Brescia University

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First-Rate, Faith-Based Liberal Arts Instruction at Brescia

Brescia University appears in our ranking of the 30 Best Online Bachelor’s in Psychology Programs at Private Colleges. Brescia University is a private, nonprofit ACCU member in Owensboro. It’s ranked the South’s 29th best school by the U.S. News & World Report. It offers:
  •  eight associate programs
  • 39 bachelor’s programs
  • three master’s programs.
Twelve of these are entirely online. Student/teacher ratio is 13:1 The Charles Albert Reid School of Business froze tuition through 2022 for its accelerated 63-credit, 18-month A.S. in Business program. It has eight-week online classes. The B.S. in Secondary Education customizes a 128-credit, EPSB-aligned plan for 8-12 certification in:
  • Biology
  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Social Studies
The online B.A. in Theology with Emphasis in Pastoral Studies has a 128-credit, SACS-accredited curriculum. It has accelerated eight-week courses like Catholic Moral Tradition and Parables of Jesus. The M.S. in Clinical Psychology follows a 45-credit, 24-month path toward the KY Licensed Psychological Associate credential. It includes 600 clock hours of internships, such as Centerstone or Ridge Behavioral Health. Other Brescia degrees include:
  • A.A. in Integrated Studies
  • A.S. in Engineering Technology
  • B.A. in Political Science
  • B.S. in Mathematics
  • B.A. in Graphic Design
  • B.S. in Medical Technology
  • B.A. in History
  • M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology
  • M.B.A. in Finance.

About Brescia University

Brescia University started in 1925 when the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph settled on Maple Mount. They opened a rural Catholic two-year junior college for women. In 1946, the Roman Catholic nuns started lower-division Owensboro courses for males and females. Four years later, it was renamed Brescia College and authorized to award liberal arts bachelor’s degrees. It was regionally accredited in 1957. Brescia first surpassed the 1,000 enrollment mark in 1968. In 1980, Brescia launched the Weekend College to better serve adult learners. In 1984, it joined the River States Conference for 15 NAIA Division I sports teams. In 1998, the M.S. in Management was introduced as the new Brescia University’s earliest graduate program. In 2014, BU kicked off a $10 million Gateway to Our Second Century fundraising campaign. In 2015, Brescia began hosting the St. Ann Visiting Writers Series. In 2017, Bishop William Medley dedicated Brescia University’s Moore Center. Brescia University is endowed for $13.5 million. It employs 99 faculty teaching 957 undergrad and 351 post-grad students. It has 25+ clubs like the Zombie Emergency Survival Team. In 2019, Brescia won the RSC Bill Melton Champion of Character Award. In 2015, BU received the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year Award. Brescia University accepted a 2014 President’s National Volunteer Service Award from Barack Obama. The U.S. News & World Report ranked Brescia 60th for social mobility and 166th for online bachelor’s education. Niche ranks it:
  • America’s 34th best distance learning
  • 123rd safest environment
  • 218th hardest admission
The Chronicle of Higher Education named Brescia University the fifth fastest-growing Catholic school. College Factual ranked BU:
  • 36th for engineering technology
  • 41st for communication science
  • 64th for social work degrees

Brescia University Accreditation Details

In 2011,  the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Board of Trustees reaffirmed the Level III accreditation status through the next 2020-21 evaluation.  The Academic Affairs Office also lists the following discipline-specific Brescia approvals:
  • Council on Social Work Education
  • Association of Biblical Higher Education
  • Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board
  • Asian Association of Schools of Business International
  • Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology

Brescia University Application Requirements

Admission to Brescia University is classified as “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s. Only 1,763 of the 4,158 Fall 2018 applicants were accepted. First-year should finish the recommended four English, three math, and three science units during high school. College-ready GED subject scores above 165 will count. Three-fourths of freshmen rank in the upper half at graduation. The Class of 2022 reported an average 3.02 GPA. Mid-range admitted SAT scores were 960-1050. The middle 50th percentile had ACT scores of 20-26. The Honors College requires a minimum 3.5 GPA and 25 ACT score. Transfers can receive up to 67 transfer credits graded C or better from accredited junior colleges. Foreign students on F-1 visas need at least 550 TOEFL or 5.0 TWE scores. Graduate programs mandate four-year bachelor’s completion with 3.0 or better GPAs. Advanced Standing MSW cohorts need CSWE-accredited preparation and 3.2 GPAs. The M.S. in Management requires 900+ points when multiplying GPA by 200 and adding the GMAT score. Brescia University has rolling admissions for most programs to begin any eight-week module. Current registration dates are:
  • August 13th
  • October 5th
  • January 6th
  • March 9th
  • May 12th
International students should apply by July 1st or November 1st. The Online Master of Social Work closes on February 15th each year. The M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology has a December 1st deadline. Complete the Brescia Application online with the $25 fee by credit card or e-check. Forward official transcripts to 717 Frederica Street in Owensboro, KY 42301. Send test scores using SAT/GRE code 1071 or ACT code 1498. Fulfill supplemental checklist items, such as:
  • the personal statement
  • social work field evaluation
  • resume
  • writing sample
  • 2-3 recommendations
  • passport
Contact (270) 686-4243 or admissions@brescia.edu with questions.

Tuition and Financial Aid

For 2019-20, Brescia University charged traditional full-time undergrads $11,450 per term or $22,900 annually. Part-time Owensboro campus study incurs $595 per credit. Summer sessions are discounted to $300 per credit. The Dual Credit Program costs only $56 per credit. Students each year cover:
  • the $250 activity fee
  • $240 technology fee
  • $100 dorm security deposit
Freshmen pay the one-time $250 orientation fee. Living at the Daviess County housing adds $9,430 to $10,430 for yearly room and board. Other costs are $1,500 for textbooks and $2,000 for miscellaneous. Annual undergrad attendance equals about $36,450 on-site or $27,100 if commuting. Online associate and bachelor’s courses are priced at $425 per credit. Graduate programs generally bill $500 per credit. Only the Master of Social Work costs $600 per credit. According to the NCES College Navigator, the Financial Aid Office connects 95 percent of new full-time Brescia students  to tuition assistance averaging $19,592 each for $2.31 million combined. University funds include:
  • Geoffrey Ferry Scholarship
  • Larry & Connie LaRue O’Bryan Scholarship
  • Senator Gates Young Scholarship
  • Sister Mary Carmel Browning Scholarship
  • Margaret Becker Scholarship
  • Philip Hayden Memorial Scholarship
  • Virginia Stout Fitzgerald Scholarship
  • William Quattrochhi Memorial Scholarship
  • Sister Aloise Boone Memorial Scholarship
  • Justin Hood Memorial Scholarship
The Joseph D. Moore Presidential Scholars Program has a December 1st deadline for full-time freshmen with  GPAs above 3.75. The $17,000 Trustees Scholarship selects undergrads with 32-36 ACT and 1410-1600 SAT composite scores. Federal resources, such as the Pell Grant and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, require FAFSA forms coded 001958. Kentuckians could also utilize:
  • the Tuition Grant
  • College Access Grant
  • Chafee Education Voucher
  • Educational Excellence Scholarship
  • Dual Credit Scholarship, and more.
Find out more at the Brescia University website.

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