Howard University

What is the history of Howard University?

Howard University is a private, historically Black research university founded in Washington, DC, in 1867. Its founders initially envisioned an educational institution for newly freed Black Americans; the university soon developed a much broader range of academic and professional programs.

Congress chartered Howard on March 2, 1867. The university was named for Oliver Otis Howard, a Civil War general who led the federal Freedmen's Bureau. Medicine and law became part of its early academic development, helping establish an institution that educated Black professionals when many other universities excluded them. Howard's present-day schools span the liberal arts, sciences, business, fine arts, and health professions.

What are the faculties and departments at Howard University?

Howard organizes its academic programs across undergraduate colleges, graduate schools, and professional schools. Students can pursue bachelor's degrees as well as graduate and professional credentials; the requirements and admissions process depend on the school and degree.

Its academic units include the College of Arts and Sciences; the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts; the College of Engineering and Architecture; the College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences; the Cathy Hughes School of Communications; and the schools of Business, Education, Divinity, Law, Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, and Social Work. The Graduate School administers graduate study across disciplines.

That structure gives applicants choices ranging from biology, economics, journalism, and computer science to architecture, nursing, and social work. A prospective student should check the requirements for the specific degree, rather than assume that university-wide admissions rules, clinical placements, or professional accreditation apply identically to every program.

What is the location of Howard University?

Howard's main campus is in northwest Washington, DC, in an urban setting near the Shaw and LeDroit Park neighborhoods. Its location puts students within reach of the region's public transit, cultural institutions, employers, and government offices, though opportunities off campus still depend on scheduling and transportation.

The university also has facilities beyond the main campus, including its law school in the Van Ness area. Applicants should confirm where their classes, clinical work, or other required activities take place before choosing housing or planning a commute. Metrorail, buses, and other city transportation options serve the broader area; Reagan National Airport is a practical option for many trips to and from Washington.

What is the mission and vision of Howard University?

Howard states that its mission centers on education, research, and service, with particular attention to developing leaders and addressing issues affecting underserved communities. Its identity as a historically Black university is central to that stated purpose, although enrollment is open to students of all backgrounds.

The university's academic offerings show how that mission is expressed across fields: liberal arts and scientific study sit alongside professional education in areas such as medicine, law, education, and social work. Applicants evaluating that mission can look at the curriculum and service or research opportunities in their intended program, rather than treating an institution-wide statement as a description of every student's experience.