Norfolk State University

What is the history of Norfolk State University?

Norfolk State University is a public, historically Black university whose roots reach back to 1935. It opened in Norfolk as the Norfolk Unit of Virginia Union University, expanding access to higher education for Black students during segregation.

The institution became Norfolk Polytechnic College in 1942 and joined Virginia State College as its Norfolk Division in 1944. It became an independent institution named Norfolk State College in 1969 and acquired its present name in 1979. That history helps explain both its continuing HBCU identity and its development into a university offering undergraduate and graduate degrees.

What are the faculties and departments at Norfolk State University?

Norfolk State offers programs across the liberal arts, sciences, engineering and technology, business, education, health professions, and social work. Its academic organization includes the College of Liberal Arts, the College of Science, Engineering and Technology, the School of Business, the School of Education, and the Ethelyn R. Strong School of Social Work.

Students can explore fields such as biology, computer science, electrical engineering, nursing, psychology, accounting, and social work. The university also offers graduate study. Applicants should check the current academic catalog for a particular degree's required courses, admission conditions, and any professional accreditation; those details can differ substantially even within the same school.

What is the location of Norfolk State University?

Norfolk State University is in Norfolk, Virginia, an urban city in the Hampton Roads region. Its location gives students access to regional employers, health-care institutions, schools, and cultural venues, while making transportation a practical consideration for commuters and students completing off-campus placements.

Norfolk International Airport serves the area. Students planning to commute should compare their route and parking arrangements with their class schedules, particularly if a program requires evening courses, clinical work, or student teaching. The university's campus experience is not solely residential: a substantial share of students live off campus.

What is the mission and vision of Norfolk State University?

Norfolk State describes its mission in terms of teaching, research, and service, with an emphasis on preparing students for careers and civic participation. Its identity as a public HBCU is central to that stated purpose; the university serves students of all backgrounds.

For a prospective student, the useful question is how that mission appears in a specific program. Curriculum, research or practical-learning options, advising, and community partnerships can vary by major. The university's stated priorities describe its aims, not a guarantee of any individual academic or career outcome.