Graduate Studies

Campus and Facilities (excerpted from 2024-2025 Graduate Catalog)

PDF version of Graduate Catalog

The University

Western Illinois University was established April 24, 1899 and began operation September 23, 1902. The University offers 61 undergraduate degree programs, 41 graduate degree programs and 2 doctoral programs to approximately 7,643 students. Western Illinois University offers graduate work in 16 post-baccalaureate certificates. The University serves 2,334 total graduate students from: Illinois (1,143 in-state), 45 states (264 out-of-state) and 59 countries (927 international grad students).

Fifty-nine buildings are situated on more than 1,000 acres on the Macomb campus. In addition, the University operates the Alice L. Kibbe Life Sciences Station on the Mississippi River, the Frank J. Horn Field Campus, University Farms, and the Fink Environmental Studies Field Laboratory and Conservancy, which provide nearby facilities for students enrolled in agriculture, biology, and recreation, park and tourism administration courses. The Western Illinois University-Quad Cities campus in Moline (population 42,028; QC metropolitan population 400,000) provides baccalaureate degree, graduate degree, and post-baccalaureate certificate programs in various disciplines.

The main campus is located in Macomb (population 15,052), the McDonough County seat, 40 miles east of the Mississippi River. Two U.S. highways, routes 136 and 67, intersect at Macomb and provide direct access to Interstates 74, 80, and 55. Amtrak service is available twice daily from Quincy and Chicago to Macomb.

 Housing

Westbrook House: The Westbrook House, located adjacent to campus, is a community of approximately 30 graduate students and non-traditional undergraduate students. The house features a large kitchen, recreation room, computer lab, and dining room.

Further information and an application may be obtained from University Housing and Dining Services in Seal Hall, (309) 298-3321, or at wiu.edu/housing.

Residence Halls: Competitively priced living accommodations, which provide an atmosphere conducive to graduate studies, are available on campus. Caroline Grote Hall is a suite-style residence hall, which offers single and double rooms, as well as semi-private bathrooms for sophomores, juniors, seniors, and graduate students. Lincoln and Washington halls, located on the southeast corner of campus; Corbin and Olson halls, located on the southwest side of campus, and Thompson Hall, located on the west side of campus, offer unique living arrangements for returning, transfer, and graduate students. All mentioned halls are a mix of double and single rooms with all the amenities of residence hall facilities.

All rooms are furnished with air-conditioning, beds, dressers, study desks, chairs, closets, and Internet access. Laundry facilities, television lounges, vending areas, computer labs, and limited cooking facilities are available in each hall.

Residents of University housing sign a contract for a full academic year and pay room and board by the semester. One semester contracts are available for those that may have an internship, student teaching, etc. away from campus.

Upon acceptance to the University, students can apply for housing online at wiu.edu/apply4housing. Students are encouraged to apply early, as room assignments and preferences are made based on the student’s room application number.

 University Libraries

University Libraries is an integral part of graduate research at WIU. University Libraries maintains an extensive print and media collection as well as online access to thousands of academic journals, books, and other publications. University Libraries offers research and technical assistance; instruction in search and retrieval skills; course reserves; group and individual study spaces; and open access to computers, printers, scanners, and wireless internet.

The Center for Research and Creative Activity at Malpass Library extends the WIU Libraries’ long-standing mission of providing professional research support to include a clearinghouse where faculty scholars and students can exchange ideas and methodologies, seek collaborators, and learn about potential publishing venues. The Area Studies Research Center and Collections provides access to repositories of materials and information from areas around the world to promote international understanding, and it creates intellectual spaces for discussion about area studies issues. Finally, the Digital Scholarship Center assists students with digital academic projects.

Because University Libraries is a member of several consortia, users can get materials from libraries across the country.

The Leslie F. Malpass Library provides an inviting environment for research and study. The library houses the University Archives and Special Collections; Government, Legal, Spatial, and Data Services; and the University Writing Center. The Music Library and Curriculum Library are specialized branches, also on the Macomb campus.

The WIU-Quad Cities Library in Moline offers collections specifically tailored to Quad Cities students. It also provides access to the materials in the Macomb libraries, as well as the same interlibrary loan options. Online-only students also have full use of services and materials.

For more information, visit wiu.edu/libraries or call (309) 298-2705.

 Laboratories, Clinics, and Special Facilities

The Alice L. Kibbe Life Science Research Station is a biological reserve of 222 acres, surrounded by 1,258 acres owned by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Kibbe is the only field station of this size located on the navigable portion of the Upper Mississippi River system near Warsaw, IL. Its aquatic habitats, forests, and prairies serve as an outdoor classroom for field studies and are used in environmental research. The Cedar Glen Eagle Roost is adjacent to the field station and is considered one of the Midwest’s most outstanding natural areas. Cedar Glen contains large tracts of ecologically significant native terrestrial and aquatic resources and is nationally known as a major winter roosting area for bald eagles. The field station maintains research sites and equipment for sampling on the Mississippi River.

Horn Field Campus is a 92-acre outdoor education and research facility and center for outdoor curriculum and programs. It is located south of Macomb and managed by the College of Education and Human Services. This learning center has an eight-acre prairie, woodlands, challenge course, climbing tower, trails, and several historical buildings, which include a lodge and cabins, that contribute to the educational, research, and outreach opportunities available to the University and greater Western Illinois communities.

The University Greenhouse and W.M. Walter Natural Area were developed and are maintained by the Department of Biological Sciences. The greenhouse has rooms designed for growing a wide range of plants including xeric and tropical plants. Space is also available for propagation and research. The W.M. Walter Natural Area has a pond, wetland, prairie, and forest that are used in teaching classes. These facilities are adjacent to Waggoner Hall. The Rodney and Bertha Fink Environmental Studies Field Laboratory and Conservancy is also available for teaching and research. The 77-acre natural area is located 2.5 miles west of the Macomb campus and contains a mix of restored prairie and bottomland forests bordered by the East Fork of the LaMoine River.

The Department of Biological Sciences Collections documents the biodiversity and resources of Western Illinois for teaching and research. The R.M. Myers Herbarium contain collections of more than 75,000 vascular plants, non-vascular plants, algae, and fungi. The animal collections include both invertebrate and vertebrate animal specimens. The vertebrate animal collections include mammal skulls and furs, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish, while the invertebrate collections have a wide diversity of insects and freshwater bivalve mussels. The plant, fungal, and animal collections serve as depositories of distribution records and for research on the biodiversity of the western Illinois region. They are available for student and faculty research projects.

Facilities for cell and molecular research are also available in the Department of Biological Sciences. Equipment available includes a scanning electron microscope, fluorescent microscope, ultracentrifuge, high-performance liquid chromatograph, PCR machines, a DNA sequencer, real-time quantitative PCR instrument, microarray scanner, microbiological equipment, and other equipment used in student and faculty research.

The Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic provides diagnostic and therapy services for WIU faculty and students, as well as area residents. The clinic offers state-of-the-art clinic rooms with a web-based video recording system. The services available include assessment and treatment for cognition, communication, voice, swallowing, and hearing, with up-to-date therapy materials. The speech clinic has a Computerized Speech Laboratory (CSL), Fiberendoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES), Deep Pharyngeal Neuromuscular Stimulation and Vital Stimulation for Voice and swallowing, and a Vscan Air Ultrasound Biofeedback device. The SPA department also partners with the Psychology department for the Western Autism Clinic for Excellence (WACE) in order to provide much-needed autism evaluations. The hearing clinic offers unique experiences for graduate students in the master’s program. Students provide a wide range of audiological services including otoscopy, immittance audiometry, OAEs, pure-tone and speech audiometry, and aural rehabilitation services. The clinic provides hearing healthcare education and hearing screening services for on- and off-campus health fairs, preschools, daycares, and residential facilities.

The School of Engineering and Technology laboratories include facilities for computer aided design/manufacturing, robotics, 3-D printing, metrology, material testing, programmable logic controlling, Auto-ID, and CNC machining.

The Department of Kinesiology has a modern complex, which includes electronic classrooms; a wireless network; and 6 labs (ADAM, Applied Sport Psychology, Athletic Training, Gazepoint Eye Movement Lab, Human Movement Performance, Motor Behavior, and Physical Education Teacher Education). These labs feature the following equipment and abilities: treadmills, Stairmill Gauntlet, ergometers, metabolic analysis, cardiac screening, pulmonary function analysis, body composition analysis, power testing, a AMTI force platform, a BIOPAC system that records ECG, EMG, and EEG; an environmental chamber, hydrostatic weighing tank, Cholestech lipid and blood glucose analysis equipment, microplate reader and washer; and computer laboratory.

The Department of Psychology houses a psychological clinic and a psychoeducational clinic to provide psychological services to students and area residents. These services include individual therapy, couples therapy, family therapy, psychological and intellectual testing, consultations, and referrals. Psychology faculty members also engage in research, and many have laboratories that contain equipment enabling them and their students to investigate topics from eyewitness memory to neuroscience.

The Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Geographic Information Sciences houses the WIU GIS Center on the fifth floor of Currens Hall. The Center is responsible for compiling, managing, and storing GIS data layers. Other facilities include a Remote Sensing/GIS lab with 30 computers that are fully networked and use both ERDAS’ Image software and ESRI GIS, such as ArcGIS and ArcView; an instructional lab with 32 computers for both GIS and meteorology-related instruction; a meteorology lab with 16 Linux computers for meteorological data analysis instruction; a forecast office with direct access to observational weather data, radar imagery, and weather maps and charts. Additionally, the department has wired electronic classrooms, plus wireless connectivity throughout Currens Hall.

The Center for the Application of Information Technologies (CAIT), designated by the Illinois Board of Higher Education, is housed within the University Technology (uTech) division at Western Illinois University. CAIT provides innovative and practical technology solutions, technical consulting, and robust e-learning services both on campus; and to external clients, including state agencies, educational institutions, businesses, public agencies, and nonprofit organizations. CAIT’s vision is to enhance learners’ lives by providing meaningful learning experiences through cutting-edge technology. On campus, CAIT has supported initiatives such as distance learning courses, online training, the Online Course Evaluation Tool (OCE) and the Western Education & Professional Program Assessment System (WEPPAS). CAIT’s collaboration with external organizations like the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, the Illinois Community College Board, the Illinois Department of Corrections, and the  Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board Executive Institute supports WIU’s mission and core values by serving as a resource for and stimulus to economic, cultural, environmental, and community development in our region and beyond.

The College of Education and Human Services (COEHS) maintains 32 electronic classrooms in Brophy, Horrabin, Knoblauch, and Stipes halls, permitting students and instructors to access the latest instructional technologies (e.g., computers, CDs, DVDs, SMART Board technologies, the Internet and distance learning). These classrooms are used by instructors and students to explore and model the use of high-tech teaching tools.

 University Union

The University Union is the place where students come to meet friends for lunch, with a student organization to plan the next great event, with study groups, or with a faculty member or colleague. The Union provides food, fun, relaxation, meeting space, and much more. The Union is a common space on campus to connect the campus community and for students, staff, and the community to enjoy. Located in the center of campus, the Union services include a food court, meeting and banquet rooms, the WIU Bookstore, computer lab, the Union Hotel, check cashing and cashier services, as well as WIU ID Card services. In addition, students can hang out in The ‘Neck, located on the lower level of the Union. The ‘Neck has a pool table, Nintendo Switch video consoles and large TVs throughout the space. With plenty of seating for everyone, The ‘Neck is a perfectly stress-free environment and is a go-to destination for anyone spending time on WIU’s campus.

The staff of the University Union is dedicated to providing services, conveniences, amenities, and a common meeting space for the University community. These services and conveniences are desired and needed by the University community in their life on campus and for getting to know and understand one another through associations outside the classroom.

 Western Illinois University–Quad Cities Campus

Western Illinois University offers graduate degree programs at the Quad Cities campus located in Moline, Illinois. The Quad Cities metropolitan area population is approximately 400,000 and is located 80 miles north of Macomb. Graduate degrees are offered in the following disciplines in the Quad Cities:

Doctor of Philosophy Program

Environmental Science: Large River Ecosystems

Doctorate in Education Program

Educational Leadership

Graduate Degree Programs

*Accountancy
Alternative Teacher Licensure
*Applied Statistics and Decision Analytics
Biology
*Business Administration
College Student Personnel
Communication
Community and Economic Development
Counseling
*Curriculum and Instruction
Educational Leadership (includes specialist and master’s)
*Educational Studies
English
*Instructional Design and Technology
*Mathematics
Museum Studies
*Music (Music Education emphasis only)
Public Health
**Public Safety Administration
*Reading
*Special Education
Sport Management
*Teaching Mathematics

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Programs

*Business Analytics
*Community Engagement and Public Safety
*Emergency Management
GIS Analysis
*Health Services Administration
*Instructional Design and Technology
Museum Studies
*Police Executive Administration
*Supply Chain Management
**Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

*Available Online
**Available online and on-campus at the Quad Cities