Planning your Transfer

For students affected by the closures of St. Andrews University, Trinity Christian College, and Siena Heights University, as well as the elimination of certain programs of study at Indiana University and St. Francis University: We understand that these developments have disrupted your educational plans, and we are here to help you continue your work toward a creative career.

If you're interested in transferring to Columbia College Chicago, please review the information on this page to help prepare your application.

Please reach out to us at transfer@colum.edu so we can expedite review of your application and transfer credits.

Your Transfer Journey

Who is a transfer student?
If you've been enrolled at a college, community college, or university AFTER completing high school, home school, or your GED, then you're a transfer student and you're in the right place. Welcome!
Where can I find everything I need to know in one place?
The transfer process can vary a great deal from student to student—that's why it's so important to engage with us as early as possible, and that's also why there isn't a "one-size-fits-all" set of instructions. But, if you want something that can serve as a quick reference for what you should be doing and thinking about at every stage, you can review our checklist and timeline for transfer students.

It's also never too early (or too late) for you to reach out to one of Columbia's transfer specialists for personalized assistance. Each transfer specialist is assigned to specific colleges within Illinois, or (outside of Illinois) to specific states.
What types of students transfer to Columbia?
All sorts of students choose the transfer path to Columbia, and we're ready to meet you wherver you are. We've helped:
- High school students who already know they'll be enrolling at a community college before applying to Columbia. It's never too early to reach out.
- Community college students who are ready to take that step toward their bachelor's degree. Some students have earned an associate degree; some haven't—either is fine.
- Students at four-year colleges or universities who are looking for a change and want to complete their bachelor's in our creative learning environment.
What if I'm ready to apply now?
That's easy! You'll find complete application instructions on this page.

But you don't have to do it all by yourself. If you have questions, your transfer specialist can help you at any stage in the process.

Transfer Events

We offer both virtual and in-person events to help you figure out your best path to Columbia.

On-Campus

Click below to see a schedule for transfer student recruitment events.

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students interested in attending
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Transfer Resources

Will my credits transfer?

That's the number one question, and we've got some resources that can not only help you figure out how credits you've already earned will transfer, but also help you make decisions about which courses you might take BEFORE you transfer to Columbia. You can also use the 2026 Course Match Sheet to assess how your prior coursework might transfer to Columbia College Chicago.

Transferology.com

One resource you should absolutely know about is Transferology.com. With a Transferology account, you can compare courses from your current college with courses offered at Columbia and see how your courses might meet Columbia's requirements.

This step-by-step guide will walk you through the process, and when you click "Request Information," Transferology will send your information to us so we can develop personalized guidance for you.

transferology

The Illinois Articulation Initiative and the General Education Core Curriculum

Columbia College Chicago participates in the Illinois Articulation Initiative, which means (among other things) that we accept credits in the General Education Core Curriculum in satisfaction of our own Columbia Core requirements—with a few key exceptions your transfer specialist can go over with you.

If you're looking for classes to take at an Illinois community college, ask your advisor to keep you on track to finish the GECC.

IAI | GECC

Guaranteed Admission and Reverse Transfer

Some partner schools have established Guaranteed Admission and Reverse Transfer Programs that give students the option of transferring Columbia credits back to their prior institution to count toward completion of their associate degree. You can find a list of schools, along with the complete terms of each agreement, at the link above. For students applying to transfer from a partner institution, Columbia College Chicago's Admissions Office will purchase their official transcripts to complete their application. Please note that this purchase is only for completion of the application and students are required to purchase their final transcript before the start of their first semester at Columbia.

GUARANTEED ADMISSION AGREEMENTS

Transfer from a Partner School to Columbia

Crafted with our partner institutions, Transfer Guides are four-year plans that demonstrate a pathway from a specific community college program to a corresponding Columbia program.

We are in the process of preparing transfer guides based on some recent curricular changes, and we'll be publishing those as they are ready. Watch this space for updates! For now, please use the 2026 Course Match Sheet to assess how your prior coursework might transfer to Columbia College Chicago.

Please also know that whether you've been working to come to Columbia already or if you're new to the process, we're here to help make your transfer as seamless as possible. Our priority is to make sure you receive proper credit for all of your prior work so that we can create a direct path to completing your Columbia degree.

We will evaluate credits earned at any regionally accredited college.

Specialists at transfer@colum.edu are always available for any questions you may have.

Transfer Plans
- Direct Associates to Bachelors transfer plans will be published here as they're available! For now, please use the 2026 Course Match Sheet to assess how your prior coursework might transfer to Columbia College Chicago.

What will I take once I get to Columbia?

The answer to this question is highly individualized, but if you want to get a sense of what you might be taking at Columbia, you can use the course match sheet below to see if the courses you've already taken might count toward your degree at Columbia.

2026 Course Match Sheet

Please also take a moment to review our course catalog. Use the button below to find your intended major and see the required courses.