*Based on 2024–2025 Boston University tuition and fees. Merit scholarship may reduce cost.
*Based on 2025–2026 Boston University tuition & fee rates. Some courses may require a $200 undergraduate lab fee (for non-computer science courses).
**To determine your transferrable undergraduate credits, schedule an appointment with Assistant Director of Admissions Kevin Ahearn.
***Program completion time is dependent upon transfer credits and pace of enrollment (two or three courses per semester).
Complete Your Undergraduate Education at BU
There are many accomplished individuals who, for one reason or another, never finished their bachelor’s degree. For some, earning that credential could make a significant difference in their career advancement. For others it is an important milestone of personal growth, adding depth to life experience.
For students who have already earned a minimum of 40–80 transferable academic credits, the Online Undergraduate Degree Completion Program (UDCP) offers a unique and ambitious liberal arts curriculum that explores topics in the social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences, as well as mathematics and computer science. A liberal arts education remains highly valued by employers, especially in business and technology, where success often depends on interpersonal awareness, analytical skills, and human factors, as well as the ability to think creatively.
In a fully online environment shared with other accomplished, motivated, mature students, the program’s flexible format allows participants to accomplish their goals without disrupting personal, family, and professional commitments. Students who complete the academic coursework that comprises the Online UDCP will graduate from Boston University with a Bachelor of Liberal Studies in Interdisciplinary Studies.
Tuition & Fees—Part-Time Study*: $15,720
$15,720 Tuition & Fees — Part-Time Study*
*Based on 2024–2025 Boston University tuition and fees. Merit scholarship may reduce cost.
*Based on 2025–2026 Boston University tuition & fee rates. Some courses may require a $200 undergraduate lab fee (for non-computer science courses).
**To determine your transferrable undergraduate credits, schedule an appointment with Assistant Director of Admissions Kevin Ahearn.
***Program completion time is dependent upon transfer credits and pace of enrollment (two or three courses per semester).
Curriculum
The Boston University online bachelor’s degree completion program consists of completing a minimum of 12 online courses (48 credits).
Hub Requirements
All BU undergraduate students, including transfer students, will pursue coursework in the BU Hub, the University’s general education program that is integrated into the entire undergraduate experience. BU Hub requirements can be satisfied in a number of ways, including coursework in and beyond the major as well as through cocurricular activities. Students in the Online UDCP will, through the program curriculum, satisfy all BU Hub requirements.
Courses
(Four courses/16 credits)
Admission
The Online Undergraduate Degree Completion Program seeks candidates for admission who are academically well qualified and professionally prepared to maximize this unique set of courses. The program is designed for mature and motivated adult learners who desire to complete their undergraduate liberal arts degree within a virtual community of similarly dedicated individuals. Candidates for admission should be ready to make a commitment to this selective program and participate in rigorous courses with students like themselves.
The admissions committee considers far more than prior academic records when selecting students that meet our ideals. While reviewing candidates, the committee will look for:
Overall academic preparation
A minimum of 40 transferable academic credits completed at one or more accredited colleges
The equivalent of a freshman-level English writing course and a college-level course in mathematics or a related quantitative area
Work/professional experience/activities indicating maturity and appropriate motivation
In addition, successful applicants will present a clear, well-written application essay as part of the formal application.
The admissions committee meets regularly and makes decisions on a rolling basis.
Learn about application requirements for BU MET graduate degree and certificate programs.
How You Benefit from a Boston University Education
A BU credential can help lay the foundation for career advancement and personal success.
Benefit from a 15:1 student-to-instructor ratio.
Study under highly qualified faculty who draw from active research and substantial professional achievements to help develop your interdisciplinary skills in analysis, creative thinking, and communication across media.
BU MET’s Online UDCP program provides practical, hands-on education that you can apply on the job and in everyday life.
The unique online curriculum of MET’s BLS in Interdisciplinary Studies explores classical and contemporary areas of the social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences, and is designed for you to self-direct your bachelor’s degree education—pick your own courses and choose your own interdisciplinary focus.
Students acquire an understanding of literature and history through focused themes, and gain full proficiency in writing through individual and collaborative work.
Courses take a creative and manageable approach to academic subjects, like Food Stuff: A Taste of Biology; Exploring Philosophy through Film; and China, the Emerging Superpower: A Model for Development?
US citizens and permanent residents are automatically considered for Merit Scholarships during the application process and nominated based on eligibility.
Students who complete the bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies will be able to demonstrate:
A broad understanding of the liberal arts (that may be considered complete in itself or as suitable preparation for graduate studies), along with college-level rhetorical acumen through exposure to the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, including mathematics and computer science.
Critical thinking skills via analysis and material studied in the classical and contemporary liberal arts using the interdisciplinary study method of particular themes and disciplines.
Preparedness for active citizenship by means of a strong foundation in the liberal arts and an understanding of the connectedness of knowledge and learning as an interdisciplinary phenomenon.
Boston University (BU) welcomes learners from around the world to join its growing community of online students. Through BU Virtual and the university’s top-ranked schools and colleges, international students can earn a world-class Boston University degree no matter where they live. Whether you’re looking to advance your career, change industries, or gain expertise in a […]
Understanding Opportunity Cost When comparing online and residential graduate programs, it’s important to look beyond tuition. The true cost of earning a degree includes opportunity cost – the income you forego and living expenses you incur while studying full-time on campus. By choosing an online degree, you can typically continue working, maintain your income, and […]
What Is an Online Degree? Earning your degree online simply means that all the classes and coursework needed for your degree are virtual. An online degree does not differ in terms of academic rigor or quality. The key difference is the way that you earn your degree—online. Online learning offers unique opportunities with its flexibility […]
