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.

The Benedictine Order

The Benedictine Order bears the name of St. Benedict, born in 480, who is acknowledged as the father of Western monasticism. In 528 he established the famed monastery of Monte Cassino. In the Middle Ages, Benedictine monasteries expanded all over Europe, preserving ancient learning and written languages.

Benedictine University belongs to the Association of Benedictine Colleges and Universities, an organization that promotes the Benedictine traditions of education and hospitality.

Ranking

Forbes magazine named Benedictine among "America's Top Colleges" for the second consecutive year in 2012. In 2012, The Chronicle of Higher Education ranked Benedictine University as the No.1 fastest-growing campus in the country among private nonprofit research universities between 2000-2010. U.S. News & World Report consistently lists Benedictine among the top colleges and universities in the nation. The University was recognized in 2011 as eighth in Illinois for highest average freshman retention rate and sixth in Illinois for racial diversity by U.S. News & World Report. Benedictine's Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) program is listed by Crain's Chicago Business as the fifth largest in the Chicago area in 2012.

The online Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) program at Benedictine ranked third among the top online Catholic colleges and universities in 2013 and fourth in the nation for 2013 by TheBestColleges.org. TheBestColleges.org ranked Benedictine's online Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) program fifth in the nation for 2013. Benedictine is ranked third among the top online Catholic colleges and universities in 2013 by TheBestColleges.org. 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.