Degree Requirements

Students admitted with a bachelor’s degree must complete the equivalent of 63 credits: 19 credits of a core curriculum taken from the Department of Health Sciences courses, 16 credits of specialization courses defined in consultation with the academic advisor, and at least 28 credits of research.

Those admitted with a master’s degree must complete 33 credits: 17 credits from the core and specialization curriculum defined in consultation with the academic advisor and 16 credits of research. (These requirements are consistent with the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences at Boston University).

In both cases a minimum grade point average of 3.0 must be maintained. No more than 8 credits of any C grade will be acceptable for inclusion in the requirement.

Before the end of one year of study, the student must submit a plan of study for completion of all degree requirements, including identification and approval of a departmental faculty member who will serve as his or her research advisor.

A doctoral student must take both a written and an oral comprehensive examination at the end of all formal coursework, after which he/she is admitted to candidate status. The dissertation proposal will be presented to his/her committee after the comprehensive examinations are successfully completed. A candidate must complete the dissertation and defend it orally before the department, college, and University faculty. Candidates should review Boston University’s Guide for Writers of Theses and Dissertations as well as the FAQ on Embargoes & Electronic Theses & Dissertations (ETD). A candidate must be a full-time student for a minimum of two consecutive semesters and complete the degree within 5 (post-master’s) or 7 (post-bachelor’s) years.