Introduction

Dominican University of California educates and prepares students to be ethical leaders and socially responsible global citizens who incorporate the Dominican values of study, reflection, community, and service into their lives. Guided by its Catholic heritage, the University is committed to diversity, sustainability, and the integration of the liberal arts, the sciences, and professional programs. With students and faculty members from a wide range of cultural and religious backgrounds, Dominican embraces diversity and a global perspective. The university enrolls just over 1,750 women and men in over 30 graduate and undergraduate degree programs in the liberal arts and professions.

Founded by the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael and chartered in 1890, the university seeks to embody the Dominican educational ideals: love of truth, beauty, and the life of the mind, and a deep respect for the dignity and worth of the individual.

Faculty in the School of Liberal Arts and Education, are committed to the ideals of a democratic and inclusive society. Its mission is to develop professionals committed to equity and excellence. Graduates are reflective practitioners who demonstrate ethical purpose, apply best practices, and use intercultural knowledge to serve the needs of a diverse and global society.

Dominican’s last California Commission on Teacher Credentialing accreditation review was in 2017, when the Preliminary Multiple Subject, Preliminary Single Subject and Preliminary Education Specialist Credential Programs received full accreditation from the Committee on Accreditation. In the past four years, the Department of Education has grown and expanded its credential offerings in response to school district needs, to offer unique and high quality teacher preparation, and to meet changing state program standards. These additions to Dominican’s teacher preparation program are listed as follows:

The Preliminary Education Specialist Mild/Moderate credential program was approved to transition into the new standards in Fall 2018.
The Education Studies teacher preparation program is an interdisciplinary major that prepares students to teach in elementary schools. The new Education Studies program integrates subject matter and professional preparation in a way that is connected and concurrent. The Education Studies major integrates a CTC-approved Elementary Subject Matter program. Students graduate in 4 years with a B.A. and Multiple Subject teacher preparation. During junior year, students may apply to the Education Specialist Master’s program. If accepted, students may begin taking Education Specialist coursework as an undergraduate and complete preparation for the Education Specialist credential in one more semester as a graduate student.
Both Multiple and Single Subject General Education Clear Credential Programs were approved for implementation in 2017.
Faculty met in a series of retreats in during the 2017/18 AY to revise course content in all credential courses that conform to 2018 standards in preparation for submitting program documents to the CTC in March 2019. This included shifting all courses from 3 to 4 units and including 600 hours of required fieldwork embedded in all courses.
We expanded our community partnerships with local schools to include a Lesson Study program for elementary and Ed. Specialist teacher candidates. Secondary candidates are participating in instructional rounds with both local and global partners.
We added the following new courses: Differentiated Instruction for Inclusive Classrooms, Applied Instructional Technology, Classroom Climate & Curriculum, Complexities of Teaching in Elementary Schools I & II, Early Literacy & Literature, Teaching Science, Pedagogical Preparation III.
Faculty continue to model the use of new instructional technologies and have deepened their understanding and use of online and hybrid course offerings.

We offer the following teaching credential programs:

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