College of Arts & Sciences

The College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) is an academic community of students and faculty involved in the discovery, evaluation, and transmission of knowledge. Through study of the humanities, the natural and computational sciences, and the social sciences, students prepare to lead fulfilled and examined lives and to assume roles as creative and contributing members of society.

Students are enrolled in bachelor of arts programs in over 20 departments and the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies, in interdisciplinary degree programs, and in individually designed independent majors. In cooperation with the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (GRS), many of the college’s departments offer combined BA/MA or BA/MS programs; a combined BA/MPH program is offered jointly with the Boston University School of Public Health (SPH). Through the Boston University dual degree program, students may enroll in another of the University’s undergraduate schools to earn dual bachelor’s degrees. The Modular Medical/Dental Integrated Curriculum (MMEDIC) combines study of the liberal arts and basic medical or dental sciences, providing early admission and an enhanced transition to the Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine or the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, respectively, for a limited number of qualified students who have completed their sophomore year.

Qualified students are able to take advantage of the variety of Boston University–sponsored study abroad and internship programs in over 30 cities in over 20 countries. Students may also enroll in programs sponsored by other institutions or may directly enroll in foreign universities.

Programs are available in fall, spring, and summer semesters. Many fall and spring programs offer similar shorter programs in the summer, and some may be combined for a full academic year. Study abroad programs integrate students into a foreign culture and allow them to concentrate on language acquisition, study of the program country, and coursework in their major fields. Internship programs including an academic component generally combine 4 credits of internship with 12 credits of related coursework.