University of the District of Columbia

University of the District of Columbia is a public historically Black land-grant university located in Washington, D.C. It serves as the only public university in the nation’s capital and offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and professional degrees. The institution includes several colleges and schools, as well as a community college division and the David A. Clarke School of Law. Known for its focus on urban issues, workforce development, and public service, University of the District of Columbia attracts students from the District and surrounding regions seeking affordable higher education in a metropolitan setting. Its programs emphasize practical learning, community engagement, and access for diverse and nontraditional students.

University of the District of Columbia traces its origins to 1851, when Myrtilla Miner founded the Miner Normal School in Washington, D.C., to educate African American women as teachers. In 1929, Miner Teachers College and Wilson Teachers College were established as four-year institutions. During the 1960s, Congress created Federal City College and Washington Technical Institute to expand public higher education in the District. Following the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, these institutions were consolidated, and in 1977 the University of the District of Columbia was formally established as a unified public university system. Lisle C. Carter became its first president after the merger. Over time, University of the District of Columbia expanded academic offerings, established a community college division, and strengthened its role as a land-grant institution serving urban needs in Washington, D.C.