Built on tradition. Focused on the future.

Woodland Park

From East Orange to Garret Mountain: The Birth and Evolution of Berkeley College

In the depths of the Great Depression, when economic despair gripped the nation and opportunities for women were limited, one man envisioned a better future. In 1931, Alyea M. Brick founded the Berkeley School of Secretarial Training in East Orange, New Jersey. From the very beginning, Berkeley stood for more than just skill development—it stood for respectability, professionalism, and purpose.

Berkeley’s first program was a one-year course blending traditional college subjects with secretarial training in shorthand and typing. But it wasn’t just about academics—the atmosphere was formal, demanding, and disciplined. Students were addressed by their last names and required to wear hats, gloves, stockings, and heels. Anyone not dressed appropriately was not permitted to enter the building. On the first day, 30 determined women arrived at the modest two-room schoolhouse, eager to acquire skills that would unlock new paths during a time of great uncertainty.

Under Mr. Brick’s leadership, the East Orange campus quickly earned a reputation as a premier institution for training executive secretaries—serving not only New Jersey’s business community but also positioning women for upward mobility. By 1946, the school sought and received voluntary accreditation from the New York State Board of Regents, a key milestone in establishing academic credibility.

The 1960s and early 1970s brought sweeping social and technological changes, and Berkeley adapted swiftly. In 1970, the East Orange campus introduced The Fashion Institute in a building across from the main campus—its first major step toward academic diversification. But by the mid-1970s, space limitations and evolving needs demanded a bigger, bolder move.

In 1976, after 45 years in East Orange, the campus relocated to a serene, wooded site on Garret Mountain in West Paterson, New Jersey (now Woodland Park). The new campus occupied the former grounds of Tombrock College, a Catholic two-year institution that had closed a few years earlier. Initially sharing the property with the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, Berkeley eventually purchased the land and its facilities outright.

This relocation marked the start of a new era. Enrollment grew steadily, and the Garret Mountain campus began to reflect Berkeley’s rising ambition. In 1980, the school became the first proprietary college in New Jersey licensed to award the Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree, offering programs in Professional Secretarial Studies and Fashion Marketing and Management. By 1983, it had achieved full accreditation from the Middle States Association, and in 1989, the campus name was officially changed to Berkeley College of Business.

The 1990s and 2000s brought further expansion of academic offerings, including the Bachelor of Science (BS) degree, which was authorized in 2001, followed by full online degree programs in 2003.

Today, the Woodland Park campus (formerly Garret Mountain) spans 25 wooded acres, houses eight academic buildings, and encompasses more than 111,000 square feet of space. It remains the heart of Berkeley College in New Jersey—a far cry from the two-room schoolhouse in East Orange, yet still deeply rooted in the original mission: to prepare students for meaningful, successful careers through rigorous, career-focused education.

New York City

Berkeley in the Big Apple: The Story of the New York City Campus

Just five years after opening its doors in East Orange, New Jersey, Berkeley College took a bold leap into the heart of the business world. In 1936, founder Alyea M. Brick established a second location in New York City, situating it on the top floor of the Graybar Building, adjacent to Grand Central Station—a symbolic and strategic choice that positioned Berkeley students at the center of the city’s bustling corporate landscape.

From the outset, the New York campus was designed to mirror the mission of its New Jersey counterpart: to prepare women for professional success through high-quality business education. In a city teeming with ambition and competition, Berkeley stood out by blending academic rigor with practical preparation. The curriculum was led by instructors with real-world business experience, and students were challenged with the question, “Why do you believe you deserve to come to Berkeley?”

The campus quickly became a magnet for young women seeking opportunity, drawing students from over 120 high schools across the metro area by 1942. By 1945, more than 1,000 Manhattan employers had hired 5,000 Berkeley alumni—a remarkable testament to the school’s early impact.

In 1969, Berkeley’s NYC presence expanded with the acquisition of the Claremont Secretarial Schools, including a location on Lexington Avenue that would eventually move into the Chrysler Building. The New York and Claremont schools were merged and rebranded as the Berkeley-Claremont School, until 1972, when the name was simplified to The Berkeley School.

As enrollment grew, the need for a permanent, more expansive home became clear. In 1985, Berkeley purchased and moved into 3 East 43rd Street, a newly renovated facility just blocks from Grand Central Station, with room for 600 students. A decade later, in 1996, an annex opened on nearby Fifth Avenue, reflecting the continued growth and demand for Berkeley’s programs.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the New York City campus evolved to meet the changing needs of the workforce. Berkeley introduced the Executive Secretary Course for College Women, cooperative employer-sponsored education programs, and by 1993, the campus earned Middle States accreditation. It was officially renamed Berkeley College of New York City by the New York Board of Regents.

In 1998, the New York campus received authorization to award its first Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree, solidifying its role as a full-fledged college. That same year, Berkeley began offering online courses, and by 2004, the NYC campus was authorized to offer the BBA online.

In response to demand for greater access and opportunity, Berkeley opened an extension center in Lower Manhattan at 130 William Street in 2004, creating a new hub for students from Brooklyn, Staten Island, and beyond. Located in the heart of the Financial District, this extension connected students directly with Wall Street and the city’s business elite.

Today, the New York City campus at 3 East 43rd Street continues to thrive as a vital part of the Berkeley community, offering Associate’s, Bachelor’s, and a Master of Business Administration degree program. With access to premier internship opportunities and a pulse on the industries that drive the global economy, Berkeley NYC remains a dynamic launchpad for students seeking career success in one of the world’s most competitive cities.

Newark

Back to Our Roots: The Story of the Newark Campus

In many ways, the opening of Berkeley College’s Newark campus in 2006 marked a return home—a homecoming to Essex County, where the College’s journey first began in 1931 in nearby East Orange, New Jersey.

As a career-focused institution founded to empower women with practical business skills during the Great Depression, Berkeley had long held deep ties to urban communities and workforce readiness. The establishment of a campus in downtown Newark, in the heart of New Jersey’s largest city, was both a strategic expansion and a symbolic return to the College’s founding mission.

Situated at 536 Broad Street, directly across from Harriet Tubman Square (formerly Washington Park), the Newark campus is surrounded by cultural institutions, corporate headquarters, government buildings, and major transportation hubs—including Newark Penn Station. Its central location makes it ideal for commuters, working adults, and traditional students alike.

When the campus opened, it was designed to meet the growing demand for accessible, career-focused education in fields like business administration, legal studies, and healthcare. Its launch also aligned with Berkeley’s increasing emphasis on community engagement and economic mobility—a commitment that mirrored Newark’s own revitalization efforts.

Throughout the years, the Newark campus has served a diverse student population, with a focus on first-generation college students and adult learners. The College’s flexible schedules, small class sizes, and professional development opportunities have made it a valuable resource for residents of Essex County and beyond.

As part of Berkeley College’s broader strategic expansion in the 2000s—which included new degree programs, graduate education, and fully online offerings—the Newark campus played a key role in bringing the Berkeley experience to a new generation of learners in an urban setting.

Today, nearly two decades after its opening, Berkeley College Newark continues to thrive as a hub of professional preparation and academic opportunity. It stands not just as a modern extension of the College’s programs, but as a living bridge between Berkeley’s historic past and its dynamic future.

Woodbridge

Camaraderie and Career Prep: The Story of the Woodbridge Campus

When Berkeley College opened its Woodbridge campus in 1982, it was a strategic decision rooted in both demand and legacy. Having moved its main New Jersey location from East Orange to Garret Mountain in 1976, Berkeley noticed a dip in enrollment from southern and central New Jersey. The Woodbridge campus, located in the heart of Middlesex County, was created to reconnect with students and employers in that region—and to expand Berkeley’s reach in one of the state’s most dynamic corridors.

Housed in a completely renovated former Bohack supermarket near the Woodbridge municipal building and train station, the new campus was both accessible and community centered. From its earliest days, the Woodbridge location embodied a sense of closeness and camaraderie. Students, faculty, and staff often describe it as a “second home,” a place where relationships were tight-knit and students received personalized support.

Originally, the Woodbridge campus focused on career certificate programs in secretarial studies and fashion merchandising. These short-term programs—ranging from nine-month Intensive and 12-month Executive to 18-month Professional—prepared high school graduates (especially women) for immediate entry into the workforce. Fashion students learned skills in purchasing, retail, and display, while secretarial students mastered shorthand, business English, and typing, with many going on to work for large employers like American Home Products and Hess.

Faculty and staff from the 1980s recall a highly professional atmosphere—complete with a strict dress code that required skirts, nylons, and heels. “Pants Day” occurred only once a month, when students and faculty alike were permitted to dress down. Beyond technical skills, students also learned etiquette and cultural fluency through courses like Personal Development and Contemporary Culture, often attending Broadway shows as part of their education.

As demand for higher education grew in the 1990s, so did the Woodbridge campus. The facilities were renovated and expanded, with a new library, student lounge, Academic Support Center, and computer labs added to support degree programs. Students who once transferred to Garret Mountain for Associate’s degrees could now complete full programs right in Middlesex County.

By the 2000s and beyond, Woodbridge offered a broad range of Associate’s and Bachelor’s degree programs, aligning with the needs of modern students—many of whom balance jobs, families, and education. While the attire may be more casual today, the spirit of the campus remains unchanged: warm, personal, and deeply committed to student success.

Today, the Berkeley College Woodbridge campus at 430 Rahway Avenue continues to serve as a vital hub for career-focused education in Central New Jersey. Still small enough to feel like family, it plays a powerful role in transforming lives, one student at a time.

Berkeley College Online^®

Berkeley College Online^®: Celebrating 28 Years of Innovation

As Berkeley College celebrates 95 years of excellence, one of the most transformative chapters in its history is the development of Berkeley College Online^®. Launched in 1997 with only a few online course offerings, the online division quickly established itself as a leader in distance learning. By 2003, Berkeley received approval to offer fully online degree programs, and in 2005, the first students proudly completed their degrees entirely online. What began with just 49 enrolled students has grown into a vibrant virtual campus serving more than 1,000 undergraduate students each year.

Over nearly three decades, Berkeley College Online^® has earned national and international recognition for its commitment to quality and innovation. The College has been ranked among the Best Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs by U.S. News & World Report for 12 consecutive years, reflecting the strength of its curriculum, faculty engagement, and student support. Berkeley is also one of the first online college or university programs worldwide to receive Quality Standards certification from the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA/QS). Notably, it remains the first and only institution in New York and New Jersey to hold this distinction.

Berkeley College Online^® is designed for today’s students—busy professionals, parents, caregivers, and individuals balancing full lives alongside their education. Coursework is structured weekly to ensure consistency and engagement, yet flexible enough to allow students to complete assignments at times that work best for them. Online learners have access to the same high-quality, career-focused programs available on campus, including Certificates, Associate’s degrees, Bachelor’s degrees, and the MBA in Management. Just like their on-site peers, online students benefit from robust academic advising, tutoring, career services, library resources, and opportunities to participate in clubs and virtual activities.

As Berkeley College marks its 95th Anniversary, Berkeley College Online^® stands as a powerful extension of the College’s founding mission: preparing students for meaningful careers through accessibility, innovation, and exceptional teaching. Now entering its 28th year, Berkeley College Online^® continues to expand opportunities for students across the country and around the world—demonstrating the College’s enduring commitment to embracing new technologies, meeting students where they are, and leading the future of career-focused education.