Howard University

Health Sciences

H-NIP Focus: Dental, Medical, Nursing and Allied Health, Pharmacy
Number of Students Trained to Date: Dental 195; Medical 46; Nursing &Allied Health 50; Pharmacy 159

Medicine

The Howard University College of Medicine (HUCM) was founded in 1868 in response to the city's growing population. With more than 4,000 living alumni, the College has produced a sizeable share of the African-American physicians practicing in this country.

The mission of the College of Medicine includes improving health care through training programs and initiatives, discovering knowledge through research and supporting the education and training of postgraduate physicians, other healthcare providers and graduate students in biomedical sciences. Many College of Medicine students gain professional experience at Howard University Hospital the primary teaching hospital for the school.

HUCM has six training programs leading to the Master of Science and/or Doctor of Philosophy degrees. The largest training program in the College of Medicine is their 4-year MD program. HUCM is known for producing physicians who provide healthcare to under-served communities

The Howard University Health Sciences Simulation Center opened a major state-of-the-art virtual medical training facility to advance the education of medical students and healthcare professionals. The center provides students with hands-on hospital experience using cutting-edge technology

Dental

The College of Dentistry (HUCD) was established in 1881. It is the fifth oldest dental school in the United States. As a teaching and patient care institution, the College has trained thousands of highly skilled dental professionals to serve their communities, particularly the underserved.

HUCD has a diverse student body, having trained more African American students than any dental school in the United States. Howard University also offers an Academic Reinforcement Program for disadvantaged students to prepare them for entrance to the University.

HUCD offers a DDS, or Doctor of Dental Surgery, degree. The University also has a unique BS/DDS program, where students can combine both their undergraduate and dental school studies. Students enrolled in this program obtain both their Bachelor of Science and DDS degree in six years. HUCD has been providing dental care in its clinics since its inception in 1881. As part of the students' extensive training, dental treatments are practiced in the pre-doctoral, pediatric dentistry or orthodontic clinics under the supervision of the faculty. Post-graduate students perform general and specialty services, including oral surgery, in one of the clinics located at the College or at Howard University Hospital.

Pharmacy

Howard University was founded in 1867. Soon after, Pharmacy instruction at Howard University began in the “Department of Medicine” in 1868. The initial program, held in the evening, offered students a “knowledge of the art and science of pharmacy”. As a result of this program, in 1870, the first graduate of Howard University, James Thomas Wormley, received the Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the Medical Department. During the same year, the pharmaceutical program was differentiated from the medical program, and by 1882, the Medical Department consisted of the College of Medicine, the College of Pharmacy and the College of Dentistry. Since this early beginning, the College of Pharmacy has been among the leaders in the preparation of individuals for rewarding careers in pharmacy. The College of Pharmacy currently offers an entry level four-year Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree program, a two-year post-B.S. Pharm.D. degree program, a Non-traditional Pharm.D. degree program, and the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Pharmaceutical Sciences. Consistent with the mission of Howard University, the College’s mission is to provide pharmaceutical education of excellent quality to students with high academic, scholarship and leadership potential, with particular emphasis upon the recruitment, retention and graduation of promising African American and other minority students.

Nursing

Since its founding in 1969, the Howard University Division of Nursing has been at the forefront of providing advanced, focused training for its nursing students. Through clinical fieldwork, research, and classroom instruction, students work to address diverse and challenging healthcare needs in hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, and community settings. Graduates of our Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing, and Post-Master’s degree programs are strong leaders in healthcare who excel in a variety of specialties.

The Graduate Nursing program offers a rigorous curriculum in advanced nursing education in both traditional and online full-time and part-time schemes. The graduate nursing program is designed for nurses wishing to further their nursing career.

There are three programs of study at the baccalaureate level – Basic, LPN to BSN, and RN to BSN.

Nutritional Sciences

The Department of Nutritional Sciences offers the Bachelor of Science, Master of Science and Doctoral Degrees in Nutritional Sciences. The Bachelor of Science degree is offered with emphases in Dietetics, Community Nutrition and/or Pre-medicine/Pre-dentistry. The curriculum allows students to complete the general education and basic science courses in the first two years. During the last two years, students, along with their advisers, select courses, which prepare them to become dietitians or nutritionist. Many students use this foundation at the Bachelor's level to prepare for further graduate / professional study in nutrition, medicine and dentistry. Many of our graduates are employed as health care providers, researchers, educators, policy makers and administrators locally, nationally and internationally.

The Department also offers a three-semester verification program for individuals to complete the practicum requirement for dietetics registration. More than three semesters may be needed to complete the verification program if the student needs to take additional courses.