Admissions and Financial Information
NOTE: This site is an archive of 2011–2012 programs and policies at Boston University Metropolitan College. If you are looking for current information about Metropolitan College and its programs, please go to our official website.
Applications for Admission
Undergraduate: For application materials, visit the MET admissions page or call Undergraduate Student Services at 617-353-2980.
Graduate: For application materials, visit the MET admissions page or contact the appropriate Metropolitan College academic department.
Official Registration
All students are expected to register during the normal registration period each semester. Exact dates, methods, times, and locations of registration for standard courses are published online at www.bu.edu/met or in the Metropolitan College Course Schedule each semester. However, all students registering for standard courses must be registered before the end of the second week of classes each semester. Students in special programs that commence later in a semester should consult with program administrators for registration information. Dates for online courses are located at www.bu.edu/online. Students who are applying for loans or who are recipients of financial assistance will have their applications or awards terminated if they are not registered by the official registration deadline. An officially registered student is one who has registered for classes, paid all charges (current and past), and been approved by Student Accounting Services.
Adding and/or Dropping Courses
Students are encouraged to enroll in all courses which they intend to take during the semester at the time of registration. Course changes can be made only during the official add/drop period, determined by the University registrar and published in the current Metropolitan College Course Schedule. Standard courses may be added only during the first two weeks of classes. For non-standard course dates, consult the registrar’s website at www.bu.edu/reg. Select Registration and Classes, Class Schedule option. Students should consult the Metropolitan College Course Schedule for information regarding tuition refunds for dropping courses.
Withdrawal from Courses and Refund Policy
Part-time students who reduce their course load (but remain registered) for the fall or spring semester will have their accounts adjusted to reflect the difference between the original and reassessed tuition charges, subject to published refund policies. Students who choose to withdraw from all courses, or reduce their semester registration by dropping some courses, should consult the Metropolitan College website or the semester course schedule for deadlines and policies regarding tuition refunds. Metropolitan College students who withdraw must file an Official Withdrawal/Leave of Absence Form at the Office of the Dean of Metropolitan College, 755 Commonwealth Avenue. Mere absence from classes does not reduce a student’s financial obligation nor guarantee that a final grade will not be recorded. Upon receipt of the Official Withdrawal/Leave of Absence Form from the Metropolitan College dean’s office, the Office of the University Registrar will adjust the student’s account. A table listing withdrawal deadline dates and percentage of refund allowed is published in the Metropolitan College website and in the course schedule for the semester in question. A credit balance (overpayment) from a withdrawal, cash payment, and/or adjustment may be refunded upon written request or personal visit to: Student Accounting Services, 881 Commonwealth Avenue, Fourth Floor; Boston, MA 02215-1390.
The University assumes no liability for failure to provide educational or related services arising out of, or due to, causes beyond the reasonable control of the University. The University will, however, exert reasonable efforts to provide comparable or substantially equivalent services, but its inability to do so shall not subject it to liability.
Student Fieldwork Costs
Students who take fieldwork courses should anticipate costs in addition to the tuition fee. These expenses vary with the location of the student’s field placement. The student should anticipate travel costs to and from the site of field placement, as well as field placement–related costs such as parking or public transportation and meal purchases. Approximate costs can be computed once the student has a definite fieldwork assignment. Students should consult with their faculty advisors.
Tuition and Fees 2011/2012
Tuition and fees must be paid in full. A deferred payment program is available for part-time students (see following section on Deferred Payment). Checks must be made payable to Boston University. No student may withdraw in good standing unless all current obligations to the University are paid. The Trustees of the University reserve the right to change tuition rates or fees at their discretion.
Online courses: For more information on tuition and fees for online courses, please visit www.bu.edu/online.
Late payment: Payment received after the official deadline will result in a minimum late payment fee of $150 for part-time students and $300 for full-time students.
Part-Time Tuition:
Undergraduate (1–12 credits)
Graduate (1–11.5 credits)
Courses Numbered 100–599
Tuition, unless otherwise noted, per credit: $375
Tuition for online Undergraduate Degree Completion Program, per credit: $630
Tuition for online Computer Science (CS) courses at the 500 level or above, per credit: $740
Courses Numbered 600 and Above
Tuition, unless otherwise noted, per credit: $740
Tuition for Metropolitan College online courses, per credit: $740
Tuition for non-Metropolitan College day courses per credit: $1,276
Technology fee (online courses only), per credit: $50
Registration fee: $40
Late payment fee (minimum): $150
Laboratory Courses Students may be charged a higher rate for courses designated as laboratory courses. These allow access to, and use of, course-related equipment, University facilities, and supplies. The laboratory fee for non-computer science courses is $200 per course for the 2011/2012 year. Online courses have a technology fee of $50 per credit.
Cross-Registration Metropolitan College students who wish to cross-register in other schools and colleges of the University must pay the base rate of $1,276 per credit unless otherwise noted in the class schedule. Students may not take more than one non-Metropolitan College course in a semester. Students must register for a majority of their semester course load at Metropolitan College. However, under extraordinary circumstances students may petition for an exception to this rule through Metropolitan College Undergraduate Student Services. Undergraduate students taking more than three courses (12.5 to 18 credits) will be assessed the University’s full-time tuition rate. Graduate students taking three or more courses (12 to 18 credits) will be assessed the University’s full-time tuition rate. Full-time degree candidates from other Boston University schools that have permission from their academic counselors to take Metropolitan College classes still pay full‑time tuition.
Housing Part-time students normally are not eligible for University housing. However, a variety of on-campus apartments are available for both full- and part-time graduate students. For information about availability of housing and eligibility requirements, contact either the Housing Office at 617-353-3511 or the Rental Property Management Office at 617-353-4101.
Full-Time Tuition:
Undergraduate (12.5–18 credits)
Graduate (12–18 credits)
Tuition per year: $40,848
Additional charge of $1,276 per credit in excess of 18 credits
Registration Fee: $40
Undergraduate Student fees per year: $572
Graduate Student George Sherman Union fee per year: $202
Graduate Student Health fee per year: $216
Late payment fee (minimum): $150
Note: Students who wish to enroll in three or more courses or who wish to enroll in any day-school course must consult a Metropolitan College academic counselor. Students who wish to take three or more courses per semester must have their Registration Forms signed by a Metropolitan College academic counselor, faculty advisor, or the associate dean for academic affairs. Metropolitan College students wishing to take other Boston University courses should refer to the bulletins of the respective schools and colleges for course descriptions and tuition rates.
Graduate Students (any student registering for a 600-level course and above will be considered a graduate student)—Graduate degree candidates and non-degree students enrolling in graduate-level courses who register for 12 or more credits will be charged the University’s full-time tuition and a $101 George Sherman Union fee, plus a $108 Health Services fee per semester (for Charles River Campus students only).
Medical Insurance
The 2011/2012 cost of the Boston University Student Medical Insurance plan for full-time and three-quarter time students (U.S. citizens and international) is: Boston University Student BASIC Plan: $1,914; or Boston University Student PLUS Plan: $2,647 per year.
Massachusetts law requires all students enrolled in at least 75 percent of the full-time curriculum to participate in his or her school’s Student Health Program, or in a health benefit plan with comparable coverage. If the student does not wish to participate in the Boston University Student Health Insurance plan, he or she must annually file a Medical Insurance Waiver Form that certifies that the student is participating in a health benefit plan with comparable coverage. Registered students can complete the Medical Insurance Waiver Form online using the Student Link. A paper version of the waiver form can be downloaded and should be completed and returned to Student Accounting Services, 881 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215-1390 by the waiver deadline.
Other part-time students enrolled in less than 75 percent of the full-time course load are also eligible to purchase the medical insurance. For information, contact Student Accounting Services at 617-353-2264 or visit the Accounting Services website and select Resources, then Medical Insurance.
The insurance premium is subject to change.
Deferred Payment
Part-time Metropolitan College students who wish to make monthly payments may do so through a deferred payment program. Please refer to the Metropolitan College Course Schedule for further information. A nonrefundable service charge and a minimum down payment of one-fourth the total tuition and full payment of fees for the semester are required at the time of registration.
Graduate Fellowships and Assistantships
A limited number of graduate fellowships and assistantships are available to qualified Metropolitan College graduate degree candidates. For information about the fellowships and assistantships and instructions on how to apply, call the department which is offering the graduate degree.
Scholarships
See the full list of current scholarships available to students at Metropolitan College.
Alumni Funded Scholarship
The first of its kind in the country, the Metropolitan College Alumni Funded Scholarship program exists thanks to the generous donations of College alumni.
Since it was initiated in 1989 by a group of dedicated Metropolitan College alumni who understood the unique financial needs of the College’s part-time students, the Alumni Funded Scholarship program has assisted dozens of Metropolitan College undergraduates, providing them with the opportunity to excel at their studies by removing some of the financial stress of being a part-time, evening student while managing a career.
Scholarships are awarded in $1,000 increments for a specific semester.
For eligibility details and further information, please contact Undergraduate Student Services at 617-353-2980 or metuss@bu.edu, or visit www.bu.edu/met/scholarship.
Boston Medical Center Employee Scholarship
If you’re eligible for benefits as an employee at Boston Medical Center (BMC), Boston University’s Metropolitan College offers a special scholarship that can help bring your education objectives within reach.
The BMC Employee Scholarship provides a 50 percent reduction on tuition and can be applied to Metropolitan College’s wide variety of programs in areas such as information technology, administrative studies, management studies, biomedical laboratory & clinical sciences, bachelor’s degree completion, and many others.
If you have any questions, please call 617-358-4610 or visit www.bu.edu/met/scholarship.
Boston University Women’s Guild Scholarship
The Boston University Women’s Guild scholarships were established more than 25 years ago to provide both aid and encouragement to women 30 and over enrolled in University graduate programs. Guild scholarships, unlike many others, do not require U.S. citizenship or (recognizing that women often have other responsibilities) full-time enrollment. Awards consist of the endowed Katherine Connor McLaughlin Memorial Scholarship and others funded by donations from Guild members. The total awarded yearly averages about $5,500.
For more information, please visit the Boston University Women’s Guild website.
The Bryan D. Willard Memorial Scholarship
In 2006, Boston University’s Metropolitan College established the Bryan D. Willard Memorial Scholarship in memory of Marine Captain Bryan Willard, a highly decorated officer and graduate student at Metropolitan College who was killed in the line of duty.
This scholarship is open to members or veterans of the armed forces who have been awarded a Purple Heart for a wound received while in combat. Spouses and children of veterans killed in the line of duty are also eligible and encouraged to apply.
Two awards of $5,000 are available each academic year. Scholarship funds are exclusively for use toward tuition costs for undergraduate or graduate courses at Metropolitan College and must be used during the fall and spring semesters immediately following the award.
For eligibility details and further information, please contact Undergraduate Student Services at 617-353-2980 or metuss@bu.edu, or visit www.bu.edu/met/scholarship.
City Scholar Program
Graduate scholarships are available to City of Boston employees through the City Scholar program. For more information, please contact Dana Webber at Dana.Webber@cityofboston.gov.
Department of Defense Information Assurance Scholarship
Students of information security at Boston University’s Metropolitan College are invited to apply for a full Department of Defense (DoD) Information Assurance Scholarship. Recipients benefit from employment opportunities in the field of information security at the DoD.
Established by the National Defense Authorization Act for 2001 (Public Law 106-398), the Information Assurance Scholarship is available only to students at designated National Centers of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education (CAE/IAE) and Centers of Academic Excellence–Research (CAE-R).
If you have any questions, please contact the Department of Computer Science, Boston University Metropolitan College, at 617-353-2567 or visit www.bu.edu/met/scholarship.
Derek Hughes/NAPSLO Educational Foundation Scholarships
Founded in 1975, the National Association of Professional Surplus Lines Offices, Ltd. (NAPSLO) is a trade association representing the surplus lines industry and the wholesale insurance marketing system. Named for retired Western World Insurance Group president Derek Hughes, the Derek Hughes/NAPSLO Educational Foundation was formed in 1991. The foundation is dedicated to encouraging the educational development of all those interested in the excess and surplus lines business; to creating an understanding of the vital role surplus lines play in the insurance industry; and to overcoming the misconceptions of the misunderstood excess and surplus lines market.
In 1998, the Derek Hughes/NAPSLO Educational Foundation established the scholarship program for students pursuing an insurance- or business-related program of study. The purpose of the scholarship program is to further the study of insurance and encourage, support, and reward those exceptional students who have an interest in a career in insurance.
For further eligibility requirements and application guidelines for the Derek Hughes/NAPSLO Educational Foundation Scholarship, visit the NAPSLO website.
Edgar B. Pitts Scholarship
Boston University’s Metropolitan College is proud to introduce the new Edgar B. Pitts Scholarship for graduate students pursuing business concentrations in programs such as the Master of Science in Administrative Studies or the online Master of Science in Management with specialties.
If you have any questions, please call Lucille Dicker at 617-353-3016 or email ldicker@bu.edu or visit www.bu.edu/met/scholarship.
Florence E. and David A. Simons Memorial Scholarship
Metropolitan College has established funds for the Florence E. and David A. Simons Memorial Scholarship, which is for undergraduate international students. Students, faculty, alumni, and administrators have been contributors. Anyone wishing to make a contribution to the fund should do so through the Office of the Dean, Metropolitan College. Call 617-353-3010.
Julia Child Scholarship Fund
First established at Boston University’s Metropolitan College by the Fisheries Foundation, the Julia Child Scholarship Fund honors the late Julia Child, world-renowned chef and author who introduced French cuisine to American audiences through her cookbooks and television programs, including The French Chef on PBS.
In 1976, Boston University awarded Julia Child an honorary degree. Child was a frequent visitor to the University’s culinary arts program, where she taught classes alone or with her good friend, Chef Jacques Pépin, part-time faculty member at Metropolitan College.
For information on how to apply, please contact Rebecca Alssid at ralssid@bu.edu or visit www.bu.edu/met/scholarship.
Massachusetts Department of Correction Academic Scholarship Fund
Boston University’s Metropolitan College offers a scholarship program specifically designed to benefit employees of the Massachusetts Department of Correction (DOC).
The Department of Correction Academic Scholarship will be awarded to ten current DOC employees who demonstrate potential for academic excellence. The DOC Academic Scholarship covers 100 percent of tuition, exclusive of fees, for up to 12 undergraduate-level credits or 11.5 graduate-level credits per semester at BU’s Metropolitan College.
Recipients of the scholarship will be required to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 (undergraduate) or 3.0 (graduate) to continue receiving the tuition benefits of the program. Applicants to online programs and the Accelerated Degree Completion Program are not eligible for these awards.
The DOC Academic Scholarship is only available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
For eligibility details and further information, please contact Undergraduate Student Services at 617-353-2980 or metuss@bu.edu, or visit www.bu.edu/met/scholarship.
Megan McClung Memorial Scholarship Fund
The Boston University Metropolitan College Department of Applied Social Sciences and the Metropolitan College Alumni office are pleased to announce the Major Megan McClung Memorial Scholarship fund. The fund provides annual merit scholarships to Metropolitan College students who are pursuing the online Master of Criminal Justice.
For eligibility details and further information, please call 617-353-3025 or visit www.bu.edu/met/scholarship.
Osher Reentry Scholarship
Established at Boston University’s Metropolitan College by the Bernard Osher Foundation, the Osher Reentry Scholarship is available to eligible adult students continuing the pursuit of their first bachelor’s degree after a cumulative hiatus of five or more years. Twenty scholarships are awarded each academic year. Osher Reentry Scholarships apply to any undergraduate degree program at Metropolitan College. For eligibility details and further information, please contact Undergraduate Student Services at 617-353-2980 or metuss@bu.edu, or visit www.bu.edu/met/scholarship.
Post-9/11 GI Bill Yellow Ribbon Program
In cooperation with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Boston University can provide up to $2,600 per semester for tuition expenses that exceed the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition rate.
For details about the Post-9/11 GI Bill Yellow Ribbon Program, visit Boston University Veterans Affairs.
Scholarship for Cancer Patients & Survivors
Funded by donations from alumni and friends, Metropolitan College offers a scholarship for those currently in the care of Boston Medical Center (BMC) or the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI). The Boston University Metropolitan College Scholarship for Cancer Patients & Survivors provides tuition assistance based on financial need and treatment status.
Scholarship awards can be used toward any full-time, part-time, or non-degree Metropolitan College classroom program at the undergraduate level. Awards are made on a course-by-course basis; applicants who wish to pursue a degree program must also complete the Metropolitan College application process. The scholarship does not apply to online courses.
For eligibility details and further information, please contact Undergraduate Student Services at 617-353-2980 or metuss@bu.edu.
Scholarship for Community College Graduates
Metropolitan College offers a scholarship program specifically designed to benefit students who earned an associate degree at one of the following Boston-area community colleges: Bunker Hill Community College, Mass Bay Community College, Middlesex Community College, Northern Essex Community College, Quinsigamond Community College, and Roxbury Community College.
A total of 25 recipients of this annual scholarship will receive a 50 percent tuition reduction on up to 12 credits per semester while they complete their bachelor’s degree at Metropolitan College. Those selected for the Scholarship for Community College Graduates will be required to maintain a GPA of 3.0 or above to continue to receive the tuition benefits of the program.
For eligibility details and further information, please contact Undergraduate Student Services at 617-353-2980 or metuss@bu.edu, or visit www.bu.edu/met/scholarship.
The Scholarship for Parents
Metropolitan College offers 50 percent tuition reduction for parents with children in the Boston or Chelsea public school systems. The Scholarship for Parents opens the door to a college degree—along with new career opportunities, personal enrichment, and a chance for parents to share the inspiration of a college education with their children. Qualifying parents choose from 15 on-campus bachelor’s degree programs at BU’s Metropolitan College and benefit from the convenience of evening classes.
For eligibility details and further information, please contact Student & Corporate Outreach at 617-358-6000 or met@bu.edu, or visit www.bu.edu/met/scholarship.
