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Welcome

Shaw University, is the first historically black university in the Southern United States. Shaw is a private liberal arts institution affiliated with the Baptist Church and among the oldest HBCUs in the nation. Founded in 1865, our University has a rich history steeped in tradition, activism and service. We were the first college in North Carolina to offer a four-year medical school; the first institution of higher learning established for freedmen after the Civil War and the first historically Black College in the nation to open its doors to women.

About Shaw University

President Dr. Paulette Dillard

Paulette Dillard, Ph.D.Dr. Paulette Dillard is the 18th President of Shaw University. Prior to her appointment, she served in various capacities such as department chair, dean and vice president for Academic Affairs. Dr. Dillard earned an MBA from Belmont University and a Ph.D. in cell biology from Clark Atlanta University.
Office of the President

2020+ Strategic Plan

Shaw University's 2020+ Strategic Plan establishes a vision for the next five years with a set of transformative objectives, initiatives, and measurable goals to inform decisions on institutional priorities, investments, programs, and initiatives.

  • Enhance Institution-wide infrastructure to support the University’s mission and business ambitions
  • Optimize academic and operational processes to increase institution-wide efficiency and effectiveness
  • Improve student retention, time to graduation and career readiness
  • Develop new local, national, and global strategic partnerships that increase faculty effectiveness and engagement; diversity and student success
  • Create diversified revenue streams in order to drive the business process and support the university’s mission
  • Increase marketing presence with refined brand identity and value proposition
Learn More

Academics

Shaw University is a accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). With 24 academic programs and a 16 to 1 student to faculty ratio, students are sure to find a major that is a perfect fit and a professor that knows them by name. The learning experience at Shaw is based on relationships where the student's voice will be heard and learning becomes personal.

Accredited Programs

  • Social Work program is accredited by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE).
  • Divinity School is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada. 
  • Education is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

Degrees Offered

Undergraduate

  • Bachelor of Arts (BA)
  • Bachelor of Science (BS)
  • Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) 

Graduate

  • Master of Arts in Christian Education (MACE)
  • Master of Divinity (MDiv)
  • Master of Science in Early Childhood Education (MS)

Student Profile

Enrollment

By Residency

  • 64% - North Carolina
  • 31% - Other States and Territories
  • 5% - International

By Gender

  • 59% - Female
  • 41% - Male

By Numbers

  • 1,153 - Full-time
  • 138 - Part-time
  • 1,291 - Total Enrollment (Headcount)
  • 1,234 - Full-time Equivalent (FTE) Enrollment

Extracurricular

NCAA Division II Sports

  • Football
  • Basketball
  • Bowling
  • Cross Country
  • Soccer
  • Outdoor Track
  • Softball
  • Tennis
  • Volleyball

Student Activities

  • Fraternities & Sororities
  • Student Government
  • Debate Team
  • Honor Societies
  • Service Organizations
  • Academic, Religious, and Social Clubs
  • Platinum Sound Marching & Prep Bands
  • Cheerleading
  • Intramural Sports
  • Music and Drama Groups