Dominican University of California

Dominican University of California is a private Catholic university located in San Rafael, California, in Marin County north of San Francisco. Founded in 1890 by the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael, it offers undergraduate and graduate programs across the liberal arts, sciences, business, education, health sciences, and creative fields. The university integrates a liberal arts foundation with professional preparation and emphasizes community engagement and experiential learning. Its suburban campus sits at the base of San Pedro Mountain and serves a diverse student body, including traditional undergraduates and adult learners. Students drawn to Dominican University of California often seek small class sizes, close faculty interaction, and programs that combine academic study with practical experience.

Dominican University of California was founded in 1890 by the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael, who filed articles of incorporation that year after relocating their educational ministry to San Rafael, California. The institution grew out of earlier efforts by the Dominican Sisters, whose work in California began in the mid-nineteenth century. In 1915, a junior college was opened, and in 1917 Dominican became the first Catholic college in California to grant Bachelor of Arts degrees to women. Throughout the twentieth century, the campus expanded with new academic buildings, residence halls, and library facilities. Dominican became fully coeducational in 1971, reflecting broader changes in higher education. In 2000, Dominican College of San Rafael officially became Dominican University of California, recognizing the growth of its graduate programs and broader academic scope. Today, Dominican University of California continues its Catholic educational mission in Marin County.