Degrees & Programs

Student Playing Instrument outside Division of Fine Arts

Explore the World of Possibilities

View Majors & Minors

Regardless of academic major, students are required to take courses outside of their program of study for a well-rounded educational experience that promotes critical thinking and intellectual growth.

Students may choose a major from any one of our 20 departments and programs within the divisions of Fine Arts, Humanities, Natural Sciences, or Social Sciences. Each of our majors is designed to prepare students to take the next steps in meeting their professional goals.

Helpful Contacts

COAS Office of Student Affairs
Alain Locke Hall
2441 6th St., N.W. Suite 110
Washington, DC 20059
Phone: (202)806-6700
Email: coas.student.affairs@howard.edu 

Student Presenting during Research Week

Honors Program

The COAS Honors Program is by invitation only. Freshmen who meet our minimum criteria of an unweighted cumulative GPA of 3.5, and a combined SAT of 1300 (or ACT of 28) based upon the University's admission data, will receive an invitation via email. Upon receipt of the completed application and supporting documents (by the application deadline), a month-long review process ensues. Applicants who are accepted into the Program are notified via email, where additional instructions for proceeding are also provided.
HU ROTC Cadets in formation During Homecoming Parade

Military Education

Through classes and leadership training, ROTC provides you with the tools to become an Air Force or Army Officer without interfering with your other classes.
Graduates sit outdoors during commencement ceremony

Pre-Professional Education

The College of Arts and Sciences houses three preprofessional programs through The Center for Preprofessional Education, including BS-MD, BS-DDS, and Pre-Pharmacy The Center offers resources, support and training geared toward helping students become competitive applicants for entry into professional schools.

Howard BA/JD Program

The Howard University Bachelor of Arts to Juris Doctor program (BA/JD) is open to incoming students majoring in legal communications, political science, philosophy, English, criminology, sociology, or economics. The program allows students to complete a Bachelor of Arts degree in the College of Arts and Sciences or the School of Communications and Juris Doctor at Howard Law School in six years, rather than the traditional seven years. 

Admitted students will complete 90 undergraduate credits in three years and begin law school in their fourth year. Students will be awarded a B.A. degree after completing their first 30 credits at Howard Law. Essentially, the first 30 credits of law school will count toward the B.A. degree and the J.D. degree. After completing 88 law school credits, students will be awarded a Juris Doctor. Students enrolled in the B.A.-J.D. program are not automatically admitted to Howard Law School. Students must apply and be accepted. However, the program is designed to help students successfully gain admissions. 

To this end, B.A.-J.D. students will be advised by the director of the BA/JD program and will have access to a law student mentor. BA/JD students will also participate in the Howard Pre-Law Summer Enrichment Program (PLSEP) where they will receive a free Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) course. Further, students will have access to enrichment activities throughout the academic year. 

Eligibility for the program will be based on high school GPA and chosen undergraduate major. Applications for the BA/JD program will be made available for eligible students in May of each academic year, after they have accepted the offer to attend Howard University.  

For further information about the BA/JD program, please email BAJD@howard.edu.