Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) serve students from a wide range of cultural, socioeconomic backgrounds and majors. They are located in the southeast United States, and can be public, private, co-educational, or single-sex campuses. They offer a high-quality education in a supportive setting for students who might encounter difficulty in realizing their full academic potential, especially students of color.

Some noteworthy graduates of HBCUs include:

• Rev, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, graduate of Morehouse College
• Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, graduate of Lincoln University & Howard University
• Oprah Winfrey, graduate of Tennessee State University
• Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), graduate of Howard University
• Booker T. Washington, graduate of Hampton University
• Katherine Johnson (NASA), graduate of West Virginia State University
• Stacey Abrams, Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives, graduate of Spelman College
• Langston Hughes, graduate of Lincoln University

They were established to serve the educational needs of African Americans at the end of the Civil War. Prior to the time of their establishment, and for many years afterwards, African American were generally denied admission to traditionally white institutions. Although these institutions were called universities from their founding, a major part of their mission in the early years was to provide elementary and secondary schooling for students who had no previous education. It was not until the early 20th century that HBCUs began to offer courses and programs at the post-secondary level. As a result, HBCUs became the principle means for providing post-secondary education for African Americans and other disenfranchised individuals in the US.

The HBCU Transfer Guarantee

The California Community College/HBCU Transfer Guarantee Agreement is a partnership with 37 HBCUs to guarantee admissions to students who complete specific academic courses, have a GPA of 2.5 or better, and have completed an associate degree or at least 30 transferable units.

Use the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)

If you choose not to go that route, or your chosen school does not participate in the HBCU Transfer Guarantee Agreement, a good place to start would be the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) path. You should also visit the school’s website to figure out what you should be taking to prepare for your intended major.

APPLY FOR THE SOUTHERN HBCU COLLEGE TOUR: COMING SOON IN OCTOBER

Check out last years tour.

Minimum Eligibility:

• Completed 15 or more transferable units completed at the time of application (students with more transfer units will have higher priority).
• Enrolled in/completion of English 1A or a transferable Math.
• 2.5 cumulative transferable GPA or higher at the time of application.
• Be in good academic and disciplinary standing at College of Alameda.
• Show genuine interest in attending a HBCU through written portion of Personal Statement Essay (500 words).
• One Letter of Recommendation.
• Must attend HBCU tour orientation.

Please turn in your application materials to the Transfer Center, Building A