Exploring the Diverse Academic Landscape of Howard University

Howard University, a distinguished R1 research institution located in the heart of Washington, D.C., has been a beacon of academic excellence and a cornerstone of higher education since its establishment in 1867. As a federally chartered, private, doctoral research-extensive university, Howard is dedicated to providing its approximately 11,000 students with a robust academic foundation, complemented by invaluable hands-on opportunities designed to prepare them for success in their chosen fields. The university’s enduring commitment to the education and advancement of underrepresented populations in America and across the global community is intrinsically woven into its unique mission, which embodies an unwavering dedication to its core values: leadership, excellence, truth, and service. This profound dedication has resulted in Howard awarding over 130,000 degrees and certificates in the arts, sciences, and humanities since its inception.

Howard University offers a comprehensive array of over 120 areas of study, meticulously organized across 13 schools and colleges. This extensive academic framework allows students to pursue majors in diverse fields such as the arts, sciences, humanities, business, engineering, architecture, nursing, allied health sciences, education, and communications. Undergraduate degree-seeking students are typically admitted into their first or second choice major preference, as indicated on their application. While students cannot declare a minor at the time of admission, degree-seeking students have the opportunity to declare a minor during or after their sophomore year, provided they have earned at least 30 credits and the desired minor is available. For students seeking to change their academic path, new incoming degree-seeking students generally cannot change their major until after their first semester, while current students are encouraged to consult with their academic advisors to navigate the program change or declaration process.

Graduate degree-seeking students are generally admitted, or conditionally admitted if specific requirements are outstanding, into the program detailed on their official acceptance letter. This structure ensures a tailored and supportive academic journey for all students, from undergraduates exploring their passions to graduate students advancing their specialized knowledge.

A Deep Dive into Howard's Academic Offerings

Howard University's curriculum is designed to foster critical thinking, practical application, and a deep understanding of various disciplines. The breadth of programs available ensures that students can find a specialized path that aligns with their career aspirations and intellectual interests.

The Arts and Humanities: Cultivating Creativity and Cultural Understanding

Within the arts and humanities, Howard University offers a rich tapestry of courses designed to explore artistic expression, cultural heritage, and critical analysis. Students can major in areas that delve into the nuances of creative production and the historical context of artistic movements. For instance, courses like MUSC-100: Introduction to Music provide a foundational understanding of musical principles. More specialized courses, such as MUSC-110: Global Popular Music, offer a fascinating exploration of popular music within a global framework. This course places a particular emphasis on musical styles originating outside the United States and their significant role in the international music industry. It examines representative styles, including Afro-pop, reggae, Bollywood, Arabic popular music, Celtic music, flamenco, and J-pop, situating them within their respective cultural, historical, and musical contexts. The curriculum actively encourages students to critically engage with cross-cultural interactions, exploring concepts such as cultural appropriation, cultural homogenization, and colonialism.

Read also: Tuition and Fees at Howard

For students interested in practical musical skills, MUSE-001, 002: Beginning Piano for Non-Music Majors and MUSO-105: Non-Major Guitar Class offer introductory group instruction in music fundamentals, basic playing techniques, and a repertoire of both popular and classical music, each carrying 1 credit. The intersection of arts and business is explored through courses like MUTP-100: Blacks in the Arts, and MUSI-001: Seminar in Music Business, which focuses on reports and discussions relevant to careers in arts management. Aspiring artists and entrepreneurs can benefit from MUSI-031, 032: Introduction to Entertainment Law, a foundational course for all artists that examines contracts, torts, agency, labor relations, copyrights, and communications. Furthering this entrepreneurial spirit, MUSI-033: Entrepreneur in the Entertainment Industry delves into the opportunities within the music, media, and communications sectors. For students seeking practical experience, MUTP-209: Mus. Bus. Internship offers a semester-long internship with an arts-related organization, requiring approval from the Area Coordinator. Graduate students can further their studies in specialized areas with courses like MUSI-232: Introduction to Entertainment Law (Grad) and MUSI-259: Administration of College Jazz Studies (Grad), which explores the design of higher education jazz studies curricula.

Jazz Studies: Nurturing a Rich Musical Tradition

Howard University has a particularly strong program in Jazz Studies, reflecting the genre's profound historical and cultural significance. The curriculum is designed to provide students with comprehensive training in jazz theory, improvisation, arranging, and performance. Key courses include MUSH-011, 012: Jazz Improvisation I, II and its subsequent levels (MUSH-021, 022; MUSH-031, 032; MUSH-041, 042), each carrying 2 credits, which focus on developing improvisational skills. The Rhythm Section Workshop provides instruction on effective communication, rehearsal, and performance within a jazz ensemble setting, with an emphasis on preparation for the senior recital. Theoretical foundations are laid in MUSH-101: Jazz Theory I, which explains the meaning of melodic and harmonic notation in jazz and reveals the underlying structural principles of jazz composition. This is followed by MUSI-102: Jazz Theory II, a continuation that delves into advanced analysis of jazz standards, instrumental transpositions, and introductory jazz arranging projects.

Vocalists specializing in jazz can enroll in MUSH-160: Jazz Voice Instruction and MUTW-101-104: Jazz Voice Instruction I - IV, each 1 credit, focusing on breathing techniques, tone development, and vocal styles within the jazz idiom, alongside developing a standard jazz repertoire. More intensive vocal training is offered through MUTW-111, 112: Voice for Jazz Studies I, II through MUTW-141, 142: Voice for Jazz Studies VII, VIII, each 2 credits, providing a comprehensive progression of vocal development for jazz. Pianists can hone their skills in MUSI-109: Jazz Piano Instruction (1 credit) and a more advanced series: MUTX-111, 112: Jazz Piano I, II, MUTX-121, 122: Jazz Piano III, IV, MUTX-131, 132: Jazz Piano V, VI, and MUTX-141, 142: Jazz Piano VII, VIII, each 2 credits, offering a comprehensive study of varied jazz styles and techniques.

Arranging skills are developed through MUSH-183: Jazz Arranging I, exploring and analyzing representative big band jazz arrangements, and MUSI-184: Jazz Arranging II, which involves the creation of several big band jazz arrangements using advanced techniques. Vocal arranging is also a focus with MUSI-143: Vocal Arranging II, focusing on techniques for jazz vocal ensembles, and MUSI-160: Vocal Arranging I, for arranging for vocal solo with a rhythm section. The historical and cultural context of jazz is thoroughly examined in MUSI-110, 111: Jazz History I, II, which trace the history, sociology, culture, and development of jazz from its African origins to the present. For those pursuing independent research in jazz, MUSI-159: Independent Study Jazz offers a directed research opportunity, requiring instructor consent.

Music Education: Shaping Future Educators and Musicians

The Music Education program at Howard University is dedicated to preparing students to become effective music educators in various settings. The curriculum covers a broad range of pedagogical approaches and instrumental proficiencies. Foundational courses include MUSD-005: Instrumental Survey, which covers the knowledge, care, history, and function of band and orchestral instruments. MUSD-006: Music Education Guitar Class provides group instruction in basic guitar techniques and repertoire. MUSD-007: Marching Band Technique offers guidelines for the administration and supervision of marching bands, exploring rehearsal and performance techniques in an educational setting.

Instrumental pedagogy is a key component, with courses like MUSD-013: Woodwind Instruments I and MUSD-014: Woodwind Instruments II, focusing on oboe and bassoon techniques, and MUSD-015: String Instruments I and MUSD-016: String Instruments II, covering cello and string bass techniques. MUSD-017: Brass Instruments I delves into the history, function, and basic playing techniques of brass instruments, while MUSD-019: Percussion Instruments offers instruction on percussion. MUSD-021: Instrumental Pedagogy focuses on advanced teaching techniques for various instruments, requiring concurrent enrollment in instrumental private instruction for BM in Performance majors.

Choral conducting is addressed in MUSD-051: Elementary Choral Conducting, covering fundamental techniques, interpretation, style, and rehearsal strategies, and MUSD-052: Advanced Choral Conducting, which builds upon these skills with advanced techniques, style, interpretation, and a survey of choral literature. For teaching music at different educational levels, MUSD-053: Music in the Elementary School applies child development principles to music teaching, and MUSD-054: Music in the Secondary Schools applies adolescent and educational psychology principles. Practical administrative skills are covered in MUSD-057: Teaching and Supervision of Instrumental Music, focusing on organization and administration in schools, and MUSD-058: Instrumental Conducting, which explores rehearsal techniques and literature for secondary school ensembles. MUSD-120, 121: Contemporary Trends in Music Education offers modular courses on current approaches to music teaching and learning. The program culminates in 145-135: Student Teaching, a comprehensive nine-credit experience involving observation, seminars, and supervised teaching in accredited schools, requiring senior standing and a minimum GPA. MUSD-150: Independent Study in Music Education allows for individualized research in the field.

Music Technology and Production: Embracing the Digital Frontier

Howard University is at the forefront of integrating technology into music education and production. MUSI-076: Intro to Music Technology I provides a comprehensive study of modern electronic music production, covering acoustics, power, devices, MIDI, storage, software, and computers, with a hands-on lab component. MUSI-077: Intro to Music Technology II continues this exploration, focusing on audio recording and mixing with hands-on work using music software and hardware. For graduate students, MUSI-376: Music Technology (Grad) offers a similar curriculum with an emphasis on independent study projects using technology. The Independent Study Jazz course (MUSI-159) can also be directed towards research in Music Technology.

In related fields, RTVF-111: Intro to Mass Communications and RTVF-231: Intro to Media Production offer foundational knowledge in media. Advanced audio production is covered in RTVF-412: Multitrack Recording and RTVF-433: Audio Practicum, providing practical experience in audio engineering and production.

Business and Management: Equipping Students for Industry Success

Howard University’s business programs provide students with essential knowledge for success in various industries, including the arts and entertainment sectors. Core business courses such as ACCT-201: Accounting Prin. I, MGMT-301: Management & Org., MKTG-301: Prin. of Marketing, INFO-204: Man. Info. Systems, and FINA-311: Finance Principles form the backbone of a strong business education. These courses equip students with the analytical and strategic skills needed to navigate the complexities of the modern business world.

Beyond general business principles, Howard offers specialized courses that bridge business acumen with creative industries. MUSI-035: Marketing for the Arts exposes students to fundamental theories, frameworks, and applications of marketing within the fine and performing arts. This course examines relevant artists, creators, brands, and ventures in the context of the evolving marketing landscape, incorporating concepts from anthropology, psychology, and sociology. The Seminar in Music Business (MUSI-001) and Entrepreneur in the Entertainment Industry (MUSI-033) courses are specifically designed to prepare students for careers in arts management and the broader entertainment sector, fostering an understanding of industry dynamics and opportunities.

Specialized Programs and Flexible Learning Options

Howard University is committed to providing diverse pathways to education, catering to a wide range of student needs and learning preferences. This includes specialized degree programs, online offerings, and non-credit courses designed for skill development and personal enrichment.

Online Degree Completion and Graduate Programs

Howard University offers a robust selection of online programs that bring the distinctive Howard experience to students seeking flexibility. The HU Online Degree Completion Program in Human Development allows students to earn a Bachelor's degree in Human Development with the advantages of distance education. For those looking to shape the future of education, the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies program prepares educators and advocates to lead with purpose and drive systemic change. The university also offers online Bachelor's degrees in Human Development and Interdisciplinary Leadership Studies, providing rigorous, 100% online pathways to earning a degree.

In the realm of graduate studies, Howard champions health equity and clinical excellence through its rigorous online programs. For those seeking to elevate their ministerial leadership, the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) program now features a HyFlex model, allowing students to engage fully through in-person, synchronous, or asynchronous participation. Alongside the Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.), these programs prepare experienced practitioners to integrate theological reflection with community engagement. The Masters of Applied Data Science and Analytics program offers a multidisciplinary focus on understanding data across disciplines, preparing leaders for the modern workforce.

Certificates and Continuing Education

For individuals seeking to build job-ready skills quickly, Howard University collaborates with Coursera to offer specialized certificates in high-demand areas. These include certificates in Business Modeling, Data Science, Business Modeling Information Systems, and Project Management, all backed by a commitment to professional excellence. These programs are designed to provide the training, degrees, or certificates needed for rapid career advancement or to earn credits that can transfer to a four-year university.

Accelerated Pathways and Non-Credit Opportunities

To further enhance student options, Accelerated Pathways (7-week) courses are available, enabling students to save time, gain college credits faster, and advance more quickly toward degree completion, transfer options, and career readiness. Beyond formal academic programs, Howard also offers non-credit courses designed for building job skills or for personal enrichment, providing a wide range of fulfilling options for lifelong learning.

Apprenticeships and Basic Education

Howard University also provides opportunities for practical, hands-on learning through apprenticeships, which combine education with paid, on-the-job training. For individuals seeking to complete their secondary education, the university offers programs to earn a Maryland high school diploma through basic, intermediate, and advanced language arts and math classes. Preparation for the GED® exam and the National External Diploma Program (NEDP) are also available, ensuring that individuals at various educational stages can find pathways to advancement.

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