The college was founded in 1952 by the Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt as a teacher training school for religious sisters. Sister Mary Ann Sammon, the Founder, founded the institution with the intentions of building an orphanage. In 1957 the program was opened to lay students. In 1967 it became fully coeducational. The aim of Dominican College is to promote educational excellence, leadership, and service in an environment characterized by respect for the individual and concern for the community and its needs. Founded by the Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt, the College is an independent institution of higher learning, Catholic in origin and heritage.