A Private University with a Public Mission
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU) is a private, nonprofit, community-founded, institution dedicated to educating health professionals who are committed to social justice and health equity.
CDU offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees, as well as certificate programs, across a range of health and medical disciplines. The University also provides Graduate Medical Education (GME) through accredited residency programs and operates a renowned, community-focused research enterprise dedicated to improving outcomes in underserved populations.
CDU is a designated Minority-Serving Institution (MSI) and recognized as a Historically Black Graduate Institution (HGBI). Its Medical Education program is one of only four Historically Black medical colleges in the nation. CDU is also a member of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU).
Mission Driven, Community Focused
Founded in 1966 by local activists and organizers in the aftermath of the Watts uprising, CDU is located in the heart of the Watts-Willowbrook neighborhood of South Los Angeles. Students come to CDU, and graduate from it, with a shared purpose: to close the health disparity gap by serving medically underserved communities.
A true community institution with a cradle-to-career pipeline, CDU is situated within a 1-square-mile zone that includes the MLK Medical Campus and King/Drew Medical Magnet High School. Through a broad range of public-facing programs, services, and clinics, CDU advances preventative care, promotes wellness, and addresses chronic diseases that disproportionally impact the residents of South Los Angeles.
Leadership
David M. Carlisle, MD, PhD
President and Chief Executive Officer
Dr. David M. Carlisle has served as President and CEO since 2011. Under his leadership, CDU has experienced an era of programmatic growth, rising national reputation, and record-breaking fundraising that has included landmark gifts from Bloomberg Philanthropies and MacKenzie Scott.
2025-2026 Enrollment
- Total Enrollment: 1226
By College
41.2% College of Nursing
28.9% College of Science and Health
26.3% College of Medicine
2.4% Other/Non-matriculated
1.2% Post-Baccalaureate
By Gender
67.6% Female
31.5% Male\
0.9% Unknown
By Race/Ethnicity
34.8% Black or African-American
31% Hispanic or Latino
16.2% Unknown
8.9% Asian
6% White
2.8% Two or more races
0.2% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
<0.1% American Indian or Alaskan
By Degree
29 Other/Non-matriculated
71 Certificate
93 Associate
98 Bachelor
169 Bachelor of Science in Nursing
84 Master of Health Science
36 Master of Public Health
35 Master of Science
246 Master of Science in Nursing
180 CDU Medical Education
56 CDU/UCLA Medical Education
42 Doctor of Nursing Practice
82 Graduate Medical Education (Residency)
5 Fellows
Breaking New Ground
Learn more about CDU Rising, our comprehensive fundraising campaign to help fuel our mission and propel our vision. Included in this campaign is the construction of a new Health Professions Education building.
