General Information

The University

Chicago State University is a fully accredited, public, urban, commuter and residential institution. Originally founded in 1867 as an experimental teacher training school, the institution has evolved into a multipurpose university committed to meeting the needs of the urban community.

The primary purpose of Chicago State University is instruction. Degrees are conferred at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. The university offers undergraduate programs in the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, and Health Sciences, and through the Division of Continuing Education and Non-Traditional Programs. The university offers graduate programs in the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Education, and the College of Health Sciences. In addition to degree programs, the university offers many courses, certificates and programs of study for in-service education through late afternoon, evening, and Saturday classes, summer sessions and extension courses.

Faculty and students of Chicago State University engage in scholarly and creative activities that complement and supplement the instructional programs of the university. Faculty and students also provide services to the public. These services integrate the university’s research and instructional purposes and demonstrate their applications to practical matters of importance to governments, businesses, schools, social agencies and community groups. Public services are adjunct to the university’s primary instructional purpose.

Chicago State University is sensitive to the diverse needs and characteristics of its student population. The university’s multiracial student body reflects the demographics of the Chicago metropolitan area, particularly the southern and western areas of the city and adjacent suburbs. In addition, the student body includes: more females than males; many part-time students who hold full-time employment; a substantial population of students from low income backgrounds; and many students who are older than the traditional college age.

A dedicated faculty provides quality instruction in a caring, intellectually stimulating environment that addresses societal and technological changes as they impact on students’ needs. Students’ academic and personal growth is also facilitated through extensive support services and living-learning- serving experiences.

Chicago State University admits applicants to undergraduate and graduate programs who meet the admission criteria for its programs. The university is affirmatively committed to providing opportunities for enrollment to all students regardless of racial or ethnic background, sex, religion, and social or economic circumstance.

Location

The university is located in a residential community on the south side of Chicago, approximately 12 miles from downtown. The 161-acre campus has contemporary buildings attractively placed in a carefully preserved woodland setting. The university is conveniently served by the Dan Ryan expressway, the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra, and several bus routes. Ample parking is also available. The mailing address is 9501 S. King Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60628-1598. The phone number is 773/995-2000 and the website address is: www.csu.edu.

Organization

The university is classified as a comprehensive urban university with a mission that incorporates instruction, research and public service. Chicago State University is governed by a Board of Trustees. The president has full power and responsibility within the framework of the general policies determined by the Board of Trustees in the organization, management, direction and supervision of the university and is held accountable to the board for the successful functioning of the institution in all its departments, divisions and services. The general administration of the university is handled by the president. The university is organized into four major divisions, each administered by a vice president: Academic and Student Affairs, Administrative and Financial Affairs, Labor and Legal Affairs, and Budget, Facilities, & Risk Management. Faculty, student and staff participation in university governance is accomplished through the Faculty Senate, Student Government, the Civil Service Council and membership on standing and ad hoc committees. These bodies and their committees consider and recommend policies, curricula and procedures to the president.

Mission

Chicago State University, a public, comprehensive, urban institution of higher learning located on the south side of Chicago, strives for excellence in teaching, research, creative expression and community service. The mission of the university is to: 1) provide access to higher education for residents of the region, the state and beyond, with an emphasis on meeting the educational needs, undergraduate through doctoral levels, of promising graduates from outstanding secondary schools as well as educating students where academic and personal growth and promise may have been inhibited by lack of economic, social, or educational opportunity; and, 2) produce graduates who are responsible, discerning, and informed global citizens with a commitment to lifelong learning and service.

To accomplish its mission the university is committed to:

recruiting, retaining and graduating a culturally and economically diverse student body including undergraduate, masters, and doctoral level students;
employing a dedicated, caring, and culturally diverse faculty whose teaching is informed by research and embodies engaging learning experiences that enable students to flourish academically and personally;
offering curricula that address major dimensions of the arts, humanities, sciences and technology and encourage development of communication skills and critical thinking as well as cultural and social awareness;
providing students in liberal arts and professional programs with broad knowledge, university-level competencies and specialized courses that are intellectually challenging and academically rigorous;
fostering a collaborative and intellectually stimulating community that promotes academic freedom, mutual respect and integrity for its graduate and undergraduate students, faculty and staff; and,
working in partnership with local organizations and agencies active in the region and assisting in the development of socially and economically viable and sustainable communities.

The Seal

The Chicago State University Seal is based on the design of the original Seal of the Normal School, probably the earliest symbol of Chicago State University. It appropriately reiterates the University’s heritage and proud past. The pine evergreen design is the symbol of vitality, life and continued growth; it is always green and growing, persistent and long living. Each stage of the evergreen’s growth broadens its base and increases its stature. The motto “Responsibility” that encircles the evergreen characterizes the university’s educational stance; its commitment to students and the urban community that it serves. The seal appears on page 3, along with the Message from the President.

Chicago State University Accreditation

Chicago State University holds accreditations from:

The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago IL 60602, 312/263-0456, www.higherlearningcommission.org.
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Division I, 700 W. Washington Street, P.O. Box 6222, Indianapolis IN 46206-6222, 317/917-6222, www.ncaa.org.
Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) 11520 W. 119 St., Overland Pk., KS 66213, (913) 330-6226, http://www.acbsp.org/p/st/ld/sid=s1_001
Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), 5999 Stevenson Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22304, 703/ 823-9800 ext. 301, www.counseling.org/cacrep.
Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM), 233 N. Michigan Ave., 21st floor, Chicago, IL 60601-5800, www.cahiim.org.
Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), 1725 Duke Street, Suite 500, Alexandria, VA 22314-3457, 703/683-8080, www.cswe.org.
National Middle School Association (NMSA), 4151 Executive Parkway, Suite 300 Westerville, OH 43081, http://www.nmsa.org
National Recreation and Park Association/ American Association for Leisure and Recreation (NRPA/AALR) Council on Accreditation, 1900 Association Drive, Reston VA 20191-1598, 1-800-213-7193, ext. 472, www.aahperd.org/aalr.
Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association, Inc., 1305 Wabash Avenue, Suite L, Springfield, IL 62704-4938
Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association, 4720 Montgomery Lane, PO Box 31220, Bethesda >MD 20824-1220, 301/652-2682, www.aota.org.
Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, 599 Stevenson Ave., Alexandria, VA 22304
Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC) housed by the National Policy Board for Educational Administration, 1307 New York Ave. Suite 300, Washington, DC 20005, (202) 293-2450
(Candidate Status) Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), 20 N Clark St., Chicago IL 60602, info@acpe-accredit.org
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), 2010 Massachusetts Ave., suite 500, Washington DC 20036, 202/466-7496, www.ncate.org.

Programs that meet NCATE-approved guidelines for specialization:

Bilingual Education – Association for Childhood Education International
Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership – Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC)
Early Childhood Education – National Association for Education of Young Children
Elementary Education – Association for Childhood Education International
General Administration – Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC)
Library Information and Media Studies – American Association of School Librarians
Physical Education – American Alliance for Health, Physical Education Recreation and Dance
Reading – International Reading Association
School Administration – Educational Leadership Constituent Council
Special Education – The Council for Exceptional Children
Technology Education – International Technology Education Association/ Council on Technology Education

In addition to the accreditations listed above, Chicago State University’s teacher education programs are recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education.

The university is a member in good standing of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, and the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. It is also affiliated with the American Council on Education.

Housing & Residence Hall

The Residence Hall is a three-story quadrangle, coeducational facility housing approximately 330 students. There are double rooms with adjoining bathrooms, and single rooms with private baths. A student must be a junior or a senior to apply for a single room. All residential rooms come furnished with beds, dressers, desk, chairs, closet space, cable T.V., phone line and internet access. Additionally all rooms are equipped with smoke detectors and water sprinklers.

In the center of the Residence Hall is a courtyard, which is landscaped with trees, flowers, and other greenery. The building also has several lounges for studying, socializing or watching T.V., a laundry facility, several vending machines, and an elevator. The Residence Hall is staffed 24 hours a day. The main entrance to the building has a front desk, which is supported and maintains video surveillance throughout the building.

Students have an option to live on-campus for nine (9) or twelve (12) months during the year. Meals are standard for students on the nine-month agreement. Sunday – Monday, nineteen (19) meals are included with the cost of room and board (three (3) meals are granted Monday – Friday and two (2) meals Saturday and Sunday). Community Living Standards in the Residence Hall are published in the Student Calendar Handbook.

Information concerning on-campus housing can be obtained by contacting the Office of Housing & Residence Life at 773/995-3676.