A student who successfully completes one of the defined combined degree programs receives appropriate degrees from both cooperating institutions at the end of one unified plan of study. Special requirements and regulations apply to these programs.
ENGINEERING
Illinois College cooperates with Washington University School of Engineering in dual degree programs in a broad range of engineering fields such as biomedical, chemical, and electrical engineering. Admission is guaranteed to WashU for students with a GPA above 3.25/4.00. During the three years at Illinois College, students follow the typical program for science students and complete the specified courses required for an Illinois College degree. WashU has additional course requirements that can be satisfied at Illinois College depending on the individual program; for example, environmental engineering requires introductory environmental science. During the two years at WashU, students complete studies in a specified field of engineering. Upon completion of the program, students qualify for degrees from both institutions: a physics degree from Illinois College and an engineering degree from WashU. The dual degree may be alternatively completed at any other engineering institution, but the agreement is not articulated (for example, neither the admission nor the timeline are guaranteed). Previous students have completed their degrees in a timely manner at SIUE, Missouri S&T, and University of Nebraska-Lincoln. For Illinois College's Engineering program, see Mechanical Engineering.
CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE
Illinois College cooperates with OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, Peoria, Illinois, in a 3-1 program in clinical laboratory science. See Clinical Laboratory Science.
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Illinois College cooperates with Washington University in a combined degree program in occupational therapy. During their three years at Illinois College, candidates for this program fulfill most of the general requirements for graduation at Illinois College and carry a specific concentration in biology or psychology. Students must apply for admission to the graduate program at Washington University. A cumulative grade point average of 3.2 and a recommendation from the faculty are required for admission into the program. Other prerequisite courses for entry into the Washington University Program in Occupational Therapy include PS 275 or 276, PS 346, an additional social science course, and MA 123. Note that a B- or better in all prerequisite courses is required for entry into the Washington University Program. Admission is competitive; however, Washington University gives preference to qualified students from its 3-2 affiliates. Students admitted to the graduate program at Washington University will be granted a degree from Illinois College after successful completion of the first year of the professional program and submission of official transcript to Illinois College. See Occupational Therapy.
NURSING
In addition to our traditional program, Illinois College has affiliation agreements with other schools for students interested in other nursing options. For additional information on each of these schools, contact the Biology Department.
Rush University College of Nursing – Rush offers students who complete certain course requirements, regardless of major, preferential admission to the Rush MSN/RN program. After successfully completing two additional years of rigorous study at Rush University, students will be awarded the MSN from Rush College of Nursing and be eligible to sit for the NCLEX (the national exam for licensure as a registered nurse).
St. Louis University – Preferential admission will be available for students who complete their bachelor’s degree from Illinois College to earn their MSN from St. Louis University.
All affiliate BSN and MSN programs prepare students for the NCLEX (the national exam required for licensure as a registered nurse).
HEALTH SCIENCES OR BIOLOGY WITH PRE-ATHLETIC TRAINING
Culver-Stockon University
Illinois College entered an affiliation with Culver-Stockton College in Canton, MO in 2018 in order to facilitate students earning a Master of Athletic Training. Students have the option to major in Biology, Health Science, or Kinesiology and Exercise Science for their 4 years of undergraduate study then apply to Culver- Stockton for the master’s degree in athletic training for 2 more years. Illinois College students are guaranteed an interview and a seat if requirements are met.
Courses required to be admitted to Culver-Stockton College Master of Athletic Training include: BI 110 (Biological Investigation); BI 315 and BI 316 (Anatomy and Physiology I and II); PY 181 (General Physics I) or PY 201 (College Physics I) ; CH 110; KI 225 (Nutrition); KI 340 (Exercise Physiology); KI 232 (Motor Development); and PS 101 (Intro to Psychology). Recommended courses include KI 308 (Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries) and PS 346 (Abnormal Psychology).
Culver-Stockton also requires Pathophysiology which may be taken as a summer course in the first semester of their program.
North Park University
Illinois College also entered an affiliation with North Park University in Chicago, Illinois in 2024 in order to facilitate students earning a Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) through a direct admission process. North Park University reserves two spaces in each cohort every year in the MSAT Program for IC students/alumni. These potential candidates must be identified by the IC faculty and meet the following requirements:
- Earned a bachelor's degree from IC by MSAT start date
- Have an overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Earn a 'C" or better in all required prerequisite courses
- Possess current CPR/AED Certification
- Completed 50 observational hours approved by an athletic trainer
- Completed Technical Standards of Agreement
- Submitted a Resume and Personal Statement and two letters of recommendations, one of which must be from the athletic trainer who supervised the majority of the applicant's observational hours.
Students must also complete the following courses with a C or better: BI 315 Anatomy and Physiology I, BI 316 Anatomy and Physiology II, BI 107 Human Biology/BI 110 General Biology, CH 10 General Chemistry/CH 103 General, Organic, & Biological Chemistry, PY 181 General Physics I/PY 201 College Physics, PS 101 Introduction to Psychology. North Park University also prefers students to complete MA 102 Statistics for Citizens/MA 123 General Statistics, KI 340 Exercise Physiology, KI 225 Nutrition, KI 341 Biomechanics, and a senior capstone research project.
OTHER COMBINED DEGREE PROGRAMS
Students who have completed all of the general requirements for graduation, who maintain a 2.500 cumulative grade point average, who have enrolled at Illinois College for at least three years without graduating, and who subsequently complete a professional degree program at an accredited professional school may, upon application, be eligible for baccalaureate degree from Illinois College.
