Academic Progress and Graduation

University Policy

College of Communication Policy

Undergraduate

It is the responsibility of all undergraduate students in the College of Communication to be aware of the graduation and academic requirements, including all BU Hub, college, department, and major requirements. Curriculum guides are available for review at COM Undergraduate Affairs, although students are encouraged to make appointments with academic advisors with any questions, and to seek professional guidance from faculty mentors. Students are responsible for knowing the graduation requirements for their programs and their own status regarding fulfillment of these requirements.

An Application for Graduation must be filed one year before the expected date of graduation. The form is available at the Undergraduate Affairs office in COM Room 123. It can also be found on the Undergraduate Affairs website.

Students should also be aware of the COM Undergraduate Student Academic Contract, which all students must sign upon entry to the college.

For undergraduate students, a minimum of 128 semester credit hours is required (excluding physical education courses, 1-credit courses, and other nonacademic coursework). Degrees must be completed within seven years from when a student first matriculates. Credits received seven or more years before a student’s expected date of graduation are not transferable.

Undergraduates must receive a “C” or higher in COM CO 101 in order to graduate from the College of Communication. Students can attempt CO 101 a total of two times and, if they have not received the minimum grade, will be expected to leave the college. (Please note that “W” grades do not count as attempts.) This same rule applies for students who plan to transfer into COM from another school or college.

Graduate

It is the responsibility of all graduate students in the College of Communication to be aware of the graduation and academic requirements as outlined in the University Bulletin. Students are responsible for knowing the graduation requirements for their programs and their own status regarding fulfillment of these requirements.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

The minimum standard for Satisfactory Academic Progress for students is:

  • Maintain a GPI/GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Have no more than two C-range grades (C+,C, C–) during the duration of the degree program
  • PhD students must also pass qualifying exams and other milestones on the schedule specified by the program

An Application for Graduation must be filed one semester before the expected date of graduation. The form is available from Graduate Affairs.