University of Illinois-Springfield

Accredited, Affordable Liberal Arts Education at UIS

The University of Illinois-Springfield appears in our ranking of the 30 Best Online Bachelor’s in English Degrees. The University of Illinois-Springfield is a public, land-grant COPLAC member. It  offers:

• 31 bachelor’s programs
• 20 master’s programs
• one doctoral programs
• 31 certificate programs
• the Concurrent Enrollment High School option

It has a 13:1 student/teacher ratio. It’s ranked the Midwest’s 33rd best choice by the U.S. News & World Report, For example, the Information Systems Security BS is a 120-credit, four-year curriculum with online or on-campus courses like Computer Ethics. It has 10 Engaged Citizenship hours for Cisco CSSIA certification. The 120-credit Biology BS provides opportunities to:

• conduct Therkildsen Field Station research
• join Tri-Beta
• intern with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources
• study abroad in Peru
• take the Pre-Med track

Online, the Data Analytics MS has developed a 36-credit, 16-month STEM sequence. It blends intensive 500-level courses like Statistical Computation with applied capstone projects and the optional Graduate Public Service Internship. The School Counseling MA follows a 61-credit, CACREP-accredited path toward Illinois K-12 licensure. It includes:

• 100 practicum hours
• 600-hour internship placements
• Counseling Center experience
• Chi Sigma Iota membership

Other Springfield degrees include:

• Economics BA
• Exercise Science BS
• History BA
• Medical Laboratory Science BS
• Philosophy BA
• Anthropology BA
• Finance MBA
• English Studies MA
• Environmental Science MS
• Public Administration DPA

About the University of Illinois-Springfield

The University of Illinois-Springfield was founded in 1969 when Governor Richard Ogilvie signed legislation to create an upper-division institution called Sangamon State University. On September 28, 1970, President Robert Spencer welcomed an inaugural class of 750 students for the first 16-week semester. In 1976, the 486,900-volume Norris L. Brookens Library was dedicated. In 1980, Founders Residence Hall opened as Sangamon State’s earliest dormitory. In 1984, it joined the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities. On July 1, 1995, Governor James Edgar adopted the current University of Illinois-Springfield name. That same year, Press Secretary Dana Perino graduated from the Public Affairs Reporting MA program. In 1999, the University of Illinois-Springfield launched its first Web-based courses. Two years later, UIS started the Capital Scholars Honors Program. Endowed for $21.6 million, the University of Illinois-Springfield  employs 220 full-time faculty. Enrollment includes 2,932 undergraduates and 2,024 post-graduates. Students come from 55 countries In 2017, Springfield won the UPCEA Award for Strategic Innovation in Online Education. In 2019, UIS received 10 Great Lakes Conference Team Academic Excellence Awards. The University of Illinois-Springfield also accepted the 2008 SNCR Excellence in New Communications Award. U.S. News & World Report ranked UIS:

• 33rd best business
• 33rd best bachelor’s
• and 77th top teaching degrees online

Niche ranked UIS America’s:

• 49th best criminal justice program
• 78th best public policy program
• 199th top English program

Money magazine ranked the University of Illinois-Springfield the 504th top value. The Institute of International Education named UIS the 39th best school for studying abroad.

University of Illinois-Springfield Accreditation Details

University of Illinois-Springfield is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission on North Central Association (HLC-NCA). This mega 19-state Midwest Region accreditor is recognized by the U.S. Education Department and Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE). The Institutional Accreditation Office also lists the following degree-specific approvals:

• Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration
• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
• Council on Social Work Education Office of Accreditation
• National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences
• Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
• American Chemical Society Committee on Professional Training
• National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council

University of Illinois-Springfield Application Requirements

Getting into the University of Illinois-Springfield is classified “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s. It has a  53 percent acceptance rate. First-year students must complete at least 15 rigorous college-prep academic units or the GED equivalent. The Class of 2022 had an average secondary GPA of 3.42. Mid-range admitted SAT scores were 423-598 for reading and 463-548 for math. The middle 50th percentile had ACT scores of 20-26. The Capital Scholars Honors Program requires a minimum 3.0 GPA and 24 ACT score. Successful transfers generally have 30+ regionally accredited credits and GPAs above 2.5. Non-U.S. residents certify English skills with 6.0 IELTS, 79 TOEFL iBT, 65 PTE, and higher scores. The Office of Graduate Education seeks four-year bachelor’s completion at 2.7 and better GPAs. Several programs, including the Legal Studies MA, require 3.0 GPAs. The Computer Science MS has nine prerequisites, such as Applied Statistics and Data Structures. Public Administration MPA cohorts should have 295 GRE or greater scores. The University of Illinois-Springfield has a freshman application period of September 1st to November 1st. Concurrent Enrollment deadlines are September 30th and February 20th. Transfers are welcome through August 1st, December 1st, and May 1st. It’s recommended international students apply by June 1st or November 1st. The Office of Graduate Education has rolling admission year-round. Note the assistantship deadline is March 15th. Accordingly, complete the $50 ($60 if graduate) UIS Application online. Forward official transcripts to 2180 Vachel Lindsay Drive in Springfield, IL 62703. Send test results using SAT/CLEP code 0834, ACT code 1137, or GRE/TOEFL code 1787. Attach supplemental materials, such as:

• the petition for residency
• recommendations
• resume or CV
• 500-word personal statement
• I-20 form

Contact (217) 206-4847 or admissions@uis.edu with questions.

Tuition and Financial Aid

For 2019-20, the University of Illinois-Springfield is charging in-state undergrads $7,524 annually. Non-resident bachelor’s tuition is $15,144 each year. Studying part-time is $313 to $631 per credit. Students cover mandatory fees of $2,307 yearly. Room and board at the Sangamon County campus’ dorms adds $9,760. UIS budgets:

• $1,200 for books
• $1,800 for personal expenses
• $1,500 for travel

Annual undergrad attendance equals about $23,491 in-state and $31,111 out-of-state. Online baccalaureate courses are $358 per credit. Online master’s programs are  $329 per credit. The Office of Graduate Education otherwise bills Illinoisans $5,264 and non-residents $10,800 each year. Required post-grad fees are $2,100 yearly. The Financial Aid Office  connects 97 percent of new full-time UIS students to median tuition assistance of $13,774 each. Institutional funds include:

• the Lee Frost-Kumpf Scholarship
• Maurice Scott Public Affairs Scholarship
• Paul Snodgrass Scholarship
• Regina Midden Farley Scholarship
• Lake Pointe Grill Scholarship
• Suzanna Kay Shiner Memorial Scholarship
• Jack Dolan Music Scholarship
• Dorys Weisbaum Berg Scholarship

The Lincoln Merit Scholarship gifts $12,000 annually to freshmen meeting the 32 ACT or 1450 SAT minimum. The $3,000 Aim High Merit Scholarship assists transfers with 30+ credits and GPAs above 3.75 enter on-campus bachelor’s programs. Federal resources, such as the Pell Grant and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, require FAFSA applications coded 009333. Illinoisans can also pursue:

• the Monetary Award Program
• Veteran Grant
• National Guard Grant
• Special Education Teacher Waiver
• Nursing Education Scholarship, and more.

Explore four fully engaged colleges with 80+ flexible, student-centered options placed 290th overall by Washington Monthly at the University of Illinois-Springfield website.

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