Please note that you are currently viewing a previous academic year's Undergraduate Catalog. As such, the information on this page is not accurate for the current term. View the current (2024-2025) Undergraduate Catalog by clicking here.

Special Study Opportunities

Centennial Honors College

The Centennial Honors College provides academically talented and motivated undergraduate students an enriched academic curriculum and opportunities for leadership, professional development, and service learning. The program includes 62 academic majors or areas of study from four colleges, as well as special preprofessional honors options such as the Pre-Law Honors minor. Within General Education, honors students are provided a curriculum of special General Honors tutorials, colloquia, seminars, and independent research. Within departments, students are offered in-course honors experiences, seminars, recitals, and internship opportunities For more information about the Centennial Honors College, For more information about honors curricula see the Centennial Honors College page of the catalog or visit the Centennial Honors College website at wiu.edu/Honors.

Four-Year Guarantees

GradTrac: Freshman students in eligible majors who wish to ensure graduation within four years may apply to GradTrac. A GradTrac Agreement assures students that they will complete their requirements in four years if they comply with the provisions of the GradTrac Agreement. GradTrac uses WIU’s automated degree audit system, which allows students and their advisors to monitor progress in their degree plan. Students who sign the GradTrac Agreement must meet with their advisors regularly, complete required coursework as prescribed for their degree program, maintain a grade point average designated by their program, and maintain continuous enrollment at the University. If a student meets all the requirements of the GradTrac Agreement but is unable to graduate due to the unavailability of a course, the University will waive or substitute the course(s) needed to allow graduation in the prescribed number of semesters. If a waiver or substitution is not possible, then the University will waive the tuition for the course(s) still needed if taken at Western Illinois University. For more information on GradTrac, please see page 79. See more information about GradTrac.

Cost: Western Illinois University guarantees a four-year rate for tuition, fees, and room and meal plan for new undergraduate students entering the University. All new undergraduate students, full- and part-time, are automatically included in the plan. The per-hour rate for tuition and fees will be fixed for a four-year period along with room and meal plan rates as long as the student maintains continuous enrollment. If a student’s major is recognized as requiring more than four years to complete, the guaranteed rate will be extended to cover the expected time for degree completion. Each year the University’s Board of Trustees sets new rates for the entering class. If a fee is added and approved by the Board, such as funding a new student service, the fee will apply to all students when implemented. For more information on the Cost Guarantee, please contact the Office of Admissions, located in Sherman Hall 115, telephone (309) 298-3157.

Individualized Degree Programs

Bachelor of Arts in General Studies Degree Program: The Bachelor of Arts in General Studies degree program is a highly flexible approach to undergraduate education without a traditional major. The program is designed for students who are placebound by work and/or family responsibilities. The fully online degree program permits maximum transfer of credit, as well as credit earned for individually selected courses, prior learning portfolios, military training, and proficiencyexaminations. Those students unable to attend classes on the WIU campuses in Macomb or the Quad Cities may enroll in online courses or coursework offered at extension sites. For more information see Bachelor of Arts in General Studies degree program information or the BGS website.

Interdisciplinary Studies Degree Program: The Interdisciplinary Studies Degree Program allows students to design and pursue individualized programs of study in areas that are not otherwise available at the University, or to complete one of four concentrations—Renewable Energy and Biofuels Technology; Renewable Energy and Wind Technology; Renewable Energy Policy, Planning and Management; or Youth Leadership. Students enrolled in the Interdisciplinary Studies Degree Program receive either the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree, depending on the program and the requirements of the University General Education Curriculum. For additional information see Interdisciplinary Studies Degree information.

Integrated Baccalaureate and Master’s Degree Programs

Western Illinois University offers the following integrated baccalaureate and master’s degree programs:

  • Bachelor of Business in Accountancy / Master of Accountancy
  • Bachelor of Business in Accountancy / Master of Business Administration
  • Bachelor of Science in Agriculture / Master of Business Administration
  • Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology / Master of Arts in Museum Studies
  • Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology / Master of Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • Bachelor of Arts in Art / Master of Arts in Museum Studies
  • Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art / Master of Arts in Museum Studies
  • Bachelor of Arts in Broadcasting and Journalism (Sports Broadcasting option) / Master of Science in Sport Management
  • Bachelor of Business in Business Analytics / Master of Science in Applied Statistics and Decision Analytics
  • Bachelor of Science in Chemistry / Master of Science in Chemistry
  • Bachelor of Arts in Communication / Master of Arts in Communication
  • Bachelor of Science in Computer Science / Master of Science in Computer Science
  • Bachelor of Science in Computer Science / Master of Business Administration
  • Bachelor of Arts in Economics / Master of Science in Quantitative Economics
  • Bachelor of Business in Economics / Master of Science in Quantitative Economics
  • Bachelor of Business in Economics / Master of Business Administration
  • Bachelor of Business in Finance / Master of Business Administration
  • Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Languages and Cultures / Master of Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • Bachelor of Science in Forensic Chemistry / Master of Science in Chemistry
  • Bachelor of Arts in General Studies / Master of Science in Education in Educational Studies (Language, Culture, and Education option)
  • Bachelor of Arts in General Studies / Master of Science in Instructional Design and Technology
  • Bachelor of Arts in General Studies / Master of Arts in Public Safety Administration
  • Bachelor of Science in Geographic Information Science / Master of Arts in Geography
  • Bachelor of Science in Graphic Communication / Master of Science in Instructional Design and Technology
  • Bachelor of Arts in History / Master of Arts in History
  • Bachelor of Business in Human Resource Management / Master of Business Administration
  • Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration / Master of Arts in Public Safety Administration
  • Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration / Master of Business Administration
  • Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Sciences / Master of Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • Bachelor of Business in Management / Master of Business Administration
  • Bachelor of Business in Marketing / Master of Business Administration
  • Bachelor of Science in Mathematics (Mathematics and Data Science and Statistics options) / Master of Science in Mathematics
  • Bachelor of Science in Meteorology / Master of Arts in Geography
  • Bachelor of Science in Physics / Master of Science in Physics
  • Bachelor of Arts in Political Science / Master of Arts in Political Science
  • Bachelor of Science in Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration / Master of Science in Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration
  • Bachelor of Science in Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration / Master of Arts in Museum Studies
  • Bachelor of Arts in Sociology / Master of Arts in Sociology
  • Bachelor of Business in Supply Chain Management / Master of Business Administration

These programs are administered by the respective academic departments. An integrated baccalaureate and master’s degree program provides the opportunity for outstanding undergraduates to earn both degrees in five years. Typically, a baccalaureate degree requires four years to complete, and a master’s degree requires an additional two years. However, the integrated degree programs are intended to be accomplished over a period of five years. In addition to allowing students to earn both degrees a year early, the integrated programs may include additional opportunities to participate in a variety of experiential educational activities such as a master’s project or thesis. For additional information about the integrated baccalaureate and master’s degree programs, please refer to the Western Illinois University Graduate Studies Catalog.

Office of Study Abroad and Outreach

SStudy Abroad allows students to complement and enhance their classroom instruction by experiencing the culture and language of another country. Through WIU’s Office of Study Abroad and Outreach, students can participate in a wide variety of educational programs located in more than 60 countries worldwide. Many programs take place over Spring and Winter breaks or in the Summer, or students may choose to participate in semester- or year-long programs. Many Study Abroad programs are comparable in cost to studying on WIU’s Illinois campuses, and financial aid and scholarships are available to qualified students. Undergraduate students may participate in a Study Abroad program if they are in good academic and judicial standing, have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better, and have completed 12 s.h. of undergraduate work at WIU. Internships and service learning programs are also available. Certain programs may have additional eligibility criteria. For more information about Study Abroad at WIU, please contact the Office of Study Abroad and Outreach at (309) 298-2504 or go to the Study Abroad and Outreach website.

University Advising Program (for undeclared students)

Many students choose to explore several major options when entering college. Western Illinois University designates these persons as University Advising students, who can remain in this category until they have earned 45 credit hours. Students are required to declare a major at this point.

The University Advising and Academic Support Center is responsible for advising University Advising students. The University Advising Program enables students to examine major and career options while concentrating on coursework necessary for the University General Education Curriculum. The emphasis on General Education courses permits students to make progress toward graduation while still undecided about a specific major. Advisors help students evaluate interests, goals, values, and abilities, and apply this self-knowledge to the exploration of various majors. University Advising is a positive option for students who are uncertain about their future plans and wish to explore academic and career possibilities during their first semesters at the University.

University Advising is a positive option for students who are uncertain about their future plans and wish to explore academic and career possibilities during their first semesters at the University.

Western’s English as a Second Language (WESL) Institute

Western’s English as a Second Language (WESL) Institute, accredited by the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation, provides an intensive program in academic English for international students who are preparing to enter an American college or university, as well as for others needing ESL services. The WESL curriculum is designed and taught by professional faculty to prepare students academically, socially, and culturally for success as University students. The English as a Second Language Program is offered during the Spring, Summer, and Fall semesters. It consists of three levels of instruction: Foundation, Intermediate, and University Preparation. Upon arrival, international students take the WESL English Placement Test and are thereby placed in the appropriate level of English study or directly into the University. The WESL program consists of two 16-week semesters which follow the WIU academic calendar, and a tenweek Summer session. For additional information on WESL, please go to wiu.edu/international.