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Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is the difference between an academic advisor and a faculty advisor?
  2. How do I find out who my advisor is?
  3. How do I find out more about BU’s dual-degree program (BUCOP)?
  4. When do I declare my major?
  5. How do I find out about internships and jobs in the communications field?
  6. When can I receive credit for an internship?
  7. How do I find out about studying abroad?
  8. How do I apply for an Intra-University Transfer (IUT)?
  9. How do I apply for a minor?
  10. How do I know what’s going on in COM?
  11. What are the requirements needed to make the Dean’s List?
  12. I have transfer credits from another university as well as AP credits. How do I know if they got transferred here?
  13. Where is the COM Writing Center located?
  14. Are there services available to students with learning or physical disabilities?
  15. What is Academic Probation?
  16. What is Academic Suspension?
  17. How do I overload (take more than 18 credits)?
  18. Where can I get a copy of my transcript?
  19. Can I transfer credits from other colleges and universities?
  20. How do I obtain my diploma?
  21. How do I take a leave of absence or withdraw?
  22. What can I do about my incomplete grade?
  23. What is the Academic Conduct Code?

1. What is the difference between an academic advisor and a faculty advisor?

The Office of Student Services has four academic advisors who meet daily with students to discuss both academic and personal concerns, including dual-degree concerns, study abroad and class scheduling. Students can schedule an appointment to meet with an academic counselor by stopping by Room 123 in the COM building or calling 617-353-3471.

Faculty advisors are assigned to students at the beginning of their junior year. Faculty advisors are also available to meet with students regarding academic concerns. To find out who your faculty advisor is, juniors and seniors should contact their respective departments.

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2. How do I find out who my advisor is?

Juniors and seniors should see their department’s program coordinator to find out who their faculty advisor is. Freshmen and sophomores can meet with any of the four academic advisors.

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3. How do I find out more about BU’s dual-degree program (BUCOP)?

The Boston University Collaborative Degree Program (BUCOP) is a double degree program that differs from a double major. It is a more involved program, requiring students to complete all major department and all college requirements for both schools of enrollments.

COM students are allowed to BUCOP pending approval from an academic counselor. To schedule an appointment with and advisor, please contact the Office of Student Services. BUCOP applications are initiated in the Office of Student Services. Students may apply no later than the beginning of their junior year.

Students should be aware that double majoring might require summer coursework or additional semesters of classes.

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4. When do I declare my major?

Students should declare their majors the second semester of their sophomore year. Academic advisors will meet with each sophomore to discuss the major requirements and review necessary coursework.

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5. How do I find out about internships and jobs in the communications field?

The COM Career Services Office offers a wide array of services designed to help COM students take advantage of the resources BU has to offer. The Career Services Office offers internship and job information, electronic job searches, resume critiquing and several other services. Career Services is located in Room 201 in the COM building and can be reached at 617-353-3490.

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6. When can I receive credit for an internship?

All students will rising junior status and a 3.0 or higher in COM are eligible to receive academic internship credit. If you have questions regarding internship credit, please contact your department. Students who do not qualify for an academic internship, may register for the one-credit internship program. Please see Student Services for more details, or locate the application on our forms page.

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7. How do I find out about studying abroad?

The Office of International Programs organizes study abroad programs at Boston University. For more information or to receive an application, please call the International Programs Office at 617-353-9888.

In order to study abroad, students must have a 3.0 COM GPA and have been enrolled in COM for at least one full semester. Internship programs require risingjunior standing in order to be eligible for the program. Specific courses are required as well. Please be sure to review the Study Abroad Fact Sheet before making an appointment.

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8. How do I apply for an Intra-University Transfer (IUT)?

An Intra-University Transfer involves the transfer from one college at Boston University into another college. Students wishing to apply for an IUT into COM are required to have a 3.0 GPA and have completed COM 201 (in addition to other requirements). Please review the IUT Fact Sheet to learn more about IUT. You may obtain an application by stopping by the Office of Student Services (Room 123). Students must apply for IUT (and have completed the IUT requirements) by the beginning of their first semester of the junior year.

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9. How do I apply for a minor?

COM students are eligible to minor in the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) or in the College of Fine Arts (CFA). Students wishing to minor in CFA may only minor in Visual Arts or Theater Arts. Students must obtain a minor declaration form from the Office of Student Services and have it approved by the Academic Advising office of the school they wish to minor in. The completed form must be turned into the Office of Student Services in COM for advisor approval.

There are varying requirements for each area in which a student can major. Students are advised to carefully review the minor requirements for the area in which they are interested.

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10. How do I know what’s going on in COM?

There are several ways to know what’s going on:

  1. Check the Student Services Website regularly for updated information.
  2. Come to the Student Services window (Room 123).
  3. Read the COM Newsletter. To subscribe, e-mail us at comugrad@bu.edu.
  4. Check the community announcements on e-mail.
  5. Check the departmental bulletin boards outside of each office.
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11. What are the requirements needed to make the Dean’s List?

Students must achieve a 3.5 or higher for two consecutive semesters of an academic year. Dean's List is only awarded in the Spring for an academic year, not on a semester by semester basis.

  • Students must have four, four credit, graded courses and no incompletes or missing grades for each semester.
  • Grade changes do not apply toward Dean's List.
  • The Dean's List is for undergraduate students only.
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12. I have transfer credits from another university as well as AP credits. How do I know if they got transferred here?

Students interested in AP or transcripts from other universities should stop by the Office of Student Services (Room 123) in the College of Communication to review their transcripts and check on AP approval.

For students with several AP scores or additional college credit, they may schedule an appointment to meet with an academic advisor. The advisor will review the credits, discuss how they were counted and outline future necessary coursework.

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13. Where is the COM Writing Center Located?

The COM Writing Center is located in Room B27A in the College of Communication. The staff of writing fellows is available for appointments to proofread student work and provide guidance. The COM Writing Center is open 9-5 Monday, Thursday and Friday, and 9-8 Tuesday and Wednesday. To schedule an appointment please stop by the Writing Center or call 617-353-6632.

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14. Are there services available to students with learning or physical disabilities?

For those students with learning or physical disabilities, the Office of Disability Services provides a wide range of services to students and their families. The Office of Disability Services, located at 19 Deerfield St., can be reached at 617-353-3658.

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15. What is Academic Probation?

College of Communication Probation status (Undergraduate):

Below 2.3 grade point index (GPI) for any given semester. If a student falls below a 2.3 for more than one semester the student may be asked to leave the College of Communication. To be removed from probation, the student must raise their GPI to a 2.3 or above, while carrying a full-time course load.

College of Communication Probation status (Graduate):

A 3.0 (B) grade point average is required to qualify for the Master of Science/Master of Fine Arts degree. If a student's grade point index is less than 3.0 in any semester, or if more than 8 credits for grades below B- are received during the length of the program, the student's record is reviewed by the department of enrollment to determine whether the student should be permitted to continue as a candidate for the degree or should be placed on academic probation.

A student who receives more than two C grades will be subject to a status review by the College's academic committee. A grade of D will not receive graduate credit (information taken from Page 30 of the COM bulletin).

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16. What is Academic Suspension?

An undergraduate who has consecutive semesters of below a 2.3 GPI will be suspended for either one or two semesters depending on the student’s previous academic performance. This is at the Assistant Dean’s discretion.

A graduate student may be suspended/expelled at anytime if their GPI or GPA falls below a 3.0. This is at the department chairperson’s discretion.

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17. How do I overload (take more than 18 credits)?

A 3.0 cumulative GPA is required for sophomores and juniors to register for more than 18 credits. The student is responsible for all extra charges.

  • A 3.3 cumulative GPA is required to overload without extra charge. An overload form must be filled out and approved in order to avoid extra charges (up to 20 credits). This form can be obtained from Room 123.

  • Seniors do not have to fill out overload forms, charges are waived automatically – up to 20 credits. There is no minimum GPA requirement.
  • Freshmen may not overload.
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18. Where can I get a copy of my transcript?

Unofficial transcripts may be obtained from the University Registrar's Office, 881 Commonwealth Avenue, Second Floor, Boston, MA 02215. Official transcripts may be obtained for a small fee.

Or, if you just want to view your transcript, use the Student Link.

If you have any questions please call the Transcript Office, (617) 353-3616.

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19. Can I transfer credits from other colleges and universities?

College of Communication students, please have all outside university transcripts sent to Student Services, 640 Commonwealth Avenue, Room 123, Boston, MA 02215.

Or, if the transfer credits have already been sent, check to see if your transfer credits have been received by using the Student Link.

Undergraduates: In order to receive transfer credit, you must receive a 'C' or higher from an accredited college or university.

Note: Graduate students may only transfer eight (8) credits of outside coursework. Graduate students must have an approved petition in order to receive credit for the coursework.

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20. How do I obtain my diploma?

Graduating students will receive information from Student Services regarding how to obtain the diploma. All students must file a graduation application (available at room 123) one year prior to graduation.

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21. How do I take a leave of absence or withdraw?

Undergraduate students:
Undergraduate Students must see the University Service Center, 881 Commonwealth Avenue, Lower Level or call 617-358-1818.

Graduate students:
If you decided not to attend Boston University after you have registered for courses you must complete an official Leave of Absence/ Form. COM graduate degree candidates and Special Students must complete this form at the Graduate Services Office, Room 119 before classes begin in order to receive a 100% tuition refund. Absence from classes does not constitute a withdrawal. You will continue to receive invoices until your official withdrawal/leave of absence status has been updated. You will be responsible for any charges incurred.

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22. What can I do about my incomplete grade?

Students must speak to their professors regarding incomplete grades. If a professor agrees to give an incomplete grades the student and the professor must fill out an incomplete contract, which may be obtained from Room 123.

The professor has complete discretion of the grade. Incomplete grades may be changed to an 'F' grade if the student does not fulfill their end of the contract.

23. What is the Academic Conduct Code?

The purpose of enforcing academic rules is to create the kind of environment in which learning can best take place. This environment can only be maintained if students believe that their academic competence is being judged fairly and that they will not be put at a disadvantage by the dishonesty of others.

We deplore academic misconduct of any kind and we believe it is the responsibility of each member of our community to maintain its integrity. In defining rules of academic conduct our intent is to protect the integrity of the educational process. It is also our responsibility to see that appropriate punishment is issued when violations of this code occur.

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