History
Columbia College Chicago was founded in 1890 as the Columbia School of Oratory by Mary A. Blood and Ida Morey Riley, both graduates of the Monroe Conservatory of Oratory (now Emerson College), in Boston, Massachusetts.
Education
We believe a solid foundation in the liberal arts and sciences is essential to any creative career. That’s why every undergraduate must complete the requirements of the Liberal Arts and Sciences Core.
Research
The Center for Black Music Research (CBMR) is an independent research unit of Columbia College Chicago devoted to documentation, research, preservation, and dissemination of information about the history of black music on a global scale.
Career
- The Career Center develops programs and services to provide Columbia College Chicago students with self-knowledge, experience and connections to industry in order to develop career confidence, enhance their employability and pursue meaningful career-related experiences.
- By fostering and maintaining partnerships with faculty, staff, alumni, and employers, the Career Center creates a community of advocates that support students’ interests, passions and values to help navigate the path from college to career.
Distance Learning Courses
Business & Management (1)
Journalism & Media (1)
- M.A. Civic Media
Student services
International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) mission is to provide a nurturing and supportive living and learning environment for Columbia College Chicago's international student community through advocacy, services, programming and advising.
Housing services
Live in the middle of it all. Our residence halls are conveniently located steps from the main campus buildings and close to public transportation. Features and room types vary by building—read below for more info about each residence hall. New freshmen are encouraged to live in on-campus housing their first year.
Library services
The mission of the Columbia College Chicago Library is to support Columbia College Chicago and its academic programs by providing access to information resources and teaching students to evaluate and use them. Our Library has a teaching mission, and is committed to preparing our users to be lifelong learners in an information rich society.
ICT services
The aspiration of the Columbia College Chicago Information Technology department is to provide students with functional technological resources that will act as a catalyst to their academic success. The IT department will provide students with important information on how to access items such as campus Wifi, Loopmail, MyColumbia, Canvas, LinkedIn Learning, and technical support.
Medical services
The Columbia College Chicago Health Center is able to provide outpatient care and diagnosis of the following conditions:
- Upper respiratory infections
- Ear infections
- Sore throat
- Sinusitis
- Allergic rhinitis
- Bladder or yeast infections
- Health counseling
- Minor skin conditions/rashes
- Minor eye conditions such as conjunctivitis
- Identification and referral for treatment of emotional problems
Campus life
Columbia's campus is an accessible, safe place to live and learn. We take seriously our responsibility to keep our students safe, healthy and happy.
Student clubs
- Acoustical Society of America
The Acoustical Society of America is a national organization centered around the study and practice of professional acoustics
- Ad Club
Ad Club is open to all disciplines and will enable students to work on campaigns and collaborate creatively.
- AlphaLab
AlphaLab is a club devoted to the furthering of the Columbia College Chicago game-making community
- Columbia Chicago SPJ
Columbia Chi Chapter of SPJ is devoted to engaging students in freedom of the press issues, learning of ethical problems and upholding of professional standards within the field of journalism.
- National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)
- National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)
- National Association of Schools of Theater (NAST)
- National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD)
- Foundation for Interior Design Education Research (FIDER)