Berkeley College: A Comprehensive Overview of Locations, Programs, and History

Berkeley College, founded in 1931, stands as a career-focused institution offering a range of academic programs across multiple locations and online. Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the college provides Master’s, Bachelor’s, Associate’s degrees, and Certificate programs in over 20 career fields. This article delves into the various facets of Berkeley College, including its locations, academic offerings, historical milestones, and notable events.

Campus Locations and Online Presence

Berkeley College operates five campus locations. These campuses are strategically located in:

Newark, NJ
Paramus, NJ
Woodbridge, NJ
Woodland Park, NJ
Midtown Manhattan, NY

In addition to its physical campuses, Berkeley College extends its reach through Berkeley College Online®, serving a global population of students seeking flexible learning options.

Academic Programs and Recognition

Berkeley College offers a variety of programs tailored to meet the demands of the modern workforce. These include:

Certificate Programs: Focused on providing specific skills and knowledge for immediate career entry.
Associate's Degrees: Offering a foundation for further studies or entry-level positions.
Bachelor's Degrees: Providing comprehensive education in various fields.
Graduate Degrees: Including the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).

The college launched its first graduate degree program, an MBA, in 2015. Through Berkeley College's Corporate Learning Partnership, the MBA program collaborates with organizations like Affinity Federal Credit Union to offer master's degree and continuing education programs to employees. In December 2021, Berkeley College introduced a Master of Science in Nursing program through its School of Health Studies.

Read also: Lifelong learning for adults

Berkeley College has received recognition from U.S. News & World Report for its online programs. For eight consecutive years, the college has been named among the Best Colleges for Online Bachelor’s Programs and the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans. In 2021, it also received a distinction as a Best Online Bachelor’s Degree Program - Business.

In the U.S. News & World Report 2022 edition of the Best Colleges Survey, Berkeley College (NJ) was ranked No. 32 out of 57 schools on the Best Regional Colleges - North list and No. 29 out of 48 schools on the Best Regional Colleges - North, Top Performers on Social Mobility list.

Historical Overview

Founded in 1931, Berkeley College has a rich history of providing career-focused education. Over the years, the college has adapted to the changing needs of students and the workforce, expanding its programs and locations.

Merger with Dover Business College

On July 1, 2013, Dover Business College was merged into Berkeley College. Dover Business College, founded in 1958 and accredited in 1974, was a vocational school and technical college with locations in Dover and Clifton, New Jersey. The school focused on preparing students for careers in healthcare, information technology, and business.

Campus Closures

A number of Berkeley campuses have closed over the past decade, including the White Plains, New York campus.

Accreditation

Berkeley College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, ensuring that it meets specific standards of quality and effectiveness. This accreditation applies to both Berkeley College - New Jersey and Berkeley College - New York.

Legal and Ethical Challenges

In recent years, Berkeley College has faced legal and ethical challenges.

Lawsuit by the New York Department of Consumer Affairs

In 2018, Berkeley College was named in a lawsuit filed by the New York Department of Consumer Affairs for deceptive and predatory practices. The lawsuit description includes:

Misleading students about financial aid, including federal financial aid.
Tricking students into taking out loans directly from Berkeley College.
Deceiving students about institutional grants.
Deceiving students about transfer credits, majors, and careers.
Violating local debt collection laws by concealing its identity from former students when collecting debt, including debt that is not owed.

Lawsuit by Former Staffers

In 2019, Berkeley College was sued by former staffers at the White Plains, New York campus, who claimed they faced "a gender-related hostile work environment" and "wrongful termination." However, in July 2021, the Southern District of New York granted defendants' motion for summary judgment and dismissed the lawsuit against Berkeley College and all individual defendants.

Athletics

Berkeley College Knights Athletics includes Basketball and Soccer teams.

Student Body

Berkeley College serves a diverse student body, with more than 4,900 students enrolled across its campuses and online programs.

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