Admission Policy

Howard University Statement

On September 24, 1983, the Board of Trustees of Howard University adopted the following policy statement regarding applicants for admission:

"Applicants seeking admission to Howard University are required to submit accurate and complete credentials and accurate and complete information requested by the University. Applicants who fail to do so shall be denied admission. Enrolled students, who as applicants failed to submit accurate and complete credentials or accurate and complete information on their application for admission shall be subject to dismissal when the same is made known regardless of classification."

Admission Fees Refund Policy

Howard University does not refund the $45 application fee nor the $300 enrollment fee.

Equal Opportunity and Diversity

Howard University, as a community of scholars, is committed to the elimination of discrimination in education and the provision of equal opportunity in education. In compliance with state and federal laws and regulation, we do not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, race, religion sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status in any of our policies, procedures, or practices. This non-discrimination policy covers admission and access to, and treatment, in all programs and activities, including but not limited to, academic admissions, financial aid, educational services and employment.

Program Admission Criteria

Students are accepted in good faith in academic programs on the basis of the certification they provide to meet admissions criteria. If however, the results from the test and assessments procedures upon arrival provide evidence that a student’s actual academic proficiency is significantly different than the one claimed and is lower than the one required for the designated program, then the student will be formally advised of the results and applicable options, if any exist.

A student, either individually or through his/her representative, who has submitted any documents or certification to meet  the admission criteria which is later found to have been falsified may be subject to immediate dismissal from the University.

First-Time Graduate Deferment Policy

Graduate applicants (note, this does not relate to Dentistry, Medicine, Pharmacy or Law applicants) who have been offered admission and have confirmed their enrollment (by paying the $300 enrollment fee deposit) may request to defer their enrollment for up to one year. These deferment requests will need to be completed by January 1 (for Spring applicants), May 1 (for Summer applicants), or August 1 (for Fall applicants) of each year.  If the student does not matriculate in the approved deferment semester, a new application will need to be filed for admission consideration. To complete the deferment process, please send an email to hugsadmission@howard.edu indicating your reason for deferment, and what you will be doing during the gap period.

Deferment requests are not accepted for graduate non-degree students, or returning students. Non-degree and returning students must submit a new application for admission for the desired entry term to be considered for admission.

Deferment for All Other Students

Deferment requests are not accepted for any other graduate admission applications, including returning and non-degree students. All other students must submit a new application for admission for the desired entry term to be considered for admission.