Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

Location

Carbondale is located in the Midwest; by car, it is roughly:

• Five hours south of Chicago
• Two hours southeast of St. Louis
• Four hours northwest of Nashville, Tennessee
• 10 minutes from the beautiful Shawnee National Forest

Academic Programs

In the fields of agriculture, applied sciences and arts, architecture, aviation, business, administration, education, engineering, liberal arts, fine arts, mass communication and media arts, science, and professional degrees in law. SIU offers more than:

• 200 undergraduate majors, specializations and minors
• 70 master’s programs,
• 30 doctoral programs

Admission Requirements

Students can apply online for admission to all of our programs.

Undergraduate Admissions

SIU requires at a minimum:

• 2.0 grade point average for high school and transfer students
• Financial statement
• Online application
• $40 application fee
• English proficiency (one of the following):
  • TOEFL IBT – 68
  • TOEFL PBT – 520
  • IELTS – 6.0
  • ITEP – 4.0
  • Conditional admission to our Center for English as a Second Language

Graduate Admissions

Both graduate and doctoral applications require at a minimum:

• An application fee of $65
• Online application
• A financial statement
• Official transcripts
• English proficiency (one of the following):
  • TOEFL IBT – 80
  • IETLS – 6.5
  • ITEP – 5.0
  • Duo Lingo - Temporarily accepted as an alternative to IELTS/TOEFL (for places affected by COVID-19 closure)
  • Some departments might require higher language scores or might consider conditional admissions
• Supporting documents are prescribed individually per department, such as GRE/GMAT, letters of recommendation, and any other qualifications

Application deadlines and requirements are set by each department and can be found by contacting the department directly.

Costs

• Undergraduate financial statement – $40,000 (High Achievers Tuition Scholarship Available for partial funding)
• Graduate financial statement – $42,500 (High Achievers Tuition Scholarship Available)
• Center for English as a Second Language – $5,050 per eight-week term (no financial aid available)

Center for English as a Second Language

We are a founding member of the University and College Intensive English Programs and accredited by the Commission on Intensive English Accreditation. Professionally trained faculty members, each with a master’s degree or beyond, staff our program. Our classes are small, averaging just 15 students, and feature a cross-cultural and academic skills focus.

Our intensive language program includes:

• Four eight-week terms between mid-August and mid-May, and one eight-week term during the summer. Students may enroll in January, March, June, August or October.
• Seven graded, intensive courses meeting 18 to 25 hours weekly.
• A full curriculum to help students improve their reading, writing, speaking, listening and grammar skills.
• Cultural and academic skill enhancement components.
• Special courses and preparation for graduate students, and for graduate teaching assistants.

There is a $50 nonrefundable application fee, and anyone who is age 18 or older and who has completed high school may apply. We accept applications year-round, and CESL students may live on campus and have access for all campus facilities. CESL also offers customized programs for schools, businesses and government agencies.

Calendar

SIU's typical academic year consists of two 16-week semesters:

• fall semester (August-December)
• spring semester (January-May)
• summer classes are available

Students and Faculty

SIU’s faculty is dedicated to excellence in teaching, and to the advancement of knowledge in a wide variety of disciplines and professions. Many faculty members are well-known nationally and internationally for their varied research contributions.

The student population at SIU hovers around 18,000, including about 20 percent graduate students and 80 percent undergraduates. SIU enrolled its first international student in 1947, and has maintained a reputation for welcoming and supporting international students since then. International students normally make up 7 percent to 10 percent of the total student population coming from more than 100 countries around the world.

Community Programs

The International Friends Club, a community volunteer organization affiliated with SIU's Center for International Education, offers several programs to help students adjust to life in Carbondale, and to promote intercultural understanding through friendship on campus and throughout southern Illinois.

Housing

Students will be assisted on arrival in making arrangements for living accommodations. SIU has on-campus residential areas for single and married students.

All freshman students age 20 years or younger must live in on-campus housing.

Off-campus housing includes many apartments and houses within walking distance.

Recreation

The campus boasts various play fields, tennis courts, and a lake with a beach and boat dock. SIU's Student Recreation Center houses an Olympic-size pool, indoor tracks, handball/racquetball courts, weight rooms, basketball and volleyball courts, and exercise and camping equipment.

The Student Center contains a bookstore, several restaurants, and bowling and billiards. It is headquarters for SIU’s 450 student organizations. On-campus events throughout the year include concerts, plays, festivals, guest speakers and musicals.

Transportation

Enrolled students may use the bus system on campus for free. St. Louis’ international airport is the closest airport that students may fly into. The Amtrak train runs daily to Chicago, and Carbondale also is serviced by the Greyhound bus lines.