Late Entry Accelerated Program (LEAP)
For more than 25 years, the Late Entry Accelerated Program (LEAP) at Boston University has allowed talented individuals and working professionals who have 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 which does not qualify them for direct admission to one of the College of Engineering’s graduate programs. In order to apply for LEAP, applicants must have, along with other admissions requirements, successfully completed one semester of college-level Calculus I for math and science majors and earned a grade of B or better. AP credit does not fulfill this requirement.
LEAP students choose from any of the College’s programs in biomedical, computer, electrical, manufacturing, materials science & engineering, mechanical, photonics, or systems engineering. The curriculum begins with core undergraduate engineering courses to achieve a fundamental level of proficiency (Phase I). Students then advance to master’s degree candidacy in a chosen field of engineering (Phase II).
Phase I—Undergraduate Courses
Students begin Phase I of LEAP by taking undergraduate core courses that are customized according to the students’ undergraduate background. Successful completion of the LEAP Phase I program qualifies students to apply to Phase II, the Master of Engineering or Master of Science degree program. LEAP students may also apply to the PhD program for Phase II. Students are guaranteed admission to Phase II, the Master of Engineering program, if they have a GPA of at least 3.2 in Phase I. Sample core curricula for each area of study are available on the LEAP website.
Courses taken to satisfy Phase I LEAP requirements may not be used to satisfy Phase II (MEng/MS/PhD) requirements.
Phase II—Graduate Courses
The Master of Engineering program usually can be completed in one year of additional full-time study once all required undergraduate courses have been completed. Timing for completion of the MEng, MS, or PhD degree vary based on the program of student, program requirements, and part-time/full-time status of the student.
Applicants to the LEAP Program should refer to the Instructions for LEAP (Late Entry Accelerated Program) Applicants in the application.
Requirements
LEAP applicants must have successfully completed one semester of calculus in college with a grade of B or higher before an application to the program can be submitted. Some departments may have additional recommended courses for admission. LEAP usually takes one to one-and-a-half years for a full-time student to complete Phase I. Part-time students may take up to two years to complete Phase I.
US citizens and permanent residents are eligible for University scholarships and federal and private loans. There is no aid available to international applicants. International students must submit financial documentation to cover tuition and living expenses with their application materials.
A complete description of available financial aid may be found on the College of Engineering Financial Aid website.
Inquiries should be directed to LEAP, Graduate Programs office, College of Engineering, 44 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215. Email: enggrad@bu.edu. Visit www.bu.edu/eng/academics/special-programs/leap for further information on the LEAP program, admissions, and financial aid.
LEAP Phase I Course Requirements by Major
In addition to the entry requirement of a semester of calculus for math and science majors in college with a grade of B or better, students must complete the required courses or present evidence of successful completion (grade of B or better) of equivalent coursework. (AP credit awarded for calculus does not fulfill the LEAP application requirement.) Phase I curricula for each of the following areas of study can be found on the LEAP website.
Students with a BS degree in Physical Sciences, Mathematics, or Computer Science may apply directly to the MS degree program in Systems Engineering.
