From its humble beginnings as the state's second teachers college - founded in 1869 with a dozen academic departments and an inaugural class of 143 - Southern Illinois University Carbondale now ranks among Illinois' most comprehensive public universities. Each year, we welcome students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries who take advantage of outstanding academic programs as they pursue associate, bachelor's, master's, doctoral and professional degrees in law and medicine.Think of a specialty and chances are good we offer an undergraduate degree in that subject. Graduate programs include law, medicine, and more.