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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

EPIC 2020 Strategic Plan

This is E.P.I.C!

Entrepreneurial Thinking and Excellence | Presence | Innovative | Customer Care 
Shaw University is pleased to roll out its improved and enhanced strategic plan, EPIC 2020. Building on an existing plan, EPIC 2020 is the result of a partnership with  IBM who provided a $56,000 in-kind Impact Grant. The first historically black college or university in the nation to receive such a grant from IBM, Shaw’s EPIC 2020 identifies the strategic priorities and goals that will drive improvements in academics, financial stability and infrastructure for the institution..

#ShawUEpic

Academics

Shaw University is a accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). With more than 30 academic programs and a 15 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

  • Kinesiotherapy program is accredited by the Commission of Accreditation & Allied Health Education Program (CAAHEP), American Kinesiotherapy Association (AKTA), and the Committee on Accreditation of Education Programs for Kinesiotherapy (CoA-KT).
  • 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. 
  • Department of 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 Curriculum and Instruction: Early Childhood Education (MS)

Student Profile

Enrollment

By Residency

  • 63% - North Carolina
  • 34% - Other States and Territories
  • 3% - International

By Gender

  • 58% - Female
  • 42% - Male

By Numbers

  • 1,546 - Full-time
  • 114 - Part-time
  • 1,660 - Total Enrollment (Headcount)
  • 1,618 - 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