Brandeis University

Overview

Brandeis University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts that focuses on liberal arts. It was established in 1948 through the efforts of the Jewish community in Waltham, Massachusetts. The founders of the nonsectarian institution named it after Louis Dembitz Brandeis who was the first Jewish to serve in the US Supreme Court.

The university sits on 235 acres in the Boston suburbs. Within the area are over 100 academic and residential infrastructure. Those buildings are the School of Arts and Sciences, the Heller School for Social Policy and Management, the Brandeis International Business School, and the Rabb School of Continuing Studies. Out of these, the Heller School for Social Policy and Management is well-regarded for its teachings in social welfare and social policy.

Among the university’s offering of over 40 majors, the most popular are economics, biology, business, psychology, and computer science. Many of Brandeis University’s students graduate with two majors, while those from the School of Arts and Sciences can have up to three. They can even get an accelerated MA degree from the Brandeis Graduate International Business School together with their baccalaureate degree.

Brandeis students are extensively engaged in research. Indeed, even undergraduate students are given the opportunity to work alongside distinguished faculty and researchers. Plus, they have the chance to lead their own research teams. To that end, the university has the Undergraduate Research and Creative Collaborations portal that allows students to find resources and possible research collaborators. The institution’s librarians also provide support for research. Additionally, students can access Experiential Learning and Teaching for courses and practice where they can learn through experience.

The faculty of Brandeis is also involved in advanced study. Michael Rosbash and Jeffrey Hall received the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 2017 for uncovering the genetic code underlying circadian rhythms. Gina G. Turrigiano, the neurobiologist known for her work on sleep theories, is also part of the Brandeis family. There is also a group of scientists at the Materials Research Science and Engineering Center developing materials that can transform how medical professionals treat diseases.

These successes are an affirmation of Brandeis University’s Framework for the Future, which speaks of the institution’s commitment to becoming a major research university. It also stays true to its aim to be inclusive by accepting students from all walks of life and regardless of their ethnicity. Similarly, it does not discriminate in its hiring of faculty and staff, making the university a truly open and diverse institution.

You can also learn more about the educational performance of Brandeis University in our ranking of US universities & colleges.