Howard University

howard university accreditation

Diverse Arts & Sciences Education at Howard

Howard University appears in our ranking of the Top 9 Colleges for an Online Degree in Washington, DC.

Ranked the U.S. News & World Report’s #2 best HBCU, Howard University advances underrepresented minority students at an engaging 8:1 ratio in 47 bachelor’s, 46 master’s, 31 doctoral, and 10 professional programs just two blocks from the U.S. Capitol.

For example, the Mechanical Engineering (B.S.) offers a 120-credit, ABET-accredited curriculum taught by ASME Fellows with Northrop Grumman co-ops, Digital Manufacturing Lab projects, and the Autodesk Design Competition. The Occupational Therapy (M.S.) follows a 77-credit, 2.5-year thesis track toward 94 percent NBCOT certification success after two six-month clinical internships, such as Sibley Memorial Hospital, Children’s National Medical Center, and Walter Reed Naval Medical Center. In Charles Hamilton Houston Hall, the Law (J.D.) led by Dr. Danielle Holley-Walker, a GWAC Trailblazer Award recipient, starts an 88-credit, three-year sequence each August for 150+ future attorneys with hands-on experiences like the Fair Housing Clinic and Moot Trial.

Other Howard options include the Art History (B.A.), Leisure Studies (B.S.), Music (B.M.), Supply Chain Management (B.B.A.), Genetics (M.S.), Online Executive MBA, Social Work (M.S.W.), Education (Ed.D.), Non-traditional Doctor of Pharmacy Program (NTDP), and Mathematics (Ph.D.).

About Howard University

Howard University originated on March 2, 1867, when the U.S. Congress federally chartered a graduate theological school for African-American preachers. In 1869, Howard opened the nation’s first Black law school. By 1872, it focused on liberal arts education for 150,000 newly freed slaves. In 1907, Howard taught the first Black Rhodes Scholar, Alain LeRoy Locke. In 1926, Howard University inaugurated its first African-American president named Mordecai Wyatt Johnson. During the 1930s, Howard was a hub of protest demonstrations against segregation. Two decades later, Howard alumnus Thurgood Marshall successfully argued Brown v. Board. In 1967, Howard University acquired the 300-bed Freedmen’s Hospital for medical training. In 1974, the School of Divinity started a 22-acre East Campus beyond “The Mecca” in Washington, DC. By 2017, Howard University had launched a Google Inc. residency in Mountain View too. Endowed for $646.6 million, HU now educates 11,000 Bison from 70 countries with 89 percent retention and 154+ clubs like Precious Pearls. On Niche, Howard has America’s sixth-best Greek life, 12th most liberal academics, and 32nd top performing arts. Forbes named Howard University 189th for research influence.

Howard University Accreditation Details

On November 19, 2015, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) accepted a Periodic Review Report from Howard University to continue the Level VI accreditation satisfactorily through 2020 under its 17th president, Dr. Wayne A.I. Frederick, who earned the Congressional Black Caucus Distinguished Leadership in Health Care Award. Based 138 miles up Interstate 95 in Philadelphia, this supreme six-state Mid-Atlantic Region accreditor is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and DC State Board of Education. The Academic Accreditation Office also lists the following specialized approvals:

  • Commission on Dental Accreditation
  • National Association of Schools of Music
  • Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
  • Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
  • American Music Therapy Association
  • National Association of Schools of Art and Design
  • American Bar Association
  • Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation
  • Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education
  • National Association of Schools of Theatre
  • Council on Social Work Education
  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
  • National Architectural Accrediting Board
  • Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications
  • Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
  • American Psychological Association
  • Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Liaison Committee on Medical Education
  • Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education

Howard University Application Requirements

Heading to Howard University is considered “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s because 7,436 of the 15,163 Fall 2017 applicants were triumphant for only 49 percent selection. Promising first-year Bison of socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds need a secondary or GED diploma. Well-balanced, college-prep curricula with a minimum 2.5 GPA is preferred. On average, freshmen present a 3.33 GPA, 1180 SAT, and 24 ACT mark. The Honors Program requires at least 28 ACT and 1300 SAT scores. Talented transfers need 15+ credits, including college-level English and Math, graded “C” or greater. The School of Business mandates a 3.0 for B.B.A. majors. The Graduate School seeks a four-year bachelor’s or higher with a minimum 2.75 GPA, but program details can differ. Nursing (M.S.N.) majors need RN licensure plus a Statistics prerequisite and one year of experience. Anatomy (M.D.) students need a 494 MCAT score or better. The School of Law admits a median 152 LSAT and 3.2 GPA.

Howard University set freshman deadlines of November 1st for Early Action and February 15th for Regular Decision. Undergrad transfers must apply by April 30th for Fall or September 30th for Spring. The Graduate School has an early application period of October 1st to December 15th, but program deadlines vary. For instance, the Civil & Environmental Engineering (M.Eng.) considers applicants until December 1st. Counseling Psychology (Ph.D.) cohorts must file by January 1st. The Microbiology (Ph.D.) closes on January 15th each year. Accordingly, submit the Howard or Common Application online for $45 ($75 if graduate). Official transcripts are addressed to 2400 Sixth Street NW in Washington, DC 20059. Program-specific materials include the letters of recommendation, test scores, professional résumé, interests statement, field certifications, and research paper. Find more by contacting (800) 822-6363 or [email protected].

Tuition and Financial Aid

For 2018-19, Howard University billed full-time undergrads $12,483 each semester or $24,966 annually. Part-time study cost $1,045 per credit under 12. Excess overload credits were $665 apiece. Mandatory bachelor’s fees totaled $1,790 yearly. Living at the District of Columbia campus’ dorms like Cook Hall added $2,779 to $5,655 each term. Bison One Card meal plans for Bethune Annex Café were $2,412 extra. HU budgeted $1,500 for textbooks and $2,500 for personal expenses. Annual undergrad attendance equaled about $44,651 on-site and $30,756 at home. The Graduate School charged general tuition of $15,654 by semester. However, the MBA price was $33,996 total. College of Dentistry costs were $42,631 per year. The School of Education was cheaper at $14,545 each term. Law (J.D.) cohorts paid $32,055 annually.

According to the NCES College Navigator, the Financial Aid Office in Johnson Administration Hall Suite 205 gets 69 percent of HU Bison median assistance of $16,985 for $69.12 million combined. University funds include the Presidential Scholarship, Founders Scholarship, Capstone Scholarship, Opportunity Grant, Leadership Scholarship, Legacy Scholarship, Alice Tompkins Davis Scholarship, and Titus Duncan Scholarship. Howard University offers $25,000 National Black MBA Association scholarships within the School of Business. The $1,250 Chauncy Cooper Scholarship has a March 1st deadline for Pharmaceutical Science (Ph.D.) majors with minimum 3.0 GPAs. Howard students qualify for 270+ United Negro College Fund programs, such as the Renee Starks Steed Memorial Scholarship, Davis STEM Scholarship for Women, and Dell Corporate Scholarship. Completing FAFSA forms coded 001448 determines Federal Pell/SEOG Grant, Work-Study, and Direct Loan eligibility. The DC Tuition Assistance Grant also provides up to $10,000 per year to district residents of 12+ months.

Search through 120+ majors across 13 accredited, historically Black schools at the Howard University website.