District of Columbia

Colleges and Universities in the District of Columbia

Accredited colleges and universities in the District of Columbia offer a variety of undergraduate and graduate degrees such as an Associate of Arts in Medical Assisting, Associate of Science in Communications, Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing, Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management, Master of Arts in Healthcare Management, Master of Science in Psychology, Doctorate of Arts in Political Science or a Doctorate of Science in Business Management.

Some of the postsecondary schools are known nationally and internationally.  Degree offering schools in the District include:

• University of the District of Columbia
• George Washington University
• Howard University
• David A. Clarke School of Law
• American University
• Trinity Washington University
• Wesley Theological Seminary

Overview of the District of Columbia

The District of Columbia is America’s capital.  Named after Christopher Columbus, the District of Columbia is home to the White House and federal departments such as the Department of Commerce, Department of Education, Department of Defense, Department Veterans Affairs, Department of Justice and the Department of Labor.  The capital city of the District of Columbia is Washington.  Centrally located and bordered by states such as Maryland and Virginia, the District of Columbia is home to famous people, some who may have attended accredited colleges and universities in the District, such as former Vice President, Al Gore; political advisor, Pat Buchanan; news anchor, Connie Chung; jazz musician, Duke Ellington; Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) leader, John E. Hoover; author, Marjorie Rawlings; Army General, Benjamin Davis and former Secretary of State, John Dulles.  Alexandria and Georgetown are two major communities in the District of Columbia.  These two communities are also home to some of the District’s top accredited colleges and universities.

The District of Columbia also has for-profit colleges and universities.   These schools generally are accredited and offer degrees across a wide breadth of subjects like medicine, history, education, mathematics, political science and creative arts.  Some of the District’s for-profit college and universities are:

• Strayer University
• University of Phoenix
• Walden University

Activities for College Students in the Capital City

There are a variety of activities that college and university students attending schools in the District of Columbia can engage it.  Some of these activities include participating in cultural and educational festivals held at Meridian Hill Park, playing volleyball at the National Mall or going bike riding along the C&O Canal Towpath.  Students can also visit national monuments and historic sites like the National Air and Space Museum, Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, National Portrait Gallery, Union Station, the National Archives Building or the Willard InterContinental Hotel (place where Julia Ward Howe penned “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”).  Local college and university and professional sports teams that college students can watch compete for championships include the Georgetown University Hoyas, George Washington University Colonials and the American University Eagles, Washington Redskins, Washington Capitals, Washington Mystics or the Washington Wizards.

Working for Employers in the Capital City

Tourism, financial services, hospitality, communication, science, technology and healthcare are some of the leading industries in the District of Columbia.  College and university students who major in subjects like information technology, computer science, finance and accounting, political science, business administration, healthcare management, food services and marketing and communications may be able to increase their chances of landing jobs with some of the area’s top employers among which include:

• Neuroscience Institute
• Bank of America
• Urban Institute Publications
• Children’s National Medical Center
• Washington Post Office
• World Bank
• Fannie Mae
• Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Potomac Electric Power
• Smithsonian Institute
• ARAMARK
• Walter Reed Army Medical Center
• Pepco Holdings Incorporated
• George Washington University

Steps that college and university students can take to gain entrance to the job market in the District of Columbia include registering for and participating in programs like internships and work/study programs.  College students who have an interest in working in politics after they graduate from college can also apply for internships with local and federal government agencies.