University of Illinois at Chicago

Overview

The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) is a public research university, one of the largest universities in the Chicago area in terms of student body. The UIC is also recognized as one of the most diverse universities in the United States.

The UIC offers over 250 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs through its 16 colleges, each focusing on fields of study such as applied health sciences, business administration, engineering, medicine, and liberal arts and sciences. Aside from traditional study programs, the university offers interdisciplinary degree-granting programs and joint-degree programs. Students can also get opportunities for more advanced learning through UIC's Honors College, which also provides programs for internships and studying abroad.

In addition to these study programs, the university has established an Extended Campus, which provides online degree programs and certificates for working professionals.

The UIC traces its roots to a group of private health colleges founded in Chicago in the late 19th century. These colleges were later incorporated into the University of Illinois and, in 1961, became the University of Illinois at the Medical Center. After the war, the University of Illinois established another degree-granting campus in the Chicago area, in response to public demands for a public university in Chicago. As a result, the University of Illinois at Chicago Circle was born. In 1982, the University of Illinois' Medical Center and Chicago Circle campuses were combined to form the University of Illinois at Chicago.

The UIC has a long history of innovation, especially in the health sciences. One of the largest medical schools in the U.S. today, the university's College of Medicine developed the country's first occupational therapy program. Its entrepreneurship program and health sciences programs, including occupational therapy, pharmacy, nursing, and physical therapy, consistently place at the top of national rankings for subject areas.

The university is also known for its strong research programs, particularly in the health sciences, computer science, urban education, urban planning and public affairs, and sustainability. The UIC's Research Resources center provides the university's students with a diverse range of scientific equipment and services to support their research activities. The university also offers research opportunities through the Undergraduate Research Experience, a program that pairs students and faculty with similar research interests.

In addition to academic excellence and high-level research, the UIC remains committed to diversity and inclusivity, which are promoted by the university's Centers for Cultural Understanding and Social Change. The university is also a federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution, one of the few in Illinois.