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Bowie, MD 20715-9465
p. 301-860-4000
w. www.bowiestate.edu
Bowie State University
Academics, History, Financial Aid, Alumni, Campus, Students, Faculty, Address, and Tuition
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Bowie State University History
Bowie State actually resulted from the first school opened in the city of Baltimore. Founded in 1865. That “normal school” undertook the mission to train Negro teachers in 1883. The Board of Education assumed control of the school, officially dubbed Baltimore Normal School, in 1908. Four-year programs began in 1935, and in 1963 a liberal arts program was established. In 1970, Bowie State offered its first graduate degree.
Bowie State University was founded as a school for African-Americans. By 1914 it was known as the Maryland Normal School and had moved to Prince George’s County, Maryland. It became a state college in 1963 and a university in 1988. It is Maryland’s oldest historically black college. It is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Its mission statement says in part that Bowie State University “provides high-quality and affordable educational opportunities at the baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral levels for a diverse student population of Maryland citizens and the global community.” The University emphasizes the education of minority students and students who struggle with socioeconomic issues. It is classed as a Master’s College and University I by the Carnegie Institute.
Bowie State University Academics
Bowie State offers 19 undergraduate majors with various concentrations, and 17 graduate majors, as well as 11 certificate programs. With graduate enrollment nearly equally undergraduate enrollment, Bowie State is both a rounded undergraduate institution and a leading graduate institution. It consistently ranks in the top five schools granting graduate degrees to African Americans in various disciplines, and is fourth among all Historically Black Colleges and Universities for granting graduate degrees to African Americans in all disciplines. The student-to-teacher ratio is a low 16:1.
Bowie State University has academic programs at both the undergraduate and graduate level. There are 5 colleges: the School of Arts and Sciences, the School of Business, the School of Education, the School of Professional Studies, and the School of Graduate and Continuing Education.
Bachelor’s degrees are offered in a variety of fields within the various academic colleges. Degrees at the bachelor’s level can be received in 19 majors, many with concentrations, in such areas as communications, computer science, English, fine and performing arts, history and government, mathematics, biology, sociology, criminal justice, business administration, nursing, social work, and education.
Graduate programs are offered in several areas, with an emphasis on education and professional programs. These include master’s level programs in applied mathematics, computer sciences, counseling psychology, guidance & counseling, education, nursing, business administration, and public administration. The liberal arts and humanities are not represented at the graduate level. The university has also recently begun offering a doctoral program in Educational Leadership. There are also 11 certificate programs.
Bowie State University Unique Programs
Bowie State ranks first in the nation in graduating African Americans with master’s degrees in computer science, second in the nation for psychology, and third in the nation for communications.
Bowie State is a participant in the National Science Foundation and NASA partnership program, Model Institutions for Excellence. This partnership implements specific improvements to ensure a high percentage of students are retained and graduate from the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines. The program includes teaching and research laboratories, and specific tutorial facilities to assist students. The Satellite Operations & Control Center is a training facility and mission control center for NASA spacecraft on the Bowie State campus, where students participate in satellite operations and earn mission controller certification.
Bowie State University offers continuing education and extended education in various forms: partnerships with public high schools, distance learning, non-credit workshops, and through several institutes, including the Institute for Diversity and Multicultural Affairs and the Institute for Development and Entrepreneurship Advancement.
Bowie State University Financial Aid
The Financial Aid office provides counseling services to students and their families regarding the cost of higher education and where they can find assistance to accommodate that cost. The majority of financial aid at Bowie State is based on financial need, but merit-based aid programs are also available. Bowie State supports and provides programs such as the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loans and Maryland State Scholarships. There are also a variety of private donor-supported scholarship funds for general support and for support of students with particular interests, talents, and majors. Students are also encouraged to inquire with individual departments about particular aid opportunities for student who study specific disciplines.
Tuition at Bowie State University was $1,891 per semester for the 2004-2005 academic year for in-state, undergraduate students attending full-time. Students applying from out of state and graduate students have higher costs. Additional fees apply.
Financial aid is available in the form of grants, scholarships, and loans. Work-study programs are also available for some students. Students who seek financial aid will need to fill out the Federal Student Financial Aid Form, available on-line. Aid is available from federal and state agencies and from Bowie State University institutional funds.
Bowie State University Students
Bowie State’s clubs and organizations include17 academic and honor societies, 11 fraternities and sororities, the Student Government, and numerous clubs organized around specific interests, cultures, and religions. Bowie State offers six different residences, including the Goodloe Apartments. Many of the University’s activities and organizations are unique to it or at least unique to Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Student services also include career advising, health services, and locating off-campus housing.
Student life at Bowie State University includes opportunities in a diverse range of activities and organizations. There are over 40 clubs, 8 fraternities and sororities, and 13 honor societies. Clubs include an Art Guild, the Baptist Student Ministry, clubs organized for students in various academic majors, the Bowie State Chapter of the Greater Washington Urban League, a Jazz Ensemble, and WBSU Radio.
There are several different residence halls. The University library is the Thurgood Marshall Library, which provides access to all the volumes in the University of Maryland system as well as its own collection.
Bowie State University Traditions
Bowie State proudly maintains its historical emphasis on educating African American students for positions of leadership and success in the professional and academic worlds. Dating back to Baltimore’s first normal school, which held classes in the African Baptist Church, Bowie State has always combined the thrill of inquiry with the respect and reverence for African American history.
Bowie State University Local Community
Bowie had a population of over 50,000 and is the largest municipality in Prince George’s County, Maryland. It is also the fourth largest city in the State of Maryland. Bowie is governed by a council-manager government, meaning that the mayor and council make and pass policy, and an appointed city manager supervises the government’s operations. The city traces its roots back to 1870.
Bowie State University is located near Bowie, Maryland. The surrounding environment is urban; Bowie is located between Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, Maryland. Students have the resources of two major metropolitan areas available to them.
Information Summary
Ranks 552nd overall and 15th in Maryland
| Overall Score
On StateUniversity.com (about) |
82.3 |
|---|---|
| Total Cost
On-Campus Attendance |
$17,297 |
| Admission
Success rate |
40% |
| SAT
75 %ile scores |
873 |
| Student Ratio
Ratio of students to faculty |
18 : 1 |
| Retention
(Full-Time / Part-Time) |
77% / 55% |
| Enrollment
Total (all students) |
5,291 |
Demographics – Main Campus and Surrounding Areas
Reported area around or near Bowie, MD 20715-9465
| Surrounding community | Large suburb (inside urban area but outside city, pop. over 250,000) |
|---|---|
| Total Population | 25,226 (24,948 urban / 278 rural) |
| Households | 8,723 (2.8 people per house) |
| Families | 6,923 (3.12 people per family) |
| Pop. — African American | 3,678 |
| Pop. — Asian | 775 |
| Pop. — Pacific Islander | 17 |
| Pop. — American Indian / Alaskan Native | 216 |
| Pop. — White (incl. Hispanic) | 20,734 |
| Pop. — Other | 386 |
Carnegie Foundation Classification
Master's Colleges and Universities (larger programs)
| Undergraduate | Balanced arts & sciences/professions, some graduate coexistence |
|---|---|
| Graduate | Postbaccalaureate with arts & sciences (business dominant) |
| Undergraduate Population | Full-time four-year, inclusive |
| Enrollment | High undergraduate |
| Size & Setting | Medium four-year, primarily residential |
General Characteristics
| Highest offering | Doctoral degree |
|---|---|
| Calendar System | Semester |
| Years of college work required | N/A |
| Variable Tuition |  |
Special Learning Opportunities
| Distance Learning | |
|---|---|
| ROTC — Army / Navy / Air Force | —
/
 /
|
| Study Abroad | |
| Weekend College | |
| Teacher Certification | |
Student Tuition Costs and Fees
What are the typical tuition costs and fees for attending Bowie State University?
Ranks 1009th for total cost of attendance
| In District | In State | Out of State | |
|---|---|---|---|
| FT Undergraduate Tuition | $4,286 | $4,286 | $13,976 |
| FT Undergraduate Required Fees | $1,653 | $1,653 | $1,653 |
| PT Undergraduate per Credit Hour | $189 | $189 | $589 |
| FT Graduate Tuition | $7,632 | $7,632 | $14,592 |
| FT Graduate Required Fees | $1,054 | $1,054 | $1,054 |
| PT Graduate per Credit Hour | $353 | $353 | $596 |
| Total Cost of Attendance — On-Campus | $17,297 | $17,297 | $26,987 |
| Total Cost of Attendance — Off-Campus w/out Family | $19,735 | $19,735 | $29,425 |
| Total Cost of Attendance — Off-Campus with Family | $10,255 | $10,255 | $19,945 |
Student Tuition Cost History and Trends
Three year history and trends on the cost of attending
| In District | In State | Out of State | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Published Tuition & Fees | $5,481  $5,939 |
$5,481  $5,939 |
$14,786  $15,629 |
| Cost (regardless of residency) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Books & Supplies | $2,678  $2,676 |
||
| On-Campus – Room & Board | $6,573  $6,878 |
||
| On-Campus – Other Expenses | $1,882  $1,804 |
||
| Off-Campus w/out Family – Room & Board | $8,674  $8,934 |
||
| Off-Campus w/out Family – Other Expenses | $2,122  $2,186 |
||
| Off-Campus with Family – Room & Board | $1,592  $1,640 |
||
Admission Details
| Application Fee Required | N/A |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate Application Fee | $40 |
| Graduate Application Fee | $40 |
| First Professional Application Fee | N/A |
| Applicants | 4,943 (1,764 male / 3,179 female) |
| Admitted | 1,978 (706 male / 1,272 female) |
| Admission rate | 40% |
| First-time Enrollment | 831 (316 male / 515 female) |
| FT Enrollment | 820 (313 male / 507 female) |
| PT Enrollment | 11 (3 male / 8 female) |
| Total Enrollment | 5,291 |
Admission Criteria
What criteria does Bowie State University use for admissions?
| Open Admissions | |
|---|---|
| Secondary School GPA / Rank / Record |  / N/A / |
| College Prep. Completion | N/A |
| Recommendations | N/A |
| Formal competency demo | N/A |
| Admission test scores | |
| TOEFL | |
| Other tests | N/A |
= Recommended, 
= Neither required nor recommended
Admission Credits Accepted
What types of credits does Bowie State University accept?
| Dual Credit | |
|---|---|
| Life Experience | |
| Advanced Placement (AP) | |
Athletics - Association Memberships
| Sports / Athletic Conference Memberships | NCAA |
|---|---|
| NCAA Football Conference | Central Intercollegiate Athletic Assoc |
| NCAA Basketball Conference | Central Intercollegiate Athletic Assoc |
| NCAA Track & Field Conference | Central Intercollegiate Athletic Assoc |
SAT Test Admission
Ranks 1290th for 75pctl scores
| Applicants submitting SAT results | 92% |
|---|---|
| Verbal scores (25/75 %ile) | 440 / 443 |
| Math scores (25/75 %ile) | 427 / 430 |
| Cumulative scores (25/75 %ile) | 867 / 873 |
Student Services
| Remedial Services | |
|---|---|
| Academic / Career Counseling | |
| PT Cost-defraying Employment | |
| Career Placement | |
| On-Campus Day Care | |
| Library Facility | |
Student Living
| First-time Room / Board Required | |
|---|---|
| Dorm Capacity | 1,400 |
| Meals per Week | 19 |
| Room Fee | $4,423 |
| Board Fee | $2,454 |
Student Financial Aid Details
How many students use Financial Aid, and how much do they use?
Bowie State University Ranks 834th for the average student loan amount.
| Average | Users | % of Attendees | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Grant Aid | $2,877 | 218 |  24% |
| State & Local Grant Aid | $3,544 | 257 |  28% |
| Institutional Grant Aid | $3,869 | 166 |  18% |
| Student Loan Aid | $6,458 | 414 |  45% |
| Any financial aid type | 518 |  56% |
Student Enrollment Demographics
How many students are enrolled at Bowie State University?
| Men | Women | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
Non Resident Alien | 23 | 21 | 44 |
Black Non-Hispanic | 1,578 | 3,089 | 4,667 |
Hispanic | 21 | 49 | 70 |
Asian / Pacific Islander | 18 | 57 | 75 |
American Indian / Alaskan Native | 4 | 7 | 11 |
White Non-Hispanic | 91 | 241 | 332 |
Race Unknown | 31 | 61 | 92 |
| Total | 1,766 | 3,525 | 5,291 |
Student Graduation Demographics
How many students graduated at Bowie State University?
| Men | Women | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
Non Resident Alien | 2 | N/A | 2 |
Black Non-Hispanic | 155 | 182 | 337 |
Hispanic | 3 | 4 | 7 |
Asian / Pacific Islander | N/A | 4 | 4 |
American Indian / Alaskan Native | N/A | 1 | 1 |
White Non-Hispanic | 6 | 4 | 10 |
Race Unknown | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Total | 166 | 195 | 361 |
Most Popular Fields of Study
The top 5 fields of study completed at Bowie State University.
| Men | Women | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 44 | 76 | 120 | |
| 36 | 45 | 81 | |
| 28 | 44 | 72 | |
| 7 | 63 | 70 | |
| 7 | 62 | 69 |
Student Completion / Graduation Demographics
How many students are successful graduates?
Faculty Compensation / Salaries
Bowie State University Ranks 990th for the average full-time faculty salary.
| Tenure system | |
|---|---|
| Average FT Salary | $61,040 ($63,209 male / $58,456 female) |
| Number of FT Faculty | 206 (112 male / 94 female) |
| Number of PT Faculty | 142 |
| FT Faculty Ratio | 1 : 1 |
| Total Benefits | $4,277,069 |
Bowie State University Summary
The following paragraph provided courtesy of wikipedia.
Bowie State University, located on 338½ acres (1.4 km²) in Bowie, Maryland, is part of the University System of Maryland. The university is Maryland’s oldest historically black university. Bowie State’s history began in 1865 when the Baltimore Association for the Moral and Educational Improvement of Colored People established the Baltimore Normal School in Baltimore, Maryland to train African American teachers. By 1914 the school had moved to Prince George’s County, Maryland and become known as Maryland Normal and Industrial School at Bowie. It became the Maryland State Teachers College at Bowie in 1935 and Bowie State College in 1963. BSU has 25 undergraduate majors, 11 master’s programs, and a doctoral program in disciplines as diverse as computer science, education, human resource development, communications, and nursing. In partnership with the University of Maryland University College, Bowie State University became the first historically black university to include overseas studies. Further examples of the technological focus include addition of the university grounds becoming a Wireless campus, and in 2004, the online registration program replaced the previous system. The $6.5 million Center for Learning Technology (CLT) is a state-of-the-art facility serving the computer science and computer technology programs. In 2005, Bowie State University built a $1 million supercomputer in conjunction with Apple Computer, Inc. The university is also home to The Maryland Center, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1998 providing community services.
Comment and Corrections Make a comment …
Familiar with this University? We would love to hear about your experience. Feel free to add comments or additional information regarding Bowie State University.
2 months ago
Gwendolyn Barksdale
Why is there every year problems within the financial aid department? We do what is required by applying through FASA and DC One Application forward information and then Bowie's online system doesn't allow us to approve anything? Then we see that a negative balance exsit and can't apply for loans.
7 months ago
Elbert S.Jackson jack dot jackson2 ((at)) us dot army dot mil
I must say Bowie State University has grown by leaps and bounds. I credit Bowie for not only allowing me to enroll as a freshman on probation, a status that I remained in until almost my junior year. Because I didn't apply myself with all the expertise available through the Bowie staff and faculty, I defined college as a party and a good time. It was just prior to my junior year when informed that I wouldn't be allowed to remain a student at Bowie, I had a moment of clarity, it became evident to me that everything I needed to suceed was there at Bowie. After Dr.Sammye Miller who at the time was Head of the History department (Circa 73') gave me a firm talking to, making me reafffirm my character(the things Dr. Miller said to me probably were against the law at the time) that was the turning point in my academic life. I not only applied myself through studying and improved my grades, I actually was given a job tutoring history to fellow students. It took me 5 years to finish and receive my BS in Social Work. Bottom line... My education experience at Bowie State College (now University) is responsible for everything I have acheived. Since I graduated Spring 1976, I've completed 20 years in the U.S. Army, earned a Master's Degree in Public Administration, Served as the Chief Project Officer for the Army's ID Card Program. Thank You to Bowie State
11 months ago
William E. Henry Jr. henrywbal ((at)) aol dot com
As I scanned the web, I was surprised to see Bowie listed. The overvew of the University truly impressed me. As a child growin up on the campus between 1943 and 1961, it is a delight to see how Bowie has developed and progressed. I am very proud of being a part of the school's history...keep up the great work... William "Skip" Henry, son of a former president..Dr. Henry (1942 to 1967)