Students enrolled in the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (GRS) are expected to adhere to a number of policies at the university, college, and departmental levels. Current GRS policies and degree requirements can be found in the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences Bulletin , which is the official source for procedures, regulations, and general program degree requirements. A number important policies are listed below.
Academic Conduct Code
The Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (GRS) expects students to act with integrity when producing academic work and to abide by the University’s Academic Conduct Code. Students should know that in all classes taught in the University, the obligation to act with academic honesty and provide one’s own thoughts and ideas is fundamental to a university education. It is the responsibility of the student to have read the Academic Conduct Code and understand what constitutes a violation of the Code.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
The GRS minimum standard for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for students is:
- Cumulative Grade Point Average: Maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Minimum Completion Rate: A student must complete at least 75% of all cumulative attempted credit hours in order to be eligible for federal financial aid. The cumulative attempted credit hours include all transfer credits accepted by the University and noted on the academic transcript.
- Degree Completion Maximum Time Limits: Master’s degrees must be completed within three years and PhD degrees must be completed within seven years after the first registration for that degree (except for periods of authorized leave). In addition, a full-time or certified full-time PhD student who is in good academic standing and who becomes the primary caregiver of an infant or adopted child will receive a one-year extension of their approved time to degree.
- Petitions for extensions of time to complete degree requirements must be submitted prior to the end of the above limits. Students exceeding these time limits without an approved petition for an extension of time will not be permitted to register.
Please be advised that SAP Standards are utilized solely to determine federal aid eligibility. All GRS students must abide by the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences’ Academic Standards and Policies.
Failure to maintain satisfactory academic progress may result in cancellation of fellowship aid or dismissal from your program.
PhD Student Vacation Policy (effective September 1, 2019)
PhD students who are receiving a 12-month stipend will get 2 weeks, or 10 working days, or paid vacation time per academic year. Students with stipends covering less than 12 months will receive a prorated amount of vacation time. The vacation time is in addition to the standard BU holidays and intersession breaks, but it may not accrue and roll over to the next academic year.
Additional Policies