At the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS), a capstone course is typically a culminating experience designed to integrate and apply the knowledge and skills students have acquired throughout their academic program. These courses often involve significant projects, research, or practical applications relevant to the student's field of study. Capstone courses are essential for providing students with the opportunity to showcase their learning and prepare for professional or academic advancement. While the core objective of synthesizing and applying learned knowledge remains consistent, the specific nature of the capstone experience is tailored to fit the unique demands and expectations of each academic program.

Global Learning at UIS takes place in the various study away programs; in these experiential learning experiences, students live in a different culture, encounter new life-experiences and are exposed to world views. Most of the study away programs are credit-bearing and focus on a certain educational theme, however the key student outcomes include: personal growth, academic enrichment and career advantages.

The High-Impact Internship Program at UIS is designed to provide students with invaluable hands-on experience in their chosen career fields. This program bridges the gap between academic learning and real-world application, ensuring that students gain practical skills and insights that will enhance their professional development.

At the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS), undergraduate research is characterized by the active participation of students in research projects or creative activities with guidance from faculty members. Undergraduate research at UIS is diverse and it includes activities from scientific inquiries and social sciences to humanities projects and artistic endeavors, reflecting the wide array of academic programs at UIS. Students utilize various methods to meet their research or creative goals, including laboratory experiments, field studies, data analysis, archival research, and artistic creation. At UIS, undergraduate research can take the form of independent projects or group collaborations, fostering both teamwork and individual initiative. Some majors also incorporate research through capstone projects, ensuring all students gain practical experience. These research and creative efforts culminate in student presentations or exhibitions at the annual Student Technology, Arts, and Research Symposium (STARS). In some instances, students present their findings at professional conferences. This comprehensive approach to undergraduate research at UIS advances knowledge, creates new artistic works, and prepares students for future academic pursuits and professional careers by developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills

Living Learning Communities (Necessary Steps, Leadership for Life, Pre-Nursing Pathways, Capital Scholars Honors Program, STARS, Transfer Student)

Living Learning Communities are unique, organized learning settings that focus on purposefully blending academic and residential experiences, each focusing on an area of development or interest, or theme. Students participate in shared curricular, co-curricular, and community experience while also living in a designated residential area on campus. 

Field-based “experiential learning” with community partners is an instructional strategy—and often a required part of the UIS Service Learning, Community-Based course or engaged experience. The idea is to give students a direct experience lasting multiple days around topics they are studying in the curriculum or as part of a volunteer experience with ongoing efforts to analyze and solve problems in the community. A key element in these programs are that students have to both apply what they are learning in real-world settings and reflect in and outside of a classroom setting on their service experiences. Students also gain a better understanding of the inner-workings & day to day operations of an organization. These programs model the idea that giving something back to the community is an important college outcome, and that working with community partners is good preparation for citizenship, work, and life. Connecting with outside organizations help students to build their own network as a part of a group or on an individual experience. ​

At the University of Illinois Springfield. First-Year Seminar (FYS) is a program of small, topic-based courses designed to introduce new, first-year students to interesting topics and immerse them in critical investigation, while also developing foundational skills for academic success in college. Each seminar has a required lecture and lab. In taking these seminars, first-year students will become acclimated to the requirements of higher education and the beneficial learning styles that will help them excel in their studies.

Co-Chairs: 

Carrie Allen

Robert Weis

Members: 

David Bertaina

Layne Morsch

David Saner

Mary Umbarger

Robin Vansacik

Mallory Jallas

Lauren Roalkvan

Riya George

Chen Hau