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Humphreys University

Benedictine University

Benedictine University is a private Catholic university with its main campus in Lisle, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. Founded in 1887 by the Benedictine monks of St. Procopius Abbey, the university was originally named St. Procopius College. While rooted in Catholic tradition, Benedictine is an intentionally interfaith institution that welcomes students of all backgrounds and faiths. It currently offers two programs with CPT options.

📍 Lisle, IL; Mesa, AZ

📚 Hybrid CPT Programs: MS Data Analytics | MS Health Informatics

💰 $26,400 - $28,800 / Program 

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Ranked One of America's Best by Forbes and US News Magazines

Benedictine offers numerous undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs across various disciplines, including STEM, health sciences, business, and liberal arts. Benedictine University consistently receives recognition from several notable publications. For its 2026 rankings, U.S. News & World Report gave Benedictine high marks among universities in the Midwest region.

 

📍Location:  Lisle, IL

Benedictine University's main campus in Lisle, Illinois, offers a unique combination of a safe, tight-knit campus community with convenient access to the resources and career opportunities of a major metropolitan area. 

Located just 25 miles west of downtown Chicago, the Lisle campus is close enough for students to take advantage of the city's vast cultural, entertainment, and professional opportunities. The Metra commuter rail provides an easy and reliable transportation option into the city.

 

Benedictine University is a popular option for international students seeking Curricular Practical Training (CPT) from their first day of enrollment. The university supports this through its hybrid master's programs, specifically the MS in Data Analytics and MS in Health Informatics.

These STEM-designated programs allow international F-1 students to gain valuable, real-world work experience alongside their studies from day one, which significantly enhances their career readiness. The programs are offered in a low-residency format, requiring students to attend an intensive, on-campus session just once per semester, with the remainder of the coursework delivered online. This flexibility, combined with the valuable CPT work authorization, makes Benedictine a strategic choice for students looking to enter the H1B visa pool while gaining professional experience.

 

Accreditations & Rankings

ForbesTopColleges-2019

Rankings

  • #362 in Private Colleges by Forbes 
  • #14 in Best Colleges in Illinois by College Factual
  • #61 (tie) in Regional Universities Midwest by U.S. News & World Report

 

CPT Policies

Program Format

Hybrid format. Attend an immersive and intensive, 3-day, on-campus weekend session once per semester. The rest of the time, you'll interact with professors and classmates virtually and online. You'll also participate in an integral practicum experience (CPT) from day-1 so you can apply what you are learning in the classroom to real-world, professional, practical training experience. This full-time, low-residency program complies with all USCIS and SEVIS regulations for international students.

Curricular Practical Training

The practicum/CPT experience is an integral part of the MS program and participation is required. CPT is authorized from day 1 for the duration of the 22-month program with no gaps or breaks.

Program Duration

MS Data Analytics programs is a 33-credit, 22-month, full-time low-residency program. Each semester (16 weeks) you will take two, 8-week, 3-credit courses consecutively; one course at a time. One course will be delivered in a low-residency format which requires mandatory, on-campus attendance during an immersive and intensive weekend session once per semester. The other course will be delivered fully online. Total 33 credits; 6 credits per semester.

MS Health Informatics programs is a 36-credit, 2-year, full-time low-residency program. Each semester (16 weeks) you will take two, 8-week, 3-credit courses consecutively; one course at a time. One course will be delivered in a low-residency format which requires mandatory, on-campus attendance during an immersive and intensive weekend session once per semester. The other course will be delivered fully online. Total 36 credits; 6 credits per semester.

Special Scholarship

Hybrid CPT Programs

Master of Science in Data Analytics (MS)

The Master of Science in Data Analytics program at Benedictine University is designed to prepare students for careers in the rapidly growing field of data analytics. Through an industry-aligned curriculum, students will develop the technical and analytical skills necessary to process and analyze complex, large-scale data, build predictive models, and enhance decision-making across various industries.

The program is ideal for students from diverse academic backgrounds who seek to gain expertise in data analytics methodologies and applications. Graduates will be well-positioned for roles such as data scientist, machine learning engineer, data architect, data analyst, and business intelligence analyst.

Learning Goals for the Master of Science in Data Analytics Program

Graduates of the M.S. in Data Analytics program will:

  • Develop advanced programming skills in languages such as Python and R.
  • Apply mathematical and statistical techniques fundamental to data analytics.
  • Analyze and visualize complex data sets effectively.
  • Implement machine learning and data mining techniques in real-world scenarios.
  • Design and execute large-scale data analytics projects and communicate findings clearly to diverse audiences.

Program Structure

The M.S. in Data Analytics program requires the successful completion of 33 semester credit hours, structured as follows:

  • 3 credit hours of introductory courses (may be waived based on prior coursework).
  • 21 credit hours of core courses covering essential data analytics concepts and techniques.
  • 9 credit hours of elective courses in Business Applications.
Master of Science in Health Informatics

Benedictine University offers a 36-credit Master of Science in Health Informatics that can be completed in two years on a full-time, low-residency basis, with a combination of online and on-campus coursework. The program includes mandatory, intensive weekend sessions at the campus in Lisle, IL, and is also available at the Mesa, AZ campus. This is a STEM-designated program, and its completion allows students to be eligible for Optional Practical Training (CPT) from day one. 

  • Program length: 36 credits, typically completed in two years on a full-time basis.
  • Format: Low-residency, a hybrid of online and in-person learning.
  • Coursework: Students take two courses per 16-week semester, with one course being fully online and the other requiring an intensive on-campus weekend session.
  • Campus locations: Lisle, IL, and Mesa, AZ.
  • Accreditation: The program is STEM-designated.
  • Flexible learning: Combines the convenience of online courses with the benefits of in-person interaction.
  • Career readiness: The STEM designation and CPT eligibility from day one are significant advantages for students, particularly those who are international. 

Academic Calendar

Upcoming Start Dates​​​​​

Spring - A - 2026

  •  Virtual Orientation - January 6

  • Classes Begin - January 12

  • On-campus - January 16-18 (Lisle, IL)

    On-campus - January 23-25 (Mesa, AZ)

 

 

Spring - B - 2026

  •  Virtual Orientation - March 10

  • Classes Begin - March 16

  • On-campus - None

Application Guide

◎ Requirements

  1. Undergraduate GPA is 2.8 or greater

  2. Meet proof of English proficiency 

  3. No Application Fee if you apply thru CPTDog

** The school will close enrollment early if the class size reaches maximum capacity. It is recommended that you contact your CPTDog advisors before applying to ensure that you can be enrolled on time.

◎ Application Checklist

  • Transcript - All Transcripts
  • Resume
  • Passport
  • Financial Proof
  • Recommendation Letters

** Usually, students will receive the acceptance result within 10 business days after the application is completed

** For all urgent request — CPTDog work directly with school admissions for expedited application, contact us for detail

Humphreys University

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