Becker College - Overview
A Transformational Learning Experience
The mission of Becker College is to deliver to each student a transformational learning experience -- anchored by academic excellence, social responsibility, and creative expression -- that prepares graduates to thrive, contribute to, and lead in a global society. Nationally recognized programs, a vibrant campus life, a strong athletics program, community engagement activities, and a commitment to excellence provide the best educational experiences possible to every student. Becker College prepares students for a wide range of future professional opportunities and the necessary competencies to lead in a global society.
Undergraduate Degree Program Overview
Becker College has been named by "The Princeton Review" as among the nation's best institutions for undergraduate education. Becker offers nationally recognized programs in nursing, game design, and animal studies. Nursing ranks #1 among undergraduate nursing programs in Massachusetts, with a 99 percent first-time pass rate on the NCLEX exam. Becker ranks #1 in New England and #15 nationally among private institutions in awarding undergraduate animal studies degrees in 2010-2011, and is one of only 2 private colleges in New England to offer AVMA-accredited undergraduate programs in veterinary technology.
Becker academic programs include: animal care, applied behavior analysis, biology, business administration, criminal justice, early childhood education, elementary education, equine management, equine studies, exercise science, forensic psychology, forensics/crime scene processing, game design, game development and programming, graphic design, hospitality and tourism, interior design, laboratory animal management, legal studies, liberal arts, marketing and management, nursing (new BS and BSN, RN-BSN, and associate degree), pre-veterinary, psychology, sports management, veterinary science, and veterinary technology.
Students engage in outreach programs, internships, externships, practica, clinical field work, preceptorships, and other opportunities for graduate school or entry into careers.
A Nationally Recognized Leader in Video Game Design and Development
Becker College has been called "a destination for game designers" by "US News & World Report." The college's game design and development programs are among the most innovative and best in the nation, consistently ranked in the top 10 by "The Princeton Review." The college is designated as the home of the Massachusetts Digital Games Institute, a first-in-the-nation, statewide center that creates opportunities for industry-leading game design companies to work with faculty members and students on game development projects.
The computer game design program offers a foundation of traditional drawing, illustration, and art courses, as well as courses in 2D and 3D modeling, rigging and animation, motion capture, game audio, storytelling, character development, operations, and game technology. Game development and programming provides course work in programming, visual arts, concept design, engine design, animation and rigging, script development, mobile and console applications, and computer graphics.
Students learn from professionals in the field and have opportunities for internships that help them build real-world game development experience so they can become integral influencers for the next generation of computer games.
Animal Studies at Becker
Becker operates a working animal clinic on campus, which provides students in the animal studies programs with opportunities to conduct examinations and perform procedures under the supervision of faculty veterinarians. The clinic sees more than 1,000 patients annually.
Becker animal studies programs include: animal care (associate degree); veterinary technology (associate degree); and a BS in veterinary science with concentrations in equine studies, laboratory animal management, pre-veterinary, and clinical and laboratory animal medicine. The business program offers a BS in equine management.
The Becker Equestrian Center, located in Paxton, Massachusetts, features spacious pastures for horses as well as an indoor and outdoor riding arena, indoor and outdoor pens, a round pen, and turnout areas. The college has a high-ranking Equestrian Team.
Associate Degree Program Overview
The associate degree programs at Becker College feature a 2-year curriculum which provides a solid foundation for students wishing to continue their studies or enter the workforce. The associate degree programs offer a range of studies from liberal arts to career-focused programs in nursing, animal studies, animal care, and veterinary technology.
Accelerated Programs for Working Adults
Becker College offers programs designed to provide adult learners with flexible degree and certificate program options, all through its accelerated programs. Courses are 5, 7, or 15 weeks in length and are held one evening per week on campus or online. Offerings include: BA in psychology -- forensics concentration, game design certificate program (online), applied behavior analysis (ABA) certificate program, drug and alcohol counseling certificate program, associate of science in early childhood education, BA in liberal arts -- elementary education concentration (leading to initial teacher licensure in elementary education), BA in psychology, BS in business administration, and BS in nursing -- RN to BSN.
Unique program benefits include an authentic and collaborative learning environment; flexible class schedule; student assessment on presentation, project, and research skills; and the ability to work full-time while earning degrees or certificates.
Alumni Achievements
Becker College has more than 22,000 alumni across the nation and around the world. Notable graduates from the past include Eli Whitney (1788), inventor of the cotton gin; William Morton (1836), the "Father of Modern Anesthesiology"; and Robert Goddard, the "Father of Modern Rocketry," who studies at Becker in the late 1800s. Today Becker alumni pursue success in their careers throughout the country and around the world. They are leaders in their fields--including a wide range of businesses and industries, nonprofit organizations, and the arts and sciences.
Campus Life
Becker traces its history from the union of 2 Massachusetts educational institutions -- one founded in 1784, and the other in 1887. Today the college's nearly 1,800 students live and learn on these 2 New England campuses in the heart of Massachusetts: one in cosmopolitan Worcester and, only six miles away, in the quintessential New England town of Leicester. Worcester and Leicester are located 50 miles west of Boston and approximately 170 miles northwest of New York City.
Worcester is New England's 2nd-largest city and offers a diverse array of cultural offerings, world-class museums, sports events, entertainment, and over 100 restaurants within walking distance of the Worcester Campus. The Leicester Campus offers college living at its finest. Each campus offers academic facilities, a dining hall, bookstore, and a library. A campus shuttle provides regular service between the two campuses.
One of the highlights of the Becker experience is the uniqueness of student residence halls. Students choose from beautifully restored Victorian homes or more traditional residence-style living arrangements. There are numerous opportunities for students to get involved through clubs, organizations, intramurals, special events, community service, and a strong Division III athletics program.