Dominican University Online

Highlights

• Online arm of Dominican University, founded more than a century ago
• Regularly ranked as a top-tier master's-level university in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report
• Can earn online master degrees within 18 months while working
• Six session starts per year
• Online degrees same as on-campus degrees
• Accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools (NCACSS)

About the School

Founded in 1901, Dominican University (DU) is committed to a Catholic Dominican mission. The university has a history of innovation. For example it was among the first in the U.S. to offer a comprehensive academic program for women that included studies in math and science. It also created one of the first study abroad programs in the U.S. The school is consistently rated highly by U.S. News & World Report – the publication places Dominican in the top tier for master's university in the Midwest and considered it as one of the best values in higher education.

Dominican offers Master's of Education degrees through its online university. Students follow the same curriculum as their on-campus counterparts, are taught by the same faculty, and work with the same textbooks and materials. Online degrees are equivalent to degrees earned by on-campus students – there is no distinction on the degree.

Academic Programs

Dominican offers the following online Master's programs in education:

• Master of Arts in Education: Reading – Studies cover effective learning environments for reading, physical and emotional factors behind children's abilities to learn reading, and working with parents and other educators to foster development of reading skills. Students are introduced to: the development of productive programs and curriculums based on current literacy research; the skills needed for assessments; practical use of theoretical models; creation of intervention plans for students needing help with reading.
• Master of Arts in Education: Elementary Education – The program is designed to teach: learning strategies that are based on the development phases of elementary school students; selection of resources that match the age, grade, and classroom subjects, and selection of games and learning models; how to handle difficult behaviors; how to address special needs of elementary students with disabilities. The program is intended for certified teachers seeking to improve their knowledge and skills in teaching Pre-K to 8th grades.
• Master of Arts in Education: English as a Second Language – ESL Master's students study topics such as: new skills for assisting students to gain English proficiency; management of the learning and teaching environments for non-native English speaking pupils; application of the most current ESL instruction techniques; and helping students take a step-by-step approach to their acquisition of language. The ESL master's program is aimed at certified teachers that wish to best be prepared to work with student populations that are increasingly diverse.

Learning Options

• Master degrees can be finished upon completion of 12 eight-week courses, or 18 months.
• Courses and materials available 24/7
• Online environment features recorded streaming video lectures, chat rooms, faculty-hosted message boards, and more.
• Online program technology/support is provided by University Alliance, the largest facilitator of online learning in the U.S. with several hundred thousand students served to date
• Online students can access Dominican's Rebecca Crown Library, which has over 200,000 volumes, 1,000 periodicals and newspapers, and 100,000 government documents
• Online graduates are welcome to attend on-campus graduation ceremonies at campus, which is located in Chicago, Illinois, just west of downtown

Faculty

Online courses are taught by Dominican University professors, many of which are nationally recognized in their fields. For example, professors are actively involved as participants and leaders with national education organizations such as the Association of American Higher Education, the Council of Exceptional Children and the National Adolescent Literacy Coalition. Instructors have also been awarded honors such as the highly-regarded Samuel Kirk Special Educator of the Year from the Learning Disabilities Association of America. Faculty members also include previous presidents of the Illinois Association of Teacher Educators in Private Colleges and the Illinois Association of Gifted Children.

Student Life

New online program enrollees are assigned to a Dominican University academic advisor. The advisors are available for questions via toll-free phone, fax, email or regular mail.

Admissions and Financial Aid

Dominican University has admissions staff that assist students with gathering detailed information and with applications. Students who qualify may be eligible for Financial Aid. Dominican works with multiple financial aid programs, including all government aid programs.