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About Benedictine
Founded in 1887, Benedictine University is dedicated to the education of undergraduate and graduate students from diverse ethnic, racial and religious backgrounds. As an academic community committed to liberal arts and professional education distinguished and guided by our Roman Catholic tradition and Benedictine heritage, we prepare our students for a lifetime as active, informed and responsible citizens and leaders in the world community.
Benedictine faculty includes an appropriate blend of seasoned full-time professors and adjunct professors who are industry experts as well as respected scholar practitioners. In today's job market a master's degree is essential. Why not get your online master's degree from a school you trust?
Accreditation
Benedictine University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA).
History
Benedictine University was founded in Chicago as St. Procopius College by the Benedictine monks of St. Procopius Abbey in 1887. It secured a charter from the state of Illinois in 1890. The College was founded to educate men of Czech and Slovak descent, and most students were of Czech ancestry in the early years.
In 1901 the College moved to the more congenial atmosphere of Lisle, in DuPage County. The first building, Benedictine Hall, was dedicated in September 1901. The building was completed by 1921 and new buildings began to be added after 1926. The College became coeducational in 1968 and was renamed Illinois Benedictine College in 1971. In response to community needs, graduate, doctorate and adult learner programs were added. The College became Benedictine University in 1996.
Ranking
Forbes magazine has named Benedictine University among the top 20 percent of America's colleges for 2011. The Chronicle of Higher Education ranked Benedictine University as the seventh-fastest growing campus in the country among private master's universities between 2004-2009. U.S. News & World Report recognized Benedictine University as eighth in Illinois for highest average freshman retention rate for Master's Universities in the Midwest for 2011. Benedictine University is ranked 12th in the Midwest and sixth in Illinois for Racial Diversity among Master's Universities in the Midwest for 2011 by U.S. News & World Report. Benedictine University's Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) program is listed by Crain's Chicago Business as the fourth largest in the Chicago area in 2011.
The online Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) and Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) programs at Benedictine University are both ranked among the top 10 in the nation for 2011 by TheBestColleges.org. Benedictine University is ranked ninth among the Top 10 Online Catholic Colleges and Universities of 2011 by TheBestColleges.org. StateUniversity.com ranks Benedictine University as the 34th safest campus in the United States – and the safest four-year school in Illinois – based on a scale that accounts for the severity and frequency of on-campus crime. Benedictine University is listed as a 2012 "Military Friendly School" by G.I. Jobs, a veteran-owned publication focusing on post-military education and employment.
