Benedictine University

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From the College

Benedictine University was founded in 1887 as St. Procopius College. One hundred twenty-one years later, the University remains committed to providing a high-quality, Catholic, liberal education for men and women. The undergraduate enrollment is nearly 3,000 students. The student body comprises students of diverse ages, religions, races, and national origins. Twenty-five percent of the full-time students reside on campus.

Benedictine University is situated on a rolling, tree-covered 108-acre campus of twenty major buildings with air-conditioned classrooms and modern, well-equipped laboratories. A student athletic center features three full-size basketball courts, three tennis courts, and training facilities. All of the residence halls are comfortable and spacious and have access to the Internet. On-campus apartments offer one-, two-, and four-bedroom residences. Other features include a scenic lake; a student center with dining halls, lounges, a chapel, a bookstore, and meeting rooms; and the Village of Lisle–Benedictine University Sports Complex, featuring a lighted multipurpose football/soccer stadium with a nine-lane track and lighted baseball and softball fields.

Benedictine University is highly competitive in varsity sports, with a total of seventeen sports. Men’s varsity sports are baseball, basketball, cross-country, football, golf, soccer, and track and field (indoor and outdoor). Women’s varsity sports are basketball, cross-country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field (indoor and outdoor), and volleyball. Aside from varsity and intramural athletic programs, forty organizations and clubs exist on campus, including student government, a student newspaper, an orchestra, a jazz group, an African-American Student Union, a Muslim Student Association, the Association of Latin American Students, campus ministry, and various other extracurricular and academic organizations.

Partnerships support the University’s growth in the twenty-first century. In 2003, Benedictine and Springfield College in Illinois partnered to bring Benedictine programs and services to the Springfield area, Illinois’ state capital. Benedictine partnered in 2004 with Shenyang University of Technology and Shenyang Jianzhu University in China to bring Master of Business Administration and Master of Science in management information systems programs overseas, as demands are high for American business programs. Benedictine opened the Moser Center in Naperville in 2006 to meet the needs of adult students and area businesses.

At Benedictine University, the environment is strengthened by success, not size. Renowned faculty members know students by name and care as much about each student’s progress as they do about their own research. Those personal relationships have produced superb results. Benedictine graduates are accepted into some of the most prestigious graduate programs in the country. Approximately two thirds of Benedictine graduates who apply to medical school are accepted, in addition to similar ratios for other health-related professional schools (optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, and podiatry). The liberal arts curriculum has helped place the University among some of the finest small private schools in the nation.

U.S. News & World Report’s 2009 rankings listed Benedictine University as a Top School in the Midwest and sixth in Illinois for campus diversity.

The graduate division offers the following graduate degrees in the business, education, and health areas: the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in organization development; the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in higher education and organizational change; the Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.); the Master of Arts in Education (M.A.Ed.); the Master of Education (M.Ed.); the Master of Science (M.S.) in accountancy, clinical psychology, clinical exercise physiology, management and organizational behavior, management information systems, nutrition and wellness, and science content and process; and the Master of Public Health (M.P.H.).

Adult undergraduate accelerated programs, taught by distinguished faculty members, are available in the following areas: accounting (B.B.A.), business and economics (B.A.), computer information systems (B.S.), computer science (B.S.), finance (B.A.), health administration (B.B.A.), management (B.A.M.), management and organizational behavior (B.B.A.), marketing (B.A.), nursing (B.S.), organizational leadership (B.A.), and psychology (B.A.). The University also offers an Associate of Arts in business administration in an accelerated format.

Benedictine University is 25 miles west of Chicago, in suburban Lisle near Naperville, and is easily accessible from the city and suburbs via the interstate highway system. Metra trains stop in Lisle, and O’Hare International Airport is only a 30-minute drive. In addition to the many social and cultural offerings of the Chicago metropolitan area, the University enjoys the proximity and use of Argonne National Laboratory, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, the Morton Arboretum, a ski hill, a riding stable, and several golf courses. The University’s location in the high-tech East-West Tollway corridor gives students opportunities for internships and employment.

Benedictine University offers programs leading to the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Fine Arts. Programs are offered in accounting, bilingual journalism, biochemistry/molecular biology, biology, business and economics (concentration in sports management), chemistry, clinical laboratory science, communication arts (concentration in sports communication), computer information systems, computer science, diagnostic medical sonography, economics, elementary education, engineering science, English language and literature, environmental science, finance, fine arts, global studies, health science, history, international business and economics, international studies (concentration in business and political science), management and organizational behavior, marketing, mathematics (concentration in actuarial science), music (concentration in chamber music), nuclear medicine technology, nutrition (concentration in dietetics), philosophy, physical education, physics (concentration in biological physics, engineering physics and physics), political science (concentration in prelaw), prepharmacy, preprofessional health programs (concentration in chiropractic, dentistry, medicine, occupational therapy, optometry, physical therapy, podiatry, and veterinary medicine), psychology, radiation therapy, secondary education, social science, sociology (concentration in criminal justice), Spanish, special education, studio art, theology, and writing and publishing.

In many areas of study, students may opt for a double major. Preprofessional health programs include chiropractic, dentistry, medicine, occupational therapy, optometry, physical therapy, podiatry, and veterinary medicine. Combined professional programs are available with cooperating institutions in clinical laboratory science, nuclear medicine technology, and engineering. A joint engineering program is offered with the Illinois Institute of Technology. A registered nurse may earn a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. Teacher certification is available in the following majors: biology, business and economics, chemistry, English language and literature, mathematics, physical education, physics, social science, and Spanish.

For graduation, a student must earn at least 120 semester hours, 55 of which must be completed at a four-year regionally accredited college. At least the final 45 semester hours must be completed at Benedictine University. The University makes selective exceptions to the normal academic residency requirement of 45 semester hours for adults who are eligible for the Degree Completion Program. Eligibility is limited to those who have nearly completed their undergraduate studies but, for reasons of employment, career change, or family situation, found it necessary to interrupt their studies.

The Second Major Program is designed for people who already have a degree in one area and would like to gain expertise in another. This program allows the student to concentrate on courses that fulfill the requirements of a second major. The student receives a certificate upon completion.

Each year, a select number of talented and motivated prospective students are invited to participate in the Scholars Program. The program is designed to enhance the college experience by developing students’ international awareness and strengthening their leadership ability.

Benedictine University is a member of a three-school consortium in the west suburban Chicago area through which students are able to take classes at the other member colleges. Study abroad and internships abroad are encouraged to complement a liberal education.

The Kindlon Hall of Learning and the Birck Hall of Science bring science and technology to new levels. The Birck Hall of Science houses state-of-the art computer labs, specialized science labs, a research center, and the Jurica Nature Museum.

The Kindlon Hall of Learning houses computer labs, classrooms, multimedia labs, offices, and student lounges. It is also home to the Benedictine Library, which houses more than 120,000 volumes and can be found in the building’s impressive five-story tower. The library is also equipped with eleven group study rooms, a computer lab, and an instruction room.

Benedictine University has distance education classrooms that provide students with the capability to interact globally with other colleges and universities in a classroom setting. Scholl Hall houses classrooms and faculty and administrative offices.

The cost of tuition for the 2008–09 academic year is $21,600. The average cost of room and board is $6943. Mandatory fees total $710 and include health, technology, and student activity fees.

In 2007–08, Benedictine University freshmen received approximately $6.1 million from financial aid sources that included loans, scholarship and grants, tuition remission, and employment opportunities. Ninety-eight percent of the freshman class received financial aid. The average package was $16,853. Benedictine University has dedicated more than $10 million of the annual budget to providing grants and scholarships to its students. Students who wish to apply for aid must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Benedictine University application for admission.

The 13:1 student-faculty ratio allows for close interaction between students and faculty members. Of the 93 full-time faculty members, 80 percent hold a Ph.D. or the terminal professional degree in their respective fields. All students are assigned a faculty member as an adviser to help plan programs of study.

All full-time enrolled students are automatically members of the student government. The Student Government Association (SGA) is a representative body elected annually by the students to represent their interests. The SGA is responsible for the annual allocation of the student activity fee.

The Benedictine University admission philosophy is to select students who are expected to perform successfully in the University’s academic programs and become active members of the University community. Typically, Benedictine University’s freshman students are in the top third of their high school graduating class, with about 50 percent in the top quarter, and report better-than-average ACT or SAT scores. A minimum of 16 units in academic subjects is required, including 4 units of English, 1 unit of algebra, 1 unit of geometry, 1 unit of history, 1 unit of laboratory science, and 2 units of foreign language. Benedictine University does admit some students who fall below these standards. These applicants receive individual consideration by the Academic Admissions Committee. When appropriate, the committee will place conditions and/or restrictions upon students to help them reach their academic potential.

Students interested in transferring to Benedictine University must have a minimum cumulative average of C (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) or better from all colleges previously attended. Official transcripts from all colleges attended must be submitted directly to the Enrollment Center for evaluation. If fewer than 20 semester hours of transfer credit are submitted, an official high school transcript and SAT or ACT scores are required, and the general admission high school curriculum requirements must also be satisfied. Credits transferred from other institutions are evaluated on the basis of their equivalent at Benedictine University. Grades of D are accepted as transfer credit but do not satisfy Benedictine University requirements, which demand a minimum grade of C.

Requests for admission are considered without regard to the applicant’s race, religion, gender, age, or disability.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Students are encouraged to apply for admission at any time after completing their junior year of high school. Transfer students may apply for admission during their last semester or quarter before anticipated transfer to Benedictine University. Earlier applications are encouraged for scholarship and financial aid opportunities.

For further information, students should contact: