The foreign language requirement for the degree of Master of Arts, Master of Computer Science, Master of Engineering, or Master of Science shall be determined by the department in which the student is enrolled.

The following departments require students to fulfill the requirement of reading proficiency in a foreign language: African Studies, Art, Biochemistry, Biology, Economics, English, History, Mathematics, Philosophy, Physics, Modern Languages and Literature, and Sociology and Anthropology.

In some departments reading proficiency in a foreign language is optional. In these departments the requirement of competency in the tools of research may be met by such means as foreign language, computer competence, research methods, statistics, or some other approved alternative. Such policies shall be explicit, and the Office of the Dean shall be informed of the action of the particular department with regard to the foreign language requirement.

Candidates who are required to demonstrate a reading ability in French, German, Russian, or Spanish have the option of the Graduate School Foreign Language Tests administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) or the department examination prepared by the foreign language departments at Howard University. Departmental examinations shall be administered and evaluated by the language departments of the University based on materials submitted by the department in which the student is enrolled.