University of the District of Columbia
Washington, DC4200 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008
202-274-5000
The University of the District of Columbia (UDC) is a public land-grant university in Washington, D.C., United States. It is the only public university in the city and the only historically black college or university (HBCU) in the Washington metropolitan area. The university was established in 1851 as the Metropolitan Police Training Academy and became the District of Columbia Teachers College in 1938. In 1955, the federal government assumed control of the school and turned it into a land-grant university under the direction of the D.C. Board of Education. In 1977, the university was granted a charter by the District of Columbia Council, making it independent of the Board of Education.
The university offers associate's, bachelor's, and master's degrees in a variety of fields, including arts and sciences, business, engineering, law, and medicine. The university also offers a doctoral degree in education. The university has a student body of over 4,000 students, most of whom are Washington, D.C. residents. The campus is located in the Northwest quadrant of the city, near Howard University.
The university is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The athletic teams compete in the NCAA Division II and are members of the East Coast Conference. The university is a member of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.
The University of the District of Columbia was established in 1851 as the Metropolitan Police Training Academy. The academy was created in response to the growing need for a trained police force in the District of Columbia. The academy trained police officers for the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department. In 1852, the academy was renamed the Normal School for Colored Girls. The Normal School for Colored Girls was the first school in the District of Columbia designed to educate African American women.
In 1879, the school was renamed the Miner Normal School in honor of its founder, Myrtilla Miner. Miner was a white abolitionist and feminist who dedicated her life to education. The school offered a two-year program that prepare African American women to become teachers. In 1916, the school moved to a new location on 16th Street NW. The new location was adjacent to Howard University.
In 1929, the school was renamed the District of Columbia Teachers College. The college expanded its program to four years in 1932. In 1955, the federal government assumed control of the school and turned it into a land-grant university under the direction of the D.C. Board of Education. The college became part of the federal government's effort to desegregate higher education in the District of Columbia.
In 1977, the university was granted a charter by the District of Columbia Council, making it independent of the Board of Education. The charter gave the university the authority to award degrees and enhanced its status as a research institution.
The university offers associate's, bachelor's, and master's degrees in a variety of fields, including arts and sciences, business, engineering, law, and medicine. The university also offers a doctoral degree in education. The university has a student body of over 4,000 students, most of whom are Washington, D.C. residents. The campus is located in the Northwest quadrant of the city, near Howard University.
The University of the District of Columbia is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The athletic teams compete in the NCAA Division II and are members of the East Coast Conference. The university is a member of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.
Quick Facts
Enrollment: 3725
Type: Public, 4-year or above
Main Website: https://www.udc.edu/
Financial Aid: https://www.udc.edu/admissions/financial-aid/