DePaul University

What is the history of DePaul University?

DePaul University is a private Catholic university founded in Chicago in 1898 by the Congregation of the Mission, also known as the Vincentians. It opened as St. Vincent's College to serve students in a growing city; it took the DePaul University name in 1907, honoring St. Vincent de Paul.

Its development into a university with professional schools, graduate programs and campuses in both Lincoln Park and the Loop helps explain its present-day mix of traditional undergraduates, commuters and working adults. Its Vincentian origins remain visible in its emphasis on service and access, although students do not have to be Catholic to attend.

What are the faculties and departments at DePaul University?

DePaul offers undergraduate, graduate and professional study across the arts, sciences and career-focused fields. Its academic units include the Driehaus College of Business; the colleges of Communication, Computing and Digital Media, Education, Law, Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, and Science and Health; the School of Music; The Theatre School; and the School of Continuing and Professional Studies.

Prospective students can find programs ranging from accounting, computer science and film to psychology, nursing, music and theatre. The College of Law awards professional law degrees, while the School of Continuing and Professional Studies serves adults seeking flexible routes to undergraduate study. Program availability, admission criteria and course locations vary, so applicants should examine the catalog for their intended major rather than assume every subject is offered on both main campuses.

What is the location of DePaul University?

DePaul's two main campuses are in Chicago, Illinois: Lincoln Park on the North Side and the Loop downtown. Lincoln Park contains many undergraduate classrooms, residence halls and student facilities; the Loop places students near Chicago's business and civic districts and hosts classes in several professional fields.

Chicago Transit Authority trains and buses connect the campuses, making travel between them practical but still worth factoring into a class schedule. Students considering internships may value access to employers throughout the metropolitan area. For those arriving from farther away, both O'Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport serve Chicago. Living costs and travel time will differ substantially between a nearby apartment, university housing and a longer commute.

What is the mission and vision of DePaul University?

DePaul describes its mission as providing education grounded in its Catholic and Vincentian heritage, with particular attention to human dignity, social responsibility and service. Its stated approach connects academic learning with the needs of an urban, diverse community.

Those are institutional aims, not measures of every student's experience. Applicants can look for concrete expressions of them in coursework, service opportunities and campus policies. DePaul's religious identity does not mean students must share a particular faith; students considering a program should nevertheless review any curriculum requirements relevant to their degree.