Individuals with Bachelor’s degrees from accredited colleges and universities are eligible to apply for admission to graduate programs at the University of Illinois at Springfield. Full admission to graduate studies may be granted to students who have earned an undergraduate degree with a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (3.5 on a 5.0 scale) and who have met all specific program requirements.
Students are eligible for admission to the INO program on a conditional basis only after following these application requirements:
Admission to the Individual Option program is limited due to the individualized nature of the degree process. Send the application form, letters of reference, and personal statement to:
INO Program Committee
University Hall Building, MS 3038
University of Illinois at Springfield
One University Plaza
Springfield, Illinois 62703-5407
To be considered for the INO Program, you must submit a formal application to the Program Committee. The form, located below, is in MS Word format, which may be completed using your computer.
Please remember that submitting the application does not constitute admission into the program. Be sure to submit 3-4 weeks before the semester deadline to ensure that all materials will be available to process your application.
Applicants must provide two letters of reference. These letters should be written by professionals who are familiar with the applicant’s academic and/or professional work. Ideal letters will come from professors or instructors who have taught the applicant at the college level, though employers/supervisors are also good choices. Be sure to remind your references of specific accomplishments, academic essays, participation in academic organizations or conferences, languages you have studied, and/or any other factors that will demonstrate your capability of succeeding in a graduate program.
Please provide your references with an envelope labeled “ATTN: INO Application Reference for [your name]”.
As part of your application, you will also write a two- to three-page typed statement of your educational goals, background, and your reasons for requesting admission to the Individual Option Program. We will use this statement to assess your writing skills and to assess whether your academic interests are compatible with the resources available at UIS.
A personal interview with an INO faculty member will be scheduled after we have received your formal INO application. This will most likely take place on our campus, though phone interviews may be possible for candidates living in remote locations. Please remember that INO is not an online major; students in the program will need to be able to meet on campus throughout their graduate education.
Application deadlines are March 15 for the summer and fall semester. INO does not accept new students for the spring semester, so students should be prepared to begin graduate work in the summer or fall.
If the applicant intends to be considered for a Graduate Assistantship (GA) or a Graduate Public Service Internship (GPSI), the application file must be completed, including all requirements listed below, before March 1 for the following Fall Semester.
A student is admitted to the graduate program on a conditional basis until he or she successfully completes INO 501 Graduate Colloquium and his/her degree committee approves the degree proposal. Students must obtain this approval within the semester following completion of INO 501.
Evaluation of credentials will be completed in the Admissions Office and then forwarded to our office. Admission decisions are made at the program level. The program's decision on an individual’s admission will be made only after all of the requested information has been received. Both UIS and INO applications must be completed and returned to the appropriate departments in order to initiate the admission consideration process.
We have reached the point where we have more applicants than places available. We anticipate admitting 15 students per semester into the program during the next academic year. For this reason, it is wise to apply early.
We will notify candidates in writing whether they have been admitted, are on a waiting list, or if their application has been denied. Please keep us informed of your intention regarding registration in Individual Option.
Other questions about admissions or UIS can be directed to the Admissions Office or the INO program secretary.
