Illinois Wesleyan University

What is the history of Illinois Wesleyan University?

Illinois Wesleyan University was founded in Bloomington, Illinois, in 1850 by civic and religious leaders associated with the Methodist movement. Its name reflects that history, although students should not assume that attending the university requires a religious affiliation.

The institution developed from its early liberal arts roots into an undergraduate university with programs in the sciences, business, nursing and the arts. Its present-day identity combines a broad liberal arts curriculum with professional preparation, rather than focusing on a single field of study.

What are the faculties and departments at Illinois Wesleyan University?

Illinois Wesleyan organizes its undergraduate offerings around the liberal arts, fine arts and nursing. Students can study subjects ranging from biology, computer science and psychology to accounting, education, music and theater.

The College of Fine Arts includes study in art, music and theater, with degree requirements that may differ substantially from those of a conventional liberal arts major. Nursing students should likewise examine the program's course sequence and clinical requirements before planning a transfer or study-abroad term.

Illinois Wesleyan is primarily an undergraduate institution. Applicants comparing specific majors should consult the current academic catalog for degree types, prerequisites and any separate admission, audition or portfolio requirements.

What is the location of Illinois Wesleyan University?

Illinois Wesleyan's campus is in Bloomington, in central Illinois. Bloomington and neighboring Normal form a connected metropolitan area, giving students access to services and employers beyond campus without placing the university in a large-city setting.

Bloomington-Normal is served by Amtrak and Central Illinois Regional Airport. Transportation needs will vary by student: a residential student may be able to handle many daily activities near campus, while internships, clinical placements or off-campus jobs may require more travel. First-year students are permitted to register or park a car on campus, subject to university parking rules.

What is the mission and vision of Illinois Wesleyan University?

Illinois Wesleyan describes its educational purpose in terms of liberal arts learning, preparation for professional lives and participation in a diverse, interconnected world. Its Methodist roots are part of its history, but its academic offerings are not confined to religious study.

For prospective students, the practical expression of that purpose is a curriculum that pairs a major with learning outside the major. A mission statement expresses the university's aims; it is not, by itself, evidence that every student has the same academic or career experience.