Edward Waters College

Edward Waters University is a private, Christian historically Black university located in Jacksonville, Florida. It holds the distinction of being the state’s first independent institution of higher learning and its first historically Black college or university (HBCU). Affiliated with the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, the university is dedicated to providing a holistic education that integrates academic rigor with high moral and spiritual values. It serves an urban community with a focus on empowering students—many of whom are first-generation—through a curriculum designed to prepare them for leadership and service in a global society.

The university traces its roots to 1866, when it was established by Reverend Charles H. Pearce and Reverend William G. Steward to educate newly emancipated African Americans. Originally named the Brown Theological Institute, the school faced significant early challenges, including financial hardship and the total destruction of its campus during the Great Fire of 1901. Despite these setbacks, the institution persevered and was renamed in 1892 to honor Edward Waters, the third bishop of the AME Church. Over the decades, it evolved from a high school and junior college into a four-year institution. A historic milestone occurred in 2021, when the institution officially transitioned from a college to a university after receiving accreditation to offer its first graduate-level academic offerings.

Edward Waters University stands as a resilient pillar of higher education, distinguished by its 150-year legacy of service to the African American community and its recent elevation to university status. By blending a practical liberal arts curriculum with a deep commitment to AME principles and social justice, the university continues to fulfill its original mandate of providing transformative educational opportunities. Its journey from a small theological institute to a thriving master’s-level university highlights its enduring significance as a gateway to economic and intellectual empowerment. The institution remains a premier choice for students seeking a values-based, culturally rich education in a vibrant urban setting.