Degree Requirements

Degree Requirements

The following is an abbreviated summary of undergraduate degree requirements for the College of Arts & Sciences.

Writing

Successful completion of a full year of formal instruction in writing based on the reading of enduring and exemplary works. The two course sequence CAS WR 100 Writing Seminar/WR 150 Writing and Research Seminar is the usual means of fulfilling this requirement. Students may also satisfy this requirement through the Core Curriculum. All entering freshmen are required to take the Boston University Writing Assessment (BUWA). Based on the results of this assessment, some students will be required to take WR 99 or WR 97/98 in preparation for WR 100. Some students will also be required to enroll in WR 95 or WR 96 Writing Tutorial.

Foreign Language

Successful completion of a foreign language course at the fourth semester level, unless satisfied by the following: an SAT Foreign Language Subject Test score of 560 or above; or a score of 3, 4, or 5 (4 or 5 for Latin and German, 5 for Chinese and Japanese) on an Advanced Placement foreign language exam; or bilingual proficiency testing administered by the Foreign Language Advisor in the Taylor Academic Advising Center in CAS 105. Students continuing the study of a foreign language must take a placement exam to determine the appropriate level at which they should begin their study at Boston University.

Mathematics

One semester of any CAS mathematics course numbered CAS MA 109 or higher, unless satisfied by the following: an SAT Mathematics score of 580 or above, an ACT score of 23 or above; or a score of 3, 4 or 5 on the Calculus or Statistics Advanced Placement exam. Undergraduate Admissions determines credit awarded through Advanced Placement Examinations. Satisfaction of the College mathematics requirements does not guarantee satisfaction of the mathematics/computer science divisional requirement or satisfaction of major requirements.

Major

Usually 9 to 15 required courses with a minimum of eight courses in a single department or program, plus a varying number of courses in other closely related departments. A minimum of four major courses must be taken in the student’s CAS major department, although some departments may require more. Contact the departmental advisor for more information.

General Education

Successful completion of either the Divisional Studies option or the entire Core Curriculum program will satisfy this requirement. Each option requires that students take courses within each of the four divisions of the College: Humanities, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, and Mathematics/Computer Science. While the Core Curriculum offers courses that integrate concepts from the four divisions, the Divisional Studies option allows students to select appropriate courses from the CAS departments to complete the requirement.

Elective Courses

A sufficient number of courses which, when combined with courses completed for College and major requirements, equal the 32 courses required for the BA degree. Normally this is equivalent to 128 credit hours. Physical Education and Military Science courses do not count toward the fulfillment of graduation requirements and are not included in the CAS grade point average.

Graduation

Students must complete a minimum of 32 four-credit courses as well as all College and major requirements to graduate. Courses taken to satisfy major requirements must receive a minimum grade of C or higher. Students may be given credit for a maximum of four courses with a D grade toward the degree. All students must achieve a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 to graduate. Students must complete a Declaration of Intent to Graduate form one year prior to graduation so that their College and major requirements can be reviewed.

Residence Requirement

During the junior and senior year, a candidate for the BA degree is required to complete at least twelve courses while registered as a full-time student in CAS. The candidate must also be enrolled as a full-time student in CAS for the two consecutive semesters preceding graduation. Students previously enrolled at another college at Boston University may petition to reduce the CAS residence requirement to two full-time semesters. Please see an advisor in the Taylor Academic Advising Center, Room 105 for more specific information concerning the CAS residence requirement.

Seven-Year Rule

The BA degree must be completed within seven years from the date a student matriculates, whether at Boston University or at another institution. Credits received seven or more years before a student’s expected date of graduation are not transferable.

Specific questions should be directed to a faculty advisor or to an Academic Counselor in the Taylor Academic Advising Center:


725 Commonwealth Avenue, Room 105
Phone: 617-353-2400
E-mail: cas105@bu.edu