry-level physical therapy program 

The entry-level physical therapy program is an accredited full-time weekend program dedicated to preparing motivated graduates to become skilled, ethical and respectful doctors of physical therapy with  a commitment to evidence-based practice, lifelong learning and service. Through a strong science foundation and a challenging yet sup-portive environment, congruent with the mission of Dominican University New York, graduates are prepared to deliver the highest standards of practice and leadership to meet the ever-changing societal needs related to movement, function and health.  

The Program’s goal is to graduate autonomous physical therapists who are able to provide professional services by addressing the needs of the "whole" client in an ever-changing health care environment, in addition to serving as teachers, consultants, researchers, and administrators.  

Dominican University New York offers a Physical Therapy Program leading to

1. two degrees, Bachelor of Arts in Biology (Pre-Med) and Doctor of Physical Therapy, for the traditional or transfer student in a combined 3 + 3 (over 10 trimesters). Refer to entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy Professional Sequence.
2. a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree for the student who has already earned a baccalaureate degree

Completion of the Doctoral portion of the Physical Therapy degree requires each student to complete 99 credits in ten trimesters over 3.3 years.    

The professional courses are scheduled on a trimester system — sum-mer, fall, winter/spring. The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program meets eight weekends per trimester. Each instructional weekend includes all-day Friday, all-day Saturday, and all-day Sunday.  On occasion, students may be asked to come in during the week to fulfill academic requirements (e.g. Field trips to hospitals, proficiency checkouts, Capstone testing, etc.). There are various learning experiences (e.g. open labs, proficiency checkouts, student-driven group work, student/faculty meetings, etc.) during the instructional week-end. It is mandatory that students are regularly available during that day. The four full-time clinical affiliations, totaling 36 weeks, are scheduled during the regular work days of the facility. During the full-time clinical affiliations, weekend classes are scheduled to pro-mote learning and integration of physical therapy skills. Working is not permitted while performing a clinical affiliation due to the high demand of a full-time clinical affiliation and coursework. The non-traditional format schedule allows a student to continue part-time employment, to maintain family responsibilities, and to pursue other interests. Students are cautioned, however, that long work hours are incompatible with success in the Program, which requires extensive study time, and that the Program cannot consider competing work obligations as a substitute for the maintenance of academic standards. In particular, an absence for more than 1/8 of the total contact hours in any professional course, for any reason, will result in a failing grade. Absence of the first day of class will also result in a failing grade. Acceptance to the program is contingent that the accepted student attends the new student orientation.    

Admission to the Entry-Level Doctor of Physical Therapy  

To apply to the program, applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree in any field. The baccalaureate degree must be completed prior to the start of the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program.   

The following prerequisites must be completed prior to admission to the entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. 

Prerequisite courses are offered by Dominican University New York in a traditional semester-based weekday schedule. Although the pre-requisite courses may be taken at other accredited colleges or univer-sities, preference for admission to the Physical Therapy Program is given to the most qualified applicants who have taken 30 or more credits at Dominican.   

The overall grade point average, as well as in the prerequisites grade point average must be at least a (3.0), with no course grade lower than a C. However, depending on the applicant pool, it is common that the overall and prerequisite grade point minimum of the ac-cepted DPT students is higher than the 3.0 (e.g., the average of the incoming students have been 3.2-3.4 GPA). A 3.0 GPA. is also re-quired for the last 60 credits of the student’s most recent coursework as a whole.  

Applicants whose native language is not English must obtain a mini-mum score of 550 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language 
(T.O.E.F.L.) or 213 on the computer-based T.O.E.F.L. (C.B.T.).  

All candidates must apply online utilizing the APTA's Centralized Application Service (www.ptcas.org).  

Admission to Bachelor of Arts in Biology  (Pre-Med)/Doctor of Physical Therapy 

Dominican University New York traditional students and transfer stu-dents have the option to satisfy some of the requirements of the Bache-lor of Arts in Biology (Pre-Med track) while fulfilling the prerequisites of the Physical Therapy Program in the first three years of their aca-demic career. During Year Three, the student will make application to the Physical Therapy Program. The Biology degree must be completed with no grade lower than a C (2.0 GPA) in required science and math courses, and with the minimum average of 3.0 in all coursework. If the student is accepted, Year Four will consist of the final requirements of the baccalaureate program in Biology integrated with the first year of the Physical Therapy Program, following the weekend format.  

Students in this program will still need to meet all admission require-ments and formally apply to the Entry-Level Doctor of Physical Ther-apy Program as outlined in Entry-Level Admission Section.    

Upon successful completion of the biology requirements and the Physical Therapy curriculum, the student will be awarded the dual degree B.A./DPT (a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and a Doctor in Physical Therapy, respectively). Should an individual successfully complete the first two trimesters of the articulated Biology/Physical Therapy professional sequence, but not the remainder of the Physical Therapy Program, and if all other requirements for the Bachelor’s degree have been met, the student earns a Bachelor of Arts in Biol-ogy.  

Clinical Experience Admissions Requirement: 
In addition to the prerequisite courses, all applicants must document a total of 60 hours (100 hours is recommended) of voluntary or work experience in settings where a licensed physical therapist is employed. These hours must be completed in diverse healthcare settings providing exposure to therapeutic intervention across the life span.   

Deferment of Admissions to the Entry-Level Program: 
If an applicant is accepted into the program, but is unable to fulfill the requirements (e.g. submit deposits, attend orientation) to begin the program for that admission year, the applicant will be unable to defer their admission to a later date.  The applicant must reapply for the following year.    

Off-Site Requirements  

The Clinical Experience is a significant and critical component of the professional physical therapy curriculum. Students observe and are mentored by expert clinicians working in their respective specialized clinical settings. These experiences are concurrent with weekend classes.  

The physical therapy curriculum provides the student with four full-time clinical affiliations throughout the ten trimesters of study for a total of thirty-six weeks. During these four blocks of clinical practice, each student will have experiences with patients/clients across the lifespan in a variety of settings that en-compass a range of conditions from acute to chronic. The student’s clinical experiences will provide them with the entry-level knowledge and skills they need in the general practice of physical therapy.  

Capstone and Final Requirements  

To demonstrate ongoing competency and integration of the required minimal skills at specific points in the professional sequence, all stu-dents must pass the written and clinical lab practical capstone exami-nations that cover all material in the courses and learning experiences prior to the scheduled examination. Typically, the alternate week-ends are used for the capstone examinations. The first capstone written and clinical lab practical examinations are administered at the end of Year I Trimester 3. The second capstone written and lab practical examinations are administered at the end of Trimester 5 to demon-strate mastery of required minimal skills. The third capstone written is administered as part of the Professional Development class at the end of Year IV Trimester 10, at the end of all required course work of the professional sequence. Students are expected to achieve all  required CPI criteria to successfully complete all clinical affiliations.   

A student must pass both the written and lab practical capstone examinations in order continue in the Program. Only one retake of the Capstone Written and Lab Practical Examinations is permitted. Students who do not pass the capstone exams are subject to dismissal from the program.  

Procedures  

Advisement:

All students enrolled in the Physical Therapy Program are assigned a faculty advisor. Additionally, course coordinators/instructors will provide advisement related to specific course objectives, content and requirements, and professional development. The Director of Clinical Education (DCE) is responsible for advisement related to  
the Clinical Education Sequence and Clinical Experiences such as Clinical Experience I, II, III and IV. The Research Coordinator will also provide advisement concerning student research projects developed during the last two years of the professional sequence. Faculty will inform students of their office hours during course orientations, in the course outlines, and /or student advisement.  

When necessary, an Action Plan is used to develop appropriate strategies for students who either are not at the expected levels of Professional Behavior or where there is a marked discrepancy between the student’s self-assessment and faculty observations. Action Plans will be discussed and monitored during faculty meetings. An Action Plan may also be used as a written avenue to reach a learning goal or identified achievement (not remediation). The student will meet with the course coordinator/instructor or advisor to devise an Action Plan which will state the expectation to be accomplished within a specified time. The student is responsible for maintaining communication with the faculty advisor/course coordinator/ instructor regarding his/her ability or inability to master the objective.  

Residency:

The DPT Professional Sequence must be completed within 4.6 years (14 trimesters) to complete the program.   

Health:

All required health forms are to be completed and updated regularly and after any student health incident requiring medical attention. Evi-dence should be submitted at the beginning of each academic year in the Clinical Education sequence courses (Summer Trimester) and maintained electronically via the certifiedbackground.com.  
The Dominican University New York Physical Therapy Program faculty have developed a set of “essential functions.” “Essential function” refers to all nonacademic criteria used for admission and participation in a program. Essential functions are applied to all students and evolve with physical therapy practice. They are created so that students and practitioners can perform their job responsibilities in a safe and effective manner at a high standard. They are not established to discriminate against a person with a disability. The ability of a student to perform these essential functions, therefore, is a factor that will affect his or her acceptance to, progression in, and successful completion of the program. The extensive list of the essential functions may be requested from the PT program.   

Leave of Absence:

A student may request a leave of absence from the Program, which, when granted, permits the student to return the following academic year without applying for readmission. The student must first request permission from the Program Director and provide supporting documents for their request. To be official, this request must be submitted in writing to the Registrar once approval from the Program Director has been attained.  

Students who have been away from the University for more than one year must reapply and restart the program from the beginning.  

Withdrawal:

Except in unusual circumstances, a student who wishes to withdraw from a course without academic penalty may only do so within a prescribed time frame; the symbol "W" will be entered on the transcript when the approved withdrawal occurs before two-thirds of the sched-uled sessions of the course or prior to the start of the 6th weekend of the trimester. The course instructor and the Program Director must be informed prior to the student’s intended withdrawal. See the section above regarding requesting a leave of absence before submitting a with-drawal request to ensure that a student’s seat in the program is held.  

Insurance:

While enrolled in the DPT Program, students are required to maintain currency in the following: individual professional liability insurance (with the coverage of at least one million dollars per occurrence/three million aggregate), APTA student membership, and CPR and First Aid certification.   

The BA in Environmental Studies is an interdisciplinary major intended to prepare students for a wide variety of career options. The variety of courses expose the students to different world views and to consider different ethical arguments. Students will have a broad understanding of the science behind climate change and the environment, allowing them to develop informed solutions. All courses used to fulfill requirements for the Environmental Studies major must be a grade of C or higher.

Summary of Requirements:

All students take a series of core courses (41-43 credits). These courses give the students a solid foundation in the basic science needed to understand environmental issues. The core also includes computer, communication, and writing and literature courses, providing students with skills needed for environmental careers. Additionally, all students will complete an internship, giving them hands-on experience in their chosen specialty.

Tracks: Students will choose between two tracks: a science track and a general track. In total, 65 credits are required for the Environmental Studies major.

Science track: This track requires additional upper-level courses (16 credits), including Field Ecology which will give the students in-the-field experience with ecological issues. This track also requires Research Seminar I and II, in which students learn to develop, conduct, and present scientific research. The students will have 6-8 credits re-maining to use for major electives. The science track prepares students for graduate school, research, or technical jobs.

General track: Working closely with their advisor, this track provides the student the opportunity to tailor their major to their academic interests. The requirements guide the student to spread their choices (22-24 credits) over 200 and 300-level courses offered through vari-ous programs. The general track prepares students for jobs in consult-ing, activism, lobbying, education, policy, and other fields.

A total of 120 credits are required to complete the B.A. degree in Environmental Studies. These credits consist of Dominican Curriculum (DC) courses, Environmental Studies core courses, courses specific to the student’s chosen concentration, and free electives.

Environmental Studies majors may repeat a required course no more than three times. 

Film Minor 

The Film Studies minor offers a curriculum that focuses on the importance and appreciation of film in our culture for well over a century. Students enrolling in the program will gain a critical appreciation of cinema through technical, cultural, artistic, historical, and academic lenses. The core courses in the minor will also de-vote significant attention to the diversity that Film Studies incorpo-rates, including race, gender, and locale. The minor requires 18 cred-its, with at least 12 of those credits listed as FI courses. A grade of C or better must be achieved for all classes taken towards meeting the requirements of the minor.

Finance is at the core of any business endeavor. Every business, whether corporate, government-run, for-profit or not-for-profit, must determine how to finance itself and what its business model will be. Along with management, sales/marketing and operations, finance is one of the key pillars of any business.

Students might pursue a career in the treasury department of a company or government entity, or find work as a financial planner, a wealth manager, a financial analyst, or in any of the many finance-related careers available today. Whatever their choice, understanding the basics of how markets operate, of how companies find investors and lenders, and how financial planning helps small firms and large firms weather economic swings – all are critical to success. Individuals who want to understand how the finances of an organization are organized and how adjusting financial levers can impact an organization’s success will find a finance major an interesting pursuit. Stu-dents who consider themselves to be “problem solvers” are a good fit for a finance major, as much of the coursework entails solving economic and financial puzzles.

The Finance program is accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (I.A.C.B.E.).
IACBE,11960 Quivara Rd., Suite 300, Overland Park, KS 66215
www.iacbe.org

Experiential Finance Learning Requirement

In order to graduate, Finance students must complete an experiential learning requirement related to their field of interest. The experiential requirement can be met through 3-credits of internship, 3-credits of practicum or an equivalent non-credit experience in a real world or "out of the traditional classroom" context. The requirement offers students the opportunity to initiate lifelong learning through the development and application of academic knowledge and skills in new or different settings.
Experiential learning may fall into one or more of the following categories:

• Undergraduate Research, where students engage in systematic inquiry that contributes to the discovery or interpretation of knowledge significant to their field of study.
• Community/Civic Engagement, where students interact with people from diverse backgrounds, to challenge their under-standing of community needs, and to explore ways of part-nering with community members to address problems or improve community life. Examples could include a semester-long community engagement, or civic project where a student’s business studies assist them in serving the community.
• Career and Practical Experiences, where students use skills and concepts learned in the classroom while engaging in work-like settings that relate to their field of study or possible career path. Examples include internship, co-ops, student teaching, or tutoring experience.

Both credit-bearing and non-credit bearing experiences, paid or un-paid, may be proposed for meeting this requirement. All student experiential learning experiences must be approved by the student’s academic advisor. Furthermore, all internships must be approved by the Career Development Center. All such experiences must include the following:

• significant opportunities for the student to apply academic ideas, concepts, theories and/or skills to practice;
• significant experience-based learning beyond that which typically occurs in the undergraduate classroom;
• sustained and significant interaction throughout the experience between the student and their faculty/staff advisor(s);
• sustained student involvement or immersion (with the total amount of time committed by the student being roughly equal at least to that required for a three-credit-hour course);
• a meaningful opportunity for student reflection (e.g., with a portfolio, final essay, faculty/student meeting or other opportunity) at the conclusion of the experience; and
• a level of academic rigor and education effectiveness comparable to what is found in a typical Dominican University New York undergraduate course.
• Up to 6 internship credits may be applied to the degree.

Finance Minor

Finance is at the core of any business endeavor. Every business, for-profit or non-for-profit must decide how to finance itself. The Finance Minor provides an opportunity for students in any major to study how our financial system works and to expose them to concepts needed for success in this important industry. How do markets work? How are companies funded? How are profits measured? What types of investments exist and how are they valued? These and many other questions are addressed – allowing interested students to ex-plore this fascinating area of business.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences is an interdisciplinary introduction to the health sciences that is well-suited for those interested in a wide range of careers within the allied health professions, including, but not limited to, occupational therapy, athletic training and physical therapy. Students can also use the Health Sciences degree to pursue careers in healthcare administration, public health or public health informatics. It may also serve as an alternative route for students who entered the nursing program, but who no longer wish (or are unable) to pursue a nursing career. Students in each track may complete many, and in some cases all, of the prerequisite courses required for a number of professional allied health graduate programs.

Note: All students in the Health Sciences program must achieve a minimum grade of C in all HL classes, regardless of track.

History is the universal major. With a reflective understanding of the past, the historically-minded individual is equipped to embrace life with an informed perspective and to excel with competence in careers spanning a broad array of occupations. Since History studies the origin, growth, and complexity of civilization, it provides a framework from which to view and understand the great issues of our time. In order to meet the needs of students as individuals in an increasingly competitive and technological society, the History program traces the development of humanistic and spiritual ideas and values; provides intellectual and cultural enrichment; and develops skills in critical thinking, research, and expression. Equipped with such knowledge and skills, the student is prepared to make a creative and effective response to the challenges and opportunities of our contemporary world.

As one of the most versatile degrees offered by the University, History provides students with a collection of skills and a base of knowledge which employers in a broad spectrum of career fields highly desire. For those preparing for careers in traditional history-related fields, such as education, research, and government service, the scope of the pro-gram enables students to pursue American, European, and non-Western areas of study; to develop necessary analytical skills; and to gain useful insights from other disciplines among the social sciences and the liberal arts. For those interested in a broader set of career opportunities, History majors can apply the skills and techniques developed from the program to find success in professions as varied as law, business, military intelligence, journalism, publishing, and international relations.

History may also be selected as an area of emphasis by students pursuing a major in the social sciences. Consult Social Sciences section for the complete degree requirements.

History Club

The History program sponsors the History Club, a student organization that provides the University community with the opportunity to engage in the richness of historical discourse in its many manifestations. Special emphasis is focused on exploring the multiplicity of significant historical sites in the Lower Hudson Valley that stretch back through Colonial times. In addition to field trips, the Club pro-vides a variety of programming to include educational activities, social events, community involvement, career development, and net-working opportunities. Membership in the Club is open to students in any major. For more information, please contact the History pro-gram located in Casey Hall, Room 18 or call (845) 848-4068.
 

Phi Alpha Theta National Honor Society for History

Purpose:
Phi Alpha Theta is a professional society dedicated to the advancement of the study of history through the exchange of ideas, learning, and research and is comprised of professors, scholars, and students at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Eligibility:
Any undergraduate student of good moral character who has achieved academic distinction in the study of History may be invited to join Dominican University’s Alpha Xi Gamma Chapter of Phi Alpha Theta. Specifically, students must complete at least 12 credit hours in History with a combined GPA of 3.1 and maintain a 3.0 GPA in their overall University coursework. These students are generally among the top 35% in their respective classes, but they do not need to have a major or minor in History in order to be eligible for membership.

Major Activities:
Students who join Phi Alpha Theta may participate in all activities sponsored at the local chapter and national levels to include meetings, academic conferences, social events, and volunteer activities. Members also have the opportunity to compete for national scholar-ships and run for elective offices at the local chapter level. For more information, please contact the History program located in Casey Hall, Room 18 or call (845) 848-4068.

History Minor

The minor in History offers a broad overview of the past through a focus on three distinct but related areas of study: United States, Europe, and the Non-Western World. In pursuing the minor, students will deepen their experience of the study and practice of the discipline through the critical engagement of primary and secondary source material while also broadening their experience of the study of humanity with an emphasis on the development of analytical, critical thinking, and writing skills. Because it provides students with a foundation in understanding the contemporary world through a knowledge of its historical roots while developing essential cognitive skills, the minor serves as a complement to a range

The Humanities Major is designed to build on the Dominican Curriculum, providing direction and focus for students interested in pursuing a broad-based study of the Humanities. A grade of C or higher is required for any course used to fulfill major requirements.

Like the Dominican Curriculum, the Humanities program grows out of some of the overarching traditional goals of a liberal education. The heart of the program is a Humanities Core, which is required of all Humanities students. The Humanities Core, drawing on courses from several different disciplines, is designed to strengthen (1) students’ know-ledge of Western cultural history, (2) their awareness of ethical judgments and social values, (3) their appreciation of cultural differences, and (4) their taste in aesthetic experiences.
In addition to the Humanities Core, students also complete 18 semester hours in one of six areas of specialization — English, Philosophy, Religious Studies, History, Art, or World Language & Culture.

The capstone of the Humanities Major is the Writing and Research in Humanities course (HU 472). This course, taken in your senior year, builds on other courses in the Humanities Sequence. The course focuses on the development of a senior research project. Normally the project culminates in a formal essay presented to the Humanities faculty; imaginative nontraditional projects such as the preparation of a performance or an exhibit are also possible when, in the judgment of the faculty, they offer comparable challenges and benefits.

Areas of Specialization

Specialization in Art

The specialization requires 18 semester hours in Art in addition to any Art courses taken in GEC and the Humanities Core. The 18 semester hours consist of the Art minor requirements. See Art minor.

Specialization in English

The specialization requires 18 semester hours in English in addition to any English courses taken in GEC and the Humanities Core. The 18 semester hours consist of the English minor. See English minor.

Specialization in World Language & Culture

The specialization requires 18 semester hours in Spanish, including at least 12 semester hours above the intermediate level (SP 221–222).

Specialization in History

In addition to the specialization described here, the University offers a separate major program in History. Consult History section for program details. The specialization requires 18 semester hours in History in addition to any History courses taken in GEC and the Humanities Core. The 18 semester hours consist of the History minor requirements. See History minor.

Specialization in Philosophy

The specialization requires 18 semester hours in Philosophy in addition to any Philosophy courses taken in GEC and the Humanities Core. The 18 semester hours consist of the Philosophy minor requirements. See Philosophy minor.

Specialization in Religious Studies

The specialization requires 18 semester hours in Religious Studies in addition to any courses taken in GEC and the Humanities Core. The 18 semester hours consist of the Religious Studies minor requirements. See Religious Studies minor.

Spanish

The basic and intermediate courses in Spanish develop the students’ fluency in speaking, understanding, reading, and writing the language and introduce them to the culture, literature, and history of Spain and Latin America. For students who wish to perfect this knowledge or choose Spanish as a concentration, a minor in Spanish is available, as is a specialization in World Language and Culture within the Humanities Major. (See “Humanities” section above.) 

Dominican University New York’s program in Information Technology (IT) will qualify students for career positions in the rapidly growing Information Technology sector. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 15.2% growth rate in the information and technology field between 2022 and 2032. This growth rate is much faster than the national average for all careers. We offer four tracks within the IT program – Infrastructure, Application Development, Public Health Informatics and Technology, and Cybersecurity.

The IT program is part of the Division of Business, Innovation and Leadership and focuses on how IT supports businesses and organizations of all types and sizes. The program is based on the current demand for technology skills. We have three courses based on current industry technology certifications, Comp TIA A+ (IX 300), Comp TIA Network+ (IX 310) and Microsoft Server Certification (IX 330). We highly encourage students to take these certification exams while they are still students or soon after graduation.

As an IT professional, you may work with end-user technology, local area networks, network servers, databases, e-mail systems, cybersecurity, or Internet-based technologies. The IT Infrastructure program will expose you to all these areas. Alternatively, you can focus on developing software, games, or other applications in the IT Application Development track. Our third track, IT-Public Health Informatics and Technology covers the rapidly expanding field of data and information systems in public health and other health care sectors. The Cybersecurity concentration has courses offered through a partnership with LCMC (https://www.rize.education), a national consortium of private colleges. These courses are designed by top academics, reviewed by industry leaders, and taught online asynchronously by qualified faculty from other colleges within the LCMC consortium.

Experiential Learning Requirement

In order to graduate, students in the IT program must complete an experiential learning requirement related to their field of interest for their IX 490 Senior Project required capstone course. The experiential learning requirement can be met through 3-credits of internship, 3-credits of practicum or an equivalent non-credit experience in a real world or "out of the traditional classroom" context. The requirement offers students the opportunity to initiate lifelong learning through the development and application of academic knowledge and skills in new or different settings.

Experiential learning may fall into one or more of the following categories:

• Undergraduate Research, where students engage in systematic inquiry that contributes to the discovery or interpretation of knowledge significant to their field of study.
• Community/Civic Engagement, where students interact with people from diverse backgrounds, to challenge their understanding of community needs, and to explore ways of partnering with community members to address problems or improve community life. Examples could include a semester-long community engagement, or civic project where a student’s business studies assist them in serving the community.
• Career and Practical Experiences, where students use skills and concepts learned in the classroom while engaging in work-like settings that relate to their field of study or possible career path. Examples include internship, co-ops, student teaching, or tutoring experience.

Both credit-bearing and non-credit bearing experiences, paid or un-paid, may be proposed for meeting this requirement. All student experiential learning experiences must be approved by the student’s academic advisor. Furthermore, all internships must be approved by the Career Development Center. All such experiences must include the following:

• significant opportunities for the student to apply academic ideas, concepts, theories and/or skills to practice;
• significant experience-based learning beyond that which typically occurs in the undergraduate classroom;
• sustained and significant interaction throughout the experience between the student and their faculty/staff advisor(s);
• sustained student involvement or immersion (with the total amount of time committed by the student being roughly equal at least to that required for a three-credit-hour course);
• a meaningful opportunity for student reflection (e.g., with a portfolio, final essay, faculty/student meeting or other opportunity) at the conclusion of the experience;
• and a level of academic rigor and education effectiveness comparable to what is found in a typical Dominican University New York undergraduate course.
• Up to 6 internship credits may be applied to the degree.

Dominican University participates in the Purdue Data Mine Program, offering students paid internships working alongside corporate leaders, faculty and mentors to use data to solve real-world problems. Students participate in cohorts with a group of students through Purdue University, analyzing data from organizations to provide insight into current issues. The Purdue Data Mine Program participation can be used for credit in IX 490 Senior Project or as an IT Elective.

The Dominican University New York IT Program

• The IT program emphasizes a close connection between the program’s educational requirements and skills needed for careers in the field. In order to bring real world work into the classroom, Dominican University New York’s In-formation Technology Department works closely with the academic IT program. As a result, the IT programs keep current with the rapidly developing IT profession.
• All students have access to both IT faculty and IT department professionals as they complete their degrees.
• Students may be offered work study internships in Dominican’s IT department. This provides more hands-on time repairing and upgrading laptops and desktop computers.
• A dedicated lab for the IT program, equipped with commercial grade hardware and software provides students with the opportunity to work with real web servers, net-work servers, database servers, network switches, and routers.

Summary of Requirements  

The Information Technology program consists of a minimum of 120 credits, distributed as follows:  

• 60 credits in Liberal Arts
• 2 credits in Freshman Seminar (for Freshman Day Students)
• 58 credits in Division and Program Requirements
  • 18 credits core IT courses
  • 21 credits IT courses (depending on track)
  • 19 credits free electives (depending on track)
• Students must achieve a C or better in all of their core and program courses.

Ethnic Diversity Studies Minor

The interdisciplinary minor in Ethnic Diversity Studies is in keeping with one of the University’s principal educational goals, enhancing students’ ability to "consider the perspectives of other cultures and societies, while understanding the commonality of interests among different peoples in the human community." Regardless of their academic majors, coursework in Ethnic Diversity provides students with opportunities for enrichment in global awareness, critical thinking, and inter-group communication — competencies valuable in virtually any future academic and/or professional pursuit.

Gender Studies Minor

Gender Studies is an interdisciplinary liberal arts minor offered through the Division of Humanities & Social Sciences. It is designed to prepare students in any discipline to conduct research in gender studies, and to expand the scope and perspective of any professional activity to include women, and related gender-based issues.

Gerontology Minor

The interdisciplinary minor of Gerontology provides students with the opportunity to expand the scope and perspective of their knowledge to include an understanding of the health and well-being of older adults. The minor enhances competencies valuable in virtually any future academic and/or professional pursuit.

Medieval and Renaissance Studies Minor

The Medieval and Renaissance Studies minor offers students the opportunity to break down the barriers that separates the various disciplines. By looking at the development of culture, language, history, literature, philosophy, religion, and art, during the latter half of the first millennium AD and the first half of the second millennium, students will gain a strong foundation for any major they choose to pursue. By studying this period of human development, students will explore civilization from the fall of Rome to the beginnings of the modern world and learn how these periods resonate even today.

Medieval and Renaissance studies, though a seemingly narrow niche of study, can be useful to many majors. With the potential support this minor offers to studies of languages, the early developments in law and philosophy, the origins of business and economics, the early methods of science and medicine, not to mention the arts and philosophy, this minor could be of service to many of Dominican University New York’s majors.

Pre-Law Minor

Using an interdisciplinary approach, the Pre-Law Minor provides students with the skills and knowledge that will enhance their preparation for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), first-year law studies, and future law-related careers. To enter into and succeed in the legal field, students must be able to

• analyze and use language precisely
• read and research effectively
• possess knowledge of legal principles and cases
• understand and practice professional ethics

The minor is open to any student who has an interest in developing reading, writing, thinking, and researching skills while also learning about the law. Those who intend to apply to law school should note that this minor is not a requirement for, nor does it guarantee ac-ceptance into, a law program. They also should consider supplementing this program of study with participation in moot court, intercollegiate debating, and/or a law-focused internship.

Marketing is at the core of any business endeavor. Through marketing, a company conveys the value of its product or service offerings to customers/clients. No business transaction takes place unless both buyer and seller can agree on the value of an offering – marketing is the product/service provider’s side of that negotiation. Students of Marketing are offered a comprehensive review and study of marketing topics which will prepare them to pursue either careers in business or graduate studies.

Effective and creative marketing is a powerful tool that students learn can be used or misused. Dominican University New York’s approach promotes “Doing Marketing Right” – meaning successful marketing techniques employed in a way that is positive for both businesses and the communities they serve and in which they operate.

Marketing students have two tracks they can follow. The first is our general Marketing track. The second is a concentration in Digital Marketing.

The Marketing program is accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (I.A.C.B.E.). IACBE, 11960 Quivira Road, Suite 300, Overland Park, KS 66213.
www.iacbe.org

Experiential Marketing Learning Requirement

In order to graduate, students in the Marketing program must complete an experiential learning requirement related to their field of interest. The experiential learning requirement can be met through 3-credits of internship, 3-credits of practicum or an equivalent non-credit experience in a real world or "out of the traditional classroom" context. The requirement offers students the opportunity to initiate lifelong learning through the development and application of academic knowledge and skills in new or different settings.
Experiential learning may fall into one or more of the following categories:

• Undergraduate Research, where students engage in systematic inquiry that contributes to the discovery or interpretation of knowledge significant to their field of study.
• Community/Civic Engagement, where students interact with people from diverse backgrounds, to challenge their under-standing of community needs, and to explore ways of partnering with community members to address problems or improve community life. Examples could include a semester-long community engagement, or civic project where a student’s business studies assist them in serving the community.
• Career and Practical Experiences, where students use skills and concepts learned in the classroom while engaging in work-like settings that relate to their field of study or possible career path. Examples include internship, co-ops, student teaching, or tutoring experience.
   

Both credit-bearing and non-credit bearing experiences, paid or un-paid, may be proposed for meeting this requirement. All student experiential learning experiences must be approved by the student’s academic advisor. Furthermore, all internships must be approved by the Career Development Center. All such experiences must include the following:

• significant opportunities for the student to apply academic ideas, concepts, theories and/or skills to practice;
• significant experience-based learning beyond that which typically occurs in the undergraduate classroom;
• sustained and significant interaction throughout the experience between the student and their faculty/staff advisor(s);
• sustained student involvement or immersion (with the total amount of time committed by the student being roughly
  equal at least to that required for a three-credit-hour course);
• a meaningful opportunity for student reflection (e.g., with a portfolio, final essay, faculty/student meeting or other opportunity) at the conclusion of the experience; and
• a level of academic rigor and education effectiveness comparable to what is found in a typical Dominican University New York undergraduate course.
• Up to 6 internship credits may be applied to the degree.

The Mathematics program is designed to enable students to acquire an appreciation for mathematics by studying and working with some of the modern and ancient ideas in the field. Students preparing to teach mathematics will be competent in those areas specifically recommended by the Committee on the Undergraduate Program in Mathematics and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

Students majoring in Mathematics or Education with a concentration in Mathematics will be expected to maintain a 2.5 average in Mathematics and in the overall cumulative index. Other grade expectations may apply for students seeking degrees in other programs that have mathematics requirements; see other programs’ Catalog section for any specific grade expectations.

Math Placement Exam and Levels:

Freshmen:

All freshmen entering the University are given a placement test in mathematics to determine an appropriate course assignment.

Transfer Students:

Note that most students receiving transfer credit for a course equivalent to MA 112, 113, 114, or 221 can use that course to determine eligibility for further math coursework without taking our Math Placement Exam. Some majors require transfers to take the Math Placement Exam even if they are transferring in math credits (Busi-ness Administration, Teacher Education, Nursing, Social Work). Transfer students testing at the MA 112 or 13 level who have transfer credit for the equivalent course or higher are eligible to take MA 118: Enhanced Math. Transfer students not transferring in the equivalent of MA 112, 113, 114, or 221 who need to, or choose to, take a mathematics course should take the placement exam upon entry.

With a placement of LEVEL A, a student is only eligible to take MA 112: Introduction to College Math. Note that placement at this level makes this a required class. A minimum grade of C- is required for graduation when a student places into this class. A student is subject to dismissal from the College if he or she fails two times to achieve the required minimum grade in MA 112. Note that grades of W or WU are considered as attempts.

With a placement of LEVEL B, a student is eligible to take

• MA 113: College Algebra
  DC 125MA: Quantitative Reasoning

With a placement of LEVEL C, a student is eligible to take

• MA 114: Precalculus
• MA 116: Finite Math
• MA 117: Discrete Math
• MA 120: Math, Money, & You: Mathematics of Financial Literacy
• DC 125MA: Quantitative Reasoning
• MA 225: Introduction to Statistics

With a placement of LEVEL D, a student is eligible to take

• MA 116: Finite Math
• MA 117: Discrete Math
• MA 120: Math, Money, & You: Mathematics of Financial Literacy

Philosophy Minor

The minor in Philosophy acquaints students with humankind's most fundamental attempts at self-knowledge and provides a basis from which students can formulate their own views of themselves and the world. Philosophy is the oldest academic discipline, and philosophers strive to uncover wisdom in every dimension of human existence. Consequently, philosophy shares interests with, and complements, most other academic disciplines.

The study of philosophy encourages logical precision, a heightened awareness of assumptions used in any discussion, and an attitude of both open-mindedness and responsible criticism toward new and un-usual ideas. That is, the study of philosophy helps students develop their capacities for creative, clear thinking and careful reasoning. The development of these skills, attitudes, and capacities makes the Philosophy minor an excellent preparation for graduate or professional study, conscientious citizenship, and a successful career. The study of philosophy may also be pursued by selecting the Philosophy specialization of the Humanities major. Consult the Humanities section of this catalog for the complete degree requirements.

The Psychology program exists as an integral part of the liberal arts offerings to permit the student to study psychology as a biosocial science. The program is designed to provide the student with insights about the individual and his or her world. It is primarily concerned with analysis of the relationships between scientific theory and basic re-search in discovering, understanding, and integrating the fundamental laws of behavior and the theories of personality dynamism. Major theories, methodological approaches, and applications of psychological knowledge are stressed in the areas of sensation and perception, learning and cognitive processes, development, motivation and emotion, personality, social psychology, intelligence, and abnormal psychology. The program offers:

1. a solid preparation to those students who intend to pursue graduate studies in the fields of psychology, social work, education, guidance and counseling;
2. basic skills and knowledge to those students who may find themselves at the completion of their bachelor's degree working in any of the various human services and human relations areas, such as mental health, education, personnel, government, and law.

In order to do this, the program provides a basic grounding in the general psychological principles; a solid core of methodological courses and research experience; basic courses in the areas of psychology related to interpersonal skills and relationships; courses which bridge the gap between theory and the applied settings in which the student may be required to apply such knowledge in the future; supervised internship and practicum experiences which provide a review of the field of psychology under supervision, an advanced learning experience, and an opportunity to learn to articulate one's knowledge.

Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology

Psi Chi was founded in 1929 to encourage excellence in scholarship and advance the science of psychology. Membership is open to undergraduate men and women who are making the study of psychology one of their major interests and who meet the qualifications.

Psychology Minor

Psychology may also be selected as an area of emphasis by students pursuing a major in the social sciences.

Religious Studies Minor

The Religious Studies minor affords students the opportunity to explore the beliefs, practices, rituals, and values of human societies. The study of the phenomenon of religion and theology contributes to a broad liberal arts education and includes interdisciplinary courses. A grade of C or higher is required in all course for the successful completion of the minor.

The social sciences are concerned with the total experiences of human beings: their society, their environment, their institutions, their accomplishments, and their inner needs.

Students who pursue the major in Social Sciences gain a broad-based education that includes experience from among at least three of the principal social science disciplines: Criminal Justice, Economics, History, Political Science, Psychology, Human Services and Sociology/Anthropology. At the same time, the major is designed to provide integrated experiences which, while capitalizing on the strengths of each of the individual disciplines involved, help students to perceive the concepts and methodologies which underlie and unite the fields.

Successful graduates of the major find it a useful foundation for law school, for postgraduate study in one of the social science disciplines, or for direct entry into a variety of professions such as government service, business, community-focused careers, or education. Internship opportunities are available to students while they are at the University and are recommended as valuable additional preparation for the beginning of a career path. 

Summary of Requirements: Social Sciences & Education

Teacher certification is also available in connection with the B.A.  program in History. See History section for further information. 

The Society holds national, regional, and inter-chapter meetings. Many chapters have extensive programs of lectures, panels, and discussion groups. The Society also operates a program of scholarships by which outstanding students can continue their study of the social sciences in approved graduate schools. Pi Gamma Mu is affiliated with the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Social Sciences-to-Occupational Therapy Pre-Professional Tracks

Undergraduate students interested in ultimately pursuing a graduate degree in occupational therapy have two pathways within the Social Sciences with Psychology Emphasis degree.

Sample Undergraduate Curricular Pathways

• Social Sciences with Psychology Emphasis
• (Accelerated Pathway)

The Accelerated Social Sciences-to-Occupational Therapy path is reserved for Dominican University New York undergraduate students who have begun study at the University no later than the first semester of the Sophomore year with fewer than 35 transfer credits. Addition-ally, students on the Accelerated Path must attain and maintain a mini-mum term and cumulative GPA of 3.0 every term without exception. If the GPA for any individual term falls below a 3.0, the student is no longer eligible to remain on the Accelerated Path and must complete the traditional 4-year curriculum, even if that term is the spring semester of the Junior year and said student has been accepted to the program for the following Fall.

Mission

The mission of the Dominican University New York Social Work Program, in service to and collaboration with its multiple communities, is to develop generalist social work professionals committed to excellence, leadership and service by:

• promoting social justice;
• engaging in ethical practice;
• engaging in research-informed practice and practice-informed research;
• advocating for social policies responsive to diverse human needs;
• and advancing knowledge through reflective understanding of self and compassionate involvement with others.

Goals

The Bachelor of Social Work Program is an upper-division undergraduate program which has as its primary goals:

• To prepare students to qualify as beginning-level, generalist social work professionals;
• To promote an environment which honors diversity and advances social justice;
• To provide the foundation for an appreciation of lifelong learning and advancement in graduate level social work education.

The Social Work Program is fully accredited at the undergraduate level by The Council on Social Work Education (C.S.W.E.). CSWE, 333 John Carlyle Street, Suite 400, Alexandria, VA 22314.

Program of Study

The curriculum design provides a foundation in the liberal arts, a core of knowledge from the social and behavioral sciences, combined with the special body of knowledge that forms the base of professional generalist social work practice. The program is designed to meet the requirements of a Bachelor of Social Work degree and includes a minimum of 60 semester hours in liberal arts. The Social Work Program requires 36 semester hours in the Social Sciences. The student completes 18 semester hours in one area of emphasis in the social sciences (namely, Sociology, Political Science, History, Economics, Criminal Justice, Psychology), and nine semester hours in each of two supporting areas elected out of the remaining social sciences. The student graduates from the program with 126 credits.

A student may choose to complete the Bachelor of Social Work degree with a focus on criminal justice, child welfare, gender studies, ethnic studies, gerontology, as well as a number of liberal arts areas. Further information and program planning may be obtained from the Social Work faculty.

The following content areas in the humanities and social sciences are recommended as foundations for social work training.

• American History
• Introduction to Physiology (required)
• English (Writing Placement Examination required of all students)
• Foreign Language
• General Psychology II (prerequisite for SW 451)
• Introduction to Sociology (prerequisite for SW 451)
• Speech
• Political Science
• Statistics
• MA113 OR Introduction to Critical Thinking OR Logic is required (Math Placement Examination required for all students)

Phi Alpha Honor Society

Phi Alpha Honor Society provides a closer bond among students of social work and promotes humanitarian goals and ideals. Phi Alpha fosters high standards of education for social workers and invites into membership those who have attained excellence in scholarship and achievement in social work.

Eligibility: To be eligible for membership a student must have completed a minimum of nine (9) credits in the Social Work core and have maintained an overall cum of 3.0 and earned a minimum cum of 3.25 in the Social Work core courses. Students can be invited in the spring semester of their junior or senior year.

Each Phi Alpha chapter is free to develop a program to meet local needs. The National Council is the policymaking body and meets each year at the time and place of the annual program meeting of the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE). Each chapter has one voting representative on the National Council.

Admission to the Program

The Social Work Program is an upper-division program available in the day session. Preadmission counseling and advisement are provided. Admission to the program occurs in a series of planned stages as a necessary part of the advisement process. Freshmen interested in preparing for a career in social work consult with a social work faculty advisor. Students indicating an interest in declaring social work as a major program of study may begin to take social work electives in the sophomore year. In the junior year, students have a further opportunity to test their interest and capacity for continued study in social work through foundation courses and participation in an individualized field instruction course in a social service delivery system. In the fall of their junior year, all students must complete an Admission to Junior Field Work Application and meet with a Social Work advisor. Admission to the senior-level practice courses and field instruction is based on the student’s ability to maintain a 2.3 cumulative index, demonstration of professional standards, and the recommendation of the social work faculty advisor. No grade lower than "C" in the Social Work core or Social Sciences concentration is accepted. Social Work core courses may only be taken over once and must be taken on campus, even though it may mean postponing graduation to complete the requirement. If a student receives less than a "C" in three Social Work courses, they must step out of Program for one year.

Transfer Students

All students transferring to the University with an interest in social work must contact the University Admissions Office first and be accepted by the University.

A prompt appointment with the social work faculty for a personal interview provides an opportunity for clarification regarding courses to be taken and acceptance into the program.

Credits earned at the community college level are accepted toward the baccalaureate degree in accordance with the admissions policy of Dominican University New York. Academic credit for life experience and previous work experience will not be given, in whole or in part, in lieu of the field practicum or of courses in the professional foundation.

To standardize evidence of competence in written communication and math, the Writing and Math placement examinations are required. Students whose performance on a University-administered placement examination is below an acceptable standard are required to take and pass the English and Math courses specified (see English curriculum, “University English Requirements” and Mathematics curriculum). Administration dates for the placement examinations are posted, and it is the responsibility of the student to arrange for taking the examination before the second semester of the junior year.

Sociology Minor

The Sociology minor offers students a basic exploration of human social institutions, relationships, and behaviors, including their origins and development over time. Through the coursework provided by this minor, students will develop a greater sophistication in understanding the human dimensions of any situation. As such, the minor offers an excellent complement in particular for major studies in the areas of social work, psychology, health care, and business.

Dominican University New York’s Teacher Education programs are committed to preparing teacher candidates who will be able to meet the challenges of the 21st Century. The goals of these programs are reflective of the University’s mission, informed by its heritage, and aligns its goals with the University-wide goals for every student in the following ways:

Educate the Mind – in keeping with this goal, we will produce teachers who have the knowledge/skills necessary to recognize their increasing responsibilities in the classroom and community.

Develop the Self – in keeping with this goal, we will produce teachers who are personally responsible, flexible and caring. They will be independent, reflective learners who demonstrate continuous growth.

Serve the Community – in keeping with this goal, we will produce teachers who have a multicultural perspective and have the knowledge/skills necessary to collaborate with colleagues and meet the unique developmental and educational needs of each learner.

Inspire Change - in keeping with this goal, we will produce teachers who demonstrate attitudes that promote positive human relationships and foster learning.

Through the Education programs, Dominican University New York students are prepared to create a productive learning environment; to plan and execute instructional activities; to monitor and assess student learning; to address the special developmental and educational needs of students in lower and upper grades; to work effectively with all students, regardless of gender; to work with students from minority cultures and from homes where English is not spoken; to work with students with various disabilities and with those who have gifts and talents.

Masters Programs

For information about the Masters of Science in Education programs (Childhood Education, Teachers of Students with Disabilities, and Teachers of Students Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired), see section on Graduate Programs later in this Catalog.

Undergraduate students at the University who are interested in pursuing post-baccalaureate studies in one of these programs should consult their Faculty Advisors about the University’s SYROP ("Senior Year Overlap") option, by which qualified seniors can finish their requirements for the baccalaureate degree while simultaneously be-ginning their progress toward the Master’s degree. Courses for which a Portfolio can be completed and credited towards graduate study include: SE 330, SE 336, SE 441 and SE 465. For further information and timely advisement regarding this Option, the student should express his/her interest at the time of admission to the under-graduate program.

Undergraduate Programs

Dominican University New York offers programs leading to eligibility for New York State Certification in the following areas:

• Childhood Education
• Dual Certification in Childhood/Early Childhood Education
• Childhood Education/Students with Disabilities
• Adolescence Education
  • Biology
  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Social Studies
• Dual Certification in Adolescence Education/SWD Generalist (Grades 7-12)
• Dual Certification in Adolescence Education/SWD with Biology, English, Mathematic or Social Studies (Grades 7-12)

Dominican University New York’s programs in Teacher Education are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Pro-grams (CAEP), 1140 19th St NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036.

The undergraduate and graduate programs in Teacher Education at Dominican University New York are in transition from accreditation by CAEP to accreditation by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP):

The Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation
P.O. Box 7511
Fairfax Station, VA 22039-9998.
Email: aaqep@aaqep.org.

Pursuant to the Regulations (§52.21) of the New York Commissioner of Education, the educator preparation programs offered by Dominican University New York are considered continuously ac-credited for purposes of meeting the New York State requirement that all such programs maintain continuous accreditation. Students desiring to prepare for careers in Early Childhood/Child-hood Education, Childhood Education or Childhood Education/ Students with Disabilities may pursue either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science in Education degree.

The Bachelor of Arts degree is awarded to candidates who success-fully complete a minimum of 120 semester hours in an approved program of study. A minimum of 90 semester hours in liberal arts, including a major, is required for the B.A. degree.

Majors may be selected from one of the following areas:

• English (30 cr. beyond EN 123 or EN 115)
• History (30)
• Humanities (33–36)
• Mathematics (31 beyond MA 112)
• Social Sciences (Concentration: History) (36)

The Bachelor of Science in Education degree is awarded upon the completion of a minimum of 120 semester hours in an approved program of study. A minimum of 75 semester hours in liberal arts is required, including a designated liberal arts concentration, which may be selected from the following areas:

• American Studies (30 cr.)
• Humanities (30)
• Mathematics (31 beyond MA 112)
• Natural Sciences (32)

Students desiring to prepare for careers in Adolescence Education, or Adolescence Education/SWD Generalist (Grades 7-12) must pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in a liberal arts major. The majors available are as follows:

• Biology (31 credits)
• English (36 credits)
• Mathematics (37 credits)
• Social Sciences (Concentration: History) (48 credits)

Childhood Certification Extension, Grades 7-9

Students in the Childhood Education program may pursue an extended certification to teach in the middle school (grades 7-9) as well as in grades 1-6, by meeting certain additional requirements in their subject area and in adolescent psychology, literacy, and methods courses. Certification may be obtained in English, Math, or Social Studies. In addition to their Childhood Education requirements, students who seek the upward extension must successfully complete PS 215 Adolescent Psychology AND one of the following:

• ED/EN 455 Teaching English (Middle School)
• ED/MA 456 Teaching Mathematics (Middle School)
• ED/SS 457 Teaching Social Studies (Middle School)

Adolescence Certification Extension, Grades 5-6

Students in the Adolescence Education program may pursue an ex-tended certification to teach in grades 5 and 6 as well as in grades 7-12 by meeting additional requirements in their developmental psychology, literacy, and methods courses. In addition to their Adolescence Education requirements, students who seek the downward extension must successfully complete an extended three-credit Childhood Education methodology class from the following:

• ED 463A Teaching Mathematics (Childhood Education)
• ED 463B Teaching Science (Childhood Education)
• ED 463C Teaching Social Studies (Childhood Education)

Early Childhood Certification Extension, Birth - Grade 2

Students in the Childhood Education program may also pursue an extended certification in Early Childhood Education. Those who wish to be eligible for this extension complete all of the requirements in Childhood Education and 9 additional credits of coursework dedicated to early childhood education (ED 333, 334, and 335).

For all the Education programs and extension levels: in addition to enrolling in the Teacher Education Division, students must also enroll in the division which offers the major or concentration. Students will be assigned advisors from both divisions.

Certification Eligibility

The Division of Teacher Education reserves all rights and prerogatives with respect to accepting students into the Division, allowing students to continue coursework, and making recommendations for New York State teaching certification to the New York State Education Department.

Applicants for New York State teaching certificates are required to pass the appropriate tests in the New York State Teacher Certification Examination program.

A minimum of two tests and a teaching performance assessment video is required for all students completing all program requirements:

• Educating All Students Test (EAS)
• Content Specialty Test (CST)

Students seeking dual certification in the Students with Disabilities area must also take a second CST/SWD.

Candidates for dual certification as 7-12 SWD Generalists are required to successfully complete the Multisubject (7-12) CST as well.

Admission to the Programs:

1. Office of Admissions determines eligibility to matriculate at Dominican University New York. Candidates for the Teacher Education Program must first be admitted to the University through the Office of Admissions.
2. Students desiring acceptance into a program leading to teacher certification make formal application to the Division of Teacher Education no later than the end of the first semester of their Sophomore year. Transfer students must file an application in their first semester at the University. Acceptance will be contingent upon the applicant’s previous academic performance, as well as performance on the required screening tests in literacy skills (speaking, writing, reading) and an interview with the Director of Teacher Education. Where problems are detected, students will be advised to seek appropriate help, either at the University or outside, in order to enhance their pedagogical abilities and employment prospects. The interview will be conducted midpoint each semester. At the time of the application, students are required to submit a recent photo, self-reflective essay and three letters of recommendation, on formal stationery, by former teachers, guidance counselors, employers, or professors other than those in the Teacher Edu-cation Division. Students are responsible for contacting the secretary in Casey Hall for the interview dates. Those who miss the schedule will have to wait for the following semester to be interviewed. Upon acceptance, the student will be appointed an advisor from the Teacher Education Division in addition to an advisor in the major or area of concentration. Registration forms must be signed by both advisors. The major/concentration advisor must be contacted first.
3. For entrance and continuance in the programs, students must follow the prescribed courses of the program, maintain a minimum 2.7 cumulative index, and have a mini-mum of a C in all Component I courses. All students must have a minimum C+ in all other courses used to fill program requirements.
4. Once accepted into the Teacher Education program, students must earn grades of "C+" or higher in all subsequent prescribed courses, including courses in the major/concentration (whether or not this grade is required by the major/concentration program itself) and in the "Liberal Arts Requirements" specified below.
5. No more than one Education course may be repeated, and that course may be repeated only once.
6. All students, including transfer students, must meet the University’s writing proficiency requirements: see English curriculum, “University English Requirements.” Transfer students who enter with no transferable mathematics courses also need to take the math placement test. Students whose performance on these tests fails to meet University standards will be required to raise their competencies to a passing level before acceptance into the program. This effort may require appropriate laboratory and/or coursework as determined by the University.
7. Students who hold a baccalaureate degree and are seeking credits toward certification may be admitted at the discretion of the Director of Teacher Education and must meet the same program admissions criteria as those for matriculated students. Post-baccalaureate students must submit their credentials to the NY State Department of Education for evaluation before being allowed to begin courses for certification.

Up-to-date information about the labor market and job availability for teachers in the University’s geographic area is available via inter-net at www.olasjobs.org.

General Program Requirements

• Completion of Dominican Curriculum and required minimum in liberal arts courses*, including the courses specified for each program leading to initial certification;
• Major or area of concentration;
• Professional sequence as described on the following pages;
• Electives. 

* 90 semester hours in liberal arts are required for the Bachelor of Arts degree; 75 semester hours in liberal arts are required for the Bachelor of Science degree.
SEMESTER HOURS IN EXCESS OF THE 120 MINIMUM ARE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO COMPLETE SOME PRO-GRAMS. TO MEET SUCH REQUIREMENTS, STUDENTS MAY NEED OR CHOOSE TO TAKE COURSEWORK IN SPECIAL SESSIONS.

Liberal Arts Requirements

Childhood Education and Childhood Education/Students with Disabilities

1. Three (3) credits in Developmental Psychology I: PS 213.
2. Six (6) credits in Mathematics: MA 228, Dawn of Mathematics, and one other course under advisement.
3. Six (6) credits in Natural Sciences: one course in the Bio-logical Sciences and one course in the Physical Sciences.
4. Six (6) credits in English: EN 454, Literature for Children and Adolescents, plus at least three (3) credits by placement.
5. Social Sciences: Nine (9) credits: one course from American history (including New York history); one course from HI 451, HI 452, HI 453, PO 330, PO 337, SO 320; and either SO 226 or 224.
6. Six (6) credits in foreign language.
7. Three (3) credits in artistic expression and three (3) credits in history/appreciation of the arts (from GEC II offerings).
8. Three (3) credits in Communication Studies (CS111).

Adolescence Education and Adolescence Education/SWD Generalist (7-12)

1. Six (6) credits in foreign language.
2. Six (6) credits in Natural Sciences: one course in the Bio-logical Sciences and one course in the Physical Sciences.
3. Three (3) credits in artistic expression.
4. Six (6) credits in Math, (3) by placement and (3) by advisement.
5. Six (6) credits in English: EN 454 plus at least three (3) credits by placement.
6. Three (3) credits in Speech.
7. Three (3) credits in Developmental Psychology 1: PS 213 and three (3) credits in Adolescent Psychology: PS 215
8. Three (3) credits in Social Sciences--one course from HI 451, HI 452, HI 453, PO 330, PO 337 or SO 320

Qualifications for Student Teaching

1. Candidates for student teaching must apply to the Coordinator of Field Placements one semester in advance of the student teaching semester.
2. Eligibility will be contingent upon:
   1. Completion of all course requirements for certification.
   2. No grade lower than a "C+" in Education courses, in specified liberal arts courses, and in the major/concentration.
   3. Maintenance of a minimum cumulative index of 2.7.
   4. Satisfactory performance evaluations in pre-student-teaching field placements.
   5. Satisfactory skills acquisition in methods courses.
   6. Report of current physical examination.
   7. Completion of fingerprinting process.
   8. The recommendation of the faculty in Teacher Education and in the relevant major or area of concentration.
3. Students will be required to spend sixteen (16) weeks full-time in supervised student teaching, including two eight (8) week experiences on different levels appropriate to the area(s) of certification. An orientation session and scheduled seminars are also required in conjunction with student teaching. Student teaching placements are assigned at the discretion of the Teacher Education Division.

Students with substantial prior teaching experience may be eligible to present that experience in lieu of part of the student teaching requirement by means of the University’s Portfolio Preparation process. A maximum of five credits in student teaching may be earned in this way. For a student to be granted such credits, the Portfolio must be completed and approved at least by the end of the academic term before the application for student teaching is submitted.

Childhood Education or in Childhood Education/Students with Disabilities 

Students seeking qualification as teachers in the field of Childhood Education or in Childhood Education/Students with Disabilities may pursue either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science in Education degree. The student pursuing the B.S. in Education, instead of majoring in a liberal arts discipline, majors in Teacher Education and takes an approved liberal arts Concentration in keeping with New York State standards. The B.S./Ed/Concentration path, with its substantial but concise liberal arts requirements, is an attractive option for many students, particularly those pursuing the full dual certification program in Childhood Education/Students with Disabilities, or Childhood/Early Childhood.

Dominican University New York offers a choice of four New York State-authorized Liberal Arts Concentrations:

• American Studies (30 cr.)
• Humanities (30 cr.)
• Mathematics (31 cr. beyond MA 112)
• Natural Sciences (32 cr.)

Each Concentration requires 30 or more credits of study in the specified field, and in each case Teacher Education standards assure expo-sure to 75 or more credits of liberal arts study in the student’s total program.

Two of the Concentrations (Humanities and Mathematics) are related to other programs in their fields and are outlined elsewhere in this Catalog: see the Humanities and Mathematics sections. The American Studies and Natural Sciences options are outlined below.

American Studies

American Studies is an interdisciplinary liberal arts concentration offered by the History program in conjunction with other programs and leads to the Bachelor of Science in Education. It is designed to provide students with an historical and conceptual framework for understanding the American experience and for analyzing contemporary social issues. Emphasis is placed on cultural, philosophical, political, and social ideas that have shaped the American people.

Natural Sciences 

Course offerings in the natural sciences provide a lab-centered environment in which student awareness of current concepts and theories is deepened. By design, opportunities for open-ended experiments and inquiry are incorporated in order to stimulate critical thinking and an analytic approach to problem solving.

Theatre Minor 

The Theatre minor provides students the opportunity to explore the art of theatre, both in practice and in theory. Students will learn the skills necessary for successful stage production, as well as become aware of the role theatre can play in a broad liberal arts education. A grade of C or higher is required in all courses for the successful completion of the minor.