Part II: Undergraduate Programs

1.1 Admission into the Bachelor of Science Degree Program in Elementary Education

Prior to registering for the Bachelor of Science degree in the Elementary Education Program, candidates must:​​

• declare Elementary Education as a major with the University Registrar
• complete the Orientation & Pre-Professional Seminar Course (EDUC 100) or equivalent competency
• provide proof of passing state-approved examination, such as Core Academic Skills for Educators in reading, writing, and mathematics or its equivalent as defined by the District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education (obtain requirements from the Director of Teacher Education)
• have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or above
• have at least a “C” or above in all education courses
• submit a completed application to the Director of Teacher Education
• participate and successfully complete an admissions interview under the auspices of the Office of Teacher Education

1.2 Admission into the Secondary Education Minor Program

Candidates aspiring to teach at the secondary school level (grades 7-12) must apply for admission into the Secondary Education Minor Program.

Candidates are required to:

• declare secondary education as an intended minor in their department (excluding music education)
• pass state-approved examination, such as Core Academic Skills for Educators in reading, writing, and mathematics or its equivalent as defined by the District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE)
• have a recommendation from one faculty member from the major department
• complete and submit an application for admission to the Director of Teacher Education by April 1 for fall admission and October 1 for spring admission (with attached transcript, personal statement, and Praxis scores)
• have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or above
• have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or above in major
• have a grade of “C” or above in all education courses
• complete an interview under the auspices of the Office of Teacher Education

1.3 Admission into the Undergraduate Human Development Program

Undergraduates in Human Development must complete the forms and supply the documents required by the Office of Admissions.

1.4 Admission from Secondary School

First Time in College (FTIC)​
Definition: A student who has never been admitted to a degree program at Howard University or any other post-secondary institution of higher education (i.e. first time in college). Evaluation of an applicant's qualifications for admission is based on high school course work, grade point average, class rank, test scores, extracurricular activities, and letters of recommendation. An essay, audition, portfolio, or interview also may be required.

1.41 Academic Eligibility
Howard University considers the applicant's secondary school academic record, standardized college entrance exams (SAT or ACT), leadership in school and community activities, unique talents and skills, and educational objectives. For admission consideration, an applicant should have a well-balanced college preparatory program that includes the following course work:​

• 4 years of English
• 3 years of mathematics
• 2 years of social science
• 2 years of science (w/ lab)
• 2 years of world/foreign language
   

1.42 Admission Requirements Package

A complete application package includes the following credentials:

• Application for Admission
• Nonrefundable $45 application fee payable by credit card, money order, or cashier's check; personal checks are not accepted. Howard University does not waive application fees.
• Official high school transcript or GED certificate
• Test score results from the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or the American College Test (ACT)
• One letter of recommendation from a high school counselor or the Guidance Counselor Recommendation Form
• One letter of recommendation from a high school teacher or the Teacher Recommendation Form
• Admission essay
• Resume (optional)

Mail transcript(s) and recommendations to:

Howard University
Office of Admission
2400 Sixth Street NW, Suite G-14
Washington, DC 20059

1.43 Advanced Placement
Entering students in the School of Education may receive credit for work completed in secondary school under the Advanced Placement Program administered by the College Board. In order to be considered for credit, students must submit Advanced Placement test results to the departmental dean or advisory center. A minimum score of 3 is required in each subject for which credit is sought.

1.44 International Students
The School of Education welcomes applications from international students as freshmen as first-time students enrolling at a university or as transfer students. International students are advised to begin the admission process at least one year prior to the time they wish to enter Howard University because additional time is usually needed for submission of required tests, academic documents, evaluations, and immigration-related matters. To apply to Howard University, international students should follow the admission policies and procedures as cited on the Office of Admissions website: http://www.howard.edu/enrollment/admission/international.htm.

Applicants from non-English speaking countries must score satisfactorily on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Minimum TOEFL scores for admission are:

• score of 550 on the paper-based test (PBT)
• score of 79 on the internet-based test(iBT)

Only official TOEFL scores from ETS will be accepted. To have ETS send scores, applicants should enter the Howard University school code: 5297. In lieu of the TOEFL (if not offered in the applicants’ country), applicants may submit results from IELTS (International English Language Testing System) with an overall score of a 6.5.

1.45 Admission from Other Colleges or Universities
Students who have been enrolled in other colleges or universities may be admitted at an advanced level. Courses completed in other schools will be evaluated for transfer, based upon their equivalence to courses at Howard University.

Students transferring from a regionally accredited college must be in good academic standing at that institution, must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale and must have at least 15 semester hours of credits (or equivalent). They should also have received a grade of at least “C” in both a college-level English and a college-level mathematics course. Students with fewer than 12 credits must comply with the procedures for admission directly from secondary school (See 1.2). 

Students transferring from another college must complete an application on forms provided by the Office of Admissions and supply the documents required by that office.

1.46 Intra-University Transfer
Students transferring from another unit of Howard University (Intra-University Transfer) will be subject to the provisions of 1.45 above. If a student who is applying for Intra-University Transfer does not meet the requirements, the student may be allowed to remain in his/her original program and take courses in the School of Education pending approval from an advisor in his/her original program.

 
1.47 Admission from Non-English Speaking Countries
Students from non-English speaking countries must meet the provisions of 1.44 above.

2.1     Upon admission, each student shall be assigned to a faculty member who shall provide academic advisement related to matters such as program planning, course selection, and the satisfaction of degree requirements.

2.2     Within the first semester of a student’s enrollment, the faculty advisor shall assist the student in developing a tentative program of study, which will include all courses needed to obtain the degree; any courses to be transferred, waived, or used as substitutes for required courses; and other program requirements. A copy of this tentative program, signed by the advisor and advisee, shall be maintained by the advisor, the student, and the chairperson of the department (paper and electronic copies).

2.3     The academic advisor facilitates the student’s selection of courses each semester. The academic advisor keeps a log of meetings and types of advice provided to each candidate. All students are required to meet with their academic advisors to plan a program of study and in preparation for registration each semester. Alternate Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) for registration will be issued to students by their faculty advisors after advisor approval of courses to be taken in the next semester.

2.4     Departmental faculty is expected to provide continuous advisement to students throughout their residence in an undergraduate program.

2.5     The faculty in each department shall have the responsibility for monitoring and advising students virtually or in-person on academic probation.

3.1     Good Standing

Good academic standing requires that a student maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0.

3.2     Probation

3.21     A student enrolled in any one of the undergraduate programs whose cumulative grade point average is less than 2.0 at the end of the first semester or any subsequent semester will be placed on academic probation.

3.22     A student who is on academic probation may enroll in no more than 12 semester credit hours in a single semester.

3.3     Suspension

Any student who is not removed from his/her probationary status within one semester, exclusive of summer sessions, will be suspended. A student who is suspended will not be permitted to register in the next semester, and must apply for readmission.

A one-semester extension of the probationary period may be requested by appealing in writing to the Office of the Associate Dean of the School of Education no later than 60 days prior to the first day of classes for the fall semester and 15 days prior to the first day of classes for the spring semester.

If the appeal is granted, the student will be required to follow specific stipulations during the extension period. If the appeal is denied, the student is not eligible for readmission for at least one semester.

3.4     Readmission after Suspension

3.41     Requests for readmission must be initiated by submitting the request at least 60 days prior to the registration period, and must include the following:

• An application for admission to the Office of Enrollment Management, and
• A completed petition for readmission to the school or college in which the student was last enrolled. The request should include a description of the student’s activities during the suspension period, the steps that have been taken to ensure success if the request is approved, and appropriate supporting documentation.

3.42     Requests for readmission will be reviewed by an admission committee, which will render a decision based on the student’s previous academic record, contents of the request for readmission, and other relevant factors.

3.43     Upon readmission after suspension, students must adhere to the conditions outlined below. Failure to meet these stipulations will result in suspension from the University:

• Establish and maintain contact with designated advisor (dean, faculty advisor, advisory center, or student services unit) for academic advising, counseling, assistance, and referral to support services. Contact should be specified by the advisor and the department faculty.
• Enroll in appropriate courses in the Center for Academic Excellence and/or other support programs as stipulated by the admission committee.
• Enroll in a maximum of 13 credit hours if full-time, and 7 credit hours if part-time, until the cumulative grade point average meets the requirement for removal of probation.
• Remove all deficiencies during the next semester of enrollment (or the next semester when the courses are offered) before proceeding with the published program for the degree.
• Earn a minimum grade of C in each course or earn the required grade point average stipulated by the admission committee until the cumulative grade point average meets the requirements for the removal of probation.

3.5     Readmission of Students in Good Standing

When the attendance of a student in good academic standing is disrupted for at least one semester, application for readmission must be made no later than 10 days prior to the registration date for the semester in which re-enrollment is desired.

3.6     Grading Policies​

3.61     Grading in undergraduate courses shall follow the University system of letter grades: A, B, C, D, and F. Each incomplete designation ("I") must be accompanied by an alternative grade ("B,""C,""D," or "F"). The alternative grade will become the permanent grade, if the incomplete is not removed. *The Incomplete Grade Contract must be signed by the student, instructor of course, and the Department Chair and filed with Enrollment Management.

3.62     A student may repeat a course only once in professional education and teaching methods for which a grade below C was earned. The previous grade will remain on the academic record, but it will not be used in computing the cumulative grade point average.

3.7     Honors

3.71     Undergraduate students with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.2, after each academic year, will be included on the Dean's List.

3.72     Students completing the undergraduate human development or teacher education program will be awarded graduation honors based upon achieving cumulative grade point averages as follows:

Cum Laude: 3.20 - 3.49
Magna Cum Laude: 3.50 - 3.79
Summa Cum Laude: 3.80 - 4.0

3.73     The School of Education offers an undergraduate Honors Program that provides high achieving, highly motivated students with an in-depth program of study in human development or teacher education augmented with intensive instruction and individualized mentoring. Current human development and elementary education majors who wish to be considered for entry to the Honors Program must apply during their first year at the University. Transfer students who do not enter the Honors Program as freshmen can be invited to participate in the program at the beginning of their sophomore year. Students can obtain application materials for the Honors Program in their respective Department.

3.8     Class Attendance

Regular class attendance and participation are expected of all students in the Human Development and Curriculum and Instruction programs, and professors may consider these factors in the evaluation of students. Guidelines for class attendance can be found in the University H-Book.

3.9     Academic Load

3.91     Full-time status requires enrollment in at least 12 credit hours of coursework; students enrolled for fewer than 12 semester hours are considered to be in part-time status.

3.92     The maximum course load is 18 credit hours per semester. In exceptional situations, with the approval of the advisor and the dean, students with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 may be permitted to enroll in up to 21 credit hours.

4.1     Students in the undergraduate Curriculum and Instruction and Human Development programs may take courses in other accredited institutions for transfer to Howard University. The advisor must specifically approve each transferred course.

4.2     Only those courses may be transferred in which a grade of C or better was received.

4.3     Consortium courses taken while enrolled in Howard University are not considered transfer courses.

4.4     The last 30 semester hours of credit prior to graduation must be taken at Howard University.

4.5     Grades earned in transferred courses are not used in computing the cumulative grade point average, but the credits earned may count toward the credits required for graduation.

Students in the Human Development and Curriculum and Instruction B.S. programs must file an application for graduation with the Office of the Dean by the deadline date announced by the University for the specific semester in which graduation is expected. Students will be recommended to receive degrees by vote of the faculty based upon certification of departmental approval and verification by the dean that academic and financial obligations have been satisfied.

5.1 Degree Requirements

The Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development requires a minimum of 120 semester hours of credit and a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. The Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education requires a minimum of 120 semester hours of credit and a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.

5.2 Curriculum Requirements

Graduation requires completion of the curriculum in effect at the time of initial enrollment. However, if the curriculum is changed prior to graduation, the student is expected to follow the new curriculum in those areas that affect professional certification; with respect to other kinds of curriculum change, the student may elect to change fully or partially to the new program with the concurrence of his or her advisor. Students who are not enrolled in the University for three or more continuous semesters (excluding summer) must meet the curriculum requirements in effect at the time of their return.

5.3 Filing for Graduation

Undergraduate students must submit the School of Education Graduation Application within TaskStream during the semester prior to the last semester of enrollment. Prospective Graduates will also be required to submit a University Application for Graduation via BisonHub. Procedures for graduating will be explained at that time.

5.4 Clearance for Graduation

Students will be recommended for graduation only after being cleared for graduation by having satisfied all financial and academic obligations to the University. Financial clearance is obtained by the student through the Office of Student Accounts; academic clearance is granted through the Department and the Office of the Associate Dean.

Students who have attained at least Junior level classification (60 semester hours) are eligible to participate in a student exchange program at a college with which Howard University has an exchange agreement. Fees will be paid to Howard University and grades earned will be calculated in semester hours and grade point averages as though they were earned at Howard University.

Students in regular attendance and in good academic standing at a regionally accredited or foreign institution may enroll for a limited number of courses at Howard University School of Education upon written request by the dean or the head of academic programs at their institutions. Applications must be submitted to the Office of Admissions.

8.1     An applicant seeking to take courses without becoming a degree candidate may be admitted in an unclassified student status. The applicant is subject to the same entrance regulations, fees, and course prerequisites as regular students.

8.2     A student admitted to the undergraduate program in the unclassified status may not enroll in graduate level courses.

8.3     The unclassified student may apply for admission to regular degree status and if accepted, he or she may transfer to a degree program no more than 18 semester hours of credit carried while in the unclassified status.

Undergraduates may enroll in graduate courses with the approval of their advisor. Such graduate credits may be transferred to a graduate program provided they were not used in meeting the requirements for the undergraduate degree.