CHARACTER
Columbia College is a private, residential, four-year liberal arts college for women founded in 1854 and affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Women's leadership development is integral to the Columbia College experience, with distinct emphasis on the 4C's: Courage, Commitment, Confidence and Competence.
 
In addition to the Women’s College, coeducational evening undergraduate and graduate programs are offered.
 
STUDENT TO FACULTY RATIO
13:1
 
FACULTY
81 full time and 82 part time faculty, 80 percent of full time faculty have PhD’s or terminal degrees in their field.
 
REPUTATION
Columbia College is home to the 2010-11 United States Professor of the Year, Dr. John Zubizarreta, as well as the 2009 and 2010 National Collegiate Honors Students of the Year. Columbia College is the first South Carolina college or university to earn these national awards.

In the National Survey of Student Engagement, which measures the overall effectiveness of the college experience, Columbia College ranks among the top-performing institutions in the country. The College has been recognized as one of the top comprehensive undergraduate colleges in the South and is unique in its emphasis on women’s leadership development. The Leadership Institute at Columbia College has been recognized for excellence by both the Kellogg Foundation and the Women’s College Coalition.
 
The Alliance for Women is the Columbia College partner in a public-private partnership with the South Carolina Commission on Women.  The Alliance for Women was established in 2004 to help improve the status of women in the state through a collaborative network of colleges, universities, government agencies, non-profit organizations, corporations and individuals.
 
ENROLLMENT
The diverse student body is approximately 1,500 students, representing 23 states and 20 countries. Approximately 500 students live on campus in residence halls.
 
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
The Women’s College offers over 30 majors, a premedical program, and individualized programs of study. More than half of Columbia College alumnae pursue advanced degrees, including law school or medical school.

The Evening Program offers twelve majors that rank among the most sought-after programs for working adults in the Midlands area.

The Graduate Program offers a Master of Education in Divergent Learning for educators, and a Master of Arts in Organizational Change and Leadership for professionals in any discipline.
 
STUDENT LIFE
Students participate in over 60 clubs and organizations, and five NAIA conference athletic teams (soccer, softball, tennis, volleyball and basketball). Students have access to the Student Union dining facilities and activity/lounge areas, the library and media center, as well the campus fitness center, which features an indoor junior Olympic-sized pool and outdoor tennis courts. Cultural arts activities are popular as well as long-standing traditions such as Spirit Week, The Ludy Bowl and the annual Follies program.
 
ATHLETIC TEAM NAME/MASCOT
The Fighting Koalas
 
 
FINANCIAL AID
85 percent of our students receive financial assistance in the form of scholarships, grants, loans and/or student work
 
 
PARKING FOR ALL
Columbia College students may bring cars to campus. The College offers plenty of convenient, safe, lighted on-campus parking for registered students with a parking permit.
 
SAFETY
Columbia College is recognized as one of the safest college campuses in the state. Duty officers patrol 24/7 in vehicles, on foot, on bicycle and on Segway scooters to ensure the safety of the campus community. Campus police officers maintain the highest level of training and are well-equipped with state-of-the-art technology. In 2009, an emergency notification system (ENS) was deployed on campus to provide rapid alerts via siren/phone/email and text message in the event of any campus emergency.
 
Degrees conferred:
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Science
Master of Arts
Master of Education
 
Notable Programs:
Honors Program
The Center for Engaged Learning
The Leadership Institute
Leadership Semester
Washington Semester
Study Abroad
The Pearce Communication Center
Women's Studies
 
NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY
Columbia College does not discriminate on the basis of gender in its evening/weekend undergraduate programs or graduate programs. Columbia College does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, age, or disability in any of its educational programs, admission procedures, or employment practices.
 
ACCREDITATION INFORMATION
Columbia College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097; telephone number: 404.679.4501) to award bachelors and masters degrees. The following provide independent accreditation:

NCATE, National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
National Association of Schools of Art and Design
National Association of Schools of Dance
National Association of Schools of Music
Council on Social Work Education
 
In addition to membership in the accrediting associations, Columbia College has membership in the following:
 
Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)
Council of Graduate Schools
Council for Higher Education Accreditation
International Association of Methodist Schools, Colleges and Universities
National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
National Association of Schools and Colleges of the United Methodist Church
National Collegiate Honors Council
South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities
Southern Regional Honors Council
The University Senate of the United Methodist Church
Women’s College Coalition

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Women’s College Admissions
1301 Columbia College Drive
Columbia, South Carolina 29203
803.786.3871 or 1.800.277.1301
fax: 803.786.3674

Admission requirements or degree programs are subject to change.