BU Virtual extends Boston University’s academic excellence to learners around the world. In close collaboration with faculty across BU’s schools and colleges, we design and deliver flexible online programs that carry the depth, rigor, and intellectual energy of a leading research university.
Through BU Virtual, students engage with world-class scholarship, diverse perspectives, and learning experiences that connect theory with practice—preparing them to advance their careers and contribute meaningfully to their fields and communities.
Explore BU’s growing portfolio of online programs in high-demand fields, developed in collaboration with top tier faculty and researchers at Boston University.
BU Virtual offers a coordinated suite of interdisciplinary AI online graduate programs designed to prepare professionals for leadership in the rapidly evolving world of AI. Unlike a “one size fits all” approach, our interdisciplinary ecosystem builds on Boston University’s strengths across business, computing, engineering, technology, and education to provide broad perspectives that enhance real-world relevance and impact.
Building on BU Virtual’s commitment to innovation and interdisciplinary excellence, we are excited to introduce a new suite of online graduate degrees launching in 2026, focused on workforce transformation in artificial intelligence.
These programs will equip learners with cutting-edge technical skills, ethical frameworks, and strategic insights needed to lead in AI-driven industries. Developed through close collaboration across BU’s renowned faculty, this next generation of online degrees will prepare professionals to shape the future of work, technology, and society.
The work we are doing today will shape the future of global online education tomorrow. We believe that our work at BU Virtual, which is done in collaboration with our award-winning schools and colleges, brings a new level of innovation, reach, and access to learners around the globe and reinforces our commitment to inclusion at scale. —Wendy Colby, VP and Associate Provost
Wherever you are in your life or career, BU Virtual helps you develop the knowledge and capabilities needed to navigate a complex and evolving professional landscape.
Our online programs combine BU’s academic rigor with practical, applied learning—equipping you to think critically, lead effectively, and adapt with confidence. As part of Boston University’s global community, you gain access to distinguished faculty, a powerful alumni network, and the enduring advantages of a BU education.
BU Virtual is redefining online graduate education by delivering rigorous, career-focused programs to a broad and diverse audience. Our flagship degrees, including the Online MBA, Online Master of Public Health, and Online Master’s in Data Science, combine academic excellence, innovative teaching, and flexible formats to meet the needs of today’s working professionals. Grounded in interdisciplinary collaboration and ongoing innovation, these programs empower learners to advance their careers while engaging with a vibrant global community.
BU Virtual meets learners where they are, with flexible online programs designed for working professionals and students at different stages of their academic and career journeys. Whether you want to build new skills, deepen your expertise, or prepare for new opportunities, BU offers online degree and certificate programs that support your goals.
In partnership with faculty across Boston University’s schools and colleges, BU Virtual expands access to the University’s research, teaching, and innovation. Explore online programs that connect you to BU’s academic excellence, real-world relevance, and global community.
Earning a master’s degree is a significant investment, but how long does it really take? The answer depends on your goals and schedule structure. At Boston University, online master’s programs are designed with flexibility in mind. Whether you’re looking to accelerate your path or spread out your coursework, understanding your options can help you plan […]
The MBA is the defining credential for a generation of business leaders. It builds financial acumen, strategic thinking, and cross-functional fluency — the toolkit for managing complexity and driving organizational performance. For decades, it was the answer to the question every ambitious professional eventually asked: What's my next move? That question is back. And for […]
The demand for AI talent has grown faster than the workforce has been able to keep up. For professionals already working in technology, business, engineering or education, that gap represents a genuine window — one where additional credentials could translate directly into expanded roles, higher compensation, and more interesting work. But a master's degree is […]
Artificial intelligence is no longer a future issue for schools to monitor from a distance. It is already shaping how students research, write, solve problems, and engage with course material. The challenge for educators is not whether AI belongs in education. It is how to guide its use in ways that strengthen learning, support teachers, […]
Online learning provides the flexibility to advance your career without hitting "pause" on your professional life. Whether you’re looking to move into leadership or pivot to a new field entirely, Boston University offers online certificates, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs designed to fit your goals. To help you decide if this path is right for […]
The AI career shift is here. Pick the AI Master’s built for how work actually changes. Organizations are moving past AI experiments. They want outcomes: faster decisions, better services, stronger products, and real productivity. Accenture’s Pulse of Change shows the direction clearly: 86% of C-suite leaders plan to increase AI investment in 2026. It also […]
Artificial intelligence has arrived in higher education amid a familiar mix of urgency and unease. Institutions feel pressure to respond quickly, even as they worry about hype, mission drift and whether today’s technologies will still matter tomorrow. The challenge is not whether to engage with AI, but how to do so in ways that are […]
A Complete Comparison: Online vs. On-Campus Computer Science Master’s at Boston University If you’re searching for an online master’s in computer science or weighing an in-person graduate experience, Boston University offers two strong pathways—each designed for a different kind of learner. This guide compares: BU’s Online MS in Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence (CS+AI) and […]