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 $45 application fee (Waivers accepted for FAMU Feeder Program and McNair Scholars)
• 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)
• Resume
• Three letters of recommendation Word

For 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. Also, ALL transcripts must be evaluated by World Education Services (www.wes.org) or AACRAO (www.aacrao.org) and be forwarded to Graduate Recruitment and Admissions.
• 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

Special Admission Requirements

Master of Science

To be admitted to M.S. candidacy, students must successfully complete a total of 32 credits, which must include courses 201-173, 201-189, 201-206, and 201-202, as well as additional courses determined by the students' advisory committee. Students must also pass a comprehensive preliminary examination; write and orally defend a thesis; and, in some cases, pass a proficiency examination in French, German, or any other foreign language related to the discipline.

Doctor of Philosophy

For admission to Ph.D. candidacy, students must successfully complete 42 credit hours beyond the master's degree or 72 credit hours beyond the baccalaureate in basic anatomy courses, including 201-173, 201-206, and 201-202, as well as additional courses determined by each student's advisory committee.

Additional requirements include passing a comprehensive preliminary examination; demonstrating in an examination proficiency in French, German, or any other foreign language related to the discipline; submitting a dissertation proposal; and writing and orally defending a dissertation.

M.D./Ph.D

The College of Medicine and the Graduate School jointly offer an integrated program that leads to both the M.D. and Ph.D. degrees without compromise in the customary substance of each of these degrees individually. Additionally, the curricular emphasis develops in the trainee the unique professional role perspective of the clinician/scientist/scholar. It also develops a particular appreciation for the urgent and unsolved health problems that are present in the population served by the Howard University Hospital and its affiliated clinical programs.

Application Process

Graduate departments that currently invite applications for Ph.D. study in this program are: Anatomy, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biology, Chemistry, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Genetics and Human Genetics, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Physiology and Biophysics.

The steps in the application process are as follows:

• Complete all aspects of the application for medical school.
• Submit a brief letter of interest in applying for the M.D. Ph.D. programs to the program director.
• The M.D./Ph.D. program committee will review the application to medical school. If a candidate meets the minimum eligibility criteria, he/she will receive a supplemental application for the combined program.
• The program committee may invite a candidate for a visit to the campus for an interview.
• Concurrent with the visit, a candidate will also be invited to apply to the graduate department of his/her choice through the Graduate School.

The application for the M.D./Ph.D. program should be returned to:
Verle Headings, M.D., Ph.D.
Director M.D./Ph.D. Program
Howard University College of Medicine
520 W Street, NW
Washington, DC 20059
vheadings@howard.edu
(202) 806-6381