- Philosophical Inquiry and Life’s Meanings
- Aesthetic Exploration
- Historical Consciousness
General Education for an Interconnected World
The BU Hub is Boston University’s innovative general education program for all undergraduate students that emphasizes working across disciplines to prepare for a complex and diverse world. Students can explore a variety of courses and innovative learning experiences while developing six essential capacities and fulfilling Hub requirements. Explore these six capacities, Hub learning outcomes, and how the Hub works below.
- Scientific Inquiry I
- Social Inquiry I
- Scientific Inquiry II or Social Inquiry II
- Quantitative Reasoning I
- Quantitative Reasoning II
- The Individual in Community
- Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
- Ethical Reasoning
- First-Year Writing Seminar
- Writing, Research, and Inquiry
- Writing-Intensive Course
- Oral and/or Signed Communication
- Digital/Multimedia Expression
- Critical Thinking
- Research and Information Literacy
- Teamwork/Collaboration
- Creativity/Innovation
What is the Hub?
How the Hub Works
Six Essential Capacities with Areas of Learning
Rather than require students to take a specific set of courses, the Hub helps them to develop six essential capacities–the knowledge, skills, and habits of mind–that will prepare them for a lifetime of learning and leading.
Each of the six capacities of made up of multiple areas of learning.
Hub Requirements & Courses
Students fulfill Hub requirements by taking courses that satisfy one or more Hub areas.
Because courses can satisfy multiple requirements, most students will fulfill their Hub requirements in 10-12 courses. Transfer students will fulfill their Hub requirements in 4-5 courses.
Learn more about your Hub requirements.
Hub Planning
- Students can take Hub courses throughout all of their years of undergraduate study; they are not expected to complete their Hub requirements early in their studies.
- Hub courses can also count toward major and minor requirements (double-dipping is expected).
- Students can take Hub courses in different schools and colleges.
- Students can take Hub courses with friends.
- Hub Pathways give students the option to curate their general education studies in a topic of global significance like Social & Racial Justice or Environment & Society.
Hub Specialty Courses
There are multiple elective Hub specialty courses that you can explore to fulfill your Hub requirements.
- The Cross-College Challenge (XCC) is the Hub’s signature experience open to juniors and seniors that fulfills 4 Hub requirements.
- Hub Social & Racial Justice courses (HUB SJ 101/102) are open to first-year and sophomore students and fulfill 3 Hub requirements.
- Hub Cocurriculars offer students a 0-credit option to fulfill a Hub requirement outside of the classroom.
- Students can opt to satisfy a requirement of Research and Information Literacy (RIL) with Honors Thesis or Directed Study course.
The Hub also encourages students to explore opportunities to develop various Life Skills, particularly by taking advantage of resources offered through BU Student Wellbeing and the BU Center for Career Development.