University of the District of Columbia: A Comprehensive Overview of Degrees and Opportunities
The University of the District of Columbia (UDC) stands as the only public university in the nation's capital. It is also the only urban land-grant university in the United States. UDC traces its origins to 1851 and opened in its current form in 1977. The university offers a variety of robust educational, research, and community service opportunities. UDC is a hub for academic growth, communal expansion, and advancement in all fields.
A Variety of Academic Programs
The University of the District of Columbia offers 81 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. These programs are spread across five schools and colleges to better cater to unique interests and professional aspirations. In addition to traditional academic programs, UDC's Workforce Development Program offers a variety of practical, nonacademic educational programs and training.
College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)
For those who envision a career in the arts, education, science, or mathematics, the College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) offers a range of degree paths. In this college, scholarship and community converge in celebration. The College of Arts and Sciences offers opportunities for students who see themselves in careers in the arts, education, science or mathematics.
College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability & Environmental Sciences (CAUSES)
UDC's land-grant college, the College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability & Environmental Sciences (CAUSES), offers degree paths in areas such as architecture, urban sustainability, health education, and nursing. CAUSES also provides a variety of community education programs through its five land grant centers.
School of Business & Public Administration (SBPA)
The School of Business & Public Administration (SBPA) offers degree programs for those seeking a rewarding career in accounting, finance, business management, and related fields. Students are encouraged to join business-oriented clubs to make lifelong connections.
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School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
In an era where technology continues to expand and advance, the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences aims to equip students with the tools needed to become leaders in their fields. It is our mission to equip you with the tools needed to become a leader in your field.
David A. Clarke School of Law
For more than 50 years, the UDC's David A. Clarke School of Law has led graduates to promising careers in government and public interest.
Workforce Development and Lifelong Learning
In association with the District's workforce plan, UDC's Division of Workforce Development and Lifelong Learning (WDLL) is committed to fighting unemployment and underemployment in our community.
Doctoral Programs
The university relaunched doctoral programs in 2019 with PhDs in Computer Science & Engineering and Urban Leadership & Entrepreneurship.
Popular Majors
The most popular majors at University of the District of Columbia include:
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- Education, General
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
- Business Administration, Management and Operations
- Criminal Justice and Corrections
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
- Computer Science
- Political Science and Government
- Psychology, General
- Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
- Social Work
Campus and Facilities
The flagship campus of UDC, known as the Van Ness campus, is located in the North Cleveland Park neighborhood at Connecticut Avenue and Van Ness Street in Northwest Washington, D.C. The Van Ness campus opened in 1968 as the campus of the Washington Technical Institute, occupying buildings vacated by the National Bureau of Standards. Following the announcement of the UDC in 1975, work began on redeveloping the campus, with the construction of Buildings 32, 38, and 39 completed in 1976. Seven additional buildings opened in 1981 at the conclusion of a second phase of construction.
Other UDC campuses and sites include:
- Lamond-Riggs campus
- Congress Heights campus
- Aviation facilities at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
- UDC Firebird Farm Research Farm in Beltsville, Maryland
Student Life
UDC offers a vibrant student life with opportunities for involvement in athletics and extracurricular activities.
Athletics
The University of the District of Columbia athletic teams are known as the UDC Firebirds. The university is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and competes at the Division II level as a member of the East Coast Conference (ECC). Sports include basketball, soccer, tennis, and track & field.
Student Media
UDC publishes The Trilogy, a student paper highlighting campus events and national and local news. UDC cable television, channel 19, is the District Government's non-commercial, adult education program service. UDC Cable TV 98 supports teaching, research and public service with educational-access television and instructional programming.
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Student-Faculty Ratio and Retention Rate
The student-faculty ratio at University of the District of Columbia is 8:1, and the school has 69% of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 61%.
Historical Context
The University of the District of Columbia was consolidated on August 1, 1977, through the merging of Federal City College, Washington Technical Institute, and District of Columbia Teachers College.
Early History
In 1851, Myrtilla Miner founded the Normal School for Colored Girls, the first normal school in the District of Columbia and the fourth in the United States. The school trained young black women to become teachers. In 1873, the Washington Normal School, a teaching school for white girls was established in Washington, D.C. In 1929, the United States Congress made Miner Normal School and James Ormond Wilson Normal School four-year teachers' colleges: Miner Teachers College for African Americans and Wilson Teachers College for white people. On July 1, 1955, following Brown v. Board of Education, the two were merged into the District of Columbia Teachers College.
Formation of UDC
In 1966, Congress authorized the creation of two new institutions:
- The Federal City College, a four-year liberal arts college.
- The Washington Technical Institute, a technical school.
Efforts to unify the D.C. Teachers College, Federal City College, and Washington Technical Institute under a single administrative structure began in earnest after the passage of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act. A merger of the institutions was approved in 1975, and on August 1, 1977, the three institutions were formally consolidated as the University of the District of Columbia.
Tuition and Financial Aid
The University of the District of Columbia is a public university which receives funds from the D.C. federal government. Therefore, student fees are lower than private universities in the area, with in-state tuition being around $6,000.
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