Trinity Washington University

Dedicated to Women and Adult Learners

In the 1980s, Trinity launched the innovative Weekend College program, aimed at working women to earn their college degrees, with classes on Friday evenings and Saturdays. Trinity has expanded its programs for adults substantially with classes offered every weekday evening and Saturdays; the Weekend College expanded and transformed into what is today Trinity’s School of Professional Studies, open to women and men.

Trinity continues its historic women’s college, now known as the College of Arts and Sciences, enrolling 1,000 young women who hail largely from the District of Columbia and the Washington region.

Trinity became Trinity Washington University in 2004, and today Trinity enrolls more than 2,000 students in five academic schools:

• College of Arts and Sciences (Trinity’s undergraduate liberal arts college for women)
• School of Business and Graduate Studies
• School of Education
• School of Nursing and Health Professions and School of Professional Studies

Trinity’s Top Undergraduate Majors Include:

• Nursing
• Biology and biochemistry
• Health services
• Education
• Counseling
• Psychology
• Business
• Communication
• Criminal justice

Popular Majors (some majors can be taken 100% online)

• Nursing
• Occupational Therapy
• MBA (offered100% online)
• MPH (Public Health, 100% online) 
• Forensic Science 
• Global Affairs (political science, history, econonmics, and international affairs)
• Women's college - BA/BS programs in STEM (biology, biochem) 

We Value Our Students

Trinity’s student body today is predominantly African American and Latina; about 80% of the undergraduate students are eligible for Pell Grants, and about 10% of the undergraduate women are Dreamers, undocumented students with DACA status. About 5% of Trinity students are men enrolled in coed programs in the graduate and professional schools.

Trinity has gained prominence in recent years for success in the education of low-income students of color and has received recognition for this work including:

The Carnegie Corporation Award for Academic Excellence

Grants from the Mellon Foundation

A major grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute for the development of curricula and pedagogy to advance more women of color in the sciences

In 2016 Trinity opened the Payden Academic Center with state-of-the-art laboratories for the sciences and nursing, and pervasive technologies available to all disciplines.

Statement of Mission

Trinity is a comprehensive institution offering a broad range of educational programs that prepare students across the lifespan for the intellectual, ethical and spiritual dimensions of contemporary work, civic and family life. Trinity’s core mission values and characteristics emphasize:

Commitment to the Education of Women in a particular way through the design and pedagogy of the historic undergraduate women’s college, and by advancing principles of equity, justice and honor in the education of women and men in all other programs.

Foundation for Learning in the Liberal Arts through the curriculum design in all undergraduate degree programs and through emphasis on the knowledge, skills and values of liberal learning in all graduate and professional programs.

Integration of Liberal Learning with Professional Preparation through applied and experiential learning opportunities in all programs.

Grounding in the mission of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur and the Catholic tradition, welcoming persons of all faiths, in order to achieve the larger purposes of learning in the human search for meaning and fulfillment.

A Brief History

Founded in 1897 as Trinity College in Washington, D.C. by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, Trinity was the nation’s first Catholic liberal arts college for women. Trinity opened its doors to its first students in 1900 – the Red Class of 1904. Trinity’s first building, Main Hall, was built in stages, with the cornerstone set in 1899, the south wing open to students in 1900 and the building completed with the addition of the north wing in 1909 – when electricity was installed. In the early years, Main Hall included all of the classrooms, student rooms, dining hall, library, chapel and convent for the Sisters of Notre Dame.

Trinity Washington University Military & Veteran Support Programs

Trinity Washington University offers the following veteran and military support programs:

• Trinity Washington University has GI Bill approved programs
• Does not have a Student Veterans of America chapter
• Offers credit for military experience
• Awards credit for the CLEP exams 
• Does not award credit for the DSST exams
• Approved for Tuition Assistance
• Trinity Washington University is a Yellow Ribbon school
• Trinity Washington University is not a MyCAA approved school

Does Trinity Washington University offer online degree programs?

Yes, Trinity Washington University offers online degree programs.

Is Trinity Washington University a GI Bill approved school?

Yes, Trinity Washington University is a GI Bill approved school. However, you will need to check with the school to ensure that your preferred degree program is covered by the GI Bill. For more info, please contact veteran services and/or admissions here.

Is Trinity Washington University a Yellow Ribbon school?

Yes, Trinity Washington University is a Yellow Ribbon school.

Eligible military and veteran students may have up to 100% of their tuition covered, with zero tuition costs out-of-pocket. You will need to check with the school to ensure that your preferred degree program is 100% covered by the Yellow Ribbon. For more info, please contact veteran services and/or admissions here.

Does Trinity Washington University offer Yellow Ribbon for master’s programs?

Yes, Trinity Washington University offers Yellow Ribbon funding for master’s programs.  

Eligible students may have up to 100% of their tuition covered, with zero costs out-of-pocket. You will need to check with the school to ensure that your preferred advanced degree program is in fact covered by the Yellow Ribbon. For more info, please contact veteran services and/or admissions here.

Does Trinity Washington University offer a military discount or reduced tuition rates for military and veterans?

No, Trinity Washington University does not offer a military discount or reduced tuition for military and veterans. For more info, please contact veteran services and/or admissions here.

What are Trinity Washington University’s tuition rates for military and veterans?

At $250 per credit hour Trinity Washington University’s tuition rate for active military does not exceed the Tuition Rate assistance cap of $250 per hour. This means that the student may not have out-of-pocket costs.  For more info, please contact veteran services and/or admissions here.

What are Trinity Washington University’s online tuition rates for military and veterans?

At $250 per credit hour Trinity Washington University’s online tuition rate for active military does not exceed the Tuition Rate assistance cap of $250 per hour. This means that the student may not have out-of-pocket costs. For more info, please contact veteran services and/or admissions here.

Is Trinity Washington University approved for Tuition Assistance?

Yes, Trinity Washington University is approved for Tuition Assistance.  

Eligible students may have up to 100% of their tuition covered, with zero costs out-of-pocket. You will need to check with the school to ensure that your preferred degree program is covered by Tuition Assistance. For more info, please contact veteran services and/or admissions here.

Does Trinity Washington University offer master’s programs covered by Tuition Assistance?

Yes, Trinity Washington University has master’s degree programs covered by Tuition Assistance funding.  

Eligible active military students may have up to 100% of their tuition covered, with zero costs out-of-pocket.  You will need to check with the school to ensure that your preferred degree program is covered by Tuition Assistance. For more info, please contact veteran services and/or admissions here.

Is Trinity Washington University a military friendly school?

Trinity Washington University is considered military friendly. They feature a veteran counselor on campus, credit for military service, offers ROTC program, and are a Yellow Ribbon School.  In addition, the school is approved for tuition assistance offering a reduced tuition rate for the military.

Is Trinity Washington University a MyCAA school?

No, Trinity Washington University is a Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA) approved school.  For more info, please contact veteran services and/or admissions here.