Online Colleges in District of Columbia
Compare all of the best distance education colleges located in District of Columbia to pursue an online bachelors degree, associates, or online masters program degree. Including cost of tuition, degrees they offer, enrollment rates, faculty, famous alumni, and more.
Recommended Schools
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American University
Washington, District of Columbia
- 13,198 Total Students
- 35% Acceptance Rate
- 30% Enrollment Rate
- 12 to 1 Student to Faculty Ratio
- 16,735 Total Applicants
- Yes Online Programs
Operating as a Private research university in Washington, D.C., American University started in 1892 when it was established through the Act of Congress and received its charter the next year in 1893. It was through the efforts of the Methodist Bishop, John Fletcher Hurst that the institute came to its fruition. However, due to financial difficulties it wasn’t until 1914 that the instructions began. Since that time, AU has grown considerably, becoming a liberal arts as well as a doctoral institute.
Beginning with George Washington who envisioned a higher education institute in this capital city to succeeding presidents, each one playing their own role in laying a strong foundation for this university, AU has maintained this legacy. Its first batch of students included women at the time when women couldn’t vote, while a black American winning a fellowship to continue doctorate.
At AU, students are indulged in social, intellectual as well as religious activities which thrive on the campus through its 250 student organizations. The university has its Greek life and the students have their separate place for meditation and relaxation. There are community volunteering opportunities and setting further example for dedication towards its people, it drives its electricity from renewable resources. To provide a balanced healthy life for its students, the university does not only offer eateries and dining areas but also has growing interest in athletics. Its teams ‘Eagles’ participate in NCAA Division I. The campus colors are American Red and Blue.
The academic offerings at the university carry the same diversity. It offers 68 Bachelor’s programs, 71 Master’s programs, 10 Doctoral programs. There are Associate and Certifications available with the university as well. In order to widen the perspectives and add to its students’ exposure, AU also offers around 100 study abroad programs. It’s most notable department and facilities are Kogod School of Business, The Jack I. and Dorothy G. Bender Library and Learning Resources Center, Katzen Arts Center, McKinley Hall and few others.
AU School Facts
- Years Estd.February 24, 1893 (1893-02-24)
- NicknameEagles
- MascotClawed the Eagle
- MottoPro deo et patria (Latin)
- Motto Eng.For God and Country
- ColorsAmerican Red and Blue
- LocationDistrict of Columbia
- AthleticsNCAA Division I Patriot League, MAISA
- Religious AffiliationUnited Methodist
Famous AU Alumni
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Jennifer Palmieri
Politics & Law
White House Director of Communications
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Amy Dacey
Politics & Law
CEO of the Democratic National Committee
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Keith Mitchell
Politics & Law
Current Prime Minister of Grenada
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John Prendergast
Social Advocacy & Service
A human rights activist
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Connie Morella
Politics & Law
A Republican politician; Formerly represented Maryland in the U.S. House of Representatives - 8th congressional district
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Barry Levinson
Entertainment & Arts
A screenwriter
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Kermit Washington
Professional Sports
A former NBA player
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Jack Douglass
Entertainment & Arts
Famed as the YouTube personality; comedian and a musician
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Nancy Meyers
Entertainment & Arts
A film writer, producer and a director. Famous works include Parent Trap, The Intern and others
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Catholic University of America
Washington, District of Columbia
- 6,521 Total Students
- 79% Acceptance Rate
- 19% Enrollment Rate
- 7 to 1 Student to Faculty Ratio
- 5,991 Total Applicants
- Yes Online Programs
CUA is a private and pontifical university of the Catholic Church whose journey started a few years before it was actually founded. It was in 1866 that the idea for an educational institute was first discussed by United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. With further discussions and name selection in 1885, the university was finally incorporated in 1887. Two years later, in 1889 the university held its first classes.
The university is based in Washington, D.C., and is distinguished from other Catholic institute because it received its charter from Pope Leo XIII. With a very strong foundation, it aims to produce individuals which are highly trained in their education and are some of the brightest minds in intellect as well as leadership and service.
Students at Catholic University of America are provided the privilege of a complete educational experience. There are opportunities for student involvement, such as over 90 student clubs and organizations. Students also enjoy events and activities such as theatre performances, musical concerts, open-mic nights and many others. There are equal opportunities for students to develop their faith and spirituality through campus programs such as service, prayer group and campus ministry. One important aspect of the university is that student development is also provided through Career Development where activities and resources are provided to prepare students professionally. The university is also involved in sustainability causes such as ‘Casey Trees’ tree planting, LEED compliant and others. Its students are also part of athletics at the NCAA division III. Its teams are called ‘Cardinals’ and its athletic colors are Black and White while official university colors are Gold and White.
The academic offerings at CUA consist of more than 60 undergraduate programs as well as more than 150 graduate degree and Doctoral programs. It also offers pre professional programs and online education. Its prominent departments and facilities are Benjamin T. Rome School of Music, Tim and Steph Busch School of Business and Economics, Gibbons Hall, Calwell Hall, John K. Mullen of Denver Memorial Library, Oliveira Lima Library and a few others.
CUA School Facts
- Years Estd.April 10, 1887
- NicknameCardinals
- MascotCardinal
- MottoDeus Lux Mea Est (Latin)
- Motto Eng."God Is My Light"
- ColorsGold and white (Academic)Red and black (Athletic)
- LocationDistrict of Columbia
- AthleticsNCAA Division III Landmark Conference, ODAC (football)
- Religious AffiliationRoman Catholic
Famous CUA Alumni
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Terence Cooke
Social Advocacy & Service
Archbishop of New York
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Edward W. Gillespie
Politics & Law
Former Chairman of the Republican National Committee
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Gwendolyn Sykes
Science & Medicine
Former NASA’s chief financial officer
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Martin Connor
Politics & Law
Former New York State Senate Minority Leader
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Pat Carroll
Entertainment & Arts
Emmy Award-winning actress and voice of Ursula in Disney’s The Little Mermaid
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Jean Kerr
Entertainment & Arts
Pulitzer-winning playwright and author
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Paula Vogel
Entertainment & Arts
Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright
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Robert Craves
Education & Advocacy
Co-founder of Costco and College Success Foundation
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Theodore Hesburgh
Education & Advocacy
President Emeritus of the University of Notre Dame
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Charles Kaman
Science & Medicine
Aviation pioneer and founder of Kaman Aircraft
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Thomas Berry
Science & Medicine
Cultural historian and ecotheologian
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Gallaudet University
Washington, District of Columbia
- 1,477 Total Students
- 62% Acceptance Rate
- 71% Enrollment Rate
- 6 to 1 Student to Faculty Ratio
- 407 Total Applicants
- Yes Online Programs
Gallaudet University is a private university located in Washington, D.C. whose aim is educating deaf and people with difficulties in hearing. It was established by Edward Miner Gallaudet in 1856. A land with an area of 2 acres donated by Amos Kendall, a postmaster general and a philanthropist, to found a grammar school for accommodating and educating people with vision and hearing disabilities. A year later, Kendall was successfully able to incline the Congress to consolidate Columbia Institute, the new school for educating blind, dumb and deaf people. Edward Miner Gallaudet was selected as the first executive for “Columbia Institution for the Instruction of the Deaf, Dumb and Blind”. In 1864, President Abraham Lincoln signed a bill of agreement through which Columbia Institute was licensed to grant college degrees. In 1869, the first three students were granted their diplomas during the first commencement held by Gallaudet. Since the first commencement up till now, the diplomas of Gallaudet haven been signed by the U.S. President. In 1894, Colombia Institute changed its college portion name to be Gallaudet College after Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, a hard hearing person and a memorable figure in educating deaf people. In 1954, the whole institution changed its name to Gallaudet College. Gallaudet expanded to include Model Secondary School for the Deaf (MSSD) and Kendall Demonstration Elementary School in 1969 and 1970 respectively. On October 1986, Gallaudet was granted a university status to change its name into Gallaudet University.
Gallaudet University was the first school in the world offering sophisticated education for hard hearing and deaf people. It remains the only higher educational institute in the world whose all programs are designed to be able to admit deaf and hard hearing people.
Gallaudet University offers more than 20 undergraduate degrees with more than 20 majors and 10 minors. In addition, it offers around 20 graduate degrees.
Gallaudet School Facts
- Years Estd.April 8, 1864
- NicknameBison
- MascotBison
- MottoEphphatha (Aramaic)
- Motto Eng.Be opened
- ColorsBuff and Blue
- LocationDistrict of Columbia
- AthleticsNCAA Division III NEAC, ECFC
- Religious AffiliationNot applicable
Famous Gallaudet Alumni
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Bernard Bragg
Entertainment & Arts
An American deaf actor, writer and producer. A co-founder of the National Theatre of the Deaf and rated by The New York Times as the leading professional deaf actor in the country.
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Linda Bove
Entertainment & Arts
An American deaf actress and performer of Linda the Librarian on the PBS children's series Sesame Street from 1971 to 2003.
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South African politician
Politics & Law
South African Politician. The first deaf female member in the parliament and the vice-president of the World Federation of the Deaf in 2011.
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Nyle DiMarco
Entertainment & Arts
An American actor and model. The first deaf winner of The CW's America's Next Top Model Cycle 22 and the ABC televised dance competition Dancing with the Stars.
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Louise Stern
Entertainment & Arts
American artist and writer. A member of an entire deaf community and family.
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George Washington University
Washington, District of Columbia
- 26,212 Total Students
- 46% Acceptance Rate
- 28% Enrollment Rate
- 13 to 1 Student to Faculty Ratio
- 19,837 Total Applicants
- Yes Online Programs
George Washington University, also known as George Washington, GWU or GW, is a private research-based institute whose main campus is located in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood of Washington, D.C. President George Washington, the first president of the United States, called in the Congress for the necessity of establishment of a university in the U.S. capital. Consequently, Luther Rice, the Baptist missionary and leading minister, conducted a fund appraisal in order to purchase a location in of Washington, D.C. Colombian College was established in 1821, when a large building was constructed on Meridian Hill, formerly known as College Hill. The first commencement was held in 1824 as a huge event in Washington D.C. During the Civil War, the university building was used a hospital. Additionally, most of the students left their school at that time to be able to join Confederacy. In 1873, after the end of the war Colombian College changed its name to be Colombian University and its location to an urban downtown location specifically on 15th and H streets. Upon the desire of George Washington Memorial Association to honor the first U.S. president, the name of the university was changed again to be George Washington University in 1904. Besides the main campus that is located in the Foggy Bottom area, GWU has another two campuses which are Virginia Science and Technology Campus and the Mount Vernon Campus both located in the D.C area and were established in 1991 and 1996 respectively. The largest one is Virginia Science and Technology Campus which occupies around 50 acres.
GWU is ranked as the 51st among the top 100 universities producing millionaires list issued by The Times Higher Education. In addition Princeton Reviews rated GWU as one of the top ten universities in the U.S. in terms of political activity, issues newspaper, and dorms places.
The university consists of 14 undergraduate and graduate colleges and schools. The most distinctive among them are School of Medicine and Health Sciences that is ranked the 11th oldest one in the nation and Law School which is the oldest one in the Colombia District.
George Washington School Facts
- Years Estd.February 9, 1821
- NicknameColonials
- MascotGeorge, the Colonial
- MottoDeus Nobis Fiducia (Latin)
- Motto Eng.God is Our Trust
- ColorsBuff and Blue
- LocationDistrict of Columbia
- Religious AffiliationNot applicable
Famous George Washington Alumni
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Derek Curtis Bok
Politics & Law
An American educator and lawyer from Pennsylvania. Former president of Harvard University, founder of the Curtis Publishing Company, and publisher of The Saturday Evening Post national magazine.
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Georgetown University
Washington, District of Columbia
- 18,459 Total Students
- 17% Acceptance Rate
- 47% Enrollment Rate
- 11 to 1 Student to Faculty Ratio
- 19,478 Total Applicants
- Yes Online Programs
Georgetown University, commonly known as Georgetown, is a private research-based university located in the capital of the U.S., Washington, D.C. It was established as Georgetown College on January 1792 by Jesuit John Carroll, the first head of the Roman Catholic Church in America, after he had purchased the location in 1789. During the early stage, Georgetown faced a lot of financial issues since it depended mainly on some limited private and donation resources. Maryland Jesuits tried to participate in raising some fund for Georgetown College along with other schools through ending up their slaveholding and selling more than 270 slaves. In 1815, the status of Georgetown College was changed to university to be able to grant four-years bachelor degrees. Georgetown was greatly affected during the U.S. Civil War since more than 1000 students and alumni were soldiered and the university buildings were condemned by the Union Army. Enrollment rate deceased greatly during the war period due to the loss of many lives. Enrollment recovery started again after the end of the war by 1873. Several schools have been inaugurated and joined the university including schools of Dentistry and Nursery in 1901 and 1903 respectively. Georgetown main campus is referred to as “The Top Hill” due to is location on the top of a hill residing the Potomac River looking out at Northern Virginia. Although the main campus consists of more than 50 academic buildings, it occupies only 104 acres. Additionally, Georgetown has another campus, The Law Center campus that is located in New Jersey Avenue near Union Station and an international campus in Qatar.
Georgetown University is the oldest Jesuit and Catholic educational institute in the U.S. It is ranked as the 113th research based university in the nation.
Georgetown University campus consists of 9 colleges and schools among them are Mcdonough School of Business, Walsh School of Foreign Service and Mccourt School of Public Policy. Georgetown offers undergraduate degrees in more than 40 majors and minors. In addition, it offers several masters and doctoral degrees.
Georgetown School Facts
- Years Estd.January 23, 1789
- NicknameHoyas
- MascotJack the Bulldog
- MottoUtraque Unum (Latin)
- Motto Eng.Both into One [a]
- ColorsUnion blue and Confederate gray
- LocationDistrict of Columbia
- AthleticsNCAA Division I Big EastPatriot League (football)MAISA; EARC
- Religious AffiliationRoman Catholic
Famous Georgetown Alumni
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Laura Chinchilla Miranda
Politics & Law
A Costa Rican politician and a former president of Costa Rica for 4 years starting 2010.
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Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
Politics & Law
A Filipina politician. The 14th president and the 10th vice-president of the Philippines.
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Saad Al-Hariri
Politics & Law
A Lebanese politician. A current prime minister of Lebanon since December 2016 and leader of the Future Movement party since 2005.
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Alfredo Félix Cristiani Burkard
Politics & Law
A Salvadoran politician, commonly known as Alfredo Cristiani. Former president of El Salvador from 1989 to 1994.
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Mary Callahan Erdoes
Business & Industry
Chief executive officer of J.P. Morgan Asset Management. Ranked as te 66th most powerful woman in the world by Forbes Magazine in 2014.
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Mike Birbiglia
Entertainment & Arts
An American actor and writer. Author of the three comedy albums Two Drink Mike (2006), My Secret Public Journal Live (2007), and Sleepwalk With Me Live (2011).
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James Christopher Gaffigan
Entertainment & Arts
An American comedian actor and writer, commonly known as Jim. Author of many famous works such as Mr. Universe and Jim Gaffigan: Obsessed.
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Recommended Schools
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Howard University
Washington, District of Columbia
- 10,002 Total Students
- 49% Acceptance Rate
- 23% Enrollment Rate
- 11 to 1 Student to Faculty Ratio
- 15,163 Total Applicants
- Yes Online Programs
Howard University (HU), commonly known as Howard, is a research based private non-sectarian university that is located in Washington DC. It is a historically black university. The First Congregational Society of Washington members decided to inaugurate a theological seminary after the end of the American Civil War in 1867 in order to provide religious educational services to the priests and ministers. Within only two years, the school expanded its programs to be changed into a university consisting of colleges for liberal arts, sciences and medicine. Howard was selected to be the name of the new university to honor General Oliver Otis Howard, the founder of the university and one of the Civil War heroes. Howard served as the first president of the university from 1867 till 1874.
The campus of HU is distinguished by including a number of historic landmarks such as Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel, the Founders Library and Fredrick Douglass Memorial Hall. Several changes happened to Howard’s campus since its establishment including the establishment of the women dormitory in 1918. The historic Freedman’s Hospital closed in 1975 after serving as Howard’s teaching hospital for more than 100 years. At the same year, Howard University opened its own reaching hospital which also extended its medical service to include the surrounding community. Howard’s campus has been massively extended from being only one building in 1867 to the current 256-acre campus that is known as “The Mecca” at the northern region of Washington DC. The University official colors are blue, white and red. Its athletic teams who are called Bison compete in NCAA Division I and MEAC.
The university consists of 12 college and schools in addition to the graduate school. It offers undergraduate degrees in more than 60 majors and minors. It also offers Master of Arts & Science degrees and doctoral degrees in more than 30 fields of study in addition to 10 professional degrees. Howard has been rated as the first Tier national university according to the U.S. News and World Reports. It is also the only HBCU that is ranked among the top 75 national universities in the college ranking list of Bloomberg Businessweek.
Howard School Facts
- Years Estd.March 2, 1867 (1867-03-02)
- NicknameBison & Lady Bison
- MottoVeritas et Utilitas
- Motto Eng."Truth and Service"
- ColorsBlue, White and Red
- LocationDistrict of Columbia
- Religious AffiliationNot applicable
Famous Howard Alumni
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Shauntay Renae Hinton
Entertainment & Arts
A famous African American actress and award winner of Miss USA in 2002. The fourth African American Miss USA.
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Taraji Penda Henson
Entertainment & Arts
A famous American actress, known for her roles in Baby Boy in 2001, Hustle & Flow in 2005 and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button in 2008.
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Kamala Devi Harris
Politics & Law
An American politician. Former 32nd Attorney General of California and current junior senator from California and a member of the Democratic Party.
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Edward Franklin Frazier
Education & Advocacy
An American sociologist. Author of The Negro Family in the United States book in 1939, his PhD dissertation.
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Cheick Modibo Diarra
Business & Industry
A Malian astrophysicist, businessman, and politician. Former Mali prime minister from April 2012 till December 2012.
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Elijah Eugene Cummings
Politics & Law
An American Politician and a member of the Democratic Party. Current U.S. Representative for Maryland's 7th congressional district since 1996.
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Trinity Washington University
Washington, District of Columbia
- 2,161 Total Students
- 94% Acceptance Rate
- 27% Enrollment Rate
- 12 to 1 Student to Faculty Ratio
- 941 Total Applicants
- Yes Online Programs
Trinity Washington University is a Roman Catholic higher education institute located in Washington D.C. The university was established in 1897 by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. It served as a Catholic college for women. The college suffered from declining enrollment since 1969 as colleges around US became coeducational. The number of students decreased from 1000 till it reached 300 in 1989. The college responded by starting weekend classes for women from the District of Columbia who were not previously admitted. Later, the college started admitting Hispanic and Black women. Trinity Washington was then split into three colleges. In 2004 and after years of growth, the college was recognized as a university.
The university states that its mission is to offer large number of diverse academic programs that prepare the students for their future life. Trinity Washington campus has several distinctive buildings including Main Hall, Trinity Center, Alumnae Hall and Payden Academic Center. The campus also offers two residence halls to the students; Cuvilly Hall and Kerby Hall. The university library, which is named Sister Helen Sheehan Library, hosts more than 200,000 volumes. The campus also hosts the Notre Dame Chapel which was built in 1924 and received a national architecture award. In 1979, the chapel hosted the Pope during his visit to the United States. The building was renovated in 1997. Trinity Washington teams compete in NCAA Division III as members of the Great South Athletic Conference. They are nicknamed Tigers while their official colors are purple and gold.
The university is currently divided into 5 schools. The most recent school to be established is the School of Nursing and Health Professions which was established in 2010. The university offers 35 undergraduate and 15 graduate degree programs. Trinity Washington offers special academic programs including Non Profit Management Specialization which is offered at an off-campus multipurpose community facility called THEARC which is located in southeast Washington.
Trinity Washington University School Facts
- Years Estd.1897
- NicknameTigers
- ColorsPurple and Gold
- LocationDistrict of Columbia
- AthleticsNCAA Division III GSAC
- Religious AffiliationRoman Catholic
Famous Trinity Washington University Alumni
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Rosemary M. Collyer
Politics & Law
Presiding Judge of the United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court
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Kellyanne Conway
Politics & Law
Counselor to President Donald Trump, and campaign strategist during his 2016 presidential campaign
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Jane Dammen McAuliffe
Education & Advocacy
former President of Bryn Mawr College
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Caryle Murphy
Entertainment & Arts
Pulitzer Prize Winning Author
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Maggie Williams
Politics & Law
campaign manager to Hillary Clinton
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University of the District of Columbia
Washington, District of Columbia
- 4,805 Total Students
- 10 to 1 Student to Faculty Ratio
- Yes Online Programs
UDC is a public university that has its roots dating back to the year 1851 when a school for girls of colored population was founded by Myrtilla Miner. As it grew into a normal school, by 1879, it was admitted to the DC public school system. It progressed into a state teachers college in 1929. In 1955 it was merged with another state teachers college to become District of Columbia Teachers College.
A merger with two other institutes then led to the formation of University of the District of Columbia in 1977. Based in Washington, D.C., this land grant institute has served as an academic and intellectual hub for transforming the lives of its students into successful leaders and professionals.
The student life at the campus of UDC is one filled with excitement and opportunities focusing on development on academic as well as non-academic fronts. New students entering into the university life find events like Welcome Week and the orientation program helping them in getting to know the people and the activities. The university also offers the TRIO program helping to build students through counseling, academic and other kinds of support. On the campus, the students also find student-run clubs and organizations which further help with integration into the campus life. Students also get the opportunity to work as Student Ambassadors, leadership role where they represent the university, organize events, promote the campus culture and make the activities more inclusive for students all around the campus. Student support services are also available such as academic advising, tutoring services, counseling for mental and psychological difficulties, and also help with financial troubles. Students also benefit from the career services offered, helping to connect with potential employers and recruiters through job fairs, job searches, workshops, interview assistance etc. Students also take part in university athletic teams called Firebirds competing at NCAA Division II. The official campus colors are Red and Gold.
Academic programs offered consist of 22 Associate, 31 Bachelors, 27 Master and a Doctoral degree program. Its notable facilities/departments are David A. Clarke School of Law and the Dennard Plaza.
UDC School Facts
- Years Estd.1851 (1851)
- NicknameFirebirds
- ColorsRed and Gold
- LocationDistrict of Columbia
- AthleticsNCAA Division II ECC
- Religious AffiliationNot applicable
Famous UDC Alumni
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Thelma Thompson
Education & Advocacy
President of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore
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Lennox Yearwood
Business & Industry
President of the Hip Hop Caucus
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Branislav Andjelić
Business & Industry
Serbian Internet pioneer, economist and politician
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Rasheim Wright
Professional Sports
Jordanian basketball player
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Lyn McLain
Entertainment & Arts
Cofounder of the DC Youth Orchestra Program
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Denis G. Antoine
Politics & Law
Ambassador of Grenada to the US and representative to the Organization of American States
