Navigating Admissions: A Comprehensive Guide to SIU Carbondale Undergraduate Requirements
Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIU) offers a diverse range of academic programs and a commitment to providing students with a world-class education. Understanding the undergraduate admission requirements is the first step toward joining the Saluki community. This guide provides a detailed overview of the admission process for first-year, transfer, and international students.
First-Year Student Admission
First-year students are considered for admission based primarily on their high school performance. To be eligible for admission, applicants must be graduates of a recognized high school. Graduates of non-recognized high schools may be admitted by submitting an acceptable entrance examination score. Note: Even if a student has previously enrolled in college courses, they will still be classified as a freshman if they have earned fewer than 12 credit hours.
Course Subject Pattern Requirements
In addition to high school graduation, first-year students must fulfill specific course subject pattern requirements for unconditional admission. While the specific requirements can be found on the SIU admissions website, they generally include:
- English
- Quantitative Reasoning (Algebra I and II, and a proof-based geometry course)
- Science
- Social Studies
- Foreign Language, art, music, or vocational education.
High school units in excess of the required number of units in social studies or science may be redistributed among the other categories by applying no more than one unit to any of the following categories: social studies, science, or elective. Elective subjects cannot be substituted for required courses in English, quantitative reasoning, science or social sciences.
Applicants may satisfy a course pattern deficiency by achieving a sub score on the ACT or SAT, which is equivalent to the sixtieth percentile on the College Bound Norms. CLEP scores or AP scores that qualify the student for credit may also fulfill deficiencies.
Read also: Applying to UMass Amherst
Automatic Admission Criteria
High school graduation and fulfillment of mandated course subject pattern are required for admission. Additionally, applicants meeting any of the following criteria will be automatically admitted to the University. All other applicants who meet the course subject pattern requirements will undergo a holistic review to determine potential admissibility.
Conditional Admission
High school students with a grade point average of less than 2.75 but equal to or greater than 2.0 may be eligible for conditional admission. The student’s application shall be subject to a review by Admissions which shall include an opportunity for the student to provide context on their past academic performance and future academic commitment. Admissions may consult or request a review by college/schools/programs or others at the University prior to conditionally admitting the student. If a conditionally admitted student fails to comply with the conditions and stipulations set forth at the time of admission, the student will be dismissed from the University. By enrolling in a course at the University, the student accepts the conditions of this admission.
Application Deadlines and Materials
The preferred application deadline for the fall semester is December 1st. Any applications received after May 1 will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. First year students wishing to apply for the next Spring semester are encouraged to apply for admission and submit supporting documents by December 1. Freshman applicants should submit their high school transcripts. For the 2025-2026 academic year, scanned copies will be accepted for admission purposes.
To apply, prospective students should:
- Apply online at admissions.siu.edu.
- Pay the $40 non-refundable application fee. Application fee waivers are available to students who meet certain income requirements. The admission application cannot be processed until the application fee is received.
- Submit official high school transcripts.
Transfer Student Admission
SIU Carbondale welcomes transfer students and recognizes the value of prior college coursework.
Read also: Undergraduate Admissions at UPenn
General Requirements
Transfer students who have a 2.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale (as calculated by the transfer institution grading policy) for all post-secondary institutions attended by the applicant and are eligible to continue enrollment at the last institution attended, will be eligible for admission to the university. Transfer students must have at least 12 transferable semester hours at a 2.0 GPA. Students with fewer than 12 semester hours must meet the admission standards for beginning first-year students.
Transfer Credit Policy
SIU Carbondale has a comprehensive transfer credit policy to ensure that students receive appropriate credit for their previous coursework. Transfer credit for students admitted to the University is evaluated for acceptance toward University Core Curriculum requirements by Articulation and Evaluation (a division of the Registrar’s Office). Credit from a regionally accredited institution, and those in candidacy status, or from an institution that has its credit accepted by the reporting institution in the state is evaluated at the time of admission. Courses which are remedial, developmental or pre-college, will not be accepted for transfer.
Articulation and Evaluation will determine the acceptance of credit and its applicability toward University Core Curriculum requirements. All credit accepted for transfer, which is not applied to University Core Curriculum requirements or to a specific degree program, will be considered general transfer credit (elective credit). Transfer courses to be considered toward specific program requirements will be authorized by the department directing the program.
SIU also recognizes credit earned through various standardized exams, including:
- Advanced Placement Program (AP): To receive credit, a student must earn at least a grade of three (3). Transfer students who have AP credit transcripted as college courses from their previous institution will receive that course credit at SIU as transfer credit.
- College Level Examination Program (CLEP): If prior to taking a CLEP General Examination the student has received a grade (including a W or an audit) or has enrolled in college-level work in any discipline included in the CLEP exam they shall be ineligible for credit. One exception to this rule is made if the course the student took in a discipline from a CLEP exam was taken more than five years prior and no credit was awarded for the course.
- Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES/DSST): SIU awards proficiency credit to students who have passed DSST exams with the ACE recommended score, which is 400 for all exams. Upon receipt of the test scores, the appropriate course articulation will be awarded to the student's record. If test scores for new freshman are received after orientation/registration, the student will need to work with their academic advisor to ensure duplicate courses are not taken. DSST proficiency credit does not carry a grade, and is not used in computing the student's grade point average.
- International Baccalaureate Credit (IB): SIU students who have passed the Higher Level (HL) exams with a minimum score of 5 and in some cases a 6 or 7 as indicated in the IB Program Equivalency Credit Chart. Transfer students who have IB credit transcripted as college courses from their previous institution will receive that course credit at SIU as transfer credit. The maximum credit granted through IB examinations is 30 hours (15 for an associate degree). It is nonresident credit, does not carry a grade, and is not used in computing the student’s grade point average. The 30-hour limit includes any college level proficiency credit that has been earned.
- Occupational Education Credit: Credit is established by program evaluation and may be applied only to the technical or career electives requirement of the degree, unless otherwise determined by the program chair.
Each student must complete at least 120 semester hours of credit, which can include credit for work experience, College Level Examination Program (CLEP), Advanced Placement Program (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), military credit, and proficiency examination credit. MATH 107 and UNIV 388 cannot be counted in the 120 hours required for graduation. Each student must complete the residency requirement by taking at least 42 semester hours at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Only credit for those courses for which the student has registered and for which a satisfactory grade has been recorded at Southern Illinois University Carbondale may be applied toward the residence requirement hours. Students enrolled in an approved program delivered off-campus will have completed the residency requirement for the University upon completion of all courses required by the program.
Read also: Applying to RPI as an Undergrad
Course Repetition Policy
An undergraduate student may, for the purpose of raising a grade, enroll in a course for credit more than once. For students receiving a letter grade of A, B, C, D, or F, the course repetition must occur at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Effective for courses taken Summer 2013 or later, only the most recent (last) grade will be calculated in the overall GPA and count toward hours earned. This policy will be applied to all transferable credit in that only the last grade will be used to calculate grade point average for those courses taken at the same institution. If a course was repeated prior to Summer 2013, the appropriate repeat policy will be applied to the work completed during that period of registration for the purpose of calculating the transfer grade point average.
Associate Degree Completion
Completion of an associate degree in a baccalaureate-oriented program of Arts or Science (A.A. or A.S.) from an accredited Illinois public two-year institution; completion of an A.A. from an accredited Missouri public two-year institution participating in the 42-hour block; or completion of an A.A. or A.S. from a Kentucky Community and Technical College System institution.
Capstone Option
SIU offers the Capstone Option, which puts students in the fast lane to a bachelor’s degree in Capstone approved majors if you already hold an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree, Associate in Engineering Science (AES) degree, or equivalent certification. Instead of the 41-credit hour requirement for most students, Capstone students have a 30-credit hour requirement. That means you can earn a bachelor’s degree with just 60 additional credit hours.
Reverse Transfer
Reverse Transfer, in accordance with IL State Law 110 ILCS 150/1, is a process for students who transfer to SIU before they complete an associate degree at the community college. Eligible students must have completed at least 15 credit hours at the community college. For those students who have opted-in, once you have obtained a total of 45 hours from SIU, in addition to the 15 hours completed at community college, SIU will send an official transcript to your last attended institution. This transcript is sent free of charge. Students must be in good standing at SIU to be eligible for participation in Reverse Transfer.
Application Deadlines and Materials
If you are a transfer student you can be considered for any future term. To apply, prospective transfer students should:
- Apply online at admissions.siu.edu.
- Pay the $40 non-refundable application fee. Application fee waivers are available to students who meet certain income requirements. The admission application cannot be processed until the application fee is received.
- Submit official transcripts from each institution of post-secondary education attended, even if no credit was earned. If a student has completed fewer than 12 credit hours, they are required to submit both their high school and college/university transcripts.
Scholarships for Transfer Students
Nearly 90% of our students receive some form of financial aid and some of our top scholarships are reserved just for transfer students! To receive consideration for SIU competitive scholarships, transfer students must be admitted to SIU by February 1st and complete the Transfer Scholars Program Application by February 16th. There are over 600 additional departmental and college scholarships awarded each year.
International Student Admission
Admission requirements for international students are the same as for native students except that international students must complete the test for English as a second language according to criteria approved by the Chancellor. SIU only requires academic transcripts and proof of English language proficiency.
English Language Proficiency
Important: Official SAT and TOEFL score reports must be sent directly from the testing agency to SIU. Students who do not meet the required English proficiency score may still be eligible for Conditional Admission. Once a conditionally admitted student passes the required CESL classes and levels, they will receive a CESL Certificate of Completion.
Application Materials
To apply, prospective international students should:
- Apply online at admissions.siu.edu.
- Pay the $40 non-refundable application fee.
- Submit official academic transcripts.
- Submit proof of English language proficiency.
No, international applicants must select a specific major when completing their application. However, we strongly recommend uploading all required documents when submitting your online application.
Additional Considerations
Program-Specific Requirements
An additional step or screening process is required for certain programs. Requirements for direct entry into some programs exceed university admission requirements. In most cases, students may apply for any major in any term; however, a few majors at SIU Carbondale permit new students to enter in the fall semester only. They are: architectural studies, dental hygiene, fashion studies, interior design, physical therapist assistant and radiologic sciences. For admission to a particular college or school, the faculty of that college or school may, upon approval of the Chancellor, establish additional requirements beyond the university's minimum standards for admission.
Criminal Background Check
SIUC's application for admission includes a series of Public Safety Questions in which applicants are asked to disclose convictions and/or guilty pleas for felonies or other crimes involving violence or the threat of violence, pending charges involving a felony, violence, or the threat of violence, and any disciplinary sanction from any other college or university for an offense involving violence or the threat of violence. If a positive response is given to any of the Public Safety Questions, the applicant is asked to provide supplemental information regarding the conviction, charges, and/or disciplinary suspension and to authorize the University to conduct a criminal background check.
The Committee will determine, based on the information provided by the applicant, whether the applicant presents a potential threat to the safety of the campus community. If a potential threat is identified, the Committee will request, through the Department of Public Safety, a criminal background check on that applicant for the purpose of making a recommendation to Enrollment Management on the admission of the applicant.
The Committee must make an individual determination as to whether the nature of any crime committed or other behavior disclosed, together with other available information, suggests that the applicant will pose a threat to campus safety and advise Enrollment Management of its determination. If the Committee determines the applicant poses a threat to campus safety, it shall recommend that the applicant may be admitted with specific conditions devised to minimize or eliminate that threat, if possible, or that admission should be denied. Enrollment Management shall consider the Committee’s recommendation, make a decision regarding whether the applicant will be admitted, and advise the applicant of the decision. Because many universities have been involved in revising their Admissions Policies to include criminal background checks, these policies may look similar.
Re-entry Students
Students who attended other institutions since attending SIUC will be considered for re-entry in the same manner as a transfer student. Students who were suspended for scholastic or disciplinary reasons during their previous enrollment at the University must be approved for reinstatement/readmission by the appropriate academic or student services units.
Veterans
Veterans who have not attended other higher education institutions since discharge are admissible in good standing.
Additional Information
Policies and procedures for admission are presented in the admissions sections. You may obtain an application one of several ways.
Important Resources
Prospective students are encouraged to utilize the following resources:
- SIU Carbondale Admissions Website: admissions.siu.edu
- SIU Carbondale Academic Programs: Explore all available majors by visiting SIU’s Academic Programs.
- Center for International Education (CIE): The Center for International Education (CIE) handles undergraduate international admissions only.
- Financial Aid: Complete and submit your FAFSA form as soon as possible. February 1 is the deadline for most campus-based scholarships.
tags: #SIU #Carbondale #undergraduate #admissions #requirements
