Late Entry Accelerated Program (LEAP)

For more than 40 years, the Late Entry Accelerated Program (LEAP) at Boston University has enabled talented individuals and working professionals with bachelor’s degrees in non-engineering fields to earn graduate degrees in engineering. The program is designed for students who have at least a bachelor’s degree in the liberal arts or another non-engineering field that does not qualify them for direct admission to one of the College of Engineering’s graduate programs.

LEAP students choose from any of the college’s master’s programs in biomedical engineering, electrical & computer engineering, materials science & engineering, mechanical engineering, product design & manufacture*, robotics & autonomous systems, or systems engineering.

To prepare for success in their chosen master’s program, LEAP students begin their program in the foundational phase. The foundational phase is a streamlined set of undergraduate courses that put LEAP students on par with students who have earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering. After completing their foundational phase courses, LEAP students will move into the master’s program of their choice. When students enter their master’s program, they will be required to meet the academic requirements of their individual programs.

*Students applying to LEAP after Fall 2024 will no longer be allowed to select MS in Product Design & Manufacture as their intended LEAP track. This program has been integrated into the MS in Mechanical Engineering.

LEAP Foundation Phase

Students begin LEAP by taking undergraduate core courses that are customized according to each student’s undergraduate background and intended master’s. Successful completion of the foundation courses qualifies students to transition to a Master of Engineering or Master of Science program in the College of Engineering. Sample core curricula for each area of study are available on the LEAP website.

Students interested in LEAP are welcome to take courses prior to matriculating into LEAP. For more information about which courses students can take prior to LEAP, please visit our LEAP Program Planning page.

To successfully move into their master’s program, students must abide by the following guidelines:

• A student must take at least two-thirds of courses required for their foundational phase through Boston University. The full list of courses needed for a student’s foundational phase will be determined during a conversation with their faculty advisor.
• A student cannot take courses outside of Boston University during the fall and spring semesters.
• If a student is interested in taking courses outside of Boston University during a summer semester, they will need to first obtain approval from their faculty advisor.

Please note that audited courses will not count toward a student’s foundational phase. To view the full audit policy, please visit the Auditing Courses page of this website.

Master’s Program

The Master of Science and Master of Engineering programs can be completed in 1–2 years of full-time study, depending on a student’s precise program of study, degree requirements, additional degree options (e.g., with Engineering Practice, specializations), and part-time/full-time status.

Applicants to LEAP should refer to the Instructions for LEAP (Late Entry Accelerated Program) applicants in the application. Application information is also available on the LEAP website.

Engineering is a calculus-based curriculum: The Late Entry Accelerated Program (LEAP) curriculum begins with courses building on Calculus I concepts. To ensure students are adequately prepared for the program coursework, LEAP applicants are required to have earned a B or higher in Calculus I at an accredited college or university prior to starting the program. The Graduate Programs office highly encourages applicants to complete this course prior to applying to LEAP. For more information about the Calculus I requirement, please visit our LEAP FAQs.

US citizens and permanent residents are eligible for University scholarships and federal and private loans. International students must submit financial documentation to cover tuition and living expenses with their application materials.

For further information, visit the LEAP program website.

A complete description of available financial aid may be found on the College of Engineering website.

Inquiries should be directed to LEAP, Graduate Programs office, College of Engineering, 44 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215. Email: enggrad@bu.edu.