Overview
Howard University is one of the most important and influential Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the United States and a leading private research university. Located in Washington, D.C., it is especially strong in the humanities, social sciences, business, communications, engineering, natural sciences, education, medicine, and health sciences.
History
Howard University was founded in 1867. According to the university’s official website, Howard has long been committed to truth, service, and social progress through higher education. It occupies a central place in the history of American higher education, the Black intellectual tradition, and the development of civil rights leadership in the United States.
Notable Alumni
Howard has educated many influential figures in politics, law, medicine, the arts, media, and public life. Its official admissions site highlights alumnus Chadwick A. Boseman, and the university is also widely associated with prominent figures such as U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, Nobel laureate Toni Morrison, and civil rights lawyer Thurgood Marshall. Howard is therefore widely regarded as a major symbol of Black excellence and leadership.
Strong Academic Fields
Howard is particularly strong in political science, law, business, communications, education, biology, chemistry, psychology, computer science, engineering, health sciences, nursing, and medicine-related fields. The university combines academic rigor with a strong emphasis on public service, cultural leadership, and social impact.
Academic Structure
According to Howard’s official website and the latest undergraduate catalogue, the university’s academic programs are offered through 14 schools and colleges. These include the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Business, the Cathy Hughes School of Communications, the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts, the College of Engineering and Architecture, the School of Education, and the College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, among others.
Distinctive Features
Howard stands out for its HBCU identity, its location in Washington, D.C., and its strong tradition of public leadership. The undergraduate admissions site emphasizes that the university’s urban setting places students at the intersection of government, health, technology, economics, and the arts, creating exceptional opportunities for internships, engagement, and impact. Its core ideal of “Excellence in Truth and Service” also gives Howard a distinctive cultural and institutional identity.
Admissions
For undergraduate applicants, Howard states that first-year and transfer students generally apply through the Common Application. The university indicates that undergraduate study spans more than 50 areas of study and more than 120 academic pathways, with admissions focusing on academic achievement, growth, and personal motivation. The admissions website also distinguishes among domestic, international, transfer, visiting, and non-degree applicants, each with its own requirements and procedures.
