Shaw University

Shaw University’s campus sits in the heart of downtown Raleigh, placing students near museums, theaters, galleries, parks, lakes, restaurants, shops, and entertainment. Estey Hall, opened in 1873 as the nation’s first college building with dormitories and classrooms for African-American women, remains on campus. Raleigh also offers access to internships and career opportunities, with Research Triangle Park about 20 minutes away.

Established in 1865 as the Raleigh Theological Institute, Shaw became the first historically Black college and university in North Carolina and the American South. Its history includes pioneering medical, pharmacy, legal-studies, and teacher-training programs. The campus also played a role in the civil rights movement, with the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee growing from a 1960 meeting organized by alumna Ella Baker.

Academic options include programs in the arts, sciences, business, health professions, education, and divinity. Graduate study is available in Education and Child Development and through the School of Divinity. Students can gain experience through internships, study-abroad programs, international internships, research centers, and entrepreneurship training. The Honors College offers research, writing, oral communication, leadership, and study opportunities for eligible students. Shaw’s varsity teams compete in NCAA Division II.