Policies & Procedures

1. First-Year Admission Process and Procedures
   
   
   1. By March 1 (18 months before the fall cohort entry term), the Enrollment Management Council (EMC) will set preliminary enrollment targets for entering first-time freshmen, transfers, and graduate students.
      
      
   2. By October 1 (10 months before the fall cohort entry term), the EMC will finalize first-year enrollment targets based on retention and yield figures for previous cohorts, the current applicant pool's strength, and overall university enrollment goals. These targets will help determine the University's minimum automatic admission standards for the upcoming fall.
      
      
   3. The effectiveness of the admission standards will be reviewed by The EMC annually.
      
      
   4. Applicants who do not meet the criteria for automatic admission are reviewed by the Admission Review Committee beginning the first week of February for the following summer and fall terms and the first week of September for the following spring term. Files with high school transcripts that do not report a grade point average will automatically be referred to the Admission Review Committee for review and appropriate action. The Admissions Review Committee consist of the following:
      
      

      (1) Associate Director of Admissions (Committee Chair)

      (3) Faculty, appointed by Academic Standards and Policy Committee*

      (1) Faculty, appointed by Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion*

      (1) Director, from the Office of Academic Advising, or designee

      (1) Director, from the Office of Learning Support Services, or designee

      *A pool of four faculty will be selected to serve a one-year term on the Admission Review Committee and may not serve more than three successive terms. Each appointed faculty member must be a person whose assignment is at least a total of 50% in teaching, research, or public service. A minimum of one faculty member must be in attendance for the Admission Review Committee to convene.

      Admission decisions will support SIUE's Long-Term Goal of Engaged Students and Capable Graduates:

      Engaged Students and Capable Graduates - Attract a diverse student body, including traditional, non-traditional, commuter, and residential scholars, and nurture, educate, and graduate students who achieve the objectives for baccalaureate, graduate, and professional degrees.

      The admission policy will be reviewed every three years by Curriculum Council in order to consider various factors affecting enrollment including changing demographics, student persistence and financial conditions.

   5. The admission policy will be reviewed every three years by Curriculum Council in order to consider various factors affecting enrollment including changing demographics, student persistence and financial conditions.

2. First-Year Admission Criteria
   
   

   Applicants seeking admission to the University must successfully complete the high school course pattern requirements. Priority consideration for admission will be given to applicants whose applications are completed by the priority filing date deadlines. In addition, applicants will be automatically admitted to the University if they meet any of the criteria for automatic admission. Students who have a 2.0 high school GPA or higher on a 4.0 scale but do not meet any of the criteria for automatic admission are subject to additional review by the Admission Review Committee. Applications completed after the priority filing date deadline will be considered as space is available.

   TERM	PRIORITY FILING DATE	FINAL APPLICATION DEADLINE
   Fall	December 1	May 1
   Spring	October 1	November 1
   Summer	March 1	April 1

    

   1. High School Transcript
      Traditional first-year students, defined as applicants who are current high school seniors or graduated from high school within the last five years, are required to submit an official high school transcript. For traditional first-year students who are attending high school, the transcript must show at least six semesters of coursework, and a final transcript reflecting all high school coursework and graduation verification must be submitted after completion of high school.
      
      A non-traditional first year student is an applicant who graduated from high school five or more years before applying to SIUE or is an applicant without a high school diploma who passed the General Education Development Test (GED). Non-traditional first-year students must submit an official high school transcript showing graduation verification and are subject to the Admission Review Committee review.
      
      
   2. Standardized Test
      Standardized test score, such as the ACT or SAT, are not required for admission to the University. If the applicant wishes to submit an ACT or SAT score, they are welcome to do so. ACT or SAT scores that appear on the high school transcript are acceptable. To be considered official, all documents (high school transcripts, GED scores, ACT/SAT scores, and college/university transcripts) must be sent directly to the Office of Admissions by the office or institution that issues the document. SIUE accepts electronic transcripts submitted through various electronic transcript services. A transcript received from a student will not be considered official.
      
      

   3. High School Course Pattern Requirements
      
      Applicants seeking admission to the University must successfully complete the following high school course pattern requirements:

      1. 4 years of English

      2. 3 years of Mathematics

      3. 3 years of Science

      4. 3 years of Social Studies

      5. 2 years of Electives

         Applicants are considered to have also met all high school course pattern requirements if they are either in the upper quarter of their high school class or have a grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in their college-prep courses and have either earned a SAT ERW+M score of 1200 or higher or an ACT composite score of 25 or higher.

   4. High School Course Pattern Requirements Remedies

      Students are required to remedy any high school course pattern requirement deficiencies as determined by the Office of Admissions in one of the ways listed below:

      English: Earn an ACT English sub-score of 21 or above and an ACT Reading sub-score of 21 or above, earn an SAT Writing and Language test score of 28 or above and an SAT Reading test score of 27 or above, or earn successful placement in English 101.

      Mathematics: Earn successful placement in MATH 120 or above, or successfully complete Quantitative Reasoning (QR 101).

      Science: Earn an ACT Science Reasoning sub-score of 23, or successfully complete a 3-semester hour course in either physical or life science.

      Social Science: Successfully complete a 3-semester hour course in social science.

       
      Electives: Successfully complete a 3-semester hour course in fine arts and humanities.

   5. Criteria for Automatic Admission

      Applicants must meet at least one of the following criteria in order to be considered for automatic admission, as space is available:

      1. A cumulative high school GPA of 2.6 or higher on a 4.0 scale

      2. A cumulative high school GPA of 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale and either a SAT (ERW+M) score of 990 or an ACT composite score of a 19.

      3. A ranking in the top 10% of their high school graduating class

   6. Additional Admission Review
      
      Applicants with a high school GPA of 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale who do not meet one of the criteria for automatic admission will be considered for admission by the Admission Review Committee on a rolling basis, as space is available.
      
      The applicants reviewed by the Admission Review Committee will be considered for admission based on the Committee's holistic assessment of the student's ability to succeed at the University. In addition to the required admission information, applicants are required to submit an official 7th semester high school transcript and a personal statement to specifically address any challenges that have impacted an applicant's academic record, how they have overcome those challenges, and how they will ensure their success as an SIUE student. The Committee may also consider information such as a graded writing sample, letters of recommendation, a recommendation by an admission counselor, a personal interview with selected members of the Committee, or the success rates of previous enrollees from the candidate's high school.

   7. Denial of Admission
      
      Applicants who have cumulative high school grade point below 2.00 on a 4.0 scale will be denied admission.

Non-traditional Freshmen - General Education Development Test (GED)

Applicants without a high school diploma must have completed and passed the General Education Development Test (GED), which includes passing the state and federal Constitution. Applicants must also complete the following course requirements:

1. Remedy any English, mathematics and reading deficiencies as indicated by SIUE placement tests, and
2. Complete at least one, three-semester-hour course in each of the following areas:
   
   
   1. Science,
   2. Social sciences, and
   3. Foreign language, music, art, theater, dance, or speech.

Courses must be selected from Breadth General Education courses numbered below 300. These courses must be completed with a passing grade or achieve a minimum grade of C on a proficiency examination. Courses taken to meet this additional course requirement will not carry credit toward General Education or major/minor requirements. Credit will be awarded as general elective credit toward graduation, i.e., elective credits not required by the major and/or minor.

Early Admission

Capable high school students will be permitted to enroll as degree-seeking students for University courses to be taken concurrently with their senior year of high school work. These students must meet the high school admission requirements for first-time freshmen in Group A and are subject to review by the Director of Undergraduate Admissions. A letter of support written by the high school principal or guidance counselor is required.

Transfer Students

Applicants are considered transfer students when they present course work from regionally-accredited two-year and four-year institutions, unless all hours were earned in college courses while still in high school.

1. Students who have attempted at least 30 semester hours in courses at regionally-accredited institutions are admissible in good standing, provided they have earned a minimum cumulative 2.0 (C) grade-point average in such course work at the previous accredited school(s) attended.
2. The admissions criteria for students who have attempted fewer than 30 semester hours in courses at regionally-accredited institutions are as follows:
   
   
   1. Good Standing - Students are admissible in good standing, provided they have earned at least a cumulative 2.00 (C) grade-point average in such course work at the previous regionally-accredited school(s) attended and meet the criteria of the appropriate admission category for entering freshmen.
   2. Academic Warning - Students who have less than a cumulative 2.00 (C) grade-point average, but have a minimum 2.00 (C) term grade point-average in their last semester prior to admission are admissible on academic warning, provided they meet the criteria of the appropriate admission category for entering freshmen. Students with only one term of coursework with a less than 2.00 (C) cumulative grade-point average will be admitted on academic warning, provided they meet the criteria of the appropriate admission category for entering freshmen.
   3. Academic Probation - Students who have less than a cumulative 2.00 (C) grade-point average and do not meet the criteria for academic warning are admissible on academic probation, provided they meet the criteria of the appropriate admission category for entering freshmen.
   4. All transfer students who have attempted fewer than 30 semester hours must also meet the high school course requirements as described under the appropriate freshman category.

The transfer average (i.e., the cumulative grade-point average in all course work from all regionally-accredited institutions previously attended) is used only in determining the applicant's eligibility for admission. Once a student is admitted, the student's SIUE record will reflect the total number of acceptable transfer credit hours (hours earned in transferable courses with grades of A, B, C, D, pass, satisfactory, etcetera), but the only grade-point average calculated will be for work completed at SIUE.

Applicants wishing to be considered for admission as transfer students must complete their admissions files at least four weeks prior to the beginning of the term for which admission is sought. For applicants with at least 30 semester hours of course work as stipulated above, a complete file consists of an application for undergraduate admission, an official transcript from each institution previously attended, and the application fee. For applicants with fewer than 30 semester hours, a complete file consists of an application for undergraduate admission, an official transcript from each institution previously attended, credentials prescribed by the appropriate admission category for entering freshmen, and the application fee. (An official transcript must be sent directly to the Office of Admissions by each institution. All transcripts become the official property of the University and will not be returned or issued to another institution.) Any questions about the acceptability of specific courses for admission and/or for transfer credit should be directed to the Office of Admissions.

International Students

1. Students Holding or Requiring Student Visas
   

   Applicants are expected to satisfy appropriate academic requirements, demonstrate English language proficiency, and provide acceptable evidence of adequate financial resources. Applicants with US educational credentials will be reviewed for academic eligibility under the same standards applied to domestic students. Standard reference materials published by recognized organizations such as (but not limited to) the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers and NAFSA: Association of International Educators will be used as general guidelines to evaluate foreign academic credentials for academic eligibility, level of placement, and acceptability of transfer credit. In individual cases, appropriate faculty will be consulted for clarification of student credentials.

   Applicants whose recognized first language is not English must provide acceptable verification of their English language proficiency.

   Verification must be on file by the appropriate application deadline. Details are found under the heading "Students Whose First Language Is Not English."

   All applicants requiring a student visa must submit proof of adequate financial resources to the Office of Admissions in advance of admission. A financial certificate and instructions for its completion are included in the application packet. Financial arrangements must be approved by the appropriate deadline. Questions regarding financial matters should be directed to the Office of International Admissions.

   The Office of International Admissions will change the deadlines as needed.

2. Health Insurance Requirement

   In support of the Immigration requirements for F-1 and J-1 visa holders, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) requires that international students purchase and maintain coverage with a University approved International Student Insurance Plan for the duration of their studies at SIUE.

   The regulations (22.C.F.R. § 62.14) state that J-1 students and their dependents must have adequate coverage for the duration of their studies in the United States. Federal regulations require F-1 students to verify adequate funds for living expenses. Such living expenses should include health insurance. The University in compliance with federal regulation has set the following as minimum insurance requirements for international students:

   • $100,000 per accident or illness
   • Repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000
   • $50,000 coverage for medical evacuation
   • Deductibles not to exceed $500 per accident or illness
   Insurance requirements apply to both J-1 and F-1 students. No exceptions will be made.
   
   

   International students will be automatically enrolled in the University-approved International Student Insurance Plan upon registration for classes at SIUE.  In rare circumstances, international students may apply for a waiver from this insurance requirement.  Details concerning this waiver process are available on the Health Service website.

   Health Service will provide International Student Services with insurance information to be included in their new student orientation. The purpose of this will be to inform the students about the insurance policy requirements for international students, the procedure for obtaining this insurance for the student and any of their dependents, plan information about the University-approved insurance, circumstances when a student may be eligible to waive out of the insurance requirements and the procedure to seek such a waiver.

3. Applicants with Foreign Academic Credentials

   Standard reference materials published by recognized organizations such as (but not limited to) the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers and the NAFSA: Association of International Educators will be used as general guidelines to evaluate foreign academic credentials for academic eligibility, level of placement, and acceptability of transfer credit.

   Applicants are responsible for making all appropriate arrangements for providing official academic records attesting to all secondary and post-secondary education. Credentials not available in English must be submitted with an original and an attested translation prepared by a professional translator. University-level academic work will be considered for transfer of credit as appropriate.

   Secondary and post-secondary school transcripts of applicants' academic records (including certification of graduation and the title of the diploma or certificate awarded when appropriate) must be mailed directly to the Office of Admissions by the registrar or principal of each school attended. Each transcript must bear the official's signature and the school's official seal. Photocopies of educational records and documents are acceptable only if they bear an original certification of authenticity from the issuing school or examination board. The submission of notarized copies of educational records and documents and other exceptions to the above stated foreign academic credentials policy will be considered when recommended by recognized organizations such as AACRAO and NAFSA. Original educational documents not issued in confidence to the University will be returned upon request. The University reserves the right to verify the authenticity of applicants' academic records with the issuing institutions.

   The undergraduate application materials for students whose first language is not English include a detailed explanation of procedures and required credentials and fees, and are available on-line at www.siue.edu. Materials will be mailed upon request. F-1 applicants must complete their admission application file by the deadline stated in the section on "Students Holding or Requiring F- Visas." Other applicants for spring or summer must complete their admission application file no later than the published deadline.

4. Applicants Whose First Language Is Not English

   All applicants with study authorized visas and/or foreign academic credentials whose first language is not English must demonstrate adequate English language proficiency in advance of admission. English language proficiency must be verified in one of the following ways:

   1. Applicants may sit for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and have an official score report sent directly to Admissions. The minimum acceptable score for admission to a graduate program is a TOEFL score of 79 (iBT) or IELTS score of 6.5. For undergraduate admission the minimum score required is a TOEFL score of 72 (iBT) or an overall IELTS score of 6.0 with no individual component score of less than 5.5. Applicants may submit scores from another recognized testing service as long as the scores can be documented as being equal to or greater than the required IELTS or TOEFL score.
   2. Applicants may submit an ACT sub-score of 21 or greater in Reading and English, or an SAT Evidence -Based Reading and Writing sub-score of 530.
   3. Applicants may submit a properly certified copy of their General Certificate of Education administered by a British Testing Agency showing a grade of A, B, or C in the subject English Language. Recognized equivalent examinations will also be considered.
   4. Applicants may submit academic records certifying that they have graduated from a recognized secondary school, college or university where English is the exclusive language of instruction and is located in a primarily English-speaking country. A list of SIUE approved countries is posted on the International Admissions website. Requests to amend the list of countries will be reviewed by the Office of the Provost.
   5. Applicants may submit academic records certifying that they have completed courses, totaling at least 6 semester hours, equivalent to both English 101 (English Composition I) and English 102 (English Composition II) with earned grades of "C" or better at a regionally accredited college or university in the United States.
   6. Applicants may sit for University-administered placement tests and meet internally indicated indicators of college entry level competence in English and reading.
   7. Applicants may submit a certificate or documentation from an authorized Intensive English Language Program (IELP) that verifies English language proficiency equivalent to a minimum TOEFL or IELTS score as indicated in section 4.1.
   8. Applicants who meet all other requirements for admission but cannot demonstrate adequate English language proficiency, may receive conditional admission either as an undeclared undergraduate student or to a graduate academic program, and be admitted to the university for the purpose of enrolling in the Intensive English Language (IEP) curriculum and academic development or approved pathway program coursework only.  Admission to the IEP will be authorized by the IEP Director and the Office of International Admissions based on criteria posted on the International Admissions website.  The appropriate academic department with grant approval for any credit bearing coursework.  Successful completion of the SIUE Intensive English Program will satisfy the English proficiency requirement of the university, allowing the student to advance to degree seeking status.  This admission provision may be authorized for two (undergraduate) or three (graduate) academic terms with time extensions authorized by International Admissions for undergraduate students and by individual academic departments for graduate students.

Former students who have not attended SIUE for one calendar year (i.e., registered and paid fees) must apply for readmission.

The readmission criteria for former students are as follows:

1. Former students are admissible, subject to the following conditions:
   
   
   1. Those students whose academic classification is Academic "Good standing" will be admitted with the same classification and class/college/major. Students indicating a desire to change majors on the application for readmission, or who were previously admitted to programs that are no longer available, shall be readmitted with an undeclared major. These students may request a new major through the advisement process and must meet the entrance requirements for that program.
   2. Those students whose academic classification is Academic Warning or Academic Probation will be admitted with the appropriate classification of Academic Warning or Academic Probation and an undeclared major. Such students must receive academic counseling and advising prior to enrolling in classes and must adhere to the agreed upon plan of action developed with their advisor.
   3. Those students whose academic classification is "Academic Suspension" will be admitted with a classification of Academic Probation and an undeclared major provided the student has not had more than one suspension. Such students must receive academic counseling and advising prior to enrolling in classes and must adhere to the agreed upon plan of action developed with their advisor.
2. Former students who have two academic suspensions must seek approval for readmission from the Suspension Appeals Committee. Students will not be allowed to re-enter the University without approval from this committee.
3. Former students who have been academically suspended three times are ineligible to return to the University
4. Former SIUE undergraduate students approved for readmission after six years of absence (from their last term of enrollment) from SIUE under one of the following conditions will have the option to be treated as transfer students for the purpose of calculating their SIUE grade point average (GPA) earned after reentry:
   • Successful completion of 30 semester hours at a regionally accredited institution of higher education.
   • Completion of a transfer associate's degree at a regionally accredited institution of higher education.

Students wishing to change from visiting to undergraduate degree-seeking status must submit an application at least four weeks prior to the requested term and meet the appropriate admission criteria. Performance in courses completed at SIUE will be taken into consideration.

Applicants who have at least a high school diploma or equivalent and wish to take undergraduate courses for credit, but who are not interested in pursuing a baccalaureate degree at SIUE, may be admitted to the University as a visiting student. These students must submit an application to be a visiting student. Students admitted as a visiting student will be allowed to enroll in undergraduate courses for which they have met the prerequisites. Applicants still in high school may be considered for admission as visiting students by the Director of Admissions.

Applicants wishing to be considered for admission as visiting students must complete their admission files at least four weeks prior to the beginning of the term for which admission is sought.

Students in this category are not eligible to receive financial aid. However, if a visiting student is currently pursuing a degree at another post-secondary institution, the student may be eligible for VA benefits or student employment. Students wishing to apply for student employment or receive VA benefits will need to submit appropriate documentation confirming their degree-seeking status at a parent institution.

Students in this category may not accumulate more than 30 semester hours of credit at the University. If a student who has accumulated 30 semester hours of credit wishes to continue enrollment at SIUE, he/she must apply to the University as a degree-seeking student and satisfy appropriate criteria. Continued enrollment will not be permitted until the student satisfies admission criteria or appeals to the Director of Admissions.

Applicants previously denied admission in degree-seeking categories are not admissible as visiting students.

Graduate Students

Refer to Section J for the admission policies of the professional programs that are in the Schools of Dental Medicine and Pharmacy.

Prospective students may apply for admission as classified or unclassified students. Classified students are those admitted to a specific master's, certificate, specialist's, or doctoral degree program; unclassified students are those not seeking a degree.

An applicant must request that an official transcript be forwarded to the Office of Graduate and International Admissions from the institution granting the baccalaureate degree or master's degree, or where the baccalaureate degree or master's degree is in progress, and from all institutions at which post-baccalaureate or master's level coursework has been completed or is in progress. The SIUE academic program reserves the right to require the applicant to request an official transcript from each college, university, and professional school from which the applicant obtained one year (30 semester hours or the equivalent) or more of transfer credit.
 
Students with three-year degrees from Bologna member institutions will be considered for admission to the Graduate School at SIUE. Three-year degrees, other than degrees from a Bologna member institution, will be evaluated by the Office of Graduate and International Admissions and the Graduate School using current best practice standards to determine equivalence to a four-year U.S. baccalaureate. Any noted deficiencies or pre-requisites would need to be completed prior to acceptance.

The completed application and supporting transcripts should be submitted by the appropriate deadlines. Delay in forwarding of transcripts may result in delayed processing of an application.  Admission to a program becomes effective only after approval by the appropriate program faculty and the Dean of the Graduate School.

An applicant must be able to enroll in at least one graduate course counting for their degree program the first term of enrollment to be admitted as a classified graduate student.

Special Admission Circumstances

On recommendation of the department chair or program director, applicants to graduate degree and certificate programs may be admitted for one academic term while waiting either for an official degree-bearing transcript for admission to the Graduate School or for completion of conditions to a degree program. In this status, applicants may register for graduate level courses and hold graduate assistantships. Students missing an official transcript will have a registration hold placed on their accounts and must provide the official degree-bearing transcript before registering for a subsequent term.

Students admitted who do not complete all admission requirements during their first academic term of attendance, or who are denied admission to that program to which they applied, will have their status changed to Unclassified. Credits earned under Unclassified status will not be applicable to a degree program except under conditions as stipulated in Policy 1J6 Transfer Credit.

International students who are enrolled, or plan to enroll in U.S. State Department recognized Intensive English Language classes may be accepted to allow for the completion of all requirements for admission. Typically, requirements are to be completed within two academic terms. Time extensions may be authorized by the Dean of the Graduate School for unusual circumstances.

Students who are admitted into a combined baccalaureate and graduate degree follow the requirements of Policy 1L17.

Admission to Master's Degree and Certificate Programs

For admission to master's degree programs and certificates, the following conditions apply:

1. Applicants must have earned a baccalaureate degree or the equivalent from an accredited college or university, be within one academic year of earning such a degree, or present equivalent credentials. A professional degree in law, medicine, pharmacy or dentistry is considered equivalent to a baccalaureate degree for this purpose if the professional degree program requires for admission at least 60 semester hours of general college credit from an accredited college or university and is of at least 27 months duration. For PharmD students at SIUE seeking admission to a concurrent degree or certificate program, equivalent credentials are considered completion of at least the first professional year of the PharmD curriculum.
2. The overall grade-point average in undergraduate work ordinarily should be at least 2.5 (A = 4.0). Credentials of applicants whose undergraduate average is less than 2.5 may receive individual consideration for admission.
   1. Applicants who have earned a graduate degree will be considered to have met the undergraduate grade point average exception requirement. Certificate programs are not considered graduate degrees for the purpose of this exception.
   2. For applicants without a graduate degree and whose undergraduate GPA falls between 2.0 and 2.5, supporting evidence includes such factors as (1) higher grade-point average in the last two years of undergraduate work than the overall average; (2) higher grade-point average in the undergraduate major than in general undergraduate studies; (3) acceptable scores on tests such as the Graduate Record Examination; (4) subsequent college-level work completed, and (5) professional experience.
   3. Credentials of applicants whose undergraduate average is below 2.0 and the average is based on undergraduate work a decade or more old may also receive individual consideration for admission. The same evidence as in 2b above is used.
3. The overall grade-point average for all graduate level work completed should be at least 3.0 (A = 4.0), regardless of the undergraduate grade-point average.
4. Students must be accepted by the department or other unit in which they intend to pursue degree work as indicated on the application and, therefore, must meet any requirements the department or unit establishes in addition to those of the Graduate School. Delay in complying with departmental requirements will result in a delay of final admission.
5. Applicants must complete all requirements for the baccalaureate degree  before starting graduate coursework.
   
   

Program re-admission criteria can be different from the admission criteria. The program must notify all students at initial admission. Notwithstanding this requirement, prior academic misconduct can be used to deny admission.

Admission to Specialist's Degree Programs

Applicants must have completed a master's degree from an accredited institution with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.25 (A = 4.0) or higher for all graduate level work. Programs may require at least two years of experience relevant to the specialized field. Credentials of applicants whose cumulative grade-point average for graduate work completed is less than 3.25 may be considered individually. Prospective students must also satisfy requirements established by the graduate faculty of the major.

Delay in complying with special departmental program requirements will delay final admission.

Admission to Doctoral Studies Degree Programs

Graduates of accredited colleges and universities with a baccalaureate and/or master's degree who have an overall GPA of at least 3.00 (A=4.0) in the highest attained degree and sufficient training to undertake advanced study in their chosen fields are eligible to apply for admission to doctoral degree programs. An extensive evaluation of college records and supporting materials is made by the doctoral program and department representatives. Initial admission to a doctoral program takes effect only after approval by the doctoral program and the Dean of the Graduate School.

Students must be accepted by the department or other unit in which they intend to pursue degree work as indicated on the application and, therefore, must meet any requirements the department or unit establishes in addition to those of the Graduate School. Delay in complying with departmental requirements will result in a delay of final admission. Applicants should consult individual doctoral programs for different deadlines.

Admission of International Students

See Section E above for information about visa, health insurance, foreign academic credentials, and English language proficiency.

A degree earned outside the United States of America is expected to be equivalent to the corresponding American degree from an internationally recognized institution of higher learning. International students are subject to all other requirements for admission established by the University, the Graduate School, and the graduate/doctoral program to which they are applying.

Individual programs may have earlier deadlines than the Graduate School and international applicants should consult the programs to which they are applying.

Admission to the Graduate School to Enroll in Courses while an Undergraduate

Qualified SIUE undergraduate students and students attending SIUE under an established agreement with a higher education institution can submit an application for unclassified or classified graduate status in order to take graduate-level courses when they are within two academic terms of graduation. Qualified SIUE undergraduate students interested in combined baccalaureate and graduate degree programs can submit an application for classified graduate status when they are within one academic year of graduation and meet the requirements for the program to which they seek entry.

Applicants to combined baccalaureate and master's degree programs must have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Students must be accepted by the program in which they intend to pursue degree work as indicated on the application and, therefore, must meet any requirements the program establishes in addition to those of the Graduate School.

Unless attending SIUE, applicants must have forwarded official transcripts showing work completed and evidence of courses in which they are currently enrolled. Undergraduates are considered undergraduate students until they have completed requirements for the baccalaureate degree and the degree has been posted to their official academic records.

SIUE undergraduate students who are within one academic term of graduation may take courses for graduate credit after approval by a degree program and the Graduate School. For these students, exceptions to the 15-hour or single academic term rule may be recommended by the graduate adviser and the director of the program in which a student, during the senior year, requests permission to do graduate degree work. Such requests for exception must be approved by the Dean of the Graduate School. Undergraduate students utilizing this plan are expected to concentrate their efforts on finishing the bachelor's degree, taking graduate courses only where necessary to fill out their schedules.

Students pursuing approved combined baccalaureate-graduate degree programs, which include accelerated and early entry master's degree programs, must follow the requirements of the program to which they are admitted.

Normally, undergraduate students should not enroll for courses numbered 500 and above, which are designated in the course numbering system as being for graduate students only. Courses numbered 400 and above taken for graduate credit may not be applied toward an undergraduate degree unless the courses are part of an approved accelerated master's degree program.

Admission of Unclassified Graduate Students

Unclassified graduate students are those who do not seek a graduate degree at SIUE and those who have not qualified for admission to a degree program at SIUE. Any applicant who is eligible for admission to a degree program is urged to apply for classified status rather than for unclassified status. Credit earned while in unclassified status may be used to satisfy degree requirements only under conditions as stipulated in Policy 1J6 Transfer Credit.

Applicants seeking admission in unclassified status submit an unclassified admission application form and present evidence of their undergraduate degree(s). Their official degree-bearing transcripts must be forwarded to the Office of Graduate and International Admissions. Students may be admitted for one academic term while waiting for an official degree-bearing transcript. Students missing an official transcript will have a registration hold placed on their accounts and must provide the official degree-bearing transcript before registering for a subsequent term.

Professional Programs

1. 1. School of Dental Medicine
      
      Academic Requirements
      
      While the majority of accepted applicants have completed requirements for a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree prior to matriculation at the School of Dental Medicine, the absolute minimum prerequisite for admission to the School of Dental Medicine is successful completion of three academic years - 90 semester or 135 quarter hours - of undergraduate coursework. This includes the specified subjects listed in the following table, at an accredited college or university in the United States. Credits are accepted from most community and junior colleges, but it is recommended that most work be completed at a four-year institution. In addition to the stated prerequisites, preference will be given to applicants demonstrating exemplary academic performance in additional higher-level science courses while taking full academic loads. Science courses should not be survey courses or other such courses designed for non-science majors. Please contact the School of Dental Medicine directly for the most current admission requirements.
      
      Applicants are required to complete the following coursework with a C or better by July of the intended entering year. Grades of D or lower and courses taken pass/fail or credit/no credit will not be accepted.
      
      

      Required Subjects	Semester Hours	Quarter Hours
      Biology (with labs)	8	12
      General Chemistry (with labs)	8	12
      Organic Chemistry (with labs)	8	12
      Physics (with labs)	6	9
      Biochemistry	3	5
      English*	6	9

      *For the English requirement, 6 semester hours are accepted or the completion of a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree.
      
      We strongly suggest selecting several additional higher-level courses, as cited in the following table.
      
      

      Recommended Courses	Semesters
      Anatomy	1
      Physiology	1
      Microbiology	1
      Cell and Molecular Biology	1
      Histology	1
      Immunology	1
      Genetics	1
      Neural Science/Neural Physiology	1
      Statistics	1

      
      A tentative acceptance may be extended subject to fulfillment of these requirements; however, all course requirements, as proposed by the applicant, must be met in full before acceptance is extended. All academic admission requirements must be completed by July 1 prior to the desired date of matriculation.
      
      Dental Admission Test
      
      It is mandatory for an applicant to participate in this test; no exceptions are permitted. The test must be taken within a definite period prior to actual matriculation. Inquiries should be made to the Office of Admissions to determine the acceptable dates.
      
      Selection Factors
      
      Each applicant is evaluated in terms of his or her composite scholastic record, calculation of the required science courses' credit point average, quality of preprofessional education, performance on the Dental Admission Test, recommendations, and other elements as may be determined by the Selection Committee.
      
      Interview
      
      Applicant interviews are by invitation only and are required for acceptation consideration.
2. School of Pharmacy
   
   Admission
   
   To be admitted to the School of Pharmacy, students must do the following:
   
   
   1. Complete the Pre-Pharmacy Curriculum
      1. All courses listed in the Pre-Pharmacy Curriculum must be completed with a minimum grade of C.
      2. Applicants must have a minimum grade point average of 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale) in each of the following: pre-pharmacy curriculum grade point average and pre-pharmacy science and mathematics grade point average.
   2. Complete and submit professional program application. 
      
      
   3. Outstanding students from across the applicant pool each year will be invited to attend a professional program interview and participate in a writing assessment.
      
      Admissions to the professional program of the SIUE School of Pharmacy are limited and competitive. It is anticipated that the instructional resources available to the School will enable approximately 80 new students to be admitted each fall term. For this reason, achieving the minimum pre-pharmacy subject and grade criteria does not guarantee admission.