Classification of Students 

The number of credits which each student has accumulated determines that student’s classification. This total number varies according to the individual schools and colleges within the University. Students who have received a score of three or higher on any of the Advanced Placement Examinations of the College Board will be eligible, in the area of each examination, for advanced placement and credit toward graduation as determined by the appropriate department. They will also qualify for exemption from certain general education courses as specified by the dean on the basis of the student's total record. Students may not receive credit toward graduation for Howard University courses that are equivalent to courses for which they have received advanced placement credit. 

Students who have received a score of three or higher in English, a foreign language, a science, and history will be given sophomore standing (30 semester hours of credit toward graduation) in some programs at Howard and may be eligible, in the fields examined, for specific advancement as determined by the departments concerned. Students so qualified are not required to take one year of the required courses in the humanities, natural sciences, English, speech, or the first year of the foreign language in which they have qualified. 
Transfer credit for international students enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences is determined by the Office of Admissions. All other advanced standing is determined by the individual schools and colleges within Howard University. Applicants who have been accepted will be notified of transferable credits by the appropriate school or college. Before advanced standing is awarded by some schools and colleges, applicants from state-accredited or nonaccredited institutions must take the General Examination of the College-Level Examination Board (CLEP) and rank at least at the 50th percentile. 

Major 

A major sequence of study is a series of courses prescribed by a given department as necessary for a concentration in that department. A major ordinarily includes 30 to 39 credits earned in a single department or in closely related departments. 

Minor 

A minor sequence of study is a combination of courses intended to broaden students’ perspectives and buttress their major areas of concentration. A minor generally consists of 15 to 18 credits earned in one or more areas outside of the student’s major department. 

Elective 

An elective is a course which students may choose to take for credit toward earning their degrees. 

Grading System 

Except where indicated otherwise in the school/college bulletins, the following grading system is used at Howard University: A—excellent scholarship, 90 and above; B—good, 80 to 89; C—fair, 70 to 79; D—poor, 60 to 69; F—failure, below 60; W—withdrawal, has no grade value and is, therefore, not calculated; I—incomplete. A grade of D cannot be raised to a higher grade by reexamination. Required courses in which students receive failing grades must be repeated.

 
Pass/Fail Arrangement 

Sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a cumulative average of 2.0 or higher who enroll in at least 12 semester hours per semester may take, under the pass/fail arrangement, one additional course each semester in a department outside of their major and minor sequences. This arrangement is not available to students in fulfilling hours in general education, but is restricted to electives exclusively. 

Through this arrangement, students receive a passing designation if their work in the course is rated as D or above and a failing designation if their work is rated below D. Failing grades will be indicated on the academic record. However, neither the passing grade nor the failing grade will be computed in the grade point average. For students in all applicable schools/colleges except the School of Business, courses passed under this system will count toward graduation. 

Students electing a course on a pass/fail basis may not later change to a regular grade basis for that particular course. The pass/fail regulation is reviewed annually. 

Grade Point Average (GPA) 

The grade point average is determined by multiplying the number of credit hours of the course by the point value of the grade received for the course (A, 4; B, 3; C, 2; D, 1; F, O; W not calculated). The resulting products (quality points) are then summed and divided by the total number of credit hours. The grade point average is computed for all courses attempted, excluding courses repeated. 

Program of Study 

The number of credits required for the baccalaureate degree varies among the undergraduate schools and colleges from 121 -171 semester hours. The typical program includes a major field (21-78 credits), a minor field (12 - 39 credits), a core group of general education studies, and electives. The specific details of the general education requirement vary among the schools. 

All undergraduate students entering the University beginning with the fall semester of 1987, are required to complete at least one course in Afro-American studies. Courses which satisfy this requirement are offered by several departments and are listed in the Student Reference Manual and Directory of Classes each semester. 

The majority of the schools and colleges require undergraduate students to fulfill a Physical Education requirement. Students should consult the office of the dean to determine the requirements for their school/college. 

Residence Requirement 

The majority of the individual schools and colleges at Howard University require that students spend the last 30 credit hours of undergraduate study in residence at the University in the school or college in which the degree is awarded. 

GPA Requirement for Graduation 

To receive a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree, students must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. The Office of the Dean, the educational advisory center, or the Office of Student Services in schools and college will provide additional grade requirements. 

Honors 

Students will be graduated with honors under the following conditions: those with a quality grade point average (GPA) ranging from 3.20 through 3.49 will be graduated cum laude; those with a quality GPA ranging from 3.50 through 3.79 will be graduated magna cum laude; and those with a quality GPA of 3.80 or higher will be graduated summa cum laude. 

Grades in noncredit courses are not considered in determining eligibility for honors. Although the policy varies according to the individual schools and colleges within the University, generally students are not eligible to receive these distinctions at graduation if they have not completed the last half of the work required for their degree in residence at Howard; if they have repeated courses to raise their GPA; or if they have not carried at least 12 credits for each semester enrolled, with the exception of the last semester in residence. 
Dean’s Honor Roll In the various schools and colleges of the University, students who have excelled academically are honored by having their names placed on the Dean’s Honor Roll. Generally, this honor roll is published annually and includes honor students from the preceding school year. The GPA required differs among the schools and colleges according to their individual regulations. 

Time Limitation 

There is no strict regulation with respect to the total amount of time in which undergraduate students may fulfill their degree requirements, provided they maintain an appropriate grade point average and give evidence of being seriously interested in the eventual achievement of their academic objectives. 

Withdrawal from a Course 

Students may withdraw from courses no later than four (4) weeks prior to the end of the semester, including the final examination period, and receive a grade of W. For information on withdrawal forms and additional information on withdrawing from a course, students should contact the dean’s office of the school or college in which they are enrolled. Students must give formal notice of withdrawal rather than merely stopping class attendance.

Removal of Incomplete Grades 

Students for whom an incomplete grade has been reported must remove the incomplete grade prior to the last day of classes the next semester in which the student is enrolled, unless the student requests, and is granted, an extension. Failure to meet this deadline will result in the incomplete grade becoming a permanent grade. A request for an extension should be made to the dean of the College, in writing, at least 10 days before the last day of classes.