Top HBCU Medical Schools: Filling the Diversity Gap in Medicine

Medical schools at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) play a vital role in producing qualified Black or African American health care providers. They educate a large percentage of graduates who attain doctorates. Their graduates often commit to primary care in underserved areas. This helps improve health outcomes for Black patients. 

There are four HBCUs with medical schools - Howard University College of Medicine, Meharry Medical College, Morehouse School of Medicine, and Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science. Two new medical schools will open at Xavier University and Morgan State University.

This article will explore these Black medical schools in no particular order to help you decide which one might be the best fit for you. 

Importance of HBCU medical schools

For nearly 100 years after the Civil War, due to racial segregation, most higher education institutions would not admit Black students or severely limit their enrollment. HBCUs educated Black Americans and played a major role in expanding the Black middle class. 

A number of HBCUs created medical schools, and two of the oldest, Howard University College of Medicine and Meharry Medical College, persist to this day. In the United States, 50% of Black doctors have a degree from an HBCU. 

While Black citizens comprise 12.1% of the U.S. population, just 5.7% of U.S. physicians are Black. This deficit causes health disparities between Black and white patients. Black doctors are more likely to work in underserved communities, conduct research on topics relevant to Black communities, and patients have better outcomes with Black physicians. 

Spotlight on HBCU medical schools

HBCUs have a long and distinguished history of producing dedicated and skilled health professionals. Let's explore the HBCU medical schools in no particular order.

Howard University College of Medicine

Howard University, founded in 1867, is a private research university in Washington, D.C. It was one of the nation's first HBCUs to establish a medical school, founded in 1868. Its mission is to provide students with an exceptional medical education and prepare health professionals to care for the underserved. 

When it comes to academic offerings, Howard Medical School boasts a diverse range of programs to cater to the educational aspirations of its students.

• Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)
• Dual degrees (M.D./Ph.D., B.S./M.D.)
• Master of Science (M.S.)
• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Research opportunities at Howard University include various biomedical research programs and summer initiatives designed to nurture the intellectual curiosity of students and promote ground-breaking discoveries.

Meharry Medical College

The mission of Meharry Medical College is to advance health equity through innovative research, transformative education, compassionate health services, and influential thought leadership. 

Founded in 1876 as the Medical Department of Central Tennessee College, Meharry was the first medical school in the South for Black Americans. Today, it's the nation's largest private historically Black academic health sciences center.

In 2018, Meharry launched a new curriculum presenting lessons based on the most common clinical problems physicians encounter. This curriculum reduces the number of lectures in favor of active learning strategies. 

Meharry is affiliated with the United Methodist Church and is one of the top five producers of primary care physicians. It's also a top producer of Ph.D.'s in biomedical sciences.

The academic landscape at Meharry is diverse and comprehensive, offering degrees such as:

• Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)
• Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH)
• Master of Health Science (MHS)
• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
• Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)

For those inclined toward research, Meharry's Office for Research and Innovation collaborates with federal, corporate, and institutional partners, offering numerous research opportunities that contribute to the advancement of medical knowledge and health care services.

Morehouse School of Medicine

Morehouse College is a private men's liberal arts college in Atlanta, Georgia, founded in 1867. In 1975, Morehouse School of Medicine was founded, and the medical school became independent in 1981. 

Its mission is to improve the health and well-being of people, individuals, and communities. Other goals are to increase the diversity of health and scientific professionals and to conduct education, research, and service in primary health care. 

Morehouse School of Medicine offers a range of programs to cater to the diverse interests and career aspirations of its students. These programs include:

• Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)
• Biomedical Sciences Graduate Programs (M.S., Ph.D.)
• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
• Master of Public Health (MPH)
• Master of Science (MS)
• Dual Degrees (M.D./Ph.D., M.D./MPH, M.D./MS)

Research is at the core of Morehouse School of Medicine's mission, with a dedicated emphasis on translating discoveries into health equity. Their research programs are designed to address critical health disparities and contribute to the betterment of healthcare on a broader scale.

Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science

Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, in South Los Angeles, opened in 1966, a year after the Watts Uprising. A commission sponsored by the governor found the root causes included high unemployment, poor schools and living conditions, and inadequate access to health care. 

The university is the only dually designated historically Black and Hispanic serving institution and the only HBCU west of the Mississippi River.

The university offers a range of degree programs designed to address critical health care needs and promote diversity in the medical field. These degree programs include:

• Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)
• Master of Public Health (MPH)
• Master of Science (MS)

Additionally, Charles R. Drew University offers residency programs in key medical specialties, which are essential for training health care professionals. These include:

• Family medicine
• Internal medicine
• Psychiatry
• Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

The university's commitment to clinical care is evident through initiatives like the Oasis Clinic/Drew CARES, which plays a vital role in HIV testing and research, contributing to public health efforts. 

Charles R. Drew University also collaborates closely with numerous local hospitals, medical centers, and a psychiatric hospital, strengthening its role as a hub for health care services, education, and research in the Los Angeles area.

Xavier University of Louisiana College of Medicine

In 2022, Xavier University of Louisiana announced plans to establish a Graduate School of Health Sciences and Medical School. 

The university will form the College of Medicine in partnership with Ochsner Health, Louisiana's largest nonprofit health care system with hospitals throughout the state. Xavier and Ochsner have a history of collaboration on initiatives to improve health equity and provide clinical training for medical students. 

Founded in 1925 in New Orleans, Xavier is the nation's only historically black and Catholic university. It produces more students who receive graduate degrees in medicine and health sciences than any other college. 

The new medical school will help address a shortage of physicians who are members of underrepresented minority groups. Graduate programs will include a physician assistant program, a master's degree program in public health, speech pathology, pharmaceutical studies, and health analytics.

Morgan State University Maryland College of Osteopathic Medicine

Morgan State University, founded in 1867 in Baltimore, is Maryland's preeminent public urban research university. Its mission is to study the needs and challenges of the modern urban environment and create innovative solutions. 

A new medical college will open in 2024 at Morgan State, the first medical school opening at an HBCU in over 50 years. Salud Education is the university's partner for the proposed Maryland College of Osteopathic Medicine. 

Although located at Morgan State, the new medical school will be a privately owned entity affiliated with the university. It will be the only osteopathic medical school at an HBCU. 

Osteopathic medicine is the fastest-growing health care specialty. Doctors of osteopathic medicine are trained to look beyond symptoms to consider how lifestyle and the environment affect your well-being. 

DOs have similar training as MDs, but they focus on prevention and receive additional training in the musculoskeletal system. This enables them to use hands-on techniques, such as stretching or using pressure on joints and muscles, in order to treat injuries and illnesses.

Uncover medical excellence through HBCUs with College Rover

The medical schools mentioned here might seem like a good fit, or you might look into other universities committed to equity in health care. Let College Rover simplify your search. Use our comparison tool to do a side-by-side assessment of schools.