Judson University

judson-university

Innovative, Independent Christian Education at Judson

Judson University appears in our ranking of the Top 50 Online Christian Colleges for Future Missionaries.

Named the Midwest’s 86th top choice by the U.S. News & World Report, Judson University is a nonprofit, coed Baptist CCCU member in the Fox River Valley that offers 42 undergrad, seven master’s, one doctoral, and 12 certificate programs, including eight fully online, at a 9:1 student-teacher ratio. For example, the BFA in Art crafts a 120-credit, four-year Elgin plan overseen by Dr. Terrence Wandtke with opportunities to exhibit at Draewell Gallery, intern with Eight Bit Studios, semester in Italy, and attend the Harm A. Weber Center Lecture. Chaired by Dr. Michelle Kilbourne, the 120-credit BA in Business Administration lets undergrads take on-campus or online courses like Professional Selling, innovate for Judson Shark Tank, intern for Panasonic or Merrill-Lynch, and minor in finance.

Online on Moodle, the Master of Leadership in Ministry shapes a 36-credit, 18-month sequence headed by Dr. Dave Sanders that blends 500-level Web courses like Biblical History with two-week spiritual intensives in Elgin, the Holy Land Tour in Israel, and Herrick Chapel service learning. Directed by Dr. Curtis Sartor, the Master of Architecture has America’s only 42-credit, NAAB-accredited evangelical curriculum with 1,600 hours at preceptorships, such as Bohlin Cywinski Jackson or Skidmore Owings Merrill, and the Architecture Discovery Workshop for 75 percent certification success. Other Judson degrees include the BA in Applied Psychology, BA in Natural Sciences, BA in Sport Management, BA in English, BFA in Photography, MA in Human Services Administration, and EdD in Literacy.

About Judson University

Judson University originated in 1913 when the Second Baptist Church of Chicago opened the Northern Baptist Theological Seminary to train coed ministers for spreading the Gospel. In 1961, President Benjamin Browne worked to add a collegiate department outside the “Windy City” in Lombard. Two years later, Judson College was founded in honor of the United States’ first Protestant missionary sent to Burma. On March 11, 1963, the Illinois Legislature chartered Judson College. Financially strapped through the 1960s, Judson was given a much-needed boost from benefactor Margaret Deuterman. In 1969, President Amos Barton graduated the earliest Bachelor of Arts class. By 1994, the Division of Adult & Continuing Education was launched for non-traditional courses. Five years after, President Jerry Cain acquired property 48 miles northeast in Rockford. On August 28, 2007, the Judson University name was adopted. In 2015, Judson began the World Leaders Forum Inspirational Series.

Endowed for $8.4 million, Judson University now educates 1,081 undergrad and 202 post-grad Eagles from 31 countries online, on the 90-acre Chicagoland campus in Elgin, and at the Rockford Center with 40+ clubs like the Piano Ensemble for 79 percent retention. In 2012, Judson had the LULAC Institute’s Person of the Year Award recipient. In 2018, Judson University won the First Place Award at the ASID-IL Design Excellence Award competition. Judson accepted the 2019 ITA East Region Award too. The U.S. News & World Report placed Judson 210th for online bachelor’s degrees. On Niche, Judson boasts America’s 40th best architecture program, 236th most diversity, and 300th safest environment. College Atlas chose Judson for the 60th top Christian education. WalletHub honored Judson University for the 343rd best career outcomes, 170th most safety, and 122nd best faculty resources.

Judson University Accreditation Details

On December 15, 2017, the Higher Learning Commission on North Central Association (HLC-NCA) Institutional Actions Council formally notified Judson University that the Level V accreditation reaffirmation process was successful through the 2027-28 visit under the sixth president, Dr. Gene Crume Jr., who earned the Bart Hagerman Outstanding Leadership Award. Located 44 miles east via Interstate 290 in Chicago, this mega 19-state Midwest Region accreditor is recognized by the U.S. Education Department and Illinois Board for Higher Education (IBHE). Further, the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) has accredited the Master of Architecture since 2004.

Judson University Application Requirements

Enrolling at Judson University is classified “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s because only 385 of the 512 Fall 2018 applicants were chosen for selective 75 percent acceptance. First-year Eagles who’ve finished a strong college-prep sequence are preferred. High school curricula should include four English and three math units. The Class of 2022 maintained a median secondary GPA of 3.34. The middle 50th percentile had ACT scores of 21-26. Admitted new SAT scores after 2016 average 1060. The Honors Program requires a minimum 3.3 GPA, 1250 SAT, or 28 ACT mark. Eligible non-U.S. residents must prove language proficiency with at least 550 TOEFL, 6.5 IELTS, 21 ACT, or 980 SAT scores. Incoming transfers with 28+ college-level credits and GPAs above 2.5 can forgo standardized tests. Graduate programs demand four-year bachelor’s completion with a minimum 2.5 GPA. The Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling requires a psychology or human services major plus two years of experience. M.Arch. entrants need overall architecture GPAs of 3.0 and better.

Judson University keeps admission generously rolling through August 1st for Fall and December 1st for Spring. Non-refundable $50 processing fees are waived until January 1st only. International students must apply by July 1st or November 1st. The Master of Architecture has unique February 15th, July 1st, and November 15th deadlines. EdD in Literacy cohorts should file before the July 12th early registration date. Accordingly, create a MyJudson account to complete the application online. Forward official transcripts to 1151 North State Street in Elgin, IL 60123. Send testing results via SAT/TOEFL code 1351 or ACT code 1101. Fulfill checklist items, such as the lifestyle statement, 1-3 recommendations, architecture portfolio, and 500-word essay. Contact (847) 628-2510 or admissions@judsonu.edu with questions.

Tuition and Financial Aid

For 2019-20, Judson University is billing full-time undergrads $14,420 each semester or $28,840 annually. Bachelor’s students cover the $265 activity fee and $250 technology fee by term. Residing at the Elgin campus’ dorms like Volkman Hall adds $4,905 to $5,145 for housing. Standard 19-meal board plans for Riverside Cafe are $5,095 extra. Judson budgets $1,270 for books, $750 for transport, and $1,700 for personal needs. Traditional annual attendance equals about $43,368 on-site or $34,630 at home. The Division of Professional Studies has online tuition of $540 per credit. Associate of Liberal Arts majors spend $450 per credit. Graduate programs are generally $705 per credit. The Master of Architecture charges $1,125 per credit. Master of Leadership in Ministry cohorts have flat-rate tuition of $26,500 total.

According to the NCES College Navigator, the Center for Enrollment Services in Barton House links 100 percent of new full-time Judson Eagles to financial aid averaging $19,210 each for $3.24 million combined. Institutional funds include the Dean’s Scholarship, Faculty Scholarship, University Transfer Scholarship, Opportunity Award, Alumni Award, Athletic Scholarship, Music Department Scholarship, Theater Department Scholarship, Art Merit Scholarship, Fox Valley Scholarship, and Covenant Christian School Scholarship. The Church Matching Grant gifts up to $1,000 annually to double undergraduate gifts from parishes. The $14,000 President’s Scholarship has a May 1st deadline for freshmen with minimum 3.59 GPA or 1300 SAT marks. Federal offerings, such as the Pell Grant and Direct Unsubsidized Loan, require FAFSA applications coded 001700. Illinois residents could also claim the Monetary Award, Golden Apple Scholars Award, National Guard Grant, Horatio Alger Scholarship, BLM Squared Scholarship, Marianjoy Scholarship, Palumbo Family Scholarship, and more.

Explore 13 accredited departments for 60+ Christ-centered degrees that ranked 136th overall in Washington Monthly at the Judson University website.

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