Howard University is a private, historically black, federally chartered research university in Washington, D.C. It was founded in 1867 and is named after Civil War hero General Oliver Otis Howard, who was also the founder and first president of the university. Howard University's College of Medicine was created in response to the large number of newly freed Black people migrating to Washington, D.C., after the Civil War. The college recognised that these people, and other Black Americans across the country, had overwhelming healthcare needs that would be best met by training students to become highly competent, compassionate physicians who would deliver care in communities with a shortage of health personnel.
Howard University is the leading producer of African American students entering medical schools in the U.S. While the university is dedicated to educating students from diverse backgrounds, it has been criticised for giving preference to Black students. However, Howard and its College of Medicine have remained the vanguard of medical education, training most of the African American physicians in the country since many predominantly white institutions refused to accept Black students. Today, the College of Medicine's alumni comprise a large percentage of the practicing Black physicians nationwide, and the university continues to produce the most Black physicians every year.
What You'll Learn
- Howard University is a historically black college
- The College of Medicine was created in response to the large number of newly freed Black people migrating to Washington, D.C
- Howard University is dedicated to educating students from diverse backgrounds
- The university is committed to addressing health care disparities
- Howard University is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
Howard University is a historically black college
Howard University is a private, historically Black, federally chartered research university in Washington, D.C. It was established in 1867, shortly after the end of the American Civil War, when members of the First Congregational Society of Washington considered establishing a theological seminary for the education of Black clergymen. Within a few weeks, the project expanded to include a university, and within two years, the university consisted of the colleges of liberal arts and medicine. The university was named for General Oliver Otis Howard, a Civil War hero who was the founder of the university and, at the time, commissioner of the Freedmen's Bureau. Howard later served as president of the university from 1869 to 1874.
Howard University played an important role in the Civil Rights Movement. For its first 100 years, Howard and Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee, trained most of the African American physicians in the country, as many predominantly white institutions refused to accept Black students. Today, Howard continues to produce the most Black physicians every year nationwide.
Howard University is the leading producer of African American students entering medical schools in the U.S. The university is also the No. 1 producer of African Americans earning degrees in communications and journalism, and its School of Law is the No. 2 law degree producer for African Americans.
Howard University is one of the five largest Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the nation, with around 10,000 students. It is a selective institution, with an acceptance rate of 35%. The student-to-faculty ratio is 7:1.
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The College of Medicine was created in response to the large number of newly freed Black people migrating to Washington, D.C
The Howard University College of Medicine was established in 1868, shortly after the end of the American Civil War. The college was created in response to the large influx of newly freed Black people migrating to Washington, D.C. at that time. The founders of the college recognised the overwhelming healthcare needs of this population and of other Black people across the country. The aim was to train students to become highly competent, compassionate physicians who would deliver care in communities with a shortage of health personnel.
Howard University was named for General Oliver Otis Howard, a Civil War hero and founder of the university, who also served as its president from 1869 to 1874. The university was chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1867 and initially consisted of colleges of liberal arts and medicine.
For its first 100 years, Howard University College of Medicine—along with Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee—trained most of the African American physicians in the country. This was because many predominantly white institutions refused to accept Black students. Even today, the college's 4,000-plus alumni make up a large percentage of the practicing Black physicians nationwide.
The college's mission includes improving healthcare through training programs and research, and supporting the education of postgraduate physicians, other healthcare providers, and graduate students in biomedical sciences. The major emphasis of the College of Medicine is on preparing students to deliver patient care in communities that have a shortage of physicians and public health professionals.
Howard University College of Medicine has six training programs leading to M.S. or Ph.D. degrees, and a four-year M.D. program. The college is known for producing physicians who provide healthcare to underserved communities throughout the United States. Students gain experience in working with underserved communities at Howard University Hospital, the primary teaching hospital for the school, and at other hospitals in the D.C. metropolitan area.
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Howard University is dedicated to educating students from diverse backgrounds
Howard University is a private, federally chartered, historically Black university in Washington, D.C. It was founded in 1867 by Civil War hero General Oliver O. Howard, initially consisting of the colleges of liberal arts and medicine. The university is dedicated to educating students from diverse backgrounds at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels.
Howard's student population is approximately 10,859, with 7,497 undergraduates and 2,553 graduate students. The undergraduate population is made up of 72% women and 28% men, while the graduate student population is about 66% women and 34% men. The university has a high geographic diversity score, with 98.28% of students coming from out of state and 9.43% from out of the country. The student body represents 45 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and nine nations.
Howard University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees in more than 120 programs. The university is a leading producer of African American students entering medical schools in the U.S. and has been recognised as the top producer of African American undergraduates who later earn PhDs in the natural sciences.
Howard's dedication to educating students from diverse backgrounds is reflected in its commitment to cutting-edge scholarship and innovation across various disciplines, including nanotechnology, human genome research, atmospheric science, and the social sciences, arts, and humanities. The university's faculty plays a crucial role in guiding students and immersing them in these diverse academic pursuits.
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The university is committed to addressing health care disparities
Howard University is a private, historically black, federally chartered research university in Washington, D.C. The College of Medicine was founded in 1868, three years after the end of the Civil War, in response to the large number of newly freed Black people migrating to the nation's capital. The College's founders recognised the overwhelming healthcare needs of this population and of other Black people across the country. Thus, the College's mission is to train students to become highly competent, compassionate physicians who will deliver care in communities with a shortage of health personnel.
Howard University College of Medicine is committed to addressing healthcare disparities. The College's academic program leading to an M.D. degree is designed to produce physicians who are knowledgeable of modern medical science and have mastered critical thinking in the clinical decision-making process. The College's core values include a commitment to cultural diversity among faculty, staff, and students, as well as ensuring a respectful and ethical academic environment. The College also focuses on teaching and research activities that address healthcare disparities.
The College's alumni, comprising a large percentage of the nation's Black physicians, are a testament to its continued commitment to addressing healthcare disparities. The College's curriculum includes education about health issues that disproportionately affect minorities, including the effects of systemic racism on health. Howard University College of Medicine has consistently graduated the most Black physicians every year nationwide.
Howard University Hospital, the primary teaching hospital for the College of Medicine, plays a crucial role in serving the healthcare needs of the community. The Hospital was at the forefront of COVID-19 testing and vaccination efforts in Washington, D.C., earning recognition from the federal government. Additionally, the College of Medicine launched the 1867 Health Innovations Project, which aims to transform and improve healthcare in medically underserved communities through cutting-edge technology and innovation. The project has led to strategic partnerships with organisations like AARP Innovation Labs to pilot technology projects for various health conditions.
Howard University College of Medicine remains a beacon for addressing healthcare disparities and including systemic racism in medical school curricula, despite pushback from conservative voices. The College's commitment to service and justice has evolved over its 155-year history, and it continues to attract students dedicated to serving medically underserved communities.
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Howard University is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
Howard University is a private, historically black, federally chartered research university in Washington, D.C. It is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity" and is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is a corporate entity that offers sponsorship opportunities and provides support and services to key decision-makers in higher education and accreditation. The Commission has a variety of corporate sponsors, including Symbiosis Educational Consultants, a Platinum Corporate Sponsor.
Howard University's College of Medicine was created in response to the large number of newly freed Black people migrating to Washington, D.C., after the Civil War. The founders of the college recognised the overwhelming healthcare needs of this population and set out to train students to become highly competent, compassionate physicians who would serve in communities with a shortage of health personnel.
Howard University is one of the five largest HBCUs in the nation with around 10,000 students and a student-to-faculty ratio of 7:1. The university offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees in more than 120 programs.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Howard University College of Medicine accepts non-Black students. Howard University is a historically Black college, but it is dedicated to educating students from diverse backgrounds at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels.
84% of Howard University's student population are racial/ethnic minorities. Of the 10,859 total students, 7,497 are undergraduates and 2,553 are graduate students. The undergraduate population is made up of 72% women and 28% men, while the graduate student population is 66% women and 34% men.
The College of Medicine was created in response to the large number of newly freed Black people migrating to Washington, D.C., after the Civil War. For its first 100 years, Howard and Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee, trained most of the African American physicians in the country since many predominantly white institutions refused to accept Black students.
The College of Medicine's mission is to address health care disparities and train highly competent, compassionate physicians who will deliver care in communities with a shortage of health personnel.
Howard University received 29,391 applications in fall 2021 and accepted 10,362 (35%) of applicants.