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| HBCUs: A National Resource
HBCUs are a source of accomplishment and
great pride for the African American community as well as the
entire nation. The Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended,
defines an HBCU as: "...any historically black college
or university that was established prior to 1964, whose principal
mission was, and is, the education of black Americans, and that
is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency
or association determined by the Secretary [of Education] to
be a reliable authority as to the quality of training offered
or is, according to such an agency or association, making reasonable
progress toward accreditation." HBCUs offer all students,
regardless of race, an opportunity to develop their skills and
talents. These institutions train young people who go on to
serve domestically and internationally in the professions as
entrepreneurs and in the public and private sectors. |
HBCUs enroll 14 percent of all African
American students in higher education, although they constitute
only three percent of America's 4,084 institutions of higher education.
In 1999, these institutions matriculated 24 percent of all African
American students enrolled in four-year colleges, awarded masters
degrees and first-professional degrees to about one in six African
American men and women, and awarded 24 percent of all baccalaureate
degrees earned by African Americans nationwide. source: ed.gov |