Academics
Bowie State University—Maryland’s first public HBCU— is an innovative and progressive school that prepares students for a variety of professional careers through interdisciplinary study. There are 23 majors and 14 specialty certificates available to undergraduates, including programs in high-demand fields such as education and cybersecurity (its programs have been designated by the NSA and the Department of Homeland Security as models of excellence). The school weaves analytics throughout all of its curriculums to send data-driven, globally-oriented graduates out into the world, and the dedication to entrepreneurship is evident in the rich ecosystem of opportunities it creates for students studying any field. The Entrepreneurship Academy is the hub of all of this, providing resources such as the Annual Bulldog Pitch Competition and the Entrepreneurship Living Learning Community. Facilities are state-of-the-art, from active learning classrooms and simulation labs to a forensic laboratory that comes equipped with up-to-date crime scene investigation tools. Special programs (such as study abroad) are available to further supplement an already solid education, and the Semester-based Undergraduate Research Institute lets students engage in collaborative research with professors and present their findings at the conclusion.
Career
Many events center around the arts, and Bowie State’s Fine & Performing Arts Center has four professional performance venues, as well as a fashion studio, a recording studio, and an art gallery to help students foster and share their creativity. Students can join more than 50 clubs and organizations (including 11 Greek organizations), and the Office of Multicultural Programs and Services also offers a wide array of programming and training to celebrate the diverse student population and heritages. Students rally around the Division II Bulldogs sports teams, as well as the popular marching/pep band Symphony of Soul, and Homecoming is a time-honored tradition that bonds both undergraduates and alumni. The school is a leader in green building design, with 15% of its power coming from solar panels.
Culture
The school is one of the state’s largest producers of Black students graduating with degrees in Nursing, Biology, and Computer/Information Sciences. The Career Development Center is there to assist all students on their various pathways, providing resources such as assessments, job/interview preparation, workshops, and career and internship fairs. Payscale.com says Bowie State graduates earn an average base salary of $68,000 a year. Notable alumni include Maryland state delegate Susie Proctor, Maryland state senator Gwendolyn T. Britt, and NFL player Delano Johnson (who also played at Bowie State).
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