Live, learn, and pursue an internship in the vibrant city of Chicago
The ACM Chicago Programs offers three different but inter-linked programs designed to engage students academically, professionally, and personally with the city of Chicago as they study and work in their program of choice.
With Urban Studies, established in 1969, as an anchor and model, ACM recently modified the Chicago Arts program and introduced a new program in Business, Entrepreneurship, & Society to offer three programs that share a common administrative office and meeting space located in the heart of the Chicago's downtown theater district.
Using the programs' distinctive interdisciplinary approach, participants tackle the big issues facing cities and the people who live and work in them, and then are encouraged to dig deeper to relate those issues to their lives, education, and career aspirations.
Students in each of the Chicago Programs are required to complete four key components of the program designed to inform, enrich, and complement their learning experience. These include 1) the Chicago Core Course; 2) a program-specific seminar; 3) an individualized internship; and 4) an independent study project that grows out of participation in a program-based workshop, practicum, or precept project.
Students should apply for the program that best meets the academic and career interests they would like to explore during their semester in Chicago.
Spring 2009 Chicago Programs students discuss Chicago's 2016 Olympics bid with Mayor Richard Daley at City Hall.
Application deadlines
March 15, 2010
Fall 2010 semester
March 15, 2010
Spring 2011 semester early application date
Do I need to apply early?
The early application date is available for students whose college requires that all off-campus study applications for the entire upcoming academic year must be completed the prior spring semester. If your college does not require a spring decision for programs the following spring, you may simply apply by the regular application deadline.
October 31, 2010
Spring 2011 semester
If the deadline has passed and you are interested in applying, contact the ACM Office immediately. Late applications may be accepted on a space-available basis.
Publications & Resources
Chicago Programs brochure
Chicago Programs Student Handbook 2009-10
Chicago Programs internship list