Founded in 1866, Edward Waters University (EWU), Florida’s first independent institution of higher learning and the state’s oldest Historically Black College or University (HBCU), is a dynamic and student-centered institution committed to academic excellence, innovation and community engagement. Through flexible on-campus, online and hybrid programs, robust research initiatives, strategic industry partnerships and a growing portfolio of undergraduate and graduate offerings, EWU empowers students to excel in competitive professional environments while advancing knowledge that addresses pressing societal and public health challenges. In recent years, EWU has celebrated significant institutional achievements and record enrollment growth—with graduate student enrollment having increased by 316 percent since 2021.

Located in the heart of Jacksonville, EWU offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in business, cybersecurity, public health, biology and communication, EWU equips students with the skills and mindset to thrive in today’s dynamic economy. EWU’s Accelerated Degree Program (ADP)—a fully online pathway—expands access for veterans, adult learners and first-generation students, ensuring that all learners have an opportunity to earn a degree designed for the modern workforce.

In 2025, EWU secured $12.4 million in funding through the Focus on Florida’s Future budget—the largest single-year allocation in the university’s history. During the same year, EWU received a $75,000 Home Depot Grant to support renovations and structural upgrades to a centralized student learning space and also received a $75,000 HBCU Takeoff Grant from the University of Southern California Race and Equity Center to strengthen recruitment and retention efforts for African-American male students at the postsecondary level.

Success in Northeast Florida 

EWU offers a comprehensive suite of undergraduate programs which  provide students with flexible and accessible pathways to degree completion. The university’s Accelerated Bachelor of Business Administration in Organizational Management is offered fully online and prepares students to analyze team dynamics, understand principles of leadership and apply analytical skills to modern business challenges. Similarly, the Accelerated Bachelor of Business Administration in Healthcare Management equips students with an understanding of healthcare systems while building strong competencies in business fundamentals, leadership and problem-solving within healthcare environments.

EWU’s graduate degree programs are delivered exclusively online and are designed for completion within 12 months. Students benefit from individualized support provided by EWU faculty and staff throughout their academic journey. The university’s graduate offerings include the Master of Business Administration, Master of Cybersecurity, Master of Education and Policy Administration and Master of Public Administration. Additionally, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) within specialized undergraduate and graduate programs, such as the Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science distinguish EWU as a provider of industry-aligned, high-demand academic pathways to careers in these fields.

EWU also continues to enhance instructional quality and student success through the adoption of Open Educational Resources (OER) across online, hybrid and in-person courses. The university’s OER platform, MERLOT, provides faculty with access to high-quality digital learning materials and offers funding opportunities to support course redesign projects aimed at improving affordability, accessibility and engagement.

The Charles H. Pearce Institute supports underperforming first-time-in-college (FTIC) students and transfer students by helping them prepare for college during the summer prior to their fall enrollment. The Accelerated Degree Program (ADP) serve non-traditional learners—including veterans, adult learners and first-generation students—by providing an opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree in business administration. The EWU ADP program is offered exclusively online. Depending on eligibility for military education benefits, spouses and dependents of veterans may also enroll in the EWU ADP program.

Student & Alumni Stories

EWU graduates continue to excel at leading research institutions across the nation. Brianna Pendergrass, an EWU alumna, is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Cellular Molecular Biology and Biochemistry at Brown University. Similarly, Shaneaka Anderson is advancing toward her Ph.D. in Immunology at the University of Pennsylvania.

Additionally, four exceptional EWU students—Jalin Stallings, Ruth Nerfrard, Jordan Garbutt, and Nyekuar Quik—were selected to participate in the prestigious Mayo Clinic Dean’s Scholars Program in 2025. This program prepares undergraduate students for medical school through mentorship, clinical shadowing, MCAT preparation, research opportunities and other professional development experiences. The program is offered in partnership with Xavier University of Louisiana and Edward Waters University, and is open to undergraduate students pursuing pre-medical or pre-health pathways.

As Florida’s only private HBCU competing at the NCAA Division II level, EWU is redefining student-athlete support with new initiatives such as the Student-Athlete Wellness Room—the first of its kind among HBCUs. This commitment to excellence is reflected in standout performances across athletics and academics: EWU baseball star Torry Jones earned Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Player of the Year honors, the men’s basketball team received the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Team Academic Excellence Award, and 64 percent of EWU student-athletes, including Jones, maintain GPAs of 3.0 or higher.

Research Opportunities

Work-based learning remains a cornerstone of EWU’s commitment to student success, supported by more than 24 active partnerships with organizations in the Jacksonville area. Collaborations with institutions such as the Mayo Clinic, University of Florida (UF) Health and Pareto Clinic provide students with internships, clinical experiences, project-based learning and other opportunities to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings. These partnerships help ensure that EWU students graduate with both academic preparation and practical experience in their chosen fields.

The EWU Center for the Prevention of Health Disparities actively engages in numerous public health initiatives. Dr. Brian Seymour, an EWU professor, serves on the board of the Northeast Florida Health Education Center. In partnership with EWU, the Center provides tobacco cessation classes in Health Zone 1 of Duval County, Florida, helping community members quit smoking. Additionally, Dr. Seymour serves as the lead evaluator for a health literacy improvement initiative focused on vulnerable populations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has received multiple grant  awards from the National Science Foundation (NSF). Beyond public health programming, the Center offers ecology field trips, health and wellness activities for local students, and operates the only pollen-counting station in Northeast Florida accredited by the National Allergy Bureau (NAB).

Beyond the STEM field, EWU history professor, Dr. David Jamison was awarded a research grant from the Council of Independent Colleges for his proposal, “Reclaiming Sacred Spaces: The Legacy of Edward Waters University and Jacksonville’s Freedmen Community.” This important initiative, in partnership with the James Weldon Johnson Branch of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (JWJ-ASALH), will further examine Edward Waters University’s historic role in advancing educational equity and community empowerment.

EWU 2025 Reaffirmation of SACSCOC Accreditation

On December 9, 2025, EWU was notified of its reaffirmation of accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), with no recommendations for improvement. This reaffirmation—approved through 2035 by the SACSCOC Board of Trustees during its 2025 Annual Meeting in Nashville, TN. This extraordinary outcome, achieved by only a select number of institutions in any reaffirmation cycle, reflects the University’s demonstrated commitment to academic excellence, sound financial management, effective governance and rigorous planning — all hallmarks of a healthy and forward-moving institution.

The Edward Waters University Impact

Ranked #47 among U.S. News & World Report’s Best Regional Colleges South and #25 in Social Mobility for 2025, Edward Waters University is more than an academic institution, it’s a faith-based, forward-thinking institution focused on being the launchpad for leadership, innovation and social change. By aligning its programs with Northeast Florida’s high-growth industries and cultivating partnerships across business, healthcare and technology sectors, EWU continues to strengthen the region’s workforce and its future.

Learn more about Edward Waters University at www.ew.edu.