Additional Admissions Components 

Below are the admissions components some programs may require. Because requirements vary, you must refer to a degree program’s graduate profile page to learn about specific admission criteria and deadlines. 

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) (If required) 

Some Graduate School programs may require the GRE. For programs requiring the GRE, your official GRE score reports must be submitted electronically via the Educational Testing Service (ETS) by the application deadline. The ETS institution code for Howard is 5297. This code submits your scores directly to Howard. Scores may take up to two weeks to arrive, so request your scores ahead of the application deadline. Your GRE must not be more than five (5) years old from the time you apply. The University accepts the GRE at-home test. If cost is a concern, learn about the GRE Fee Reduction Program offered by ETS.  

Critical Writing Sample (If required) 

Graduate School programs that require a critical writing sample will often outline what type of scholarly writing sample you can submit and include a page limit. Admissions committees will look to your writing sample to learn how you engage with scholarly ideas in your field of study, how you structure your research, and how you articulate an argument. Admissions committees are also assessing your academic writing ability and critical thinking skills through the critical writing sample. Your critical writing sample should represent your best scholarly analysis and writing and your ability to undertake graduate-level research. Your writing sample may be a research paper prepared for a class or a senior thesis you completed in college. Avoid submitting personal essays, blog posts, or thought pieces you may have written. Instead, choose a writing sample that showcases your ability to conduct graduate-level research. 

English Proficiency: TOEFL/IELTS (If required)  

Non-native English speakers who completed a postsecondary degree in a country/region in which the official language is not English are required to demonstrate proficiency in English to meet the Graduate School’s admissions requirement. Applicants demonstrate proficiency if they hold (or will earn before starting at Howard) a bachelor’s or advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education in the U.S. or from a university outside of the U.S. where English is the primary language of instruction. All other applicants must achieve at least the minimum score required on either the TOEFL or IELTS test to demonstrate English proficiency. Official test scores must be received by the application deadline. Applicants should allow 6 to 8 weeks from the test date for scores to be received by Howard. See guidelines for the English Language Proficiency Requirement.