Benedictine University is a private Roman Catholic institution of higher learning residing in Lisle, Illinois, which is a suburb of Chicago. It is inspired by the Catholic academic tradition and is committed to teaching and learning, truth and justice, and service and scholarship. It focuses on the social instruction of the Church and the principles of wisdom in the Rule of St. Benedict. It strives to gain recognition as a leader in Catholic postsecondary education, providing a transformative academic experience that is grounded in Benedictine values. It is dedicated to helping students change the lives of an array of individuals, groups, and cultures to promote the common good. Benedictine University also adheres to the notion that a strong liberal arts education provides students with a solid foundation for a lifetime of learning and change.
A degree from Benedictine prepares students to function as effective communicators who have the ability to identify and solve programs, reason and make good decisions, seek and communicate truth, develop a sense of scholarly curiosity, and to take on and resolve ethical issues. The university offers 56 undergraduate The College of Liberal Arts, The College of Science, The College of Business, and The College of Education and Health Services. It also offers 19 graduate programs through the School of Graduate, Adult and Professional Education.
Benedictine University was established in 1887 as St. Procopius College by Benedictine monks with the intention to provide education to men of the Czech and Slovak descent. The college moved to its present location in 1901. The school became coeducational in 1968. In 1971, the college changed its name to Illinois Benedictine College and it finally became Benedictine University in 1996. The university continued to grow and expand and it added numerous buildings throughout the 2000s. Today, Benedictine University is home to more than 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Benedictine University was named one of "America's Top Colleges" by Forbes Magazine in 2017, which was its seventh consecutive year attaining the designation.
Benedictine University Accreditation Details
The Higher Learning Commission accredits Benedictine University to grant bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees along with certificate programs.
The Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education of the American Dietetic Association accredits the dietetics programs at Benedictine University.
Benedictine University Application Requirements
UndergraduateComplete and submit the Benedictine University application or Common Application
Pay $40 non-refundable application fee
Submit official high school transcripts
Submit official transcripts from all previously attended institutions of higher learning
Submit official standardized test scores, SAT/ACT
Submit a personal statement
Submit a letter of recommendation from high school guidance counselor or related individual
Complete and submit the graduate Benedictine University application
Submit official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities
Submit a personal statement
Submit a letter(s) of reference from an academic or professional contact
Pay $40 non-refundable application fee
Submit official graduate level test courses, such as the GRE, GMAT, or MAT
Submit additional requirements depending on program, such as professional resume, acknowledgment form, copy of licensure, and autobiographical statement
Complete graduate program admission requirements
Submit DI application through Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Services and D&D Digital
Tuition and Financial Aid
TuitionUndergraduateFull-time students (12-18 credit hours): $33,900 per year
Overload tuition fee, credit hours over 18: equal to semester hour part-time rate
Part-time students (1-11 credit hours): $1,080 per credit hour
Summer: $1,030 per credit hour for visiting students and $600 per credit hour for BenU students
Audit (no credit): $600 per credit hour
Master of Business Administration: $600 per credit hour
Master of Public Health: $650 per credit hour
Master of Education: $303 per credit hour
Executive Master of Science in Values-Driven Leadership: $937.50 per credit hour
English as a Second Language (ESL)/Bilingual Endorsement: $330 per credit hour
Other graduate programs: $680 per credit hour
Master of Business Administration: $600 per credit hour
Master of Science in Management and Organizational Behavior: $685 per credit hour
Master of Science in Nursing: $650 per credit hour
Master of Science in Nutrition and Wellness: $685 per credit hour
Master of Public Health: $650 per credit hour
Dual degree programs: tuition charged at the higher rate of the two programs
An array of financial aid options are available at Benedictine University to assist students in paying for their higher education. Scholarships, loans, and work-study options are available.
ScholarshipsBenedictine Scholars Program Award
Catholic High School Recognition Award
Music Scholarship
Family Recognition Award
Out-of-State Award
Federal Direct Subsidized Loan
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
Federal Direct PLUS Loan
Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan
Private Loans
The federal government funds the Federal Work-Study program to help eligible students pay for education related expenses. Students work part-time on and off campus and are typically paid on a bi-weekly basis. The pay varies depending on employer, qualifications, and job tasks.
Master of Science Dietetic Internship Program
The Master of Science Dietetic Internship program provides students with the necessary applied knowledge and experience to become a registered dietitian. It features a community focus and provides student with an understanding of the vast scope of career opportunities. The program requires a total of 64 quarter hours of graduate coursework, including 36 quarter hours of required Nutrition and Wellness Foundation classes and 28 quarter hours of coursework in the Dietetic Internship concentration. Students also complete 40 weeks of internship rotation experiences.
The foundation courses include obesity: theory and practice, complementary nutrition therapies, bio statistics, health and wellness research, advanced nutrition topics in micronutrients, applied data analyses, public health education methods, advanced metabolism: carbohydrates and lipids, and advanced metabolism: protein. The courses in the dietetic internship concentration include: advanced concepts and outcome measurement, nutrition counseling for disordered eating, case studies in dietetics, dietetics clinical review, dietetics maternal and child nutrition, dietetics foodservice, dietetics nutrition clinic management, and dietetics skill and practice competence.
Related Resource: Top 30 Affordable Online Master's in Dietetics
The program generally takes about 18 months to complete. After completion of the program, graduates will be qualified to pursue entry-level dietitian positions and have the ability to apply for active membership in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The Master of Science in Nutrition and Wellness: Dietetic Internship at Benedictine University is the only program in the nation with accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Education and Dietetics.
