
Also known as: CCC
| Event | Date | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 📅 | First Day of Spring Semester Classes | 13 January 2025 | Marks the beginning of the spring term with orientations and class starts, affecting all students and faculty in creative programs. |
| 🕊️ | Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday | 20 January 2025 | University closed for observance, providing time for community service and reflection on civil rights. |
| 📝 | Spring Add/Drop Deadline | 27 January 2025 | Last day to adjust schedules without penalties, crucial for students finalizing creative course loads. |
| 🇺🇸 | Presidents' Day Holiday | 17 February 2025 | No classes, allowing for mid-semester breaks and professional development in Chicago. |
| 🏖️ | Spring Break Begins | 10 March 2025 | Week-long break for rest, travel, or creative projects, impacting student recharge. |
| 📚 | Classes Resume After Spring Break | 17 March 2025 | Return to academic activities with renewed focus on midterms and projects. |
| 🏁 | Last Day of Spring Semester Classes | 28 April 2025 | Conclusion of regular classes, leading into finals and showcases. |
| 📝 | Spring Finals Week Begins | 5 May 2025 | Period for exams, critiques, and portfolio reviews in creative disciplines. |
| 🎓 | Commencement Ceremony | 17 May 2025 | Graduation event celebrating achievements in arts and media. |
| ☀️ | Summer Session Starts | 26 May 2025 | Beginning of optional summer courses for accelerated learning. |
| 🎖️ | Memorial Day Holiday | 26 May 2025 | Observance with university closure, honoring military service. |
| 🎆 | Independence Day Holiday | 4 July 2025 | National holiday break during summer term. |
| 🏖️ | Summer Session Ends | 8 August 2025 | Conclusion of summer classes and activities. |
| 👋 | Fall Semester Orientation | 18 August 2025 | Welcome events for new and returning students. |
| 📅 | First Day of Fall Semester Classes | 25 August 2025 | Start of fall term with creative coursework. |
| 🛠️ | Labor Day Holiday | 1 September 2025 | No classes, celebrating workers' contributions. |
| 📝 | Fall Add/Drop Deadline | 8 September 2025 | Final adjustments to fall schedules. |
| 🦃 | Thanksgiving Break Begins | 26 November 2025 | Start of holiday break for family and rest. |
| 📚 | Classes Resume After Thanksgiving | 1 December 2025 | Return to classes post-holiday. |
| 🏁 | Last Day of Fall Semester Classes | 8 December 2025 | End of regular fall classes. |
| 📝 | Fall Finals Week Begins | 15 December 2025 | Final assessments and projects. |
Are you planning on applying to CCC next year? Then you need to know the important dates and deadlines for the admissions process at CCC. You can check them out below…
| Event | Date | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 📅 | Early Action Application Deadline | 1 November 2025 | Submit early for priority consideration in creative programs at CCC. |
| 📬 | Early Decision Notification | 15 December 2025 | Decisions released for early applicants, binding commitment if accepted. |
| 📝 | Regular Decision Application Deadline | 1 February 2026 | Standard deadline for fall 2026 entry, including portfolios and auditions. |
| 💰 | FAFSA Priority Deadline | 15 February 2026 | Submit financial aid forms for maximum aid eligibility. |
| 📬 | Regular Decision Notification | 1 April 2026 | Admissions decisions sent out for regular applicants. |
| 🤝 | National College Decision Day | 1 May 2026 | Deadline to commit to CCC and submit deposits. |
| 🔄 | Transfer Application Deadline | 1 June 2026 | For students transferring credits into CCC programs. |
| 👋 | Orientation Registration Deadline | 15 July 2026 | Sign up for new student orientation sessions. |
| 🛂 | International Student Visa Deadline | 30 June 2026 | Final date for I-20 processing and visa applications. |
| 🏆 | Scholarship Application Deadline | 1 March 2026 | Apply for merit-based awards in arts and media. |
The academic calendar at Columbia College Chicago (CCC) serves as the backbone for students, faculty, and staff navigating the vibrant world of creative education in the heart of Chicago. As a premier institution focused on arts, media, and communications, CCC's calendar is uniquely tailored to foster innovation and hands-on learning while aligning with the dynamic cultural scene of the city. The structure typically divides the year into fall, spring, and summer semesters, each designed to balance rigorous coursework with opportunities for real-world experiences, such as internships in Chicago's thriving arts community. This setup not only accommodates traditional academic pursuits but also integrates events like film festivals, gallery openings, and performances that are integral to the curriculum.
Historically, CCC's academic calendar has evolved from its founding in 1890 as a speech and drama school to its current status as a comprehensive college offering over 60 undergraduate and graduate programs. Compared to other universities, CCC emphasizes flexibility, with shorter terms and intensive workshops that cater to working professionals and non-traditional students. This impacts students by allowing them to plan around part-time jobs or portfolio-building activities, which are crucial in creative fields. For international students, the calendar aligns with U.S. holidays, providing time for cultural immersion or travel back home.
Admissions processes are woven into the calendar, with key periods for applications, auditions, and portfolio reviews that prospective students must track. Holidays and breaks offer respite, aligning with national observances to enable family time or personal projects. Faculty use the calendar to schedule critiques, exhibitions, and collaborative events, ensuring a rhythm that supports both teaching and professional development. Parents and families can coordinate visits around these dates, while staff manage administrative deadlines seamlessly.
In essence, the CCC academic calendar is more than a schedule; it's a tool for strategic planning in a creative environment. It helps in organizing class loads, preparing for exams, and enjoying breaks that recharge artistic energies. Whether you're verifying past event timings or planning future semesters, this calendar ensures everyone stays synchronized in the pursuit of excellence at Columbia College Chicago. For insights into professors and courses, we invite you to rate your professors or view existing ratings to make informed decisions.
Columbia College Chicago's academic calendar is meticulously crafted to support its mission of nurturing creative talent in fields like film, music, fashion, and journalism. The calendar typically features a fall semester starting after summer, a spring semester beginning in the new year, and optional summer sessions for accelerated learning or electives. This structure allows for immersive experiences, such as participating in Chicago's Lollapalooza or Art Institute events, which often tie into coursework.
Traditions at CCC include orientation weeks filled with workshops and networking, midterm breaks for reflection, and end-of-semester showcases where students present their work. Holiday notes are particularly important; the calendar incorporates federal holidays, providing time for rest and inspiration. For instance, breaks align with periods when students can engage in freelance gigs or travel to gain new perspectives, essential for creative growth.
Compared to more traditional universities, CCC's calendar is more fluid, accommodating the unpredictable nature of artistic projects. This benefits students by offering flexibility in planning work schedules around deadlines for assignments like short films or design portfolios. Faculty appreciate the built-in periods for professional development, such as attending conferences in nearby venues.
To get a sense of the teaching quality, check out Rate My Professor for Columbia College Chicago. We encourage current and former students to contribute ratings to help others plan their academic paths effectively. For career opportunities, explore research jobs or lecturer jobs at CCC through Academic Jobs.
The calendar also considers international students, with breaks that allow for visa-related travel or cultural celebrations. Overall, it's a comprehensive guide that enhances the educational experience in Chicago's bustling environment.
Planning classes at Columbia College Chicago involves understanding the general timing of semesters, which typically span 15-16 weeks each. Fall terms often commence in late summer, allowing students to settle into Chicago's vibrant scene before diving into courses. Spring semesters follow winter breaks, providing a fresh start with new projects and collaborations.
Tips for effective planning include reviewing course catalogs early and consulting advisors to align classes with career goals in creative industries. Students rate their experiences highly when courses offer practical applications, such as live productions or internships. For professor insights, visit Rate My Professor to see ratings and reviews that can influence your schedule.
Balancing workloads is key; mix intensive studio classes with theoretical ones to avoid burnout. The calendar's structure supports this by including add/drop periods at the beginning of terms. International students should note how semester timings affect visa renewals or travel plans.
We invite you to rate your courses after completion to help future planners. For job seekers, check higher ed jobs tailored to CCC's creative focus.
Exam periods at Columbia College Chicago are strategically placed at the end of each semester, allowing ample time for review and project completion. Typical schedules include midterms midway through the term and finals in the closing weeks, often incorporating practical assessments like performances or critiques.
Preparation tips emphasize utilizing CCC's resources, such as tutoring centers and library archives in Chicago. Study groups in creative fields can lead to innovative review methods, like collaborative storyboarding for exams.
Students often rate professors who provide clear guidelines highly; explore these on Rate My Professor. Time management during exam seasons is crucial, aligning with breaks for recovery.
Thanksgiving break at Columbia College Chicago offers a welcome pause in the academic year, typically falling in late autumn. This time allows students to travel home, recharge, and reflect on their creative progress amidst Chicago's fall foliage.
Traditions include family gatherings with a creative twist, like sharing art projects over dinner. Planning tips involve booking travel early, especially from Chicago's airports, and using the break for portfolio updates or freelance opportunities.
For international students, it's a chance to experience American customs or host cultural exchanges. Faculty use this period for grading and planning, ensuring a smooth return. Check Rate My College for student feedback on how breaks enhance the CCC experience.
Coordinate family travel by aligning with the calendar's holiday alignments, making it easier to plan visits to Chicago's museums during this time.
Columbia College Chicago incorporates various holidays and breaks into its calendar, including national observances like Labor Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and Independence Day. Spring breaks provide mid-semester relief, ideal for travel or creative retreats in nearby areas.
Travel tips include exploring Chicago's neighborhoods or road trips to Midwest destinations. For U.S.-specific breaks like Thanksgiving, students plan family coordinations, while international holidays might be accommodated through flexible scheduling.
These periods impact work schedules, allowing time for internships or personal projects. View professor ratings on Rate My Professor to see how they handle holiday assignments.
Breaks also serve to track rival school events, such as art competitions, fostering a competitive yet collaborative spirit.
Faculty and staff at Columbia College Chicago follow a work schedule tied to the academic calendar, with deadlines for syllabus submissions, grant applications, and event planning. This ensures smooth operations in a creative environment.
Tips for managing include using digital tools to track milestones, aligning with semester starts and ends.
Explore professor salaries and career advice at Higher Ed Career Advice.
Faculty meetings and grading periods are scheduled around the calendar's key points, promoting collaboration. Staff handle administrative tasks like enrollment during peak times.
We invite employees to rate their employer on Rate My College. For job openings, visit employer profiles.
Historical calendars from past years show patterns, like consistent fall starts in late August during the 2010s. Future projections follow similar structures, adapting to educational trends.
Verify historical dates for events like past commencements to understand evolutions.
Major events include orientation and commencement, highlighting student achievements. Invite students to rate professors or view results for better planning.
Check university rankings and how Rate My Professor works.
| Event | Date | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 📅 | First Day of Spring Semester Classes | 12 January 2026 | Kickoff of spring term with new creative opportunities. |
| 🕊️ | Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday | 19 January 2026 | Day of service and remembrance. |
| 📝 | Spring Add/Drop Deadline | 26 January 2026 | Schedule finalization period. |
| 🇺🇸 | Presidents' Day Holiday | 16 February 2026 | Mid-semester holiday break. |
| 🏖️ | Spring Break Begins | 9 March 2026 | Time for travel and rejuvenation. |
| 📚 | Classes Resume After Spring Break | 16 March 2026 | Back to academic pursuits. |
| 🏁 | Last Day of Spring Semester Classes | 27 April 2026 | Wrap-up of spring coursework. |
| 📝 | Spring Finals Week Begins | 4 May 2026 | Evaluation period for students. |
| 🎓 | Commencement Ceremony | 16 May 2026 | Celebration of graduates' accomplishments. |
| ☀️ | Summer Session Starts | 25 May 2026 | Launch of summer learning. |
| 🎖️ | Memorial Day Holiday | 25 May 2026 | Honoring fallen heroes. |
| 🎆 | Independence Day Holiday | 3 July 2026 | Observed holiday in summer. |
| 🏖️ | Summer Session Ends | 7 August 2026 | End of summer term. |
| 👋 | Fall Semester Orientation | 17 August 2026 | Welcoming new students. |
| 📅 | First Day of Fall Semester Classes | 24 August 2026 | Fall term commencement. |
| 🛠️ | Labor Day Holiday | 7 September 2026 | Labor celebration day. |
| 📝 | Fall Add/Drop Deadline | 14 September 2026 | Course adjustment cutoff. |
| 🦃 | Thanksgiving Break Begins | 25 November 2026 | Holiday break start. |
| 📚 | Classes Resume After Thanksgiving | 30 November 2026 | Post-holiday resumption. |
| 🏁 | Last Day of Fall Semester Classes | 7 December 2026 | Fall classes conclusion. |
| 📝 | Fall Finals Week Begins | 14 December 2026 | Final exams period. |