North Carolina Central University

North Carolina Central University is a public historically Black university located in Durham, North Carolina. Founded in 1910, it is part of the University of North Carolina System and offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs. The university provides academic programs across fields such as liberal arts, business, education, law, public health, and science. It is known for its longstanding mission to expand access to higher education and for being one of the first state-supported liberal arts institutions for Black students in the United States. Students are often drawn to North Carolina Central University for its community-focused environment, professional programs, and its setting in the Research Triangle region.

North Carolina Central University was founded in 1910 in Durham, North Carolina, by Dr. James E. Shepard as the National Religious Training School and Chautauqua for the Colored Race. Established during the era of segregation, the institution was created to provide educational opportunities for African American students in the South. In 1923, it became North Carolina College for Negroes, the first state-supported liberal arts college for Black students in the nation. The college expanded its academic offerings in 1938 to include graduate and professional programs. In 1969, the institution achieved university status and was renamed North Carolina Central University. In 1972, North Carolina Central University became a constituent institution of the University of North Carolina System. Over time, North Carolina Central University has grown into a comprehensive university serving a diverse student body while maintaining its historic mission.