Academic Procedures
The following academic procedures are applicable to all students enrolled
in Boston University’s degree programs on military
bases.
Academic Grievance Procedure
Students are expected to make every effort
to resolve academic problems in a course with the instructor.
When agreement cannot be
reached, the student may appeal first to the academic coordinator
of the program and next to the dean of the College on the
Boston campus. If necessary, the student may then appeal the decision
to the dean of students, and from there to the provost.
A record of all formal grievances is kept in the Office of the Dean
of Students, East Tower of the George Sherman Union, 775 Commonwealth
Avenue, Boston, MA 02215. Copies of all written statements, letters,
and so on relating to a grievance should be sent to that office.
Academic Petitions
All requests for independent or directed study
and other academic petitions must be made in writing to the
program director. Requests
are then sent to the appropriate academic committee for review.
Auditing Courses
Students may audit classes to acquire knowledge,
but not to earn credits or grades. Audited courses do not count
toward completion
of degree requirements. Auditors must attend classes regularly,
do assigned reading, and participate in discussions, but they
are excused from examinations. Auditors are admitted to a course on
a space-available
basis and must have the approval of the professor. Auditors
are subject
to the tuition and fees of the course for which they register.
Change of Name or Address
Name changes must be submitted on an ID
name change form. Names cannot be changed on records without
notarized proof. Students are
responsible for maintaining a current address on file and
should submit a personal data update to Boston University whenever
changes occur. For forms and procedures, contact the local
field office or
contact the Office of the Registrar.
Dual and Second Degree Options
Students in either the Master of Science
in Business Administration program or the Master of Science in
Computer Information Systems
program may credit two courses (eight credit hours) from one
of the degree programs toward a second degree, thereby reducing
their work
on the second degree program by two courses. This applies only
to Boston University master’s degree programs of at least ten
courses. A second application form, along with the application
fee, must be submitted. Consult with the director of the programs for
the specific course requirements for the second degree.
Graduation
An application for graduation must be submitted at least
four months before the intended graduation date. Degrees are
conferred three times each year: May, September, and January. The proper
forms
may be obtained from and should be returned to the local
Boston
University offices. All graduates may attend May commencement
held in Boston
each year and/or the commencement ceremonies held on the
local military bases in the spring of each year.
Leave of Absence
Students must complete the official Leave of Absence/Withdrawal
Form before taking a leave of absence. Students should be
aware that they will be reevaluated for degree requirements upon their
return.
Students may be required to fulfill any new changes in the
requirements
that occurred up to the point of their return to degree status.
Registration
Registration dates are posted at the education centers
where Boston University programs are offered. Registration
must be completed
within the official registration period.
Official Registration
All students are expected to register during the normal registration
period each semester. All students must be registered before the
end of the second class session each semester.
Students 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 submitted course selections on a registration form,
paid all charges (current and past), and been approved by the University
comptroller.
Late Registration
In special instances, students may petition the dean of Metropolitan
College to have their registrations accepted after the announced
registration deadline. Students who wish a waiver of the official
registration deadline must petition the University in addition to
their petition to the dean of Metropolitan College. If the petition
for waiver is approved by the University, the student is subject
to a minimum late payment fee of $100 for part-time students and
$200 for full-time students. Petition forms are available at the
Boston University offices.
Special Student Status
A student who has not been admitted to a Boston
University degree program at the time of registration may apply
for special student
status.
To apply, students need only submit an official undergraduate transcript
indicating completion of a bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
Special student status permits registration for no more than one semester
as a non-degree student. Those students who are granted special student
status are not automatically accepted to a degree program. However,
if accepted, completed courses may be applied to that program. The
student is expected to meet the normal academic qualifications.
If, under extenuating circumstances, a student requires additional
time to complete the application packet, the student may request approval
from the director of the program to enroll in a second semester. However,
under no circumstances will a student be allowed to take a fifth course
as a special student.
Transfer of Credits
Master’s degree students may request permission
to transfer a maximum of two graduate-level semester courses completed
at other regionally
accredited institutions within six years of the expected date
of degree completion. Transfer courses must have a grade of B (3.0)
or higher,
may not have been used toward the completion of another degree,
and require the approval of the Graduate Committee. In transferring
courses
for credit, careful matching of course content and number of
contact hours is required to ensure that the subject requirements for
the M.S.
degree program are satisfied.
Applications for credit transfer must be submitted to the director
and must include an official copy of the transcript, catalog description,
and course syllabus.
Department of Veterans Affairs regulations require that all previous
graduate coursework be evaluated for possible transfer to Boston University.
At the time of initial registration, all VA students must apply in
writing for evaluation of such coursework. Official transcripts, course
descriptions, and course syllabi must accompany each request.
Transfer to the Boston Campus
Degree candidates who wish to complete
their programs on the Boston campus must inform the program
director and confirm their
intention in writing. Notification should be made at least
one full semester before the proposed date of transfer. This
will assure time
for the transfer of records to the Boston campus.
Transcripts
Requests for official transcripts must be made in writing,
either by letter or by completing a Transcript Request form
available online
at www.bu.edu/Reg or at the Office of the University Registrar.
Please include the following information: full name, including
any former names; signature; Boston University
ID number or Social Security number; Schools attended and dates;
degrees awarded; and complete address of transcript destinations.
The transcript fee is $5 per copy, and payment must accompany the
request. Processing time for transcript requests received by
mail is three to five business days. The Registrar’s Office does
not accept faxed transcript requests. Transcripts can be sent
by DHL for
an additional $11 per destination to locations within the continental
United States. For other destinations, please contact the Transcript
Department for the cost. Unofficial transcripts can be obtained
in person at the Registrar’s Office during regular business hours.
There is no charge for unofficial transcripts.
A valid photo ID is required to obtain unofficial and official transcripts
if the request is done in person at the Registrar’s Office. Please
note that the Registrar’s Office does not mail unofficial transcripts.
For further information, contact the Transcript Office at 617-353-3616.
