Dominican University

Dominican University is a private Catholic university located in River Forest, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. Sponsored by the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters, the institution offers undergraduate and graduate programs across arts and sciences, business, education, health sciences, and information studies. Originally founded as a women’s institution, it became coeducational in 1970 and adopted its current name in 1997. The university maintains a suburban main campus and an additional location in Chicago. Dominican University is known for its liberal arts foundation, emphasis on social justice, and professional programs designed to prepare students for careers in education, business, library and information science, and related fields. It attracts students seeking a faith-based academic environment close to a major metropolitan area.

Dominican University traces its origins to 1848, when St. Clara Academy was founded in Sinsinawa, Wisconsin, by Dominican priest Samuel Charles Mazzuchelli to educate women on the American frontier. In 1901, the academy evolved into St. Clara College under the sponsorship of the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters, granting collegiate degrees. In 1922, under the leadership of Mother Samuel Coughlin, the institution relocated to River Forest, Illinois, and was renamed Rosary College. During the twentieth century, Rosary College expanded its curriculum, introduced graduate programs, and opened a library science school in 1930. The college became fully coeducational in 1970. Reflecting its broader academic scope, the institution adopted the name Dominican University in 1997. Today, Dominican University in River Forest continues its Catholic and Dominican educational mission while offering undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs.