Howard University

Howard University stands as a private, historically Black research institution in the heart of Washington, D.C., with a federal charter that dates back to 1867. It holds the unique distinction of being the only HBCU with an R1 classification, meaning it ranks among the top doctoral universities in the country for research activity. The university is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and sits in the vibrant Shaw neighborhood, a hub of culture and history.

Howard offers more than 120 programs across undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels, attracting students from all over the world who come for its strong academic reputation and its deep-rooted legacy of fostering Black excellence. The institution has produced a remarkable array of alumni, including Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, author Toni Morrison, and actress Taraji P. Henson, among countless others. With a mission that emphasizes educational opportunity and social justice, Howard continues to be a beacon of scholarship and activism, shaping leaders who impact every field from politics to the arts. [edit]

Howard University is dedicated to providing an exceptional educational experience that fosters intellectual development, critical thinking, and social responsibility. Its mission is to prepare diverse, talented, and ambitious students to learn, lead, and embody excellence in truth and service, advancing knowledge and promoting social justice. [edit]

Chartered by the U.S. Congress on March 2, 1867, Howard University was established by General Oliver Otis Howard, the commissioner of the Freedmen's Bureau, to educate formerly enslaved people after the Civil War. Initially, it served as a co-educational institution for Black men and women, offering theological, classical, scientific, and normal (teacher training) courses. Over the decades, Howard expanded its offerings and facilities, becoming a comprehensive university. It has been a pivotal institution in American higher education, consistently producing leaders and scholars who have significantly impacted civil rights, law, medicine, arts, and public service. The university's commitment to academic excellence and social justice has remained a constant throughout its long history. [edit]