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Pursuing an education as an adult presents distinct challenges. How do you earn a graduate degree while tending to the demands of your profession, your family, and your limited free time? How do you afford it—and how big a bite will it take out of your time? At Boston University’s Metropolitan College (MET), there are options that enable you to balance an education with the demands of life.

Master’s degree programs at BU’s Metropolitan College have been carefully designed to provide flexible modes of study within the parameters of a rigorous education. That means you have more control over how long you choose to take to complete a program, and whether to pursue it as a full-time or part-time student—a calculation that plays a role in how much a degree at BU MET might cost.

Take BU MET’s Master of Science in Computer Science. A good percentage of our students work full time in the technology industry while pursuing their degree part-time, so they depend on a computer science curriculum that is both rigorous and flexible. These software developers, information security analysts, network administrators, database developers, data analysts, IT project managers, and health informatics professionals benefit from BU MET’s convenient evening courses and learn from expert faculty who understand the challenges of balancing an education with a demanding job and a home life. Meanwhile, invaluable industry connections are made in the classroom—one of the perks of studying alongside other working professionals.

BU MET has a long history—over half a century—supporting nontraditional learners from diverse walks of life in pursuit of their education. The College offers a variety of ways you can tailor your program to suit the needs and demands of your own life. Practically speaking, you can choose to enroll in courses offered during the fall, spring, and summer terms. Whether you pursue your course of study full-time or part-time is your choice, based on what works best for you.

How Many Years Will It Take to Earn a Computer Science Master’s at BU?

The short answer is that it depends. Will you pursue this evening computer science program part-time or full-time? Will you take courses every semester—spring, summer, and fall—or will you take a break from your studies between terms? At BU’s Metropolitan College, these are all decisions you can make based on what works best for you.

The 40-credit MS in Computer Science at Boston University can be completed in 12 months of full-time study, and as few as 20 months as a part-time student.

Owing to busy schedules, some part-time students require more flexibility than others, and may elect to take as much as six years to complete their master’s degree.

How Much Will It Cost to Earn BU’s MS in Computer Science?

The cost of earning a master’s degree in Computer Science at Boston University is directly related to whether you study full- or part-time. Either way, a BU degree is an investment that will pay great dividends. A degree from Boston University not only adds shine to your résumé, it is a credential that is trusted by employers and higher ed institutions alike. Whether you’re looking to advance your career, change your profession, or continue your scholarship in a PhD program, a degree from BU will make greater successes that much more attainable.

Metropolitan College tuition is set annually by the Trustees of Boston University and can differ from semester to semester and year to year. For updated costs, visit BU MET’s Tuition and Financial Aid page.

Cost for Part-Time Graduate Study at BU MET

Part-time tuition rates at BU MET provide an affordable pathway to a BU education. Part-time graduate students are enrolled in no more than 11.5 credits per semester (at 12 credits or more, you are considered full-time). As a part-time student, courses numbered 600–999 cost $975 per credit and courses numbered 100–599 cost $550 per credit, unless otherwise noted.

Cost for Full-Time Graduate Study at BU MET

As a full-time student, you are enrolled in a minimum of 12 credits per semester, and will pay a commensurate full-time Boston University tuition. Currently, BU’s full-time tuition rates stand at $33,335 per semester. Pursuing more than 18 credits in a single semester will lead to an additional charge of $2,083 per credit.

To see what you can expect to pay for the master’s program as a part-time student, look at the “Cost” section of the MS in Computer Science page.

Financial Assistance at BU MET

Along with Federal Unsubsidized Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, and Military Veteran Benefits, BU MET offers a wide variety of financial assistance opportunities that you may be able to take advantage of.

Merit Scholarships

To recognize exceptional academic and professional accomplishments, MET offers merit scholarships of $3,000–$5,000 toward tuition and fees to eligible students admitted to a graduate degree program. Awards are based on the strength of each applicant’s academic qualifications and professional experience. Recipients are notified within their admission letter, with awards disbursed in even installments for each course of enrollment toward master’s degree requirements. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA and good academic standing to maintain their merit scholarship award. Learn more about Merit Scholarships.

Graduate Assistantships

Assistantships are available for Metropolitan College graduate students through individual academic departments or programs—an excellent opportunity to work with full-time faculty members through teaching, research, or other scholarly activities. Graduate degree candidates who are in good standing with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and who are registered for at least one course are eligible to apply. Assistantships are applied on a semester basis and typically range from 3 to 20 hours per week, allowing students to earn up to $5,500 per semester (paid in weekly installments) to assist with living expenses. Learn more about Graduate Assistantships at BU MET.

Alexis Gavras Scholarship Fund

The Alexis Gavras Scholarship Fund was established at Boston University’s Metropolitan College thanks to a generous gift from Haralambos Gavras, MD, and Irene Gavras, MD, in memory of their son and BU MET alum, Alexis (CAS’93, MET’04). This scholarship is for native or self-identified Greek graduate students who completed their bachelor’s at the University of Patras in Greece, or any other accredited Greek college or university, and for Greek-American undergraduates who completed their undergraduate degree at any accredited college or university. Eligible students in BU MET master’s degree programs may apply for this award.

Boston Medical Center Employee Scholarship

If you’re eligible for benefits as an employee at Boston Medical Center (BMC), this scholarship provides a 50 percent reduction on tuition and can be applied to graduate programs at BU Metropolitan College. Learn more about the Boston Medical Center Employee Scholarship.

Boston University Women’s Guild Scholarships

These scholarships provide both aid and encouragement to women 30 and over enrolled in Boston University graduate programs. You do not need to be a US citizen or enrolled full time to be eligible for a Women’s Guild Scholarship.

The Bryan D. Willard Scholarship

Established in memory of Marine Captain Bryan Willard, this scholarship is available to graduate students who are members or veterans of the armed forces who have been awarded a Purple Heart for a wound received while in combat. Spouses and children of veterans killed in the line of duty are also eligible and encouraged to apply. To learn more, visit the Bryan D. Willard Scholarship page.

City of Boston Scholar Program

Scholarships are available to City of Boston employees taking courses at Boston University towards master’s degrees and graduate certificates through the City of Boston Scholar Program. To learn more, visit BU MET’s City of Boston Scholar Program page.

Visit the Boston University Metropolitan College scholarships page for information on all scholarships available to graduate students.

Transferable Credits

There are other ways to manage your time and costs in pursuing a computer science graduate program at BU MET. Those who bring external graduate expertise to their degree program may petition to transfer up to two approved graduate level courses (8 credits) to the Computer Science master’s degree requirements, provided they have earned at least a B. Credit transfer is dependent on course hours. Official transcripts from an accredited institution, course descriptions, and syllabi must be submitted for transfer credit to be considered.

Graduate Certificate Programs in Information Technology

For some, the pathway to a computer science master’s degree at BU MET starts with a four-course IT graduate certificate (or two). This is especially true if you want to build a little flexibility into your educational plans. Credits earned in the following four-course graduate certificates at BU’s Metropolitan College can be transferred into the master’s degree in Computer Science program:

In most cases, Boston University’s IT graduate certificates can be completed online or on campus in as few as 8 to 12 months.

A BU Education is Within Reach

Metropolitan College was established at Boston University in 1965 in order to ensure that adult learners had access to a prestigious Boston University education though flexible learning options and affordable tuition. Many students at BU MET are working professionals; as such, they earn their degree or certificate while working part-time or full-time. That reality often dictates how much time a student can commit to graduate study each term. For those studying part-time, BU MET offers competitive tuition that brings a BU education within reach.

At the same time, Metropolitan College offers opportunities for full-time study for those who wish to commit as much time as possible to their courses each semester. Full-time options are also excellent for international students who must maintain F-1 visa status in order to study in the US.

What is the ultimate cost and duration of the program? You’ll have to decide that for yourself, depending on the specific way you manage and complete your requirements. After all, when you choose to earn a degree at Metropolitan College, you opt for the path of self-determination.

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