Architecture Admissions

Students may be eligible for admission by presenting acceptable secondary school records which should include: 3 units of English; 3.5 units of mathematics with 1.5 to 2 units in algebra; 1 unit in plane geometry and trigonometry; 1 unit in a foreign language, and 5 units in any academic courses counted toward graduation, preferably in solid geometry, physics, and chemistry.

All applicants must take the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and receive a minimum score of 500 in the verbal section and 550 in the mathematics section or 22 on the American College Test (ACT) equivalent. Preference will be given to applicants who rank in the upper one-third of their graduating class and have achieved a grade of C or better in the recommended high school courses.

Pursuing a professional degree in architecture involves distinct, variable costs beyond standard university tuition and fees. Students should budget an additional $1,000 to $1,500 annually to account for specialized architectural supplies, including:

• Personal hardware requirements (high-performance laptop capable of rendering software).
• Software subscriptions (SketchUp, Rhino, Adobe Creative Cloud, etc.).
• Manual modeling supplies (chipboard, basswood, casting polymers, acrylics, and cutting implements).
• Large-format plotting, 3D printing filaments, and presentation materials for end-of-semester studio juries.

We invite prospective architecture students to share their creative vision with us. While a portfolio is required for transfer students, first-time-in-college applicants are highly encouraged to submit one to showcase their unique perspective and aptitude for design.

Your portfolio is an opportunity for the admissions committee to get to know you as a maker, a thinker, and a creative individual. We are looking for evidence of your curiosity, your process, and your potential to excel in the field of architecture.

Submission Guidelines:

A complete portfolio should include a minimum of one (1) and a maximum of three (3) examples of creative work. We encourage you to select work that best represents your voice, technical skill, and ability to solve problems visually. Please email all submissions to CEA_Architecture@Howard.edu.

1. Graphic Submissions

• Formats: Drawings, paintings, renderings, photography, physical models, or sculpture.
• Technical Specs: Must be submitted as a high-resolution PDF.
• Dimensions: Image files should be no larger than 11" x 17".

Note: Please do not send original work. Ensure all physical work is clearly and professionally photographed.

2. Written Submissions

• Format: Submit as a PDF.
• Option A: A 400-word essay describing a creative project or activity you have been involved in. Focus on your process—why you made the choices you did and what you learned.
• Option B: Examples of creative writing in any form that demonstrates your ability to articulate complex ideas.

3. Audiovisual Submissions

• Format: Digital formats such as MP4, WAV, etc.
• Time Limit: Must not exceed five minutes total (even if the original work is longer).
• Content: You may document a creative activity in progress, a finished product, or an architectural exploration.

Faculty Review Committee

Our faculty review team assesses submissions based on the potential for growth and architectural thinking. We consider the following:

• Spatial Awareness: Your grasp of scale, proportion, volume, and composition.
• Technical Aptitude: Clarity and precision in your chosen medium.
• Critical Inquiry: Your ability to articulate a concept or "the why" behind your creative decisions.
• Iterative Process: Evidence that you have tested ideas, refined your work, and approached challenges with thoughtful intention.

Tip for Applicants: Your portfolio does not need to look like an architectural drawing. We are interested in your creative expression. Whether you are sketching, building, or writing, we want to see how you observe the world and how you transform those observations into a tangible form.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need to have prior experience in architecture?

A: Not at all. We are looking for potential, curiosity, and creative drive. Your portfolio can include work from art class, hobbies, independent projects, or even creative writing. We are interested in how you think and how you approach creative challenges, not whether you have already learned architectural drafting.

Q: Can I include projects I worked on with other people?

A: Yes, but please be clear about your specific role. In your description, briefly note what part of the project you were responsible for. We want to see your individual contributions and how you collaborated with others.

Q: What are the best file settings for my images?

A: To ensure your work looks sharp and professional, please follow these standards:

• Resolution: All images within your PDF should be 300 DPI. This ensures high clarity for the review committee.
• Dimensions: Files should be no larger than 11" x 17".
• File Size: Aim for a total PDF file size of under 15 MB. If your file is larger, please use an "Optimize PDF" or compression tool to ensure it can be easily sent and reviewed

Q: How should I format my video submissions?

A: We prioritize clarity over cinematic production value.

• Resolution: Aim for 1920 x 1080 (Full HD).
• Format: Please submit as an .mp4 file.
• Length: Your submission must not exceed five minutes. If your file size is too large for an email attachment, you may provide a secure link to a cloud-hosting service (such as Google Drive or OneDrive). Please ensure the sharing permissions are set so that anyone with the link can view the file.

Q: How should I photograph my 3D models or sculptures?

A: Documentation is key. Use a neutral, solid-colored background (like a white wall) to ensure the focus remains on your work. Use soft, even lighting to avoid harsh shadows that can obscure the details of your model. Take multiple views—including eye-level and top-down shots—to help the committee understand the scale and volume of your piece.

Q: Should I include a cover letter or resume in my portfolio file?

A: While not strictly required, a short, one-page cover letter or a brief introductory statement is a great way to provide context for your work. It helps the committee understand your motivations and your interest in architecture at Howard.

Q: Can I submit work in multiple formats?

A: Absolutely. You may submit a combination of graphic, written, and audiovisual work, provided you stay within the limit of three total examples. Choose the combination that best showcases the full breadth of your creative abilities.

Q: How will I know if my files were received?

A: You will receive an automated confirmation email once your submission has been processed. If you have not received confirmation within 5 business days after sending your files to CEA_Architecture@Howard.edu, please contact the department office for a status update.

Howard University is deeply committed to keeping high-quality architectural education accessible. The university actively redistributes a significant portion of gross tuition revenue to the student body through need-based institutional aid, merit scholarships, and endowment grants.

To explore financial aid configurations, work-study opportunities, and scholarship applications, please visit the formal Howard University Student Financial Services Portal.

Admission requirements for international students are the same as for domestic students with the exception that all international applicants including those from U.S. institutions must submit evidence of having passed the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a cumulative score of 550 or higher.

Please visit the International Admission webpage for specific information on applying to Howard University.

Transfer Credit Evaluation & Placement Framework

This framework outlines the policies and procedures used by the Department of Architecture to evaluate transfer applicants. The process balances flexibility for incoming students with strict adherence to National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) accreditation standards and departmental curricular rigor.

1. Institutional Tiering & Placement Framework

Incoming transcripts and portfolios are categorized into two distinct pathways to determine advanced standing and placement:

• Tier 1: Professional / Pre-Professional Programs (e.g., CUA, UMD, Virginia Tech)
• Focus: Detailed alignment of equivalent NAAB Program Criteria (PC) and Student Performance Criteria (SC).
• Placement Potential: Eligible for advanced placement up to Design II (ARCH 200), pending a successful entry-level portfolio review and completion of a one-semester residency requirement before studio credits are finalized.
• Tier 2: Regional Community Colleges (e.g., NOVA, Montgomery College)
• Focus: General Education articulation and foundational graphic skills mapping.
• Placement Potential: Typically placed into Foundations in Design I or II (ARCH 160/161) or Design I (ARCH 261). Technical/graphic courses (e.g., CAD/BIM) must undergo separate digital portfolio and syllabus reviews to achieve equivalency with Digital Tools (ARCH 270).

2. Step-by-Step Transfer Evaluation Checklist

The departmental review pipeline follows a 5-step process:

1. Initial Registrar Clearing (Administrative Gateway): Verification of at least 2 full semesters of college work, a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, and a grade of "C" or better in college-level English and Math. Total transferable credits cannot exceed the maximum allowance of 60 credits.
2. Foundational Course Articulation: Mapping of non-architecture liberal arts electives, introductory math (MATH 006/007), and Physics (PHYS 008) to ensure credit hours and rigor align with general education categories.
3. Creative Component & Portfolio Intake: Digital screening to confirm receipt of the electronic creative portfolio containing at least 3 distinct examples of creative expression.
4. Faculty Portfolio Review & Placement Committee: Diagnostic evaluation of the portfolio using established rubrics to determine advanced standing or foundational placement.
5. Syllabus & NAAB Criteria Mapping (Advanced Standing Audit): Review of detailed syllabi, project prompts, and digital evidence from Tier 1 students to verify specific NAAB criteria alignment before approving a Transfer Course Petition.

3. Creative Portfolio Submission Guidelines

Portfolios must be submitted electronically via the link provided on the Undergraduate Admissions website.

• Quantity: Limited to exactly 12 images.
• Content: Freehand drawing and painting are highly prioritized, alongside photography, sculpture, ceramics, woodworking, model building, and manual/computer drafting. A broader variety of media and subjects (landscapes, buildings, portraits, and color work) strengthens the application.
• Required Captions: Each submitted piece must include a brief caption stating:
• Title of work
• Medium used
• Original size
• Date or year of school
• Conditions of drawing (e.g., "drawn from life", "drawn from imagination")

4. Evaluation Rubrics & Course Placement Matrix

Rubric A: Creative Portfolio Review (Max 20 Points)

Assesses spatial aptitude, visual communication, and critical design thinking across four core criteria:

Studio Placement Matrix (Based on Rubric A Score)

• Score 16–20: Eligible for Advanced Placement (Review for ARCH 261 Design I or ARCH 200 Design II).
• Score 10–15: Placement into ARCH 161 (Foundations II) or ARCH 261 based on subsequent syllabus audit.
• Score 9 and below: Placement into ARCH 160 (Foundations I).

Rubric B: Technical & Historical Syllabus Audit

Used by the Department Chair and advising faculty to evaluate building technology, structures, materials, or history transfer credits against Howard’s 171-credit professional track:

• Equivalent (Approve Credit): Course carries equal/greater credit hours, covers matching scope, includes rigorous assessments (exams, calculations, research papers), and aligns cleanly with target NAAB Student Performance Criteria.
• Conditional/Supplemental Review: Credit hours match but have a narrower topical focus, assessments lack rigorous writing/projects (rely only on attendance/quizzes), or criteria only partially align (requires a supplemental independent study module to close the gap).
• Non-Equivalent (Deny Credit): Insufficient credit hours, purely vocational, lacks academic university-level assessments, or fails to address core professional NAAB criteria.

Please visit the Howard University Office of Admissions for more details on the application process and deadlines, tuition rates, and financial aid. The Division of Student Affairs is the portal for student housing. 

We encourage prospective students to visit our beautiful campus and meet with our distinguished faculty and students. Feel free to contact us with further questions or to schedule a visit.