English (Freshman Composition) Placement
All students are expected to complete their writing requirements within their first-year of attending Howard.
Criteria #1)
If you scored below 450 on the SATEvidence-Based Reading and Writing or below 18 on the ACT English, you are eligible to register for a ENGL 002 course with a writing skills lab. Once you complete the course with a C or better, then you will be allowed to progress to ENGL 003. Once you complete the course with a C or better, then you will have completed your first-year writing requirement.
Criteria #2)
If you scored between 450 – 509 on the SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing or between 25-18 on the ACT English, you are eligible to register for a traditional EGNL 002 course. Once you complete the course with a C or better, then you will be allowed to progress to ENGL 003. Once you complete the course with a C or better, then you will have completed your first-year writing requirement.
Criteria #3)
If you scored a 510 or higher on the SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing or 26 or higher on the ACT English, you are eligible to register for ENGL 004. Only those students who have been admitted into COAS Honors program will be registered for ENGL 075. Once you complete ENGL 004 or 075 with a C or better, then you will be allowed to progress to ENGL 005. Once you complete ENGL 005, you will have completed your first-year writing requirement.
Note: Students who have been invited to the COAS Honors Program and who have NOT met the requisite scores for 004 will register for 002.
Mathematics Placement
The Math Placement Examination (MPE) is administered through McGraw-Hill’s Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces (ALEKS) program. ALEKS is a web-based, artificially intelligent assessment and learning system that quickly and accurately assesses a student’s level of mathematics proficiency. ALEKS provides the advantages of one-on-one instruction, 24/7, from virtually any web-based computer. Upon completion of the initial diagnostic assessment, a customized learning plan will be generated for each student. Students will be able to complete their learning plan prior to taking the mandatory on-campus Math Placement Exam during New Student Orientation. The MPE results will determine math course eligibility and placement. Academic Advisers will be available during New Student Orientation to answer questions regarding major/program requirements.
Students meeting the following criteria are exempt from the Math Placement Exam:
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Score of “3” on the Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus AB exam – eligible to enroll in Calculus I
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Score of “4” or higher” on the Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus AB exam – will earn credit for Calculus I
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Score of “3” on the Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus BC exam – will earn credit for Calculus I, eligible to enroll in Calculus II
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Score of “4 or higher” on Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus BC exam – will earn credit for Calculus I and Calculus II
World Language Placement
The Language Placement Examination (LPE) is administered to students who intend to continue enrollment in a language for which they earned high school credit.
The LPE is administered through AVANT’s Placement Assessment program. AVANT’s Placement Assessment is a web-based, artificially intelligent assessment and learning system that quickly and accurately assesses a student’s level of language proficiency in Arabic, Chinese (Traditional and simplified), Spanish, French, German, and Japanese. AVANT provides the advantages of grouping and placing students, 24/7, from any web-based computer. AVANT’s Placement Assessments are quick, convenient, and engage students with real-world content in Reading, Contextualized Grammar, Writing, and Speaking.
The LPE must be taken prior to enrollment/registration, or no later than the first week of class. Exceptions can be made through Study Abroad, Transferred Credits, and/or further placement testing. All language courses must be taken in proper sequence (e.g. “Language” 001, “Language” 002, “Language” 003, “Language” 004).
Exemptions from foreign language requirement will be made based on proctored placement examination taken on site at Howard University.
The LPE results will determine language course eligibility and placement. Academic Advisers will be available during New Student Orientation to answer questions regarding program requirements.
Students meeting the following criteria are exempt from the Language Placement Exam:
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Score of “3” on the Advanced Placement (AP) Target Language exam – exempt from Languages 001-004.
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Score of “4” or “5” on the Advanced Placement (AP) Target Language exam – Receive credit for Language 040.
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Score of “5” on the Advanced Placement (AP) Target Language exam – Receive credit for Language 040 & Language 050.
The LPE results are valid for one academic year (two semesters). The Department of World Languages and Cultures has the right of final approval of the accuracy of placement. For additional information, contact Prof. Mercedes Tibbits (mtibbits@howard.edu), Coordinator.