Benedictine University

University Overview

Founded in 1887 as St. Procopius College, Benedictine University (BenU) has a long-standing tradition of fostering intellectual and spiritual growth rooted in Catholic and Benedictine values.

Today, the university serves over 3,100 students across its Lisle and Mesa campuses, supported by a dedicated faculty and staff of around 340. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1, BenU offers a personalized learning environment across 36 undergraduate majors, 11 master’s and doctoral programs, and 12 certificate options.

Approximately 70% of BenU graduates are employed or pursuing advanced degrees upon graduation, a testament to the university’s commitment to preparing students for meaningful, purpose-driven lives in an ever-evolving world.

Accreditation

Benedictine University (BenU) is accredited by several prestigious bodies, including:

The Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
The Council on Education for Public Health
The Illinois Board of Higher Education
The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES)

Locations

Benedictine University offers students two campus locations, each providing a unique learning environment rooted in the university’s Catholic and Benedictine values.

The Lisle Campus, located at 5700 College Rd. in Lisle, Illinois, serves as the main campus and offers a traditional college experience in a suburban setting just outside of Chicago.
The Mesa Campus, situated at 225 E. Main St. in downtown Mesa, Arizona, provides students with access to a vibrant urban atmosphere in the heart of the Phoenix metropolitan area.

For I-20 transfer students, CPT-authorized internships can begin on the first day of classes, ensuring a seamless, year-round transition with no restrictions based on start dates.

The Master’s program at Benedictine University requires 33 - 36 credits and is typically completed in 22 - 24 months, with no breaks between semesters.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a required and integral part of some Master’s program at Benedictine University. Students are eligible for CPT from day 1 of enrollment, and authorization remains valid throughout the full 22 - 24 month program, with no breaks or gaps allowed.

If a student has not yet secured a qualifying job at the start of the program or during any term, a grace period will be provided to find CPT-eligible employment.

Please note that multiple CPT jobs are not permitted, and semester breaks are not allowed under this policy.

CPT Qualification

To qualify for CPT at Benedictine University, students must:

Be enrolled full-time and in good academic standing
Register in the designated Internship course (no additional fee required)
Secure a job offer that is directly related to their field of study
Submit both an Employer Agreement Form and a valid Offer Letter
Obtain CPT authorization before starting employment — retroactive approvals are not allowed
Renew CPT once per academic year

There are 3 semesters in a year for Day 1 CPT Programs at Benedictine University.
In each semester, international students must register for at least 2 courses (6 credits; including one online course and one hybrid course)
Onsite frequency: 1 weekend/semester

Campbellsville University, in accordance with USCIS regulations, grants CPT work authorization to students. Typically, international students need to be enrolled for over a year before they can apply for CPT.

Due to program requirements, students in the MSITM and PMBA programs can apply for CPT authorization starting from their first semester and engage in either full-time or part-time work. The MSCS, MSCC, and MSDSAI programs allow students who have already obtained a Master's degree in the US to apply for CPT authorization from their first semester for either full-time or part-time work.

Students in these five programs can continuously apply for CPT during their studies without interruption. To utilize CPT, students need to enroll in the BA500 Graduate Management Externship Course (0 credits) every semester. CPT authorization needs to be renewed annually.

Day 1 CPT at Campbellsville University

Day 1 CPT Class Requirement

Campbellsville University's graduate program is divided into three semesters in a year: Fall, Spring, and Summer. Each semester is further divided into two terms. Students in the Day-1 CPT program register for 6 credits each semester, which includes one 3-credit hybrid course and one 3-credit online course.

The hybrid course lasts for 16 weeks (2 terms) and has an in-person session over one weekend (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday). Students who fail to attend will lose their F1 student status.

Tuition & Scholarships

Tuition

Graduate credit hours are billed at $800/credit hour

Total Annual Estimate:
- MS in Data Analytics : $13,200 (3 semesters)
- MS Health Informatics: $14,400 (3 semesters)
Total Program Estimate:
- MS in Data Analytics : $26,400
- MS Health Informatics: $28,800

Other Fees

Recurrent Fees (Per Semester) : $125

Payment Plan

Benedictine University offers interest-free monthly payment plans through the MyBenU portal (TouchNet), allowing students to pay tuition in manageable installments each term or annually with a $25 setup fee per term.
Additional options like Employer Tuition Reimbursement and Third-Party Billing are also available for students sponsored by employers or outside organizations.

Academic Calendar

Terms	Application Deadline	Semester Start Date	CPT Start Date
Fall 2	10/01/2025	10/15/2025	10/15/2025
Spring A 2026	12/23/2025	01/06/2026	01/06/2026
Spring B 2026	02/24/2026	03/10/2026	03/10/2026

Initial F1 Students: 2 months before the first day of the term.

If you missed the deadline, please get in touch with us. We are the official recruitment partner of the university; we can help you accelerate your application.

Hybrid Professional Programs at BenU

MS Data Analytics

The MS in Data Analytics at Benedictine University equips students with the technical, analytical, and problem-solving skills needed to thrive in the fast-evolving world of data. With an industry-aligned curriculum, students learn to process and interpret complex datasets, build predictive models, and apply data-driven strategies to enhance decision-making across a wide range of sectors.

Designed for students from diverse academic backgrounds, this program provides a strong foundation in both the theory and application of data analytics. Graduates are well-prepared for in-demand roles such as data scientist, machine learning engineer, data analyst, data architect, and business intelligence analyst.

Program Structure

To earn the M.S. in Data Analytics degree, students must complete a total of 33 semester credit hours, structured as follows:

3 credit hours of introductory coursework (may be waived with prior experience)
21 credit hours of core courses covering essential tools, techniques, and concepts
9 credit hours of elective courses focused on business applications

Core Courses

DASC 5150 : Ethics for Data Analytics
DASC 5200 : Mathematics for Data Science
DASC 5300 : Advanced Programming
DASC 5320 : Data Analysis & Visualization
DASC 5383 : Machine Learning
DASC 5400 : Data Simulation, Bayesian Modeling, and Inference
DASC 6398 : Capstone Project

MS Health Informatics

Application to BenU

Before Enrollment

Application Form :
Complete the online application using your personalized link from the initial communication.
Transcripts & Degree Certificates
Submit official transcripts from all universities attended.
- U.S. transcripts must show the degree conferral date.
- For degrees earned outside the U.S., a transcript evaluation from a NACES member (e.g., IEE for a 3-day discount option) is required.
Letters of Recommendation
Two letters from academic or professional sources are required.
- Must be written and signed directly by the recommenders.
- Waived if you hold a U.S. bachelor’s or master’s degree.
Resume or CV
Include a current professional resume or curriculum vitae.
English Proficiency
Required if your previous education was not in English.
Acceptable scores:
- IELTS: 6.5 overall (min. 6 in writing)
- TOEFL iBT: 79 (min. 20 in writing)
- Duolingo: 105 (min. 100 per section)
- PTE-A: 52 (min. 50 in each section)
- Scores must be no older than 2 years.
Passport & Immigration Documents
Include a copy of your passport.
If already in the U.S., also provide your visa, I-20, and I-94.
Proof of Financial Support
Upload a bank statement showing at least $21,100 USD and a signed Financial Affidavit Form. (Pay stubs are not accepted.)

Having trouble with the application? Contact us.

After Enrollment - CPT Application

After receiving the acceptance letter, confirm with your advisor the SEVIS transfer time and fill out the SEVIS transfer form to transfer SEVIS from your original school to BenU.

Students must submit a CPT Application Form and a job offer letter. An Employer Agreement Form is also required and must be completed using the provided template:

CPT Application Form
Offer Letter

Additional Details :

CPT Renewal : Once per academic year
CPT Course Credits : None required
CPT Fee : No additional cost per semester
Multiple CPT Jobs : Not allowed
Semester Breaks : Not allowed
Starting CPT 30 days before program : Not permitted

FAQ - Hybrid Professional Master's Program at BenU

Benedictine University’s main campus is in Lisle, Illinois, about 25 miles west of downtown Chicago. Located at 5700 College Rd., Lisle, IL 60532, it offers a full range of undergraduate and graduate programs in a traditional suburban campus setting.

The university also has a second campus in Mesa, Arizona, at 225 E. Main St., Mesa, AZ 85201. This downtown location provides access to the Greater Phoenix area and offers select undergraduate and graduate programs in a more urban, modern environment.

MS Data Analytics and MS Health Informatics

Yes. F-1 transfer students are welcome and can begin CPT on their first day of classes. A valid SEVIS transfer and supporting documents must be provided to ensure a seamless transition.

Contact day1cpt.org to check your eligibility and learn more.

CPT must be renewed once per academic year. It is not automatically extended, so students must submit updated documents each year.

No. Semester breaks are not allowed, and students are only permitted to work for one CPT-authorized employer at a time. CPT cannot be used for multiple jobs.

No. There are no additional CPT fees and the required internship course carries no academic credit, making the process cost-effective for international students.

🚨Disclaimer: The term "Day 1 CPT Universities" commonly refers to universities that allow students to apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) at the start of their first semester. However, getting CPT approval on the first day of the program is not automatic or guaranteed and depends on submitting a complete application on time. In most cases, CPT approval takes 5 to 15 business days after the university receives the required documents.

✓ One-on-One Free Consultation

✓ Personalized Hybrid Professional Programs List

✓ Application Fee Waiver & Application Assistant

✓ Scholarship Opportunities

✓ Connecting to the Admission Officer to Get Pre-Approval

✓ Premium Process - Get an Offer and I-20 within 3 days [added-value service]

*Our consultants are committed to providing a seamless experience. Once you initiate a case with us, you will be assigned a specific consultant who will thoroughly understand your case, ensuring that there's no need for you to repeat information each time you call. We will not change your consultant unless you request it.