Howard University

Courtyard to Howard University Founders Library; (c) Soul Of America

Howard University

History

Founded by Congress in 1867, it is named after General Oliver O. Howard, a Civil War hero, who was both a founder of the University and at the time, Commissioner of the Freedmen’s Bureau to help former slaves establish a new life.

Early on, Howard University achieved widespread recognition as a university committed to educating newly emancipated slaves and their descendants, and from generation to generation, it has played a unique role in Black culture and life, and in the affairs of the nation and the world.

Today, Howard University is the world’s largest and most comprehensive university with predominantly Black enrollment and a research-oriented, private HBCU.

Academic Merit

One of only a few Historically Black Colleges & Universities to offer Doctoral degrees, Howard University has its own law, divinity, social work, dentistry, and medical schools. It is one of only seventy universities to be designated a Level One Research University by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

Four out of five of Howard University’s 2,000-plus faculty hold doctoral or professional degrees. Many have distinguished themselves for their groundbreaking research on topics such as cancer, sickle cell anemia, laser chemistry, African American literature, drama, slavery, and national and international politics.

Howard has established major research centers, institutes, and special programs encompassing the African American Resource Center, Center for Disability and Socioeconomic Policy Studies, Center for Sickle Cell Disease, Child Development Center, Computational Science and Engineering Research Center, Howard University Air Force Future Aerospace, Science and Technology Center, and University Cancer Center.

Howard University has a long list of nationally and internationally recognized alumni. In 2021, Howard celebrated the distinction of alum Kamala Harris becoming the first Black, South Asian, and Female Vice-President of the United States.

Undergraduate fields of study include:

Accounting
African Studies
Afro-American Studies
Art History
Art
Biology
Clinical Laboratory Science
Chemistry
Chemical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Computer Engineering
Computer Information Systems
Computer Science
Criminology
Economics
Electrical Engineering
Education
English
Finance
French
Health Sciences
History
Human Performance
International Business
Mathematics
Management
Marketing
Mechanical Engineering
Media Journalism, Film and Communications
Music
Nutritional Sciences
Nursing
Philosophy
Physics
Political Science
Psychology
Radiation Therapy
Sociology
Spanish
Strategic, Legal & Management Communication
Supply Chain Management
Theatre Arts

Campus Life

Howard University numbers 12,000 undergraduate and over 10,000 graduate and professional students, mostly African American.

Most live active student lives with more than 150 campus clubs and organizations, including sports clubs, music groups, honor and professional societies, religious organizations, fraternities, sororities, school and departmental clubs, international student organizations, choir, and a jazz ensemble.

The renowned university-operated public television station (WHMM-TV), university-operated radio stations (WHUR-FM and WHBC-AM), and award-winning newspaper, The Hilltop, also enhance campus life.

ADDRESS: 2400 Sixth Street NW, Washington, DC MAP
PHONE: 800-822-6363 or 202-806-2752
WEBSITE: https://www.howard.edu

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