Current Badge Offerings
Digital badges recognize verified skills and competencies earned through Dominican University New York. Additional badges will be added over time.
Dominican University New York alumni receive their badge credential at no charge. Earning a badge may require completing associated coursework; standard tuition and fees apply.
Community-Based Pediatric Occupational Therapy Practice
Equips graduates with advanced experiential training in community-based pediatric occupational therapy. Emphasizes culturally relevant, family-centered care to children with disabilities in under-resourced communities.
Earning Criteria:
- Complete OT 542 (Childhood Practice in Occupational Therapy), OT 643 (Adolescent Practice in Occupational Therapy), and OT 754 (Advanced Practice in Occupational Therapy) with a grade of B or higher.
- Complete 30 hours of community-based experiential learning at partner sites.
- Complete a documentation portfolio including a case study, reflections, and resource guide.
- Faculty verification; badge awarded upon graduation.
Critical Thinking
Develops your ability to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information across contexts. Earning this badge demonstrates mastery of critical thinking skills essential for success in professional and academic environments.
Earning Criteria:
- Complete DC 130 (Introductory Logic); two credits from DC 210 (Myth and Reason) or DC 252 (We the People); and one course from PH 335 (Identities and Inequalities), PH 337 (Bioethics), or HU 225 (Introduction to Gender Justice).
- Maintain a GPA of 3.3 or higher in all required courses.
- Complete an additional critical-thinking assessment in DC 210 or DC 252.
- Faculty verification required.
ESTEEM Leadership
Earned through participation in the ESTEEM Leadership program, which prepares students to take on leadership roles in the Church. Students receive one-on-one mentoring and have the opportunity to participate in a national conference with peers. There is no cost to this program.
Earning Criteria:
- Participate in all eight sessions, or seven sessions and the Capstone Conference, within an academic year.
- Meet with an assigned mentor at least three times during the program year.
- Record a three-minute video or write a two-page paper on the impact of ESTEEM and how you see yourself as a leader in faith.
- Complete program evaluations as required by DUNY or ESTEEM.
Writing Strategies
Recognizes students who can write effectively across a variety of situations and purposes. Highlights the value of authentic, ethical writing and demonstrates when students apply these skills across genres in academic, civic, creative, and professional communication.
Earning Criteria:
- Complete EN 452 (Composition and Grammar), EN 458 (Introduction to Creative Writing), and EN 463 (Expository Writing) with a grade of B or higher.
- Submit final grades and a curated portfolio across all three courses highlighting rhetorical diversity.
Nursing Assistant
Awarded to students who complete NR 223 and NR 224 and demonstrate competency in core nursing skills. Prepares students for entry-level roles as nursing assistants in hospitals, clinics, and home care settings.
Earning Criteria:
- Complete NR 223 (Foundations of Nursing I) and NR 224 (Foundations of Nursing II) with a pass in the skills lab and an overall grade of B or better.
- Pass all skills lab evaluations.
- Demonstrate competency in core nursing skills including patient safety, vital signs, transfers, feeding, wound care, catheterization, and use of PPE.
- Faculty verification of student completion and skills competency required.
Sports Leadership
Prepares student-athletes to lead with purpose, integrity, and accountability both on and off the field. Earning this badge demonstrates mastery of the communication, resilience, and team-first values essential for sustained leadership in sport and beyond.
Earning Criteria:
- Complete the Leadership Seminar and submit a reflective journal
- Demonstrate Communication Leadership by organizing or participating in a community project, charity event, and local business sponsor collaboration
- Demonstrate Accountability, Resilience, Confidence, and Integrity by maintaining punctuality and discipline on and off the field, and actively supporting teammates and coaches, as determined by the team coach.
- Demonstrate Team First Mentality by holding a leadership role, validating Study Hall attendance, and mentoring younger players, as monitored by the Study Hall coordinator.