Tag Archives: historically black colleges and universities

For Black History Month, a primer on historically black colleges and universities

In honor of Black History Month, HISD is highlighting historically black colleges and universities.

The Higher Education Act of 1965 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 are, however, open to all students, regardless of race. There are more than 200 HBCUs, and the list can be found here.   Continue reading