COLUMBIA COLLEGE CHICAGO

SHAPE
WHAT’S
NEXT
2021-2022
Featured on the cover:
Kwe’ Ke’ Wesh by Stefanie Garland ’20,
combines the language of the Indigenous
Patawotomi with flowers native to the southwest
shore of Lake Michigan and a folkloric oxcart
painting style, drawn from the artist’s Costa
Rican heritage. It is one of several works by
Columbia alumni-artists showcased in the
Student Center.
CREATIVITY IS YOUR CALLING.

You’re driven to create. Whether it’s music, art, fashion, your

business idea, games, or anything in between—you know what it
takes to conceive, collaborate, and execute your vision. And you
know that the end result is worth the hard work.

At Columbia College Chicago, we want to be a part of your journey.

Here, you’ll find innovation and artistic practice merge with business
expertise, giving you tons of transferable skills. You and your
classmates will produce work you’re proud of. And you’ll graduate
ready to take on any creative industry you choose.

Columbia’s programs consistently receive top rankings and

accolades. Now it’s time for you to explore them all.

Find your admissions representative using the map at

colum.edu/admissions.
OUR STUDENT SNAPSHOT

~6,800 12:1 18
total students student-to-full- students is
(undergraduate time-equivalent- the average
and graduate) faculty ratio class size

1,826 freshman students enrolled in Fall 2020. These

students: represented 49 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, Washington, D.C.,
and 26 foreign countries.

Fall 2020 Freshman Profile

57% 24% 28%

identified as identified as first- identified as members

students of color generation college of the LGBTQIA+
students community

49% 26% 48%

were from were Chicago lived in one of
the Chicago Public School Columbia’s four
metro area graduates residence halls

Figures reflect data available at the time of publication. For the most updated data, visit colum.edu/ie.
CHICAGO IS WAKING UP—AND YOU DON’T
WANT TO MISS IT.

Creativity is resilient, and creators find a way to thrive even

under the most difficult circumstances—sometimes because of
them. For more than a year, we did our best with what we had.
Our theaters and concert venues went dark. Our restaurants
and museums had limited capacity. Even our outdoor spaces like
Millennium Park and the Lakefront Path didn’t seem quite the
same six feet apart with our masks on.

But now? Chicago is coming back to life—and as a Columbia

student, you’ll have access to all of it. This world-class city is
an extension of our campus, filled with opportunities for our
students to engage with its history, culture, and commerce. As
the city reopens, you’ll have a front-row seat to experience all the
things we’ve been missing for so long.

And, with the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) U-Pass, any full-time
student can go from our South Loop campus to check out other
Chicago neighborhoods in minutes. Just hop on a bus or the L train.
 THE COMMITMENT WE’VE MADE.

Columbia has long been a place that values, honors, and celebrates
difference. So, it’s not surprising that we’ve attracted students with
diverse identities, who represent the many and varied ways people
express themselves in the world. For us, respecting these differences
isn’t just the right thing to do—it is crucial to any creative endeavor. We
are better, and our work is better, when it includes and incorporates
the voices, experiences, and backgrounds of everyone.

This has been Columbia’s approach for many years, but the events
of 2020 have brought more clearly into focus the need to turn our
attention inward on our institutional practices, and to reflect on how
we prepare students to carry the principles of diversity, equity, and
inclusion out into the world as part of their lives.

It is not sufficient to merely say we are committed to these things. We

must back it up with action. We recognize that we’re not yet where we
need to be, and that we all share responsibility in getting there. The
path forward will mean confronting our own role in upholding systems
of oppression and privilege. It will mean challenging conversations and
learning opportunities—and our students will come along with us.

6
THE WORK WE’RE DOING.
ANTIRACISM TRANSFORMATION TEAM
The Antiracism Transformation Team (ArTT) is tasked with leading anti-racism efforts on
campus. This charge includes but is not limited to: The equitable redistribution of institutional
power, establishing clear accountability protocols, recommending financial priorities, and
equitable support of various constituents across the college.
Acting on the authority of our community and reporting to the President, the ArTT works to
eradicate racism and oppression at Columbia College Chicago through radical collaboration.
This team is inclusive of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and trustees, with intentional ties to the
Chicago community, to which we hold ourselves accountable.
Find out more at colum.edu/artt.

TEST-FREE ADMISSIONS
As part of our mission-driven commitment to access and equity, Columbia has never required
standardized test scores for admission. However, recent reflection on our mission in the
context of our institution-wide work to become anti-racist has led us to conclude that being
“test optional” is no longer enough.
That’s why, starting in 2022, standardized test scores will no longer play any role in our
determination of an applicant’s admissibility to the college, or in awarding merit-based
scholarships.
The standardized tests that many colleges have come to rely on have a deep history of bias.
As a result, they have excluded underrepresented students from the professional opportunities
and socioeconomic advancement afforded by higher education. Further, we know from years
of reviewing applications and getting to know our students that these tests don’t tell us
anything important about an applicant’s ability to succeed at Columbia.
See more at colum.edu/testfree.

OUR SCHOLARSHIPS
Making college more affordable also makes it more accessible and inclusive. That’s why
Columbia has increased scholarship awards for high-achieving/high-need students. These
include merit-based awards specifically for Chicago Public School graduates (a system enrolling
more than 90% students of color).
These scholarships (when combined with Federal and State grants) create a path for high-
achieving/high-need CPS graduates to complete a four-year Columbia education debt-free.
Learn more at colum.edu/cps-scholarships.
 MEDIA AND
DIGITAL ARTS
We experience so much of the world through screens—love ‘em or
hate ‘em, they’re not going anywhere—and there is a multibillion-
dollar global industry devoted to creating what appears on them and
shaping how we interact with them.
Are you a screenwriter or visual storyteller? A user experience or
game designer? Are you interested in post-production editing or
visual effects?
Whatever your career path, we’ve got a program that will amp
up your game and prepare you to shape the media industries of
tomorrow—because technology changes, but the skill to adapt will
always be in demand.

NOTABLE ALUM Lena Waithe

Actress. Writer. Luminary.

“I tell my truth. As a writer, that’s my job.” The buzz

just keeps on getting bigger for Lena Waithe ’06.
At Columbia, Lena studied alongside Emmy-
nominated professors who pushed her to relocate
to Los Angeles and work in television. There, she
wrote for the Fox television series Bones and co-
produced the critically acclaimed film Dear White
People. Since then, Lena has been on a roll. In
2017, she won an Emmy for her writing on Master of
None. In 2018, she was listed as one of TIME’s 100
most influential people. And her Showtime series,
The Chi, was just renewed for its fifth season.
MAJORS MINORS

Documentary (BA) Cinema and Television Studies

Film and Television (BA) Game Art
Film and Television (BFA) Game Design
Cinema Visual Effects Immersive Media
Cinematography Interactive Media Development and
Directing Entrepreneurship
Editing and Post-Production Motion Graphics
Production Design Programming
Producing Television Studio Production and Directing
Screenwriting User Experience
Sound for Cinema Video Production
Game Art (BA) Web Development
Game Design (BA) Writing for Television
Game Development
Sound Design
Immersive Media (BA)
Interaction Design (BA)
Graphic Design
User Experience #1 Film School in the
Midwest for nine
Web and Mobile Development
Programming (BA | BS) consecutive years,
Application Programming according to Hollywood
Game Programming Reporter rankings.
Television Writing and Business (BFA)
 VISUAL
ARTS
There is power in the ability to create an image or object. At
Columbia, our students learn to harness that power to tell stories,
design garments, lay out visual information, and convey meaning.
Whether you aspire to have your work on gallery walls, magazine
covers, fashion week runways, or at animation festivals worldwide,
we’ve got a program that can get you closer to your goals.
And the city of Chicago has tons to offer, with galleries, boutiques,
design agencies, and more—places that could provide inspiration
for your work as a student and professional opportunities for after
you graduate.

NOTABLE ALUM Terrell Johnson

Designer. Trendsetter. Entrepreneur.

“Don’t allow anyone to deter you or shame you out

of being passionate about what you love. You’ll only
prevent yourself from experiencing the career and
life that you want.” As a visual designer for Janet
Jackson’s Rhythm Nation record label, as well as
his own independent media platform, SWGRUS,
Terrell Johnson ’14 brings imagery to sound
and shapes listening experiences for audiences
around the globe.
MAJORS MINORS

Animation (BA) Animation

Computer Animation Art History
Traditional Animation Fashion Studies
Art History (BA) Fashion Styling
Computer Animation (BFA) Fine Arts
Fashion Design (BFA) Graphic Design
Fashion Studies (BA) Illustration
Merchandising Photography
Product Development Sustainable Fashion
Fine Arts (BA | BFA)
Graphic Design (BA)
Graphic Design: General
Publication Design
Web Design
Graphic Design (BFA)
Illustration (BA | BFA)
#6 #4
College for Animation
Interior Architecture (BFA)
Video Game Schools and
Photography (BA)
Commercial Design 2018 Colleges in
Fashion Photography –College Magazine the U.S. 2021
Fine Art –Animation
Integrated Photography Career Review
Photography (BFA)
Traditional Animation (BFA)

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 PERFORMING
ARTS
Perhaps no creative industry was hit harder in 2020 than live
performance. But now, our stages are lighting up again. Theaters are
rehearsing and performing, dance studios are no longer confined to
Zoom rooms, and the people who make these things happen on and
off stage are getting back to it.
Columbia is also fortunate to be situated in a city where the
performing arts are celebrated and valued. Artists and audiences
alike flock to Chicago for its gritty storefront scene where risk-taking
and experimentation are the order of the day. From Second City to
Steppenwolf; The Joffrey Ballet to Hubbard Street; our faculty and
alums are sought-after performers who are practicing their craft in a
world-class setting unlike any other.

NOTABLE ALUM Aidy Bryant

Comedian. Actress. Writer.

Aidy Bryant ’09 participated in the Comedy Studies

program at Columbia, where she learned from
comedy legends at The Second City. “This is where I
cut my teeth,” Aidy says. “There and all over Chicago.
It helped me discover who I was as a performer.”
She’s now been a Saturday Night Live mainstay for
nine years, and is the creator, producer, and lead
actress of her Hulu show, Shrill—not to mention
receiving multiple Emmy nominations for her roles on
both award-winning shows.
MAJORS MINORS

Acting (BA | BFA) Acting

Comedy Writing and Performance (BA) Arts in Healthcare
Dance (BA | BFA) Dance
Musical Theatre (BA) Devising Collaborative Performance
Musical Theatre Performance (BFA) Hip-Hop Studies
Theatre (BA) Playwriting
Directing Stage Combat
Playwriting Theatre Directing
Stage Management
Theatre Studies
Theatre Design and Technology (BA)

#8 College for
Playwriting 2017
–College Magazine

#1 College for Aspiring

Comedians 2019
–College Magazine
 MUSIC AND
SOUND
On stage or in the studio, whether you’re a composer, instrumentalist,
vocalist, or live-sound engineer, the world of music and sound offers a
career path that aligns with your passions. Music and sound exist at
the intersections of art, science, and technology, and now more than
ever, this industry is hungry for professionals who understand the
processes behind writing, performing, and recording music.
Columbia’s music and audio programs complement one another, as
students collaborate on projects that transcend musical styles and
genres. Audio students create, record, and manipulate sound and
learn the general audio theories and practices, while music students
focus on learning theory, composition, improvisation, arranging,
technology, history, analysis, and aural skills.
And the results can be harmonious.

NOTABLE ALUM Charlie Curtis-Beard

Composer. Rapper. Influencer.

“Columbia has so many great resources. You could

edit sound and do voice-overs and use industry-
standard software and studios. I could check out
equipment as a music student. It saved me so much.”
Charlie Curtis-Beard ’19 has amassed more than
one million TikTok followers while making a name with
his beats, rhymes, and remixes.
MAJORS

Acoustics (BS)
Audio Arts (BA)
Audio and Sound Design
Audiovisual Systems Integration
General Audio Arts
Live Sound Reinforcement
Music Recording
Contemporary, Urban, and
Popular Music (BMus)
Music (BA)
Music Composition (BMus)
Music Technology (BS)
Interactive Music Design
Sonic Arts
Sound and Music Computing
Our Artists-in-
Residence program
#3
Music School for
has featured
Composing for
Grammy-nominated
Film and TV 2019
musicians like Cory
–The Hollywood
Henry, Paula Cole,
Reporter
Joan Osborne, and
Shawn Mullins.
 COMMUNICATION
AND WRITING
Whether signed, spoken, or written, language is currency. Professionals
harness words to inform the public, share information with colleagues,
engage audiences with stories, and connect people with each other
across cultural divides.
In a landscape of information overload, it’s never been more important
to separate truth from fiction—and communication professionals take
on this responsibility in many ways. Journalists treat it as a time-
honored, sacred duty. Interpreters bridge gaps to help Deaf persons
fully access the world around them. Creative writers distill truths into
stories, poetry, and essays that ignite readers’ curiosities.
Whatever your field, communicating ethically and authentically is a
valuable interpersonal and professional skill. And Columbia is ready to
help you find your voice.

NOTABLE ALUM Darryl Holliday

Innovator. Story-shaper. Educator.

The world of journalism is ever-changing—and

Columbia grads are up to the task to adapt. Darryl
Holliday ’12 is breaking the mold of traditional
journalism with his work at City Bureau, a nonprofit
media organization he co-founded here in Chicago
that received a $1 million grant from the MacArthur
Foundation. From creating a Twitter bot to increase
community engagement with hyperlocal politics to
educating citizens through the program Documenters,
Holliday is changing the game and reshaping our
perception of what it means to be a journalist.
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MAJORS MINORS

American Sign Language-English ASL Studies

Interpretation (BA) Creative Writing
Communication (BA) Fashion Communication
Creative Writing (BA) Journalism
Fiction Nonprofit and Public Affairs
Nonfiction Communication
Poetry Professional Writing
Deaf Studies (BA) Radio
English (BA) Sports Communication
Journalism (BA) Voiceover
Broadcast Journalism: Radio
Broadcast Journalism: Television
Magazine
News and Features
Photojournalism (BA)
Radio (BA)
Narrative One of only 13 accredited
four-year colleges to
Production
offer a degree in ASL.
Voiceover

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 BUSINESS AND
MANAGEMENT
The work of the creative industries doesn’t just happen on stages
and screens. Who has the savvy to bring creative works to market?
Who gives theaters, concert venues, and galleries the foundational
management skills that allow them to find their audience, pursue their
missions, and thrive as cultural institutions? Independent artists,
musicians, and content creators can also benefit from learning how to
self-manage and cultivate a personal brand.
In today’s market, the brands themselves are no longer on the sidelines.
Teams of creative professionals are working to advertise, make positive
impressions, build communities on social platforms, manage public
reputations and relationships, and share core values with customers.
Columbia’s business and management programs understand the
balance between creativity and commerce. We specialize in helping
students hone the specific skills that make creative work commercially
viable. After all, it’s called show business.

NOTABLE ALUM Alexis Garcia

Creator. Leader. Strategist.

”Columbia is very niche. It’s for people who like art,

people who like film, people who like passion projects—
they don’t mind getting dirty, they actually have stories
to tell. Columbia has a very accepting atmosphere. They
fuel your natural creativity. The students who come
to Columbia, they’re already creative, they’re already
talented, and Columbia just gives them the tools.”
Alexis Garcia ’19 used the Semester in LA program as
a springboard to her current work in creative strategy
for the popular app, Snapchat.

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MAJORS MINORS

Advertising (BA) ASL Studies

Art Direction Advertising
Copywriting Arts Management
Strategy Design Management
Arts Management (BA) Entrepreneurship
Creative Industries Intellectual Property Management
Film Business Marketing
Performing Arts Music Business
Visual Arts Performing Arts Management
Design Management (BA) Public Relations
Marketing (BA) Social Media and Digital Strategy
Digital Media Sports Management
Entertainment Industry Talent Management
Sports Management Visual Arts Management
Music Business (BA)
Artist Management
Live and Touring
Recorded Music and Publishing Home to award-
Public Relations (BA) winning, student-run
record label AEMMP,
Social Media and Digital Strategy (BA)
founded in 1992.

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 LIBERAL ARTS
AND SCIENCES
Creativity doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Creativity requires context.
Creators have to be mindful of the audience receiving their work and the
purpose their creation is serving.
That’s why a Columbia education is grounded in the Essential Liberal
Arts and Sciences. These courses—in History, Science, Literature, Math,
and other core subjects—help artists, performers, and other creative
practitioners understand where they and their work fit into the greater
context of the world. And Columbia’s Core includes courses specific
to the artistic experience in Chicago—courses that connect you to the
city and enhance your understanding of community, business, and
technology in the creative industries.
And for the student who wants a deeper understanding, Columbia
offers majors that take a creative approach to cultural studies and
environmental sustainability. Because shaping the future means
understanding ourselves and our planet.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT Jewel Baker

Film and Television, ’24

For photographer-videographer Jewel Baker, coming

to Columbia was the next step in expanding her
knowledge and furthering her film career. “Having
core curriculum classes in my schedule educates me
far beyond my major, while also teaching me useful
business and industry skills.”

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MAJORS
Cultural Studies (BA)
Environmental and Sustainability Studies (BA)

MINORS

Biology
Black World Studies
Cultural Studies
Education
Environmental Studies
Health and Wellness
Latino and Latin American Studies
Literature
Mathematics
Philosophy and Religion
Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

COLUMBIA CORE #8
Most Innovative Schools
Columbia Experience
in the Midwest 2021
History and Social Sciences
–U.S. News & World Report
Humanities and Literature
Mathematics
Science
Writing
THE DEGREE BREAKDOWN.
At the undergraduate level, Columbia College Chicago offers four
degree types. Which one is right for you? Let’s take a look:
BACHELOR OF ARTS (BA)
The BA is the most common degree
at Columbia, with about 90% of our
undergraduate students working
toward one, and it’s no surprise
why. Bachelor of Arts students
pursue a major field of study, while
maintaining the flexibility to explore
other areas of the college. With a BA
degree, it’s easier to fit in a minor, or
just take some fun elective courses
in other departments.
BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS (BFA)
Columbia’s BFA degrees offer
selected students the opportunity
for in-depth, focused study in their
chosen area of the fine arts. BFA
students will spend the majority
of their available credits on
major requirements, so it’s more
challenging to fit in a minor, or to
have as much flexibility with the
elective courses you choose. Also,
keep in mind that students applying
for BFA programs will be required
to provide additional materials
and meet earlier deadlines than
other applicants. Further, the
BFA application is only available
to students applying for the fall
semester.
BACHELOR OF MUSIC (BMUS):
Like the BFA, our BMus degrees
immerse students in the study of
music. BMus applicants should
also be prepared to meet earlier
deadlines, submit additional
materials, and participate in an
audition process. BMus students
will have limited room for electives
and the same challenges if trying to
complete a minor. BMus programs
only accept applications to start in
the fall semester.
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (BS):
Columbia’s Bachelor of Science
degrees are heavy on technology-
based coursework and all of them
require at least some advanced
Mathematics courses. Like the BFA
and BMus degrees, BS degrees
are credit-intensive, so there’s
not as much flexibility for a minor
or electives as there is with the
BA degrees. Unlike the BFA and
BMus degrees, BS applicants are
not required to submit additional
materials—although it is to your
advantage to do so for scholarship
consideration.
DEGREE COMPONENTS
All of Columbia’s undergraduate degrees consist of three components: The
Columbia Core, major requirements, and electives. The precise breakdown of
credits in each category can vary based on the degree you’re pursuing, but it’s
important to note that BA degrees require 120 total credits across these three
categories, while the BFA, BMus, and BS degrees require 128 total credits. You can
find complete degree planning tools at catalog.colum.edu.

BA BFA/BMus/BS
33 credits 11 credits
of electives* of electives*

120
TOTAL CREDITS
42 credits
Columbia Core
128
TOTAL CREDITS
42 credits
Columbia Core

45 credits 75 credits
in your major in your major

*Figures for major and elective credits are approximate and can vary based on your specific major.

A NOTE ON CORE REQUIREMENTS

If you have or expect to earn credits through Advanced Placement or
International Baccalaureate exams, you may have already completed some
of the Columbia Core requirements. Check out the tables at colum.edu/ap
or colum.edu/ib to see what credits your exam scores have earned.

COMBINED DEGREE PROGRAM

Are you thinking ahead about grad school? Well, you’re in luck. Columbia’s
combined degree program allows students to earn graduate credits toward one
of our Master of Arts programs while still enrolled in an undergraduate major.
Choose from: Entrepreneurship for Creatives, Civic Media, Strategic
Communication, or Interaction Design.

After graduating with your bachelor’s degree, you’ll be able to finish the master’s
degree in one year. You’ll be able to indicate your interest in the combined degree
program when you fill out your application to the college. Find out more about
combined degree requirements at colum.edu/combined.
1

2
3 4 5

FACILITIES—WHERE YOU’LL MAKE

AND LEARN.

Columbia students enjoy access to industry-standard equipment

and facilities where they can practice their craft. Our spaces are
designed for collaboration and innovation, connecting students
and faculty in ways that encourage experimentation and growth.
And it shows in the finished product.

6 7 8
8
9 10

11
1 STUDENT CENTER
Columbia’s Student Center is
the five-story centerpiece of
our campus—this is a hub for
gathering, collaborating, learning
and celebrating. It’s a stage, a
canvas, a place where innovation
and creativity bloom.
2 MEDIA PRODUCTION CENTER social media.
The MPC is a 35,500-square
foot, professional-quality media-
making facility that includes two
film production soundstages, a
motion capture studio, prep and
production spaces, and
classrooms.
3 GETZ THEATER CENTER
Our Getz Theater Center has four
performance-ready stages, along
with modern facilities for set and
prop construction, lighting,
costumes, and makeup.
4 FABRICATION FACILITY
Experience a plethora of state-of
the-art equipment in this central
making space. With the latest
machines, power tools, and
equipment, you can create
everything from jewelry to 3D
models to furniture in a
collaborative environment.
5 MUSIC CENTER
From rehearsal spaces, to a full
concert hall, to a dedicated Digital
Music Lab, Columbia’s Music Center
has everything you’ll need to make
your music and prepare for
professional venues and
recording studios.
6 THE COLUMBIA CHRONICLE NEWSROOM
The student-run Columbia Chronicle
newsroom is a fully operational
facility where staffers produce the
award-winning college newspaper
and its website. The newsroom
houses the most advanced
equipment used to gather and
report news in print, online, and
7 DANCE SPACES
The Dance Center boasts a 268-
seat mainstage, as well as eight
studio spaces that are available
for classes and for students to
reserve independently.
8 FASHION LAB
Take your garments from concept
to reality in the Fashion Lab, with all
the industry-standard equipment and
software you’ll need to make runway-
ready garments under one roof.
9 PHOTOGRAPHY FACILITIES
Photography students have access
to a state-of-the-art ink jet print lab
and lighting studio, as well as
darkrooms.
10 GALLERIES
The galleries sprinkled across campus
provide diverse perspectives on art,
design, media, and culture from Chicago
and beyond. This network of exhibition
spaces serves students, the college
community, and local, national and
international audiences.
11 HAUS
HAUS is a multipurpose venue that
functions as a hangout and study area for
students, a nightclub-like music venue,
and an events space.
ACADEMIC AND STUDENT
SUPPORT SERVICES.
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS CAREER CENTER
Columbia students can choose from By fostering and maintaining
more than 60 recognized student clubs partnerships with faculty, staff, alumni,
and athletic teams. No matter your and employers, the Career Center
niche, we’ve probably got a club that’ll creates a community of advocates who
pique your interest: Illustration Student support students’ interests, passions
Group, Cult Cinema Club, Soul Sisters, and values to help navigate the path
Quidditch, Fashion Sustainability Club, from college to career.
and the Asian Student Organization, to The Career Center’s programs and
name a few. Getting involved in a student services provide Columbia College
org on campus offers opportunities to Chicago students with self-knowledge,
grow personally, professionally, and experience, and industry connections.
artistically. They help students develop career
confidence, enhance their employability,
ACADEMIC ADVISING and pursue meaningful career-related
At Columbia, you and your academic experiences.
advisor will be teammates in helping
you navigate the curriculum and stay on
track. Our advisors create a safe and
positive environment to support you in
exploring areas of study and creating
an educational plan. They assist you
in understanding institutional policies
and procedures as well as your degree
requirements for graduation.
STUDENT DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
The Student Diversity & Inclusion
(SDI) office supports students through
programming, educational outreach, and
intentional community building. SDI’s
programs and events aim to engage
Columbia students in the exploration of
their identities; and in understanding
the ways in which identity is uniquely
actualized, expressed, and lived. SDI
provides opportunities for students to
engage in dialogue around issues of
power, privilege, and oppression in order
to develop a greater knowledge and
understanding of themselves, each other,
their communities, and the world.
TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT
Technology resources for Columbia
students include access to cloud-based
software licensed by the college for
student, staff, and faculty use. Some of
the programs available include Microsoft
Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, along with
file sharing through OneDrive, and Outlook
email; the full Adobe Creative Suite,
including Photoshop, Premiere, Illustrator,
and AfterEffects, plus LinkedIn Learning
tutorials to get you up to speed on how to
use them.
SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH
DISABILITIES
The Services for Students with Disabilities
(SSD) Office coordinates support services
for students with temporary or permanent
disabilities. Staff members assist in
providing equal access to educational
experiences at Columbia College Chicago.
TRIO CONAWAY ACHIEVEMENT PROJECT
Designated specially for first-generation
students, income-eligible students,
and students with disabilities, TRIO is a
federally funded program that promotes
an atmosphere where students can
access the support they need as they
focus on their academic, personal, and
professional goals. A few of the benefits
TRIO offers: holistic advising services;
personalized student success plans;
financial assistance and planning;
computer lab and laptop loan services;
career, learning skills, and leadership
development; mentorship and coaching;
graduate school application support.
COUNSELING SERVICES
Counseling Services help increase self-
awareness and address mental health
concerns with the goal of empowering
students to manage challenging areas
in their lives. Services are available to
currently enrolled students, and the cost
is covered by student fees. Counseling
Services provide brief, short-term therapy
and can make off-campus referrals
for further mental health services as
necessary.
HEALTH CENTER
The Student Health Center is staffed by
a physician or nurse practitioner, and is
available to provide outpatient clinical
evaluation, treatment of minor illnesses,
injuries, as well as evaluation and triage/
referral for more serious illnesses or
injuries. Services are available to all
enrolled students as costs are included in
your student fees.
ENHANCE YOUR ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE.
HONORS PROGRAM
Columbia’s Honors Program offers an
enhanced Core Curriculum experience
tailored to our high-achieving
undergraduate students who seek a
greater academic challenge.
You’ll be in a classroom with other
students who, like you, are eager for
an intense intellectual experience with
deeper levels of inquiry, and you’ll study
with faculty who have heightened
expectations of student work and
engagement. Your Honors participation
will also show up in official college
transcripts, giving you a leg up when you
market yourself after graduation.
The Admissions Office reviews every
application for Honors consideration. If
you meet the criteria, you will receive an
invitation to join the Honors Program with
your admissions letter.
SEMESTER IN LA
Work, study, and live in the heart
of Hollywood. Columbia College
Chicago’s Semester in LA (SiLA)
program can provide you with
critical experience in the media and
entertainment industry to carry
into your career after graduation.
You’ll explore your career interests
through internships and class
experiences that are only available
in the Los Angeles area.
Our classes are held at Raleigh
STUDY ABROAD
Studios, home to some of today’s
hottest showrunners and most Chicago is opening back up and so
popular films. While in the program, is the rest of the world. Columbia is
you’ll learn from industry experts making plans to (safely) resume
in the classroom and work 15 to some foreign study programs as
20 hours per week at an LA-based soon as the Spring 2022 semester.
internship. Your internship not only Columbia offers:
provides an entry into the world • Faculty-led programs (many of them
of entertainment and media; it during the summer or our three-
quickly demystifies the business week January “J” Session)
of Hollywood. SiLA also provides
• Exchange programs with other
networking opportunities, exclusive
universities abroad (locations
events, tapings, and tours, all of
include Singapore, Peru, Australia,
which round out your immersive
Ireland, China, Germany, and more)
experience.
• Connections to independent
Over the 20 years of SiLA’s existence,
providers of study abroad
Columbia has built an industry-wide
experiences
reputation with an extensive network
of entertainment professionals We’ll make sure we find the right
(many of them Columbia alums) one for you!
who willingly offer their knowledge Keep an eye on colum.edu/
and resources to help you studyabroad to see info about
get ahead. programs as they become available.
LET’S TALK MONEY.
Find your admissions representative at colum.edu/admissions.
You can’t talk about college without acknowledging the cost. Tuition, fees, housing, and
other expenses can add up. At Columbia, we’re proud to offer generous aid packages to
help make your education more affordable—and we only need three things from you to
maximize your aid:
1. Submit your Columbia application.
2. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)*.
3. Submit your materials for our talent-based scholarship, the Faculty
Recognition Award (FRA). The FRA is only available to
fall applicants. Portfolio/audition requirements and submission
deadlines can vary based on intended major. See colum.edu/fra and
colum.edu/bfa for more.

*Spring 2022 applicants should complete the 2021-2022 FAFSA, which is available now. Fall 2022
applicants should complete the 2022-2023 FAFSA, which will open on October 1, 2021. Illinois residents
who are not eligible to submit a FAFSA can complete the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid. See
colum.edu/illaltapp for details. For students outside of Illinois who cannot complete the FAFSA, talk with
your admissions representative about your situation. They’re here to help!
2021-2022 ANNUAL COSTS

Estimated annual tuition and fees: Estimated annual room and board:

$28,756 $16,456

*2020-2021 FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED TO FRESHMAN STUDENTS

Average financial aid package: Average institutional scholarship:
$26,199 (99% of freshmen received $14,852 (98% of freshmen received
financial aid) merit- and/or need-based scholarships)
*Aid and scholarship figures are for the 2020-2021 academic year and for full-time, domestic freshmen who
were eligible for aid. Complete packages can include institutional scholarships, grants, remission/exchange,
resident assistant aid, Federal Work-Study, Stafford Loans, and other Illinois, state, and federal sources.
Emergency funds disbursed under the CARES Act are not included in these numbers.

MERIT-BASED AID NEED-BASED AID

Dean’s Scholarship: All applicants
graduating from Chicago Public
Schools are automatically considered
for this scholarship upon admission.
See colum.edu/deans for more
information.
Columbia CPS Award: All applicants
graduating from a Chicago Public
School are automatically considered for
this scholarship upon admission. See
colum.edu/cps-scholarships for more
information.
Columbia Creatives Award: All
applicants graduating from a member
high school in the Art Schools Network
are automatically considered for this
scholarship upon admission. See
colum.edu/asn-scholarships for
more information.
Columbia Scholar Award: Students
who complete the Free Application
for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), using
Columbia’s school code (001665), will
be considered for all need-based aid.
TALENT-BASED AID
The Faculty Recognition Award: This
is Columbia’s talent-based scholarship.
Portfolio/audition requirements and
submission deadlines can vary based
on intended major. See colum.edu/
fra and colum.edu/bfa for more.
Talent-based aid is only available to fall
applicants.
FORMING YOUR FINANCIAL PLAN
To see all of our scholarship offerings,
go to colum.edu/scholarships. You
can get started on your personalized
financial plan at colum.edu/netprice.
 Fashion Studies (BA)
UNDERGRADUATE MAJORS Merchandising
Product Development
Acoustics (BS) Film and Television (BA)
Acting (BA | BFA) Film and Television (BFA)
Advertising (BA) Cinema Visual Effects
Art Direction Cinematography
Copywriting Directing
Strategy Editing and Post-Production
ASL-English Interpretation (BA) Production Design
Animation (BA) Producing
Computer Animation Screenwriting
Traditional Animation Sound for Cinema
Art History (BA) Fine Arts (BA | BFA)
Arts Management (BA) Game Art (BA)
Creative Industries Game Design (BA)
Film Business Game Development
Performing Arts Sound Design
Visual Arts Graphic Design (BA)
Audio Arts (BA) Graphic Design: General
Audio and Sound Design Publication Design
Audiovisual Systems Integration Web Design
General Audio Arts Graphic Design (BFA)
Live Sound Reinforcement Illustration (BA | BFA)
Music Recording Immersive Media (BA)
Combined Degree Program (BA | MA)* Interaction Design (BA)
Comedy Writing and Performance (BA) Graphic Design
Communication (BA) User Experience
Computer Animation (BFA) Web and Mobile Development
Contemporary, Urban, and Popular Music (BMus) Interior Architecture (BFA)
Creative Writing (BA) Journalism (BA)
Fiction Broadcast Journalism: Radio
Nonfiction Broadcast Journalism: Television
Poetry Magazine
Cultural Studies (BA) News and Features
Dance (BA | BFA) Marketing (BA)
Deaf Studies (BA) Digital Media
Design Management (BA) Entertainment Industry
Documentary (BA) Sports Management
English (BA) Music (BA)
Environmental and Sustainability Studies (BA) Music Business (BA)
Fashion Design (BFA) Artist Management
Live and Touring
Recorded Music and Publishing

Application materials, requirements, and deadlines can vary based on your intended program—specifically,
BFA and BMus applicants should be prepared to submit additional materials and meet earlier deadlines than
BA or BS applicants.

Columbia offers a Combined Undergraduate/Graduate Degree Program that allows students who meet certain
requirements to earn graduate credits toward specific master’s degrees.
Music Composition (BMus) Education
Music Technology (BS) Entrepreneurship
Interactive Music Design Environmental Studies
Sonic Arts Fashion Communication
Sound and Music Computing Fashion Studies
Musical Theatre (BA) Fashion Styling
Musical Theatre Performance (BFA) Fine Arts
Photography (BA) Game Art
Commercial Game Design
Fashion Photography Graphic Design
Fine Art Health and Wellness
Integrated Photography Hip-Hop Studies
Photography (BFA) Illustration
Photojournalism (BA) Immersive Media
Programming (BA | BS) Intellectual Property Management
Application Programming Interactive Media Development and
Game Programming Entrepreneurship
Public Relations (BA) Journalism
Radio (BA) Latino and Latin
Narrative American Studies
Production Literature
Voiceover Marketing
Social Media and Digital Strategy (BA) Mathematics
Television Writing and Business (BFA) Motion Graphics
Theatre (BA) Music Business
Directing Nonprofit and Public Affairs Communication
Playwriting Performing Arts Management
Stage Management Philosophy and Religion
Theatre Studies Photography
Theatre Design and Technology (BA) Playwriting
Traditional Animation (BFA) Professional Writing
Programming
Public Relations
MINORS Radio
Social Media and Digital Strategy
Acting Sports Communication
Advertising Sports Management
Animation Stage Combat
Art History Sustainable Fashion
Arts in Healthcare Talent Management
Arts Management Television Studio Production and Directing
ASL Studies Theatre Directing
Biology User Experience
Black World Studies Video Production
Cinema and Television Studies Visual Arts Management
Creative Writing Voiceover
Cultural Studies Web Development
Dance Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Design Management Writing for Television
Devising Collaborative Performance
VISIT US.
Whether virtual or on-campus, our events offer
you the opportunity to get to know us better.
We’ve got plenty of options for all the ways you
can engage with Columbia College Chicago.

colum.edu/visit

colum.edu/virtual

APPLY.
Ready to apply? Get started by reviewing
the requirements and deadlines at
colum.edu/apply.

Questions? We’re here to help.

admissions@colum.edu
312-369-7130 @ColumAdmit

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