Transfer Admissions & Second-Degree Student
Transfer & Second-Degree Student
Our application for Spring 2025/Fall 2025 is not open at this time. Please monitor this page for further updates in the coming weeks.
Each year, we welcome hundreds of talented transfer and second-degree students from institutions throughout the nation and the world. Transfer applicants are students who have completed academic studies at another college or university after graduating from high school. Second degree applicants are students who have already received an undergraduate (bachelor's) degree from Howard or another college/university. Howard University will accept up to 60 transferable credit hours.
The transfer admission team can be reached via email at transfer@howard.edu. We can also be reached via telephone at 800-822-6363. For the latest admission updates, follow us on Twitter & Instagram!
Am I eligible for transfer admission?
TRANSFER APPLICATION DETAILS
Minimum Admission Requirements
Transfer admission criteria vary among Howard University's schools and colleges. However, as a transfer applicant, you must meet the following minimum requirements for admission consideration:
- Earned 15 transferable credit hours from a regionally accredited post-secondary institution.
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Earned a 2.5 cumulative GPA and received a passing grade of C or better in both a college-level English and college-level Math course (C or better in Applied Calculus or Calculus I for the School of Business is preferred).
Important Note: If you have not met the minimum requirements for transfer admission, we will not be able to render a final decision on your application. If you will not meet the above minimum requirements by the posted document deadline for your desired entry semester (including in-progress courses for which grades have not yet been earned), you will not be eligible for admission.
For example, if you are applying for Fall entry and will not earn the minimum required credits/GPA or passing grade in the required college-level English/Math class until after our document deadline, you will not be eligible for Fall admission. Your best alternative would be to apply for Spring entry. Unofficial transcripts or Common App transfer reports cannot be used to render an admission decision.
Grades not yet earned by November 15 will not be considered for Spring entry. Grades not yet earned by April 15 will not be considered for Fall entry. Thus, please apply for the entry term for which you may be eligible.
Application Fee
All applications for Admission are made via the Common Application. A non-refundable $45 application fee should be made via the Common App (personal checks are not accepted). This application fee cannot be waived. If you erroneously selected 'fee waiver', please contact us at transfer@howard.edu.
Official Transcript Submission
One official transcript from all post-secondary institutions attended. Transcripts may be:
- Mailed to the Common App Centralized Transcript Service (preferred - please do not mail items to 'Howard University'), or
- Submitted via an e-Transcript system (e.g. Parchment, or the National Student Clearinghouse). If asked for the recipient’s email address, please provide transfer@howard.edu.
NOTE: Please ensure all mailed transcripts go directly to the Common App Centralized Transcript Service (see My Application -> Academic History -> Colleges Attended). For more detailed information on transcript submissions to the Common App, please visit this website. If mailed to the Common App Centralized Transcript Service, upon receipt and processing, your transcript status can be viewed via the Common Application. Transcripts that have not been mailed directly to the Common App Centralized Transcript Service will not be visible via the 'Check Status' area on the Common App.
Transcripts sent via fax/email or uploaded as an unofficial transcript will not be considered in our official review. We do not encourage you to submit official transcripts via mail directly to Howard University, as there may be delays in our receipt.
Letter of Recommendation
One letter of recommendation from a professor or an academic advisor submitted via Common App (upon assigning them as a recommender) is required. You may not submit your recommenders' letter(s) on their behalf. Please use the 'Check Status' area to track your recommender's submission.
Additional Program Specific Requirements
Art
All prospective Studio Art majors must submit a slide portfolio of 12-15 images and videos of original creative works. No more than 2-3 views of any one work should be included. To submit electronically, applicants should use the Slideroom.com portfolio submission portal included with your Common Application.
Theatre Arts
Prospective performance Theatre Arts majors (Acting, Dance, and Musical Theatre) must submit a recorded audition and participate in a live audition as evidence of their ability to successfully pursue college-level work in their desired concentrations.
Music
All prospective Music majors must submit a recorded voice or instrument audition or participate in a live audition.
NOTE: Students who have not been admitted into the above programs at the department level, but who are granted admission to the University will be offered admission to their second choice major selection. Therefore, we do implore all prospective fine arts applicants to give serious consideration to their second major preference.
Architecture & Design Studies
A portfolio of creative works must be submitted to the department for consideration. The portfolio should include a minimum of one and a maximum of three examples of creative expression in graphic, written or audiovisual form. All portfolios should be submitted to CEA_Architecture@Howard.edu. For more information, visit cea.howard.edu/admissions/architecture-admissions.
Financial Aid
Domestic students must also submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for federal financial assistance. For detailed instructions on how to submit the FAFSA, please visit the Student Financial Services' webpage. For DACA students, please complete the International Student Financial Aid Application. Students must submit their FAFSA/ISFAA form by the corresponding application deadline (Spring- November 1; Fall- April 1) for priority consideration. Awarding is subject to the availability of funds.
Please see the Financial Support page for more information on financial aid opportunities.
Admission Dates & Deadlines Summary
Application Type | Application Deadline (for receipt of submitted Common Application) | Document Deadline (for receipt of letters of recommendation, academic records etc.) | Notification Date |
---|---|---|---|
Spring Entry | November 1 | November 15 | Late December |
Fall Entry | April 1 | April 15 | Late June |