Academic Policies & Procedures

Attendance

While on a Boston University Study Abroad Program, students continue their academic progress, earning BU units towards their undergraduate degree while abroad. Students who enroll in a BU Study Abroad program do so with the understanding that these are academic programs with scheduled class meetings, internship placements and program-wide activities and excursions. Attendance is expected and required. Personal travel and visits from family and friends will not be considered excused absences while on a BU Study Abroad program. Students are expected to adhere to the local attendance policies as stated in course syllabi.

Tardiness

Students must make every effort to be on time for all scheduled meetings and class sessions and should notify the appropriate persons by phone or written message of extenuating circumstances that result in tardiness.

Absence for Religious Reasons

Students who have questions about practicing their religion while abroad should contact Boston University Study Abroad. Policies may differ in some locations, particularly in relation to internship placements.

Language Policy

In non-English-speaking programs, students are expected to speak the host language exclusively in the classroom, at the university, at their internship site, if the placement is in the host language, in the program office, and on excursions. Students should also speak the host language when in public places and as much as possible when with other students. Speaking in the host language will improve students’ abilities as well as ease cultural adjustments.

Course Load Policy

The Study Abroad course load policy is as follows:

16 Unit Term-Long Programs

Study Abroad students are expected to enroll for 16 units in the fall and spring term and must maintain full-time status while abroad. Student visa requirements for some overseas programs may not allow for a reduced course load below 16 units . Any request to withdraw from a course must be approved by the student’s academic advisor and on-site program director.

Most study abroad students do not enroll for greater than 16 units. Any request to overload must be approved by the student’s academic advisor and on-site program director.

In all cases, students must be registered full-time for: a minimum of twelve units.

16-20 Unit Term-Long Programs

While most study abroad programs require students to enroll in 16 units, some require up to 20. Students should review the unit load for their specific program. Any request to withdraw from a course must be approved by the student’s academic advisor and on-site program director.

Students may not enroll in more than 20 units.

In all cases, students must be registered full-time for: a minimum of twelve units.

Grades

For Boston University students, grades earned on your off-campus program will appear on your Boston University transcript and will be averaged into your grade point average as normal.

For non-Boston University students, you should check with your home campus to determine whether or not the grades you earn will appear on your home institution’s transcript, or if the coursework will be transferred as pass/fail grades. Regardless of whether the actual grades you earn will appear on your home institution’s transcript, you should keep in mind that you will have a permanent record at Boston University. Should you apply to graduate school at a later date, you most likely will be required to submit an official transcript from each institution you have attended.

Coursework

Students are expected to turn in all course assignments on time; turning in assignments late will have a negative effect on your grades. All academic commitments must be completed before students leave the program site; no incompletes are permitted on Study Abroad programs. Students who do not complete a course on time will earn an F (failing grade). All courses must be taken for units; students are not permitted to audit courses or to take courses on a pass/fail basis. For students on internship programs, unsuccessful completion of any course preceding the internship period may make them ineligible for placement in an internship.

Students enrolled in an internship program must complete the internship placement and all the academic work related to it, regardless of the transfer unit policy of their home institutions. Students will be informed at the program site of additional academic policies, such as deadlines for adding or dropping a course.

Course Unit Information

Upon successful completion of courses taken through our programs, students earn 16–20 Boston University units per term, depending on the program. No work can be left outstanding, to be finished after a term has ended. Thus, no award of “incomplete” is allowed for a course taken on a Boston University Study Abroad program. Additionally, coursework may not be audited; all students must complete their courses for a letter grade.

The measure of credit at Boston University is the unit-hour. Each 4-unit course normally translates to a minimum of 42 contact hours. Colleges and universities generally accept Boston University courses for transfer units in their degree programs, provided the student passes each course with a grade of C or C–, or better. Students should check with their home institutions to determine all unit transfer policies.

While transfer units are generally assured, we urge students to obtain approval from their advisors for the courses they intend to take—especially if they want these courses to fulfill specific requirements (major, minor, concentration, elective, etc.). Students should obtain approval in advance for more courses than they will actually take, as occasionally we have to cancel classes due to faculty illness or lack of student demand.

Transcripts

Upon the conclusion of the program, the posting of grades and settling of the BU Student Account, students will be provided with detailed instructions on ordering an official transcript from Boston University.

Official Boston University transcripts may be ordered online for electronic or paper delivery through Parchment, BU’s transcript partner.

We recommend students check in with their home school study abroad/international education office to confirm the correct contact person and email address/mailing address when ordering a transcript.

Course Designations

Boston University applies the following numbers to its courses offered overseas:

100-199    Introductory or general undergraduate
200-299   Intermediate undergraduate
300-399   Advanced undergraduate
400-699   Advanced undergraduate, graduate

Academic Policies for Direct Enroll and Exchange Programs