Continuing Studies: Undergraduate Degree (Bachelor in Professional Studies)

The College of Applied Social Sciences (CASS) offers a bachelor’s degree completion program with specific major options to non-traditional students who meet the admission profile outlined below.

Undergraduate Admissions

The requirements for admission to the bachelor of professional studies are as follows: at least 7 years out of high school and 30 semester hours of college credit OR at least 7 years out of high school with significant professional work experience if transferring under 30 semester credits. If no college transcripts are available, the applicant must provide a high school transcript instead. The dean may waive either requirement in exceptional circumstances upon review of the application. The admission decision is reserved for the CASS admissions committee after review of the entire application and supporting documents. The application can be accessed at any time at dom.edu. Transcripts detailing all credits earned at all schools prior to application at Dominican are required as well as a 1-2 page personal essay or statement of purpose in order to complete the application. After an acceptance decision, CASS provides students with a letter of acceptance for their records. Students can begin classes at the next available semester start date offered three times a year. Students may begin as a student-at-large; however, they are not eligible for financial aid. Students who are away for three semesters or more must reapply for admission and must also register for a course or readmission will be denied. In the case of a student interested in a specific course(s), Bachelor of Professional Studies students need the permission of their advisor to register for courses in Rosary College of Arts and Sciences.

Where students earn credit from an accredited institution in an applied science discipline (often through Associate of Applied Science or certificate programs) not represented at Dominican University, a maximum of 18 credits may transfer in. Such courses normally only satisfy general elective requirements. Where those applied science credits logically support a BPS major (e.g., an AAS in Paralegal Studies into the BPS in Legal Studies), normal transfer credit limits apply, and those credits may be used to satisfy major or other requirements.

In addition to meeting the general requirements for admission, applicants whose native language is not English and/or student requiring a visa (F-1) and I-20 form, must demonstrate English language proficiency. This can be done by scoring a minimum of 550 on the paper-based Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a minimum of 213 on the computer-based TOEFL. Additionally, students must show evidence of adequate financial support for two years.

Student-at-Large

Applicants who would like to take an individual course(s) may do so as a student-at-large (non-degree seeking student). The maximum number of semester hours a non-degree seeking student may earn is 30 hours. A student-at-large is not eligible for financial aid.

Conditional Admittance

Students who have been otherwise accepted but do not have all official college transcripts on file will be considered conditionally accepted until all official documents are received. Students will be permitted a maximum of three courses or two sessions (one semester) to submit this documentation.

Transcripts

All official transcripts should be sent directly to Admissions Operations, 7200 West Division St., River Forest, IL 60305, and must arrive sealed in order to be acceptable; these transcripts will be used by the Office of the Registrar to complete official transcript evaluations.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

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

A maximum of 28 semester hours of credit may be granted with no more than 12 semester hours in one subject area. Students must have official scores electronically sent to Dominican University.

Check the CLEP Exam chart (pdf) to see if you scored high enough to receive credit. For additional information for CASS/Continuing Studies Students, please contact your advisor or CASS at cass@dom.edu or (708) 524-6643.

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

Programs

Undergraduate Programs