MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS

In 1867, Morgan State University originated as the Centenary Biblical Institute under the auspices of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Classes for the Institute were held first at the Sharp Street Methodist Episcopal Church in Baltimore.


[photo, Morris E. Soper Library, Morgan State University, Cold Spring Lane, Baltimore, Maryland] In 1890, the Institute was renamed Morgan College in honor of Lyttleton F. Morgan, minister and first president of the Institute's board of trustees (Chapter 326, Acts of 1890). Dr. Morgan's financial support enabled the school to offer academic work at the college level. The College remained under church jurisdiction until purchased by the State in 1939 when it became Morgan State College (Chapter 331, Acts of 1939). In 1975, the College was granted university status (Chapter 550, Acts of 1975).

Morris E. Soper Library, Morgan State University, Cold Spring Lane, Baltimore, Maryland, August 2003. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.


[photo, Carnegie Hall, Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland]

Morgan State University is a public university in northeast Baltimore. It was named a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in May 2016.

The University includes the College of Liberal Arts, and the Schools of Architecture and Planning; Business and Management; Community Health and Policy; Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences; Education and Urban Studies; Engineering; Graduate Studies; and Social Work.

Carnegie Hall, Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland, August 2003. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.


With thirty departments, Morgan State University offers 36 baccalaureate-degree programs and 20 master-degree programs, as well as 9 programs leading to the doctorate. All academic programs are approved by the faculty (Code Education Article, secs. 14-101 through 14-308).


BOARD OF REGENTS

Morgan State University is governed by an independent Board of Regents.

Among other responsibilities, the Board of Regents sets tuition and other fees paid by resident and nonresident students; reviews and approves before implementation proposals for new programs. and any substantial expansion, curtailment, or discontinuance of existing programs; and reviews, modifies, and approves operating or capital budget requests.

The Board's fifteen members are appointed by the Governor with Senate advice and consent. Fourteen members serve five-year terms; a student member serves a one-year term (Chapter 362, Acts of 2013; Code Education Article, secs. 14-102 through 14-104).


OFFICE OF PRESIDENT

Appointed by the Board of Regents, the President of Morgan State University serves as Chief Executive Officer of the University and as Chief of Staff for the Board of Regents.

Subject to the authority and policies of the Board of Regents, the President is responsible and accountable to the Board for the discipline and successful conduct of the University and supervision of each of its departments. Moreover, the President's charge is to take every initiative in implementing Board policies, and promoting the University’s development and efficiency. The President also develops a plan of institutional mission, goals, and priorities; develops new academic programs and curtail or eliminate existing programs; and formulates operating and capital budget requests; and appoints, promotes, fixes salaries, grants tenure, assigns duties, and terminates personnel. Additionally, the President establishes admissions standards; sets tuition and fees; and administers financial aid (Code Education Article, sec. 14-104).

Within the Office of President are five units: Legal Counsel, General Counsel, Chief of Staff, Internal Audit, and Government Relations.


DIVISION OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

The Division of Academic Affairs is responsible for the College of Interdisciplinary and Continuing Studies, the College of Liberal Arts, and nine schools: Architecture and Planning; Business and Management; Community Health and Policy; Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences; Education and Urban Studies; Engineering; Global Journalism and Communication; Graduate Studies; and Social Work.

COLLEGE OF INTERDISCIPLINARY & CONTINUING STUDIES

In September 2021, the College of Interdisciplinary and Continuing Studies was founded at Morgan.

COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS

Holmes Hall, Suite 231, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD 21251

The College of Liberal Arts started as the College of Arts and Sciences in 1975, and adopted its present name in July 1998.

The University's undergraduate program is built upon the liberal arts. Indeed, the College is the largest academic division at the University.

Within the College of Liberal Arts, Baccalaureate degrees are conferred in many disciplines. Undergraduate degree programs of the College include Economics, English, Fine Arts, History, Music, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Telecommunications, and Theater Arts.

SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE & PLANNING

Center for Built Environment & Infrastructure Studies, 5299 Perring Parkway, Suite 104, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD 21251

The study of architecture and planning at Morgan began as urban policy studies within the School of Urban Studies and Human Development. As the Department of Built Environment Studies, it reformed in the School of Education in 1979, and became the Institute of Architecture and Planning in 1991. The Institute was renamed the School of Architecture and Planning in 2008.

The School of Architecture and Planning offers three professional graduate programs: Architecture, City and Regional Planning, and Landscape Architecture. The program in architecture is the only accredited such program in the Baltimore region, and one of only two in Maryland.


EARL G. GRAVES SCHOOL OF BUSINESS & MANAGEMENT

[photo, George W. F. McMechen Commerce Building, Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland] McMechen Commerce Building, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD 21251

The Graves School of Business and Management was named after Earl G. Graves, an alumnus, businessman, and publisher. The School offers courses through three main departments: Accounting and Finance; Business Administration; and Information Science and Systems.


Earl G. Graves School of Business and Management, George W. F. McMechen Commerce Building, Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland, August 2003. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.


SCHOOL OF COMMUNITY HEALTH & POLICY

4530 Portage Ave., Suite 302, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD 21251

In 1999, the School of Community Health and Policy formed as the Public Health Program. The Program was reorganized as the School of Community Health and Policy in 2005.

The School offers three programs: Nursing, Nutritional Sciences, and Public Health.

SCHOOL OF COMPUTER, MATHEMATICAL & NATURAL SCIENCES

Richard N. Dixon Science Research Center, Suite 200, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD 21251

Programs of the School of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences originated in the College of Arts and Sciences, and reorganized as the School of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences in 1998.

Within the School are five departments: Biology; Chemistry; Computer Science; Mathematics; and Physics and Engineering Physics. The School offers two professional programs: Actuarial Science, and Medical Technology.

SCHOOL OF EDUCATION & URBAN STUDIES

Banneker Hall, Room 301, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD 21251

The School of Education is responsible for four departments: Advanced Studies, Leaderhip, and Policy; Family and Consumer Sciences; Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance; and Teacher Education and Professional Development.


CLARENCE M. MITCHELL, JR., SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING

[photo, Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr., Engineering Building, Morgan State University, Cold Spring Lane, Baltimore, Maryland] Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr., Engineering Building, 5200 Perring Parkway, Baltimore, MD 21251

In 1984, the School of Engineering started at Morgan.

The School has four departments: Civil Engineering; Electrical and Computer Engineering; Industrial and Systems Engineering; and Transportation and Urban Infrastructure Studies.

Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr., Engineering Building, Morgan State University, 1700 Cold Spring Lane, Baltimore, Maryland, August 2003. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.


SCHOOL OF GLOBAL JOURNALISM & COMMUNICATION

Communications Center, 4905 Perring Parkway, Baltimore, MD 21251

The School of Global Journalism and Communication formed in July 2013 from the Department of Communication Studies in the College of Liberal Arts.

Within the School are three departments: Multimedia Journalism; Multiplatform Production; and Strategic Communication.

SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES

McKeldin Center, Suite 310, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD 21251

In 1964, the School of Graduate Studies organized as the Graduate School. In 1975, it reformed under its present name.

The School of Graduate Studies first offered advanced degrees in education in 1964. Since then, the scope of graduate studies has broadened to include a wide range of degrees in the arts and sciences, and professional fields.

Under the School are the Center for Continuing and Professional Studies, and the Institute for Urban Research.

CENTER FOR CONTINUING & PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
The Center for Continuing and Professional Studies, as part of the School for Graduate Studies, offers career training for individuals and organizations. In collaboration with the rest of the University, the Center also coordinates certificate programs in several fields, including Bioinformatics, Health Leadership Management, and Urban Planning and Health Management.

INSTITUTE FOR URBAN RESEARCH
To alleviate poverty, unemployment, poor health, truancy, and other urban and regional problems, the Institute for Urban Research seeks to improve the response of governmental agencies and private associations. For community-based agencies in Baltimore and central Maryland, the Institute provides research and outreach services, including technical assistance.

SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK

Jenkins Behavioral Science Building, Room 343, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD 21251

The School of Social Work began in 1969 as the Undergraduate Social Welfare Program in the Department of Sociology, College of Arts and Sciences. It became the Department of Social Work in 1975, and restructured as the School of Social Work in November 2009.


DIVISION OF FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION

Originating as the Division of Finance and Management, the Division of Finance and Administration adopted its present name by May 2023.

The Division plans, secures, and is responsible for the expenditure of the University's operating and capital resources. It provides administrative, business and financial support services to assist faculty and staff.


DIVISION OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT

The Division of Institutional Advancement manages fundraising for scholarships, endowments, operations, and special programs. It also engages alumni to support the University through fundraising and volunteer opportunities.

Within the Division are three offices: Alumni Relations and Strategic Engagement; Development; and Public Relations and Strategic Communications.


DIVISION OF RESEARCH & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

The Division of Research and Economic Development oversees University research projects, and helps secure grants and review contracts.

Under the Division are three offices: Research Administration; Research Innovation and Advocacy; and Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property.


DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS

Holmes Hall, Room 231
1700 East Cold Spring Lane, Baltimore, MD 21251

The Division of Student Affairs provides academic support, community engagement opportunities, and leadership training for Morgan students.

Within the Division are three offices: Residence Life and Housing; Student Life and Development; and Student Rights and Responsibilities. The Division also oversees the Career Development Center, the Counseling Center, and the Harriet A. Woolford University Health Center.

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