howard university phd thesis

Center for African Studies

Africa-related dissertations database.

The Africa-Related Dissertations Database is a resource that represents various areas of Africa-Related expertise developed by Howard University graduate students. It provides information about Africa-Related dissertations and theses completed at Howard University. The database is searchable by area of study, country, type or year. You can also search using any keyword or name in the "Search" field.

Most of the dissertations and theses below are available on  ProQuest . Most universities, including Howard University, have ProQuest subscriptions so that students, faculty and other personnel have complimentary access when logged into their university account.

Department of Biology

Graduate program forms for biology students, forms, information and access points, committees and advisors.

Ad Hoc Committee Member Request

Certification by Members of Dissertation Committee (GS-EA-4)

Courses (Enrollment, Registration, and Registration Units)

• Enrolling in Courses
• Course Enrollment Petition
• Request for Transfer of Registration Units

Recommendation to Candidacy

• PhD Candidady Application Form

Exams and Research

• Application to Schedule a Comprehensive Examination
• Notification of Readiness for Final Examination  (GS-EA-3)
• Final Orgam Examination - Certification of Successful Completion  (GS-EA-5)
• Procedures for Administering Final Oral Examination for the Master's Degree

Funding and Financial Aid

• AGEP Fellowship Application
• Application for Preparing Future Faculty
• Edward A. Bouchet Graduate Assistanship Application Form
• Frederick Douglass Doctoral Scholars Assistantship Application Form
• Ronald E. McNair Assistantship Application Form
• Summer Health Insurance Waiver (R10) (PDF)

Thesis, Dissertation, and Degree Completion

• PhD Proposal Approval Form
• Dissertation Proposal Approval Form
• Defense of the PhD Dissertation (GS-EA-1)
• Dissertation Summary (GS-EA-2)
• Certification of Completion of Graduate Academic Requirements  (GS-EA-6)

Other Forms

• Doctoral Program of Studies

Department of Economics

Doctor of philosophy, admission requirements.

Applicants are required to submit three letters of recommendation, a statement of interest, official transcript(s) delivered and/or mailed in a sealed envelope by the Registrar of the college/university attended, and the most recent Graduate Record Examination scores.

Applicants for admission into the Doctor of Philosophy Program in Economics must have earned a Master of Arts degree in economics. Applicants with a Master's degree in a related field may be considered for a conditional admission to the Doctor of Philosophy program upon submission of proof that work completed is equivalent to the requirements for the Master of Arts degree in economics at Howard University.

Students admitted into the Ph.D. program with an MA degree must have a GPA of well over B and a minimum of 24 graduate course credits, including at least 6 credits in economic theory, 3 credits in econometrics, and 3 credits in graduate statistics.

Students may be admitted with a deficiency in mathematics or statistics on the condition that the deficiency be corrected in the first semester. These makeup credits will not count toward completion of the degree program in which the student is enrolled. The student must earn a grade of B or better in these courses.

Interested in Applying?

To apply to our graduate programs, please click here  then click on GradCAS.

Residence Requirements

The completion of minimum course requirements or credits does not guarantee receipt of the degree. The student must have at least four semesters of residence and full-time study (at least 9 credits per semester) or the equivalent in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Howard University. Two of these four semesters of residence and full-time study, or the equivalent, must be consecutive. No graduate student will be permitted to take more than 15 credits per semester.

Financial Assistance

Full-time students admitted to the Ph.D. program may apply for research assistantships which carry a stipend.

Graduate School Requirements (all Ph.D. Students)

Language Requirement

Each student is required to demonstrate in a formal examination a reading proficiency in French, Spanish, German, Russian, Chinese, or Japanese. Under exceptional circumstances, the department may permit students to substitute for a language examination an advanced course that provides skills relevant to dissertation research, such as computer programming, mathematics, or advanced topics in econometrics. Such exceptions must be approved in advance by the Department. The language requirement must be fulfilled before the student is admitted to candidacy.

English Competency and Expository Writing

All graduate students must demonstrate their competency in the English language as evidenced by earning a passing score on the English Proficiency Examination administered by the Graduate School. Students who do not pass the examination must successfully complete a course on expository writing, "Writing Workshop in Exposition for Graduate Students." All graduate students, both part-time and full-time, must satisfy this requirement during their first year of enrollment. Students will not be allowed to advance to candidacy without having satisfied this requirement. Doctoral students who have demonstrated competency at the Master's level at Howard University need not do so again at the doctoral level.

Responsible Conduct of Research

The Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Workshop is intended to provide students with information on pertinent federal and University guidelines and regulations pertaining to the responsible conduct of research as well as to instruct them in a method of utilizing moral reasoning skills in responding to ethical dilemmas in research. Workshop topics include intellectual property, data sharing and understanding of Institutional Review Board (IRB) policies and procedures, data acquisition and management, and mentoring. The RCR training workshop is a requirement for admission to candidacy. To receive the RCR certificate, students must complete all required training sessions and successfully complete a learning assessment exercise at the end of the workshop.

Additional Details

More details about these Graduate School requirements may be found on the Graduate School website:

GS.Howard.edu/admissions/admission-requirements

Doctor of Philosophy and the Dissertation (all Ph.D. students)

The Dissertation Proposal and Admission to Candidacy

After completing the requirements listed above, the student must prepare a formal written dissertation proposal under the supervision of a member of the graduate faculty. Selecting a principal advisor for the dissertation proposal is extremely important to the future of the student. In general, the student should choose an advisor who has extensive research experience in the field in which the student proposes to write the dissertation. For example, a dissertation focusing on economic development in Nigeria should be supervised by a member of the graduate faculty who has published in development economics; a dissertation focusing on racial discrimination in home mortgage lending in Detroit should be supervised by a member of the graduate faculty who has published in urban economics. The graduate faculty member may decline the invitation to serve as principal advisor in a specific case, but all graduate faculty members are expected to serve as principal advisors from time to time. Hence, any graduate faculty member may be approached by a student seeking a principal advisor.

Once substantial work has been done on the proposal by the student under the supervision of a principal advisor, it is advisable to maintain the principal advisor-student relationship until the dissertation is completed. However, the student may elect to change advisors for any reason if he/she wishes, understanding that such a change may require substantial changes in the student's proposal and, ultimately, his/her dissertation. Once the written proposal is completed to the satisfaction of the principal advisor, the student presents the dissertation proposal orally in a formal seminar to the faculty. Once the faculty judges the proposal to be satisfactory, the student and the advisor prepare the requisite paperwork for advancement to candidacy. Once such paperwork is approved by the Graduate School, the student becomes a doctoral candidate.

The Dissertation

Once the student advances to candidacy, the preparation of the dissertation begins. The dissertation is an original, creative work that advances knowledge in the discipline of economics. The dissertation may be a single paper studying a specific research question. In recent years, the "three-essay" dissertation has also become a popular and appropriate approach to the dissertation. In this dissertation model, the student addresses three different questions within the same general area of inquiry with separate essays. Essays may also focus on different aspects of the same problem. For example, a student may write one article as a primarily theoretical exploration of a topic, a second as a general modeling exercise, and a third as a specific application of a model to a particular example. Each of these essays could become the foundation for an article submitted for publication to a refereed scholarly journal. In all cases, each of the three essays is a self-contained research project; the three essays are combined into a single final product for presentation to the faculty.

As a doctoral candidate, the student is required to enroll for twelve (12) dissertation credit hours over the course of the dissertation process. The principal advisor and the student work together to complete the staffing of the dissertation committee. This committee is made up of the principal advisor and two additional graduate faculty members from the Department of Economics. Its members advise the student throughout the dissertation process. A formal defense of the dissertation is required. The dissertation cannot be defended during the same semester that the student advances to candidacy. The examination committee is made up of the principal advisor, two additional graduate faculty members drawn from the Department of Economics, an economist drawn from outside the university who, based on his/her credentials is judged by the Economics Department and Graduate School to be qualified to serve as a graduate faculty member, and a Howard University graduate faculty member drawn from a department other than the Department of Economics. After the student presents the formal oral defense of the dissertation, the examination committee determines whether the defense was satisfactory and whether the written dissertation is completely correct. Should the student fail the defense as a whole, a second opportunity for a defense may be established by the Department and Graduate School within six (6) months of the first examination. Should the student be judged to have passed the oral defense itself but have additional corrections or changes to make to the written document, the examination committee will determine the process and timing for ensuring that such corrections meet the requirements of its members for the satisfactory completion of the dissertation evaluation process.

General Requirements for Students Entering the PhD Program

Ba, bs, or mba degree.

General Program Requirements

Students entering this track must earn a minimum of 72 credits beyond the baccalaureate degree, of which 12 must be devoted to dissertation work, 24 to electives and to the area of concentration, and 36 to the following core course requirements:

Core Course Requirements

• Microeconomic Theory I (ECOG-200)
• Microeconomic Theory II (ECOG-201)
• Microeconomic Theory III (ECOG-205)
• Macroeconomic Theory I (ECOG-203)
• Macroeconomic Theory II (ECOG-202)
• Macroeconomic Theory III (ECOG-206)
• History of Economic Analysis (ECOG-204)
• Workshop in Economic Research (ECOG-207)
• Econometrics I (ECOG-211)
• Econometrics II (ECOG-212)
• Advanced Topics in Econometrics (ECOG-216)
• Mathematics for Economists (ECOG-213)

Areas of Specialization

The Department offers four areas of specialization. The required courses for the Ph.D. degree in each of the specializations are as follows:

• Growth and Development Economics - ECOG-220, ECOG-221, ECOG-228
• Urban Economics - ECOG-230, ECOG-231, ECOG-237
• Labor Economics - ECOG-261, ECOG-262, ECOG-263
• International Economics-ECOG-244, ECOG-249, ECOG-245

The Major Field

Each student chooses a primary area of specialization (the Major Field) from among the four areas. The student completes the three required courses (all three courses in the area of specialization labeled I, II, and III) with a grade of B or better in each course. The student then takes the comprehensive examination or chooses to write a field paper related to their Major Field. To acquire certification in their Major Field, the student must pass the three courses (with a grade of B or higher), pass the comprehensive examination, or, instead of the field comprehensive examination, write a research paper that, in the judgment of the faculty in that field of specialization, demonstrates mastery of that field.

The Minor Field

Each student chooses a second area of specialization (called the Minor Field) either from the four areas (Growth and Development, Urban, Labor, or International) or from the elective field courses. If the minor field is chosen from the four areas, students must complete two courses (either I and II or I and III) in their area of choice with no grade lower than a B. If the student chooses the minor field from among the elective field courses, the student must complete the field course and either Independent Study (ECOG 290, 291, 292, 293, or 294) or Research Topics in Economics (ECOG 295, 296, or 297) related to their field of choice. The student must receive a B or better in each of these two courses. There are no further requirements for certification of the Minor Field. Neither a comprehensive examination nor a field paper is required for the Minor Field.

Students may earn up to 6 credits in an internship program as part of their elective choices (Internship I, ECOG 298 and Internship II, ECOG 299).

Comprehensive Examinations

Students must pass comprehensive examinations (which are offered twice annually) in the following four areas: microeconomic theory, macroeconomic theory, econometrics, and the major field. The student may substitute a research paper in the student's Major Field for the major-field comprehensive examination. This research paper must, in the judgment of the faculty in that field of specialization, demonstrate mastery of that field.

Students are required to take the Ph.D. comprehensive examinations in both microeconomic theory and macroeconomic theory after they have successfully completed the required macroeconomic and microeconomic theory course sequences. If the student passes both of these examinations, the student becomes eligible to take the comprehensive examinations in econometrics and the student's Major Field.

MA or MS Degree in Economics

Students must earn a minimum of 72 credits beyond the baccalaureate degree. Up to 24 credits from the student's MA program may be transferred into the Ph.D. program. Eighteen (18) credit hours must be earned in the core courses. Twenty-one (21) credit hours are earned in the major field and electives, and twelve (12) credit hours must be devoted to dissertation work.

The Department offers four areas of specialization. The student selects one area of specialization called the Major Field. The required courses for the Ph.D. degree in each of the specializations are:

• Growth and Development Economics - ECOG-221, ECOG-228
• Urban Economics - ECOG-231, ECOG-237
• Labor Economics - ECOG-262, ECOG-2632
• International Economics - ECOG-249, ECOG-245

Field Prerequisites

Each of these two-course sequences has a prerequisite. Specifically, the prerequisites are:

• Growth and Development Economics - ECOG-220
• Urban Economics - ECOG-230
• Labor Economics - ECOG-261
• International Economics - ECOG-244

If the student has taken an equivalent course and achieved a grade of B or better at a different university, it may be substituted for the field prerequisite if the Director of Graduate Studies approves.

Each student chooses his/her first area of specialization (called the Major Field) from among the four areas. The student completes the prerequisite (or approved equivalent course from another university) and two required courses (all three courses in the area of specialization labeled, II, and III) with a grade of B or better in each course. The student takes the comprehensive examination in that field or chooses to write a major paper related to that field. The student must either pass the comprehensive examination or receive approval by a graduate faculty member of the major paper to achieve certification in the Major Field.

Each student chooses a second area of specialization (called the Minor Field) either from the Department's four areas of specialization (Growth and Development, Urban, Labor, or International) or from the elective field courses. If the minor field is chosen from the four areas of specialization, the student must complete two courses (either I and II or I and III within that area) with no grade lower than a B. If the student chooses the minor field from among the elective field courses, the student completes the field course and either Independent Study (ECOG-290, ECOG-291, ECOG-292, ECOG-293, or ECOG-294) or Research Topics in Economics (ECOG-295, ECOG-296, or ECOG-297) related to the field of choice. The student must receive a B or better in each of these two courses. There are no further requirements for certification of the Minor Field. Neither a comprehensive examination nor a field paper is required for the Minor Field.

Students must pass comprehensive examinations (which are offered twice annually) in the following four areas: microeconomic theory, macroeconomic theory, econometrics, and the major field. The student may substitute a research paper in his/her major field for the major-field comprehensive examination.

Department of Political Science

Graduate studies (ph.d.), political science (ph.d.) | graduate, the study of political science at howard transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries found at most other institutions. we train students in the empirical analysis of political processes, systems, and behavior, and center the study of african american and black diaspora politics from the study of global liberation movements to an examination of black political sphere..

The Ph.D. in Political Science at Howard’s Graduate School prepares students for careers in academia, public affairs, policy, law, and foreign affairs as well as for senior-level research and consulting positions. You will benefit from Howard's premier location at the nexus of American politics and policymaking in Washington, D.C., and have access to a network of top-ranked and nationally recognized research institutions, consulting firms, think tanks, and government agencies. As a doctoral student in the Political Science program, you may choose from four distinct fields of specialization: American politics, Black politics, comparative politics, and international relations. You will have the opportunity to shape your course of study in two major subfields and one minor subfield and pursue significant original research tailored to your individualized program of study. The Department of Political Science aims to retain and expand its position as a major source of political scientists concerned with issues impacting the lives of people of African descent. Our graduate students benefit from the close mentorship of graduate faculty notable for its political commentary across major media outlets and for its wide-ranging research, including empirically grounded comparative analysis of state and non-state political phenomena; the study of electoral politics within Black communities; and the examination of political change, nationalist ideology, and global liberation movements.

Program Snapshot

• Degree: Ph.D.
• 72-credit hours
• On-campus format
• Transfer credits accepted upon review.
• GRE not required.
• Deadline: April 15 for Fall admissions (with rolling admission decisions)

Robinson Woodward-Burns, Ph.D. Director of Graduate Studies [email protected]

Daryl Harris, Ph.D. Interim Chair [email protected]

Elizabeth Coates Administrative Officer [email protected]

Degree Requirements

Ph.D. students must select two majors and one minor course area. The major course areas will be the ones in which you will sit for a comprehensive exam. Students must take four courses in that field, which will include the core course for that area (as listed above). For the minor concentration area, students must take three courses in that field, but there is no comprehensive exam.

Course Courses (15 CR)

• POLS 232    Nature & Uses of Political Theory
• POLS 292    Seminar in American Politics
• POLS 227    Introduction to Black Politics 
• POLS 204    Approaches to Comparative Politics 
• POLS 287    Theories of International Relations

Major and Minor Field Courses (27 CR)

• 18 credits in two chosen major subfields (9 credits for each major subfield)
• 9 credits in a chosen minor subfield

Research Tools (9 CR)

• POLS 217    Methods of Political Science
• POLS 254    Behavioral Research Methods 
• POLS 257 / POLS 279   Multivariate Statistics; or Survey Research Method; or a graduate research methods course; or proficiency in a foreign language that a student will use in their scholarly research

Elective Courses (9 CR)

Dissertation (12 cr), admission to candidacy .

Students are admitted to formal candidacy by the Graduate School when they have completed the required coursework, passed the qualifying examination, submitted an approved topic for research, and been recommended by the Department. Candidates must also have satisfied the Graduate School writing proficiency requirement and Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) requirement.

Graduate Funding 

Admitted students are eligible to compete for Graduate School competitive awards. Graduate research or teaching assistantships may be available at the department level that provide tuition remission and/or a stipend during the academic year. Research assistants and teaching assistants work no more than 20 hours a week under the program's direction, usually in support of faculty research (research assistants) or in support of assigned courses (teaching assistants). Please see the Funding website for more detailed information.

Admissions Application Requirements

Online  gradcas   application.

• Official transcripts sent to GradCAS
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• 3 letters of recommendation
• Statement of purpose/ Statement of academic interest ( 500-1,000 words )
• Critical writing sample of academic research on a political or public policy topic
• Autobiographical statement ( 500-750 words )
• GRE scores  not required 

GPA Required Minimums

• Overall GPA minimum: 3.5
• Undergraduate GPA minimum: 3.5

Recommendation Requirements

Recommendation types accepted:

• Professor ( required )
• Supervisor or Manager

Recommendation types not accepted:

• Friends or Family

School of Social Work

Ph.d. in social work.

The Ph.D. Program in social work is research oriented and interdisciplinary in nature.

The Ph.D. Program in social work is research-oriented and interdisciplinary in nature. It prepares graduates for leadership positions as academicians and researchers, educators, policymakers, and senior-level administrators. Our program provides a focused and highly personalized student learning process with a knowledgeable and caring faculty. Students are challenged to grow as scholars and encouraged to use their experience as social workers to be exceptional in their scientific inquiry and examination. 

The goal of the Howard University School of Social Work doctoral program is to prepare doctoral graduates for research, the professoriate, and leadership in global and local communities. Graduates are expected to become architects of liberating structures in culturally diverse families and communities. We are dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge through discovery, research, partnerships, innovative process, and other scholarly educational endeavors of the faculty, staff, students, and alumni. Graduates are expected to become architects of liberating structures in culturally diverse families and communities.  

The Black Perspective, the guiding philosophy of the School of Social Work, emphasizes training doctoral scholars to be sensitive to the development of knowledge for social work practice. The Black Perspective is used to guide the formulation and application of research that is responsive to oppressive and discriminatory systems experienced by African Americans and other groups. Additionally, the Black Perspective calls for sensitivity to the experiences of all oppressed and underserved groups and embraces an international dimension with special emphasis on Africa and the Caribbean.  

General Admission Requirements

Applicants will be evaluated holistically: GPA, letters of recommendation, statement of academic interests and professional goals, and an autobiographical statement that foregrounds your research interests. Interviews via Zoom may also be required. 

Students should consult the Howard University Graduate School  (HUGS)  for other requirements not indicated in this document. Official information for admissions requirements can be found  here.   

A completed application should include the following: 

• Master of Social Work (MSW) degree 
• A minimum Graduate GPA of 3.0
• Preferred two years of post-MSW social work experience
• Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate programs attended. 
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score for international students. 
• Current curriculum vitae of your education, professional experiences, scholarly writings/presentations, and community services. 
• Three (3) written letters of recommendation of which at least one graduate professor and one professional supervisor. 
• Essay reflecting (a) your philosophy of social welfare/social work; (b) personal, professional, and educational goals; and (c) research interest. Please include information on how you intend to relate your professional and educational experiences to your future goals, and how you think this program will assist you (3 to 5 double-spaced typewritten pages). 
• Your plans for financial support, as well as how you plan to finance your education. There are a limited amount of funds available through the Graduate School.   
• Please adhere to the deadlines of  FAFSA . Financial Aid is available through the University on the basis of need and academic performance in the form of federally supported student loans, not to exceed the cost of attendance.  
• The School of Social Work offers a limited number of graduate assistantships, partial-tuition scholarships, and tuition grants on the basis of need and academic performance. 
• Other relevant material you would like to submit as evidence of your ability to perform in the program including copies of published papers/sample of academic writing. 

The requests for admission far exceed the number of students who can be accommodated by the Program. The Doctoral Committee does not assess incomplete files. 

You are encouraged to begin the application process early as some of the items, such as transcripts and letters of reference may require additional time. From time to time you should check with the doctoral program office at 202-806-7300 regarding the status of your file. The deadline for applications is January 15.

Ph.D. in Social Work Degree Requirements

An applicant must have a Master's degree from an accredited School of Social Work. 

Candidates must complete 48 semester credit hours of course work, including 3 hours for the dissertation. A cumulative average of B is required for graduation. Additionally, students must earn a grade of B or better in all core courses and special-interest area courses. 

The curriculum of the doctoral program consists of four components: 

Core Curriculum 

Special Interest Area 

Electives, and 

Dissertation 

The core curriculum consists of nine courses. One course in the history and philosophy of social welfare, three theory courses (Individual, Group, Community and Organization), one course in Social Work Education, and four courses in advanced  research methods and statistics. All students are required to take the above-specified courses as the basis for their study in one of the special interest areas. 

Students are expected to take 12 credits in their chosen special interest area. The specific interest area courses are decided upon by the student, his/her academic advisor, and the Director of the Ph.D. Program. These courses may be taken outside of the School of Social Work, in other schools and colleges of Howard University, or in one of the Consortium of Universities in Washington, D.C. 

Six credits of elective courses are required. 

The  qualifying examination   is taken at the end of the first year of study, after completion of 18 credit hours. The examination covers the course content in the first-year core courses. Emphasis is placed on the ability to synthesize knowledge. The student must pass the examination in order to continue in the program. 

The comprehensive examination is taken upon the completion of all the core courses and special interest area courses. Students are admitted to candidacy after passing the comprehensive examination and receiving the recommendation of the doctoral committee. The candidate is required to present and orally defend the proposal for subsequently a completed dissertation. 

A student should file for admission to candidacy on completion of most of the requirements of the Ph.D. Program except for the dissertation. The student should have also satisfied the GSAS writing proficiency requirements and a foreign language examination or an approved substitute. 

Residence Requirements

Students in the Ph.D. Program are required to spend at least four semesters in full-time residence, two of which must be consecutive.

Caution to Prospective Students

The Board of Trustees of Howard University on September 24, 1983, adopted the following policy statement regarding applications for admission: "Applicants seeking admission to Howard University are required to submit accurate and complete credentials, as well as 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." 

Soleman Abu-Bader, Ph.D. Director, Doctoral Program  Inabel Lindsay Hall  Howard University  601 Howard Place, N.W.  Washington, DC 20059  (202) 806-7300

[email protected]  

THES-375 : M.A. Colloquy

Thes-378 : ma(rs) thesis, thes-385 : thesis, thes-405 : field-based project, thes-500 : d.min. project prep i, thes-501 : d.min. project prep ii, thes-502 : d.min. project prep iii, thes-510 : doctor of min. research & writing.

Graduate School

Higher education leadership and policy studies (ph.d.) program details, degree requirements.

    ❱   Required coursework     ❱   Qualifying or comprehensive examination     ❱   Graduate School writing proficiency requirement     ❱   Graduate School Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) requirement     ❱   Dissertation      ❱   Final oral examination/Dissertation defense

The HELPS program fills a distinct need 

The organizations listed below have underscored the need for a Ph.D. program like HELPS that provides an authentic and intentional focus on the lived realities and complexities of Minority-Serving Institutions:

    ❱   U.S Department of Education     ❱   The United Negro College Fund     ❱   White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities     ❱   American Council on Education     ❱   American Public-Land Grant Universities     ❱   National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education     ❱   Excelencia

Cohort members of the HELPS Program:

• Students with various academic backgrounds in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Educational Psychology, and other fields
• Future leaders of higher education in general and Minority-Serving Institutions specifically who aim to become college presidents, executive administrators, student affairs professionals, and faculty members
• While many of the cohort members are interested in studying HBCUs, several are interested in HSIs, AANAPISIs, TCUs, and PBIs
• While several cohort members are working full-time, some have graduate assistantship positions on campus and at one of our policy partners- UNCF, ACE, Excelencia, and Ed Trust

Learn about how the Higher Education Leadership and Policy Studies (Ph.D.) program  Is Producing Scholars For The Future of Higher Education

Research areas & interests , faculty research interests.

A sampling of research interests

• The myth of 'Post-Racial' in higher education
• UNCF and its role in policy advocacy for Historically Black Colleges and Universities
• HBCU engagement in state policymaking.
• Nexus between policy and practice for diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education
• State performance funding
• The contemporary landscape of policy making, including the structures, spaces, actors, and stakeholders involved in the process of policymaking
• Role various constituencies, movements, and politics play in the governance and administration of HBCUs
• Reimagining campus climate assessment at HBCUs
• Role of higher education trustee boards, higher education trustee board members, and trustee board relationships with various constituents
• Tactics for engaging in diversity work in a race-adverse climate
• Reimagining HBCU leaders as policy actors
• Outcomes-based funding and race in higher education

Program of Study* 

Core courses (33 cr).

ELPS 604 History of Higher Education

ELPS 608 Law in Higher Education

ELPS 611 Board and Community Relations

ELPS 605 Higher Education Policy

ELPS 603 College and University Presidents

ELPS 602 Minority Serving Institutions

ELPS 606 Higher Ed Administration & Governance

ELPS 607 Diversity and Multiculturalism in Higher Education

ELPS 613 Financial Management in Higher Education

ELPS 517 Workshop on Leadership Development

ELPS 514 Organizational Change in Education

RESEARCH COURSES (15 CR)

HUDE 400 Intermediate Statistics

HUDE 500 Advanced Statistics

ELPS 524 Introduction to Qualitative Research

ELPS 609 Advanced Qualitative Research

HUDE 501 Research Design & Analysis

ELPS 615 Research Practicum

ELECTIVE COURSES (12 CR)

ELPS 612 Contemporary Issues in Student Affairs

ELPS 613 Fundraising in Higher Education

ELPS 614 Institutional Research

ELPS 455 Ethics in Decision Making

ELPS 616 Black Women in Higher Edu Leadership

DISSERTATION (12 CR) 

ELPS 599 Research Preparation Seminar

ELPS 600 Dissertation Guidance

*Courses included in the sample program of study are subject to change. Students should consult with their programs regarding their required program of study. 

Admission to Candidacy

Students are admitted to formal candidacy by the Graduate School when they have completed the required coursework, passed the qualifying or comprehensive examination, submitted an approved topic for research, and been recommended by the Department. Candidates must have also satisfied the Graduate School writing proficiency requirement and Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Workshop requirement.

Graduate Funding 

Admitted students may be eligible to compete for  Graduate School competitive awards ,  which provide tuition remission and a stipend during the academic year. Additionally, graduate research or teaching assistantships may be available at the department level. Research assistants and teaching assistants work no more than 20 hours a week under the program's direction, usually in support of faculty research (research assistants) or in support of assigned courses (teaching assistants). Please see the  Funding website  for more detailed information.

School of Education

Phd in counseling psychology, counseling psychology |.

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Degree in Counseling Psychology program, housed within the Department of Human Development and Psychoeducational Studies (HDPES), is an APA-accredited program designed to train professional psychologists in the Scientist-Practitioner model consistent with APA-accreditation guidelines.

The Program embodies a balanced training experience in the science of psychology, theoretical foundations, application of therapeutic skills, and research, and thus prepares skilled counseling psychologists to function successfully in a variety of professional settings with diverse populations. 

In 1982 the Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling Psychology Program was approved by the Howard University Board of Trustees. The first four students were admitted in the fall semester of that same year. The Program was first accredited by the American Psychological Association in September, 2002. The Program was re-accredited in spring 2006 and spring 2013. Additional information regarding accreditation can be obtained from the American Psychological Association, Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242, (202) 336-5979. For more information about the program, check the powerpoint in PDF form: Counseling Psychology Program

Program Philosophy

The Program embraces the Scientist-Practitioner model and embodies a balanced training experience in the scientific and theoretical foundations of psychology and in applications of practice skills and research. The Program encourages a hypothesis-testing approach toward obtaining and evaluating information and it encourages the examination of empirical literature related to planning and evaluating interventions that focus on prevention or remediation of problems. The Program emphasizes prevention of psychological problems, the teaching of effective coping skills (to prevent problems), and the development of effective problem-resolution skills to remediate negative coping behaviors.

The mission of the Program is to educate and train health service counseling psychology students using a Scientist-Practitioner philosophy who are committed to working with underserved populations. We are committed to recruiting and retaining students and faculty from diverse backgrounds who seek to create and apply evidence based practices and interventions within local, national and international communities. 

Non-Discrimation Policy

The Counseling Psychology program of Howard University does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of faculty, selection and admission of students, hiring of vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our faculty, students, volunteers, practicum sites, vendors, and partners.

Kamilah Woodson

Kyndra middleton, angela ferguson, program details.

• Related Degrees: Ph.D.
• Program Frequency: Full-Time
• Format: In Person

Admission Requirements

Applications are reviewed once a year for Fall admission to the program. Applicants must submit: 

• Full Application 
• Three Letters of Recommendation
• Autobiographical Statement
• Statement of Research Interest

All materials along with scores on the Graduate Record Examination Aptitude Test must be submitted by December 1. Application guidelines and other required admission information are available from the Graduate School ( https://gs.howard.edu ). It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that all admissions materials are received by the Graduate School prior to the December deadline. Admission to the doctoral program requires acceptance to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS). We offer early review of applicants who would like to be considered for the Douglass Fellowship or McNair Fellowship  ( https://gs.howard.edu ). Early admission applications must be received by November 1.

Qualified applicants will be invited for an interview in February. We attempt to make offers in mid to late February. 

Degree Requirements

Length of Time for Completion of the Ph.D. Degree

The Doctoral program in Counseling Psychology generally requires 5-6 years of full-time study, inclusive of the Pre-doctoral Internship and Doctoral Dissertation. However, students are expected to complete all Ph.D. program degree requirements within a maximum of seven (7) years from the date of initial registration in the program. After seven years, students must petition for readmission and may be readmitted only upon (a) fulfillment of conditions recommended by the departmental Committee on Graduate Studies (e.g., demonstrated course viability, etc.) and (b) approval by the Executive Committee of the Graduate School, subject to the rules for readmission to the Graduate School in Article I, Section 7.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PH.D. DEGREE IN COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY

1. Admission (GPA, letters of recommendation, GRE scores, and personal statement and interview).

2. Students are expected to adhere to the curriculum scheme and matriculate through the program as a cohort, except where course(s) have been waived.

3. Portfolio Review (During the second semester of each year while enrolled in the program). The portfolio review is conducted annually by the Counseling Psychology Doctoral Faculty to evaluate students’ adherence to program objectives and progress towards the degree.

4. Comprehensive Examination (a 16-hour examination over 2 days). The Doctoral Comprehensive Examination is taken after the completion of course work or near completion of coursework, typically in the 4th year of the program. Students should apply for the Comprehensive Examination on the proper form through their academic advisor (using the Intent to Take the Preliminary / Comprehensive Examination form.

5. Dissertation Proposal (approval of a proposal for dissertation research). A dissertation proposal is developed in conjunction with the student’s research advisor and three additional dissertation committee members. A fifth member (from outside the University) is assigned to the dissertation committee upon scheduling the Final Oral Examination of the dissertation. (Students must propose the dissertation before they are approved to apply for internship).

6. Application for Admission to Candidacy. Students can be admitted to candidacy after (a) completing major course work, (b) passing the Comprehensive Examination, (c) satisfying the Expository Writing Examination requirement, and (e) having the dissertation proposal approved.

7. Internship. A year-long internship at an APA-accredited facility.

8. Dissertation Defense. This is the Final Oral Examination of the dissertation research.

Admission to Candidacy

Admission to the Graduate School does not automatically make a student an official candidate for the doctoral degree. A student must formally apply to candidacy and is admitted to candidacy only when he/she has completed the below requirements.

Before a student can be admitted to candidacy he/she must have:

1. Completed an Admission to Candidacy form available from the GSAS, which must include a list of graduate courses completed, being taken, and yet to be pursued in the program.

2. Passed the Comprehensive Examination.

3. Satisfactorily demonstrated expository writing proficiency to the Office of Educational Affairs.

4. Received approval of a dissertation topic via a process determined by the graduate faculty in the department. Students in the Doctoral Counseling Psychology Program must have their dissertation proposal approved by a 4 member committee of faculty. A copy of the approved dissertation proposal must accompany the Admission to Candidacy form.

5. Received the recommendation of his/her major department on the candidacy form.

6. Completed the Responsible Conduct of Research Training administered by the Graduate School.

7. Secured the approval of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) as required for the dissertation research project.

8. Secured the approval for candidacy from the GSAS.

Admission to candidacy must be achieved at least one semester prior to that in which the student expects to receive his/her degree. Candidacy for the Ph.D. degree shall be valid for no more than five (5) years. If candidacy status expires (after 5 years) students must seek renewal of candidacy by applying to the GSAS through the department. The Program shall determine the conditions under which the student may be reinstated, subject to the approval of the GSAS.

The student is responsible for fulfilling these requirements on time. Students should consult the Director of Graduate Studies if in doubt as to any of the requirements for candidacy. Students should carefully note the specific requirements of their departments relative to admission to candidacy and regard them as additional to the requirements of the program and the Graduate School.

Residence Requirements

A minimum of six (6) credit hours per semester constitutes full-time residency. A student must be in residence in the Graduate School for at least four (4) semesters in order to be recommended for a degree. Credits transferred from other accredited graduate institutions may not be used to meet the residency requirement.

Caution to Prospective Students

The Board of Trustees of Howard University on September 24, 1983, adopted the following policy statement regarding applications 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."

Department of Sociology and Criminology

Graduate program, sociology |.

We seek to understand the social world in order to change it. With its focus on the study of Race, Inequality and the Black Experience, the Graduate Program in Sociology is committed to preparing students for careers and lives in service to their communities and to struggles for a better world. We do this by providing them with the theoretical, methodological, and substantive training needed to critically analyze conditions of oppression, exploitation and injustice in order to overcome them.

The Graduate Program in Sociology at Howard University offers both a Master of Arts (M.A.) and a Doctorate (Ph.D.) in Sociology. The M.A. may serve as a terminal degree for students pursuing positions in social research and analysis in the public, non-profit, or private sector or as a first graduate degree for students interested in pursuing a Ph.D. either at Howard or elsewhere. The Ph.D. prepares students for academic careers or for higher-level positions as social scientists in the public or private sector.

Application Deadline for Fall 2023 Admission: December 1, 2022

Dr. carolette norwood nishikawa, dr. christopher gunderson, program details.

• Related Degrees: M.A., Ph.D.
• Program Frequency: Full-Time
• Format: In Person

Program Documents

• Sociology Newsletter, 2021

Admission Requirements

The deadline for applications for admission to the Graduate Program in Sociology is December 1 for matriculation the following Fall semester. The Graduate Program in Sociology does not admit students in the Spring semester. The process of reviewing applications takes approximately two months from receipt of the application to decision. Students applying for admission to the Program are strongly encouraged to simultaneously apply for financial support as those decisions are made separately and earlier applications for such support are more likely to be successful.

To be admitted into the Graduate Program in Sociology, applicants must complete the Graduate School application, meet all the Graduate School requirements and be admitted by the Graduate School. Completed applications are reviewed by the department. Students must have a Bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.Sc.) from an accredited institution, take the Graduate Record Examination (and the TOEFL if applicable), submit three (3) letters of recommendation from persons in position to evaluate their academic work, and forward a statement of their research interests, an autobiographical statement, and a writing sample. In addition to the requirements listed above, international applicants MUST  submit:

• An evaluation by World Education Services ( http://www.wes.org/ ) or by a current NACES member ( https://www.naces.org/members ) of official transcripts, final certificates and/or mark/grade sheets sent directly from the college or university to the Office of Graduate Recruitment and Admissions (photocopies of transcripts in the applicant's possession are not acceptable);
•   An official translated copy of any documents not in English.
•   Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) from all applicants from countries in which English is not the official language. The TOEFL test is not required if you received a degree in the U.S..
•   Statement of Financial Resources Form – A completed form that verifies proof of financial support (sufficient funds to cover expenses for one full year in US dollars only) and supporting financial documentation indicating sources of funds while attending Howard University (such as a certified bank statement dated within three months of registration).

Degree Requirements

The Masters of Arts Program

Credit Hours and G.P.A The M.A. in Sociology requires a minimum of 30 credit hours of graduate course work in sociology beyond the B.A. degree exclusive of the thesis (which carries a minimum of 3 credit hours and a maximum of 6) with a minimum G.P.A. of 3.0 (B).

Academic Requirements Core Course Requirements:   All students must complete 24 credit hours of required core courses as follows:

• Six (6) credit hours in Sociological Theory I and II (SOCI 300 and 301).
• Six (6) credit hours in Sociological Research (SOCI 310 and 311).
• Three (3) credit hours in Advanced Statistics I (SOCI 219)
• Six (6) credit hours in Race, Inequality and the Black Experience (Any two of SOCI 250, 302, and 303).

All students must also take at least six (6) graduate credit hours in electives in sociology.

All students must earn a grade of B or better in each course designated as a core requirement. A grade of C or below in any of the core requirements will be considered unsatisfactory and the course will have to be repeated. Only grades earned at Howard University are used for computing the G.P.A..

All requirements for the degree, including the successful Final Oral Defense of the M.A. thesis must be satisfied within the time requirements for the M.A. degree.

Students admitted into the program who have not completed undergraduate coursework in Social or Sociological Theory, Sociological Research Methods, or Statistics are required to complete departmental prerequisite course requirements (SOCI 200, 210 and/or 211) before they can matriculate. Master’s Thesis A student must research, write, and defend a Master’s Thesis that demonstrates the student's ability to integrate theoretical insights and methodological skills in the formulation and investigation of a sociological problem. The M.A. Thesis Committee consists of at least three members of graduate faculty, one of which serves as its Chair. The Chair and the Committee guide and review the student's thesis work from the proposal stage through the final oral examination.  For further information and details on the policies for the Masters Program, please consult the Sociology Graduate Program Student Handbook.

Ph.D. Program

Credit Hours and G.P.A The Ph.D in Sociology requires a minimum of 72 credit hours of graduate course work in sociology beyond the B.A. degree exclusive of the thesis (which carries a minimum of 3 credit hours and a maximum of 6) with a minimum G.P.A. of 3.0 (B).

• Six (6) credit hours in Advanced Statistics I and II (SOCI 219 and 319)

All students must also take at six (6) credit hours in Electives in Methodology and nine (9) credit hours in a Cognate Minor outside of Sociology.

All students must also take at least thirty-three (33) graduate credit hours in Elective courses.

All requirements for the degree, including the successful Final Oral Defense of the Master’s Thesis must be satisfied within the time requirements of the Graduate School for the M.A. degree.

Students admitted into the program who have not completed undergraduate coursework in Sociological Theory, Sociological Research Methods, or Statistics are required to complete departmental prerequisite course requirements (SOCI 200, 210 and/or 211) before they can matriculate. Master’s Thesis A student must research, write, and defend a Master’s Thesis that demonstrates the student's ability to integrate theoretical insights and methodological skills in the formulation and investigation of a sociological problem. The M.A. Thesis Committee consists of at least three members of graduate faculty, one of which serves as its Chair. The Chair and the Committee guide and review the student's thesis work from the proposal stage through the final oral examination.  For further information and details on the policies for the Masters Program, please consult the Sociology Graduate Program Student Handbook.

Admission to Candidacy

Master of arts program.

M.A. students must spend at least one year or two semesters in full-time residence, and must enroll for a minimum of nine (9) credits each of these semesters The residency requirement need not, however, be fulfilled in consecutive semesters in full-time study. 

At least four (4) semesters of full-time residence are required for the doctorate in sociology. To qualify for full-time residency, a student must enroll for at least nine (9) graduate course credits each semester.

Residence Requirements

Caution to prospective students, related resources.

Howard University Department of Sociology and Criminology Financial Support for Graduate Students at Howard

Graduate Assistantships

Some External Funding Opportunities Office of Graduate External Funding and Support

Program Resources

• Departmental Site

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Department of English

Graduate studies, the department of english roots its graduate program in recognition of the african diaspora as a founding event of modern history and culture., purpose and goals of the graduate program in english.

The courses of the Department address such fundamental literary issues as genre and period formation, authorial techniques, rhetorical strategies, thematic motifs, and critical theories. Attention to these issues is intended to foster the skills in critical reading, research, and analysis requisite to professional careers in the language arts. At the same time, the Program generally conceives its offerings within paradigms of the changes wrought by conflict, accommodation, and adjustment in the passage from traditional to modern and contemporary ways of life and writing.

Substantive specialization may be gained in the various periods of African American, American, British, and Caribbean literatures, as well as in comparative studies among those fields and in Literary Criticism. In addition, the Graduate Program in English takes inspiration from the heritage of eloquence in those literatures and designs its courses and requirements so that our graduates will possess uncommon skills in writing.

The Department seeks to sustain a community of learning where students, under the direction of the faculty, participate with their peers—and the  faculty  too—in creative scholarship and lively interchange centering upon the significance of literature. Toward that end, the Graduate Program demands that students read widely in the literatures written in English, become familiar with the research and critical problems generated within the fields we offer, and produce work that contributes to our collective knowledge.

Admission Requirements

To be accepted into the Graduate Program in English, students must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and a GPA of at least 3.0 or B. In addition, students must meet the University requirement to take the Graduate Record Examination (and the TOEFL if applicable), have submitted letters of recommendation from persons in position to evaluate their academic work, and forwarded a sample of their analytic writing (preferably a graded critical paper).

Because graduate study in English builds upon students’ previously acquired knowledge of literature, applicants who were neither English majors nor minors as undergraduates will discover advanced study to be unusually rigorous. Provisional admission is possible, when the applicant’s undergraduate record is otherwise outstanding, but provisional admission bears with it a stipulation that a student in the first year of enrollment must meet special standards set by the Department of English.

While most students with a bachelor’s degree will enter the graduate program at the M.A. level, it is possible in extraordinary cases for an applicant to proceed directly into the Ph.D. program. Direct admission as a Ph.D. student requires an evaluation and approval by the graduate faculty of the Department. Students already holding an M.A. in English will normally apply for the Ph.D. program.

Transfer of Credits

Transfer credits, courses taken in the consortium, and courses taken in other departments in the University must first be approved by the graduate faculty. To initiate the process, the student must write a letter to the director petitioning consideration of his or her request. The letter should identify courses taken elsewhere by course name and number and be accompanied by a copy of the relevant official transcript, a copy of the course description (along with proof that the course is a graduate-level course), and the course’s syllabus. The letter should also identify, where appropriate, the number of the equivalent Howard University course. Documentation of the faculty’s approval of substitute courses and transfer credits must be recorded and filed in the student’s official departmental file (with a copy rendered to the student) before it may be entered on the student’s individual program of study. The general rules governing the process are detailed in the Graduate School’s Rules and Regulations for the Pursuit of Academic Degrees , Article 3, Section 7; Article 5, Section 4; and Article 6, Section 4. The Graduate School has rules limiting the number and the nature of transfer courses allowed. MA students may transfer six credits of graduate-level courses, while Ph.D. students may transfer twenty-four credit hours of graduate-level courses. Students admitted to Howard’s MA program can only transfer twenty-four credit hours from the Howard MA program to the Howard Ph.D. program. University regulations specify that no more than six credit hours of courses taken in the consortium may be applied to the Howard University graduate degree. According to the Department of English, these should be elective courses in literature not offered at Howard, unless otherwise pre-approved by the director of Graduate Studies. Likewise, the Department limits the number of courses students can take in other departments to (two?); these should also be electives in literature preapproved by the director of Graduate Studies. Students should note that transfer credits and substitute courses are not guaranteed until the Executive Committee of the Graduate School approves the request.

Graduate Faculty

Carole Boyce Davies , Department Chair

DeGout, Yasmin , Associate Professor

Sabrina Evans , Assistant Professor

Forbes, Curdella,  Professor

Green, David,  Assistant Professor

Griffin, Barbara,  Associate Professor

Kamwangamalu, Nkonko,  Professor

Kugler, Emily ,  Assistant Professor

Morgan Kirlew, Shauna ,  Assistant Professor

Oh, Elisa ,  Associate Professor

Kenton Ransby , Associate Professor

Reddy, Sheshalatha ,  Associate Professor

Hannah Regis ,  Assistant Professor

Susanna Sacks , Assistant Professor

Shinn, Christopher , Associate Professor

Singer, Marc ,  Associate Professor

Tovares, Alla V.,  Associate Professor

Walker, Patricia Elan,  Assistant Professor

Williams, Dana A. ,  Professor

Williams, Jennifer,  Assistant Professor

Doctor Of Philosophy

Writing examinations.

Graduate School of Arts and Sciences expository writing examination. Department of English diagnostic critical writing examination.

Course Requirements

The total number of credits a student must earn is 72. Students entering without an M.A. degree will earn the entire amount of 72 graduate credits. Students entering with an M.A. degree will earn 48 additional graduate credits.

Courses must include:

200 Scholarship: Research Methods 3 credits  201 Scholarship: Critical Methods 3 credits

Two-semester reading courses in

British Literature A  British Literature B  American Literature  African American Literature  Caribbean Literature

Studies courses 6 credits

Optional courses

Dissertation courses 12 credits

Electives 18 credits

Consult Rules and Regulations for the Pursuit of Academic Degrees in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences for time limits for completion of degrees.

Graduate Qualifying Examination

To include four examination areas in at least two fields of study.

Foreign Language Examination

This is a proficiency examination administered by an outside department.

Admission to Candidacy

Students are admitted to formal candidacy by the Graduate School when they have completed required courses, passed the Qualifying Examination and foreign language examination, submitted an approved topic for research, and been recommended by the Department. Without exception a student must be admitted to candidacy no later than the semester before graduation.

Doctoral Dissertation

An independent research project completed under the direction of a four-member faculty committee.

Final Examination or Defense

An oral examination open to the public conducted by the candidate’s dissertation committee.

Pedagogical Training

The Department of English expects that students who complete the doctorate will possess the pedagogical skills required to begin a professional career in college or university teaching. Most graduate students will serve as teaching fellows, working in the Writing Center under the tutelage of the director of the Center. For those who wish to receive classroom experience, the apprenticeship in pedagogy begins as students work closely with faculty mentors. During this first stage of the training, a student “shadows” a faculty member—that is, she or he works with a professor in devising the syllabus and reading list for an undergraduate course, attends the course meetings to observe the way a course unfolds from its initial plan, and participates in assessing the performance of the undergraduates. The student “shadow” may also make some of the class presentations, conduct discussion, and prepare examinations.

At this stage, the student “shadow” is ranked as a teaching assistant. In the next stage of the training experience, a graduate student takes a course focused on the methodologies and theories of teaching college-level English courses (writing and literature) and attends workshops (affiliated with this course) centered upon designing syllabi, assessment of undergraduate performance, administration of supporting technology for class instruction, and other practical requirements of effective instruction. The apprenticeship concludes as the student, under the supervision of an experienced professor, takes responsibility for teaching a required undergraduate writing course. At this stage, the student—now the instructor of record for a course—is ranked as a teaching associate.

Electrical Engineering

Electrical engineering |.

The Department of Electrical Engineering initiated the graduate program in 1967, offering courses leading to the Master's degree. In 1977, the graduate program was expanded to include studies leading to the Doctor of Philosophy degree.

The graduate program offers studies and research in control engineering, antennas, communications, microwaves, applied microelectronics, power systems, signal processing, and solid state electronics. The combination of high-quality curriculum, research, faculty and facilities enables the department to provide excellent preparation for those who wish to embark on careers in electrical engineering.

Published theoretical and experimental investigation of current research topics are vital to the electrical engineering program. The faculty here publish their scholarly work frequently, chair international and national conferences, serve as reviewers for governemtal programs or as referees for scientific journals. Some collaborative efforts are international. The department has sponsored several international workshops in Africa, presentation of papers in Russia, France and Germany among others. The department hosted the 25th North American Power Symposium in October of 1993.

Three research centers and two departmental laboratories are designed to support graduate research. in addition to graduate faculty, research staff includes research associates, visiting scholars from other countries, visiting professors from US-based companies and graduate students. Each academic year, over 60 graduated students from America and international schools are enrolled.

Study Areas

Energy Systems and Control: Power and energy systems; Power electronics; Fault detection and location; Power electronics reliability analysis; Smart grid; Renewable energy; Computational intelligence; Motion control and drives; Digital control.

Signal Processing and Communications: Signal and image processing; Applied mathematics and probability

Material Science and Solid State Electronics: Material science; Optical devices; Nano-technology; Computational chemistry and material science

Electromagnetics and Optics: Electromagnetics; Optics; Antennas

Computer Engineering: Hardware Trojan detection; Embedded Systems; Intelligent Systems; Cybersecurity for computer control system

Ahmed Rubaai

Shadezz edwards, program details.

• Related Degrees: Ph.D.
• Program Frequency: Full-Time
• Format: In Person

Admission Requirements

A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is preferred and a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in major course work is required. Each graduate department may have additional "special admission requirements" which are noted on this page.

• Completed on-line application and signature page or * Download the paper application (HTML) | (Acrobat)
• The non-refundable application fee
• Official transcripts must be submitted directly from the Registrar’s Office from ALL colleges and universities attended
• GRE Scores (Only official score reports are accepted within 5 years of the test date) www.gre.org
• Statement of Academic and Research Interest
• Autobiographical Sketch (Personal biography)
• Three letters of recommendation Word

Special Admission Requirements

Master of engineering.

Admission preference to the master's program is given to those individuals who hold a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Electronics Engineering from an accredited institution, and who have accumulated an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 out of a possible 4.0, and have taken the following or equivalent undergraduate fundamental courses:

Fundamentals of Circuits, Fundamentals of Electronics. Fundamentals of Signals, Fundamentals of Electromagnetics, and Fundamentals of Digital Systems. GRE scores are required and used in admission decision. Applicants seeking admission without full satisfaction to the requirement of fundamental courses may be admitted in probation with mandatory registration and making B or above grade(s) in the courses not taken before. These probationary courses will not contribute credits toward the degree requirements. Individuals having a lower GPA or with degrees in other disciplines or branches of engineering may be provisionally admitted if their GRE scores are very high.

Doctor of Philosophy

Admission to the Ph.D. program is accorded those applicants holding a master's degree in electrical, computer, and electronics engineering from a nationally or regionally accredited institution and possessing a GPA at least 3.0 out of a possible 4.0. All applicants are required to have taken the following or equivalent undergraduate fundamental courses: Fundamentals of Circuits, Fundamentals of Electronics. Fundamentals of Signals, Fundamentals of Electromagnetics, and Fundamentals of Digital Systems. Applicants seeking admission without full satisfaction to the requirement of fundamental courses may be admitted in probation with mandatory registration and making B or above grade(s) in the courses not taken before. These probationary courses will not contribute credits toward the degree requirements. GRE scores are required. Admission will also be granted to those applicants with equivalent qualifications from foreign institutions.

International Applicants

In addition to the requirements listed above you must meet the following:​

• Official transcripts, certificates and/or mark/grade sheets must be sent directly from the college or university to the Office of Graduate Recruitment and Admissions, and must show proof of degree(s) earned, courses taken and marks/grades received.   All transcripts must be evaluated by World Education Services ( http://www.wes.org/ ) or by a current NACES member ( https://www.naces.org/members ). All GRE score reports must be submitted to Howard University (school code: 5297).
• TOEFL Scores (Minimum computer-based score of 213 is required and only official score reports are accepted within 2 years of the test date) www.toelf.org

Degree Requirements

Students must complete a minimum of 30 semester credits with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. All students must take the following courses: EECE 501 Graduate Seminar (two semesters); EECE502, Engineering Analysis A; EECE503, Engineering Analysis B; EECE541 Probability and Random Variable; and EECE604 Optimization Theory. Maximum 6 credits taken at another institution or in other Master's programs can be transferable upon approval from the graduate director. Additionally, all graduate students must pass the Expository English examination in their first semester.

The department provides two optional methods under which students may complete the master's degree requirements: thesis and non-thesis options. Obtaining a master's degree under Thesis Option requires the satisfactory completion of 24 semester credits of course work and 6 semester credits of Thesis hours (EECE599), followed by a formal oral defense before a thesis examining committee. On the other hand, obtaining a master's degree under Non-Thesis Option requires the satisfactory completion of 30 semester credit hours of course work.

A minimum of 72 semester hours of credit beyond the baccalaureate degree is required for the Ph.D. degree, among which at least 60 hours are to be from course credits and at least 12 from Dissertation research credits (EECE699). Maximum 24 semester hours of credit in Electrical, Computer, and Electronics Engineering from Master Degree program may be transferrable, upon approval from the graduate director, to the required Ph.D. hours of credit. Maximum 6 credits taken at another institution in corresponding Ph.D. program can be transferable upon approval from the graduate director.

Students must also pass qualifying and preliminary examinations. Ph.D. qualification examination is given once a regular semester. To pass a Ph.D. qualifying examination, students should pass 3 of the 4 subjects of their free choice out of the 5 undergraduate fundamental courses. Students should pass Ph.D. qualifying examination within the first regular 2 semesters of residence. Failure to pass Ph.D. qualifying exam within the period would result in expulsion from the program. A preliminary examination is given by a student's dissertation committee when the student's dissertation proposal is ready to be defended.

For approval for scheduling the final oral defense, a student is required to provide evidence that he or she has submitted a manuscript based on the dissertation research to a refereed journal or has presented a talk at a professional conference.

Admission to Candidacy

A student should file for admission to candidacy after 12 hours of work has been completed and this student has satisfied the GSAS writing proficiency requirement. Forms provided by the dean should be filed a semester before graduation and approved by the student's thesis committee and the Executive Committee of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciencec.

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