Bowie State University

What is the history of Bowie State University?

Bowie State University is a public historically Black university whose origins date to 1865 in Baltimore. It began as a school for educating Black teachers at a time when educational opportunities for Black Marylanders were severely restricted.

The institution moved to Bowie in 1914. Its later names included Maryland State Teachers College at Bowie and Bowie State College, reflecting its expansion beyond teacher preparation. It became Bowie State University in 1988 and is now part of the University System of Maryland. Teacher education remains part of its academic identity, but the university offers programs across the sciences, business, health professions, the humanities, and other fields.

What are the faculties and departments at Bowie State University?

Bowie State organizes its academic programs into four colleges: Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, and Professional Studies. It offers bachelor's and graduate degrees; applicants should check the current program directory for the credential and delivery format available in their intended field.

The College of Arts and Sciences includes fields such as biology, computer science, mathematics, English, and the visual and performing arts. Business students can pursue areas including business administration, while the College of Education continues the university's longstanding work in teacher preparation. Professional Studies includes fields such as nursing, social work, and criminal justice. Admission to the university does not necessarily mean admission to a limited-enrollment program: nursing, teacher preparation, and other professionally regulated fields may have separate prerequisites or progression requirements.

What is the location of Bowie State University?

Bowie State University is in Bowie, Maryland, in Prince George's County, between Washington, D.C., and Baltimore. Its suburban campus offers access to both metropolitan areas, though the convenience of a particular internship or job depends on its location and a student's transportation options.

The Bowie State MARC station, served by the Penn Line, is adjacent to campus and can be useful for regional travel. Train schedules and connections matter for students commuting outside typical daytime hours. Drivers should account for parking rules and traffic; first-year students are permitted to register a car on campus. Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport is a regional air-travel option.

What is the mission and vision of Bowie State University?

Bowie State describes its mission as providing accessible, high-quality education through teaching, research, and service. As a public historically Black university, it places particular emphasis on educational opportunity, student development, and preparing graduates to contribute to their professions and communities.

The university's stated vision emphasizes innovation, academic achievement, and its role in addressing social and economic needs. These are institutional priorities, not guarantees about an individual student's experience or outcomes. Bowie State is a public university, not a religiously affiliated institution.