Bradley University
Bradley University is a top-ranked, private university in Peoria, Illinois. Bradley was founded in 1897 as Bradley Polytechnic Institute by Lydia Moss Bradley as a memorial to her children and husband, Tobias. It became a four-year college offering bachelor’s degrees in 1920 and a full university offering graduate programs in 1946, at which time its name was changed to Bradley University. Bradley is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission. With approximately 5,400 undergraduate and graduate students, Bradley offers the opportunities, choices and resources of a larger university and the personal attention and exceptional learning experience of a smaller university.
Through the five colleges — College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, College of Education and Health Sciences, Caterpillar College of Engineering and Technology, Foster College of Business and Slane College of Communications and Fine Arts — and The Graduate School, Bradley offers a comprehensive array of undergraduate and graduate academic programs in business, communications, education, engineering, fine arts, health sciences, liberal arts and sciences, and technology. Programs offered through Continuing Education extend the resources of the university to promote lifelong learning.
The average class size is 21 students, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 12:1. Bradley has 345 full-time faculty members, who are both active researchers and committed teachers, providing personalized attention in learning and academic advising. All courses are taught by professors, not graduate assistants, and team projects and collaboration are emphasized in every area of university life.
Outside of class, Bradley students have abundant opportunities for involvement in campus life — including more than 240 clubs and organizations, NCAA Division I athletics, intramural and club sports, study abroad opportunities and the Lewis J. Burger Center for Student Leadership and Public Service. Technology is integrated across the campus — from the digital editing suites used by communication students to the robotics used in the engineering labs. Students can borrow wireless laptops to use in Cullom-Davis Library and have access to the Internet in every residence hall.
Bradley University provides a comfortable setting for living and learning. A beautiful 85-acre campus contains both historic buildings and state-of-the-art learning centers, and is just 1 mile from downtown. Surrounded by a historic residential district, the campus has restaurants and shops within walking distance as well as a wide range of campus dining options — some open until 3:00 a.m.
Bradley continuously updates facilities to keep pace with new methods of teaching and learning. Bradley’s second-oldest building, Westlake Hall, was transformed into a modern, LEED Gold certified learning facility, equipped with the latest technologies. The renovation expanded the building to six times its former size, from 13,500 to 85,000 square feet. Complete renovations also have taken place in Olin Hall (science), Constance Hall (music) and Bradley Hall. The Markin Family Student Recreation Center offers a swimming pool, exercise facilities and practice space for intramural sports.
Bradley students do exceptionally well in their chosen careers and advanced studies after graduation. The five-year average for graduates who started a career, graduate school or other postgraduate experience within six months of graduation is 93 percent.
This is the official catalog for the 2017-2018 academic year. This catalog serves as a contract between a student and Bradley University. Should changes in a program of study become necessary prior to the next academic year every effort will be made to keep students advised of any such changes via the Dean of the College or Chair of the Department concerned, the Registrar's Office, u.Achieve degree audit system, and the Schedule of Classes. It is the responsibility of each student to be aware of the current program and graduation requirements for particular degree programs.