First Agriculture Degrees Awarded

February 28th, 1876 in Firsts, Learning

The first degrees in agriculture are granted by Boston University to students of the Massachusetts College of Agriculture, now University of Massachusetts at Amherst. The four-year curriculum includes courses in German, French, manual labor, and freehand drawing. Boston University continues to confer these degrees until 1912.

Photo courtesy of Special Collections and Archives, W.E.B. DuBois Library, University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

First Study Abroad Program

February 27th, 1875 in Global, Learning

Boston University students study abroad for the first time.

GRS Predecessor Opens

February 27th, 1874 in Campus, Learning

The School of All Sciences, now the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, opens.

Women Admitted to MED

February 27th, 1873 in Firsts, Learning

Boston University is the first university to admit women to a medical college.

School of Medicine Established

February 27th, 1873 in Campus, Learning

Boston University acquires the New England Female Medical College and the School of Medicine is established.

CAS (Formerly CLA) Established

February 27th, 1873 in Campus, Learning

The College of Liberal Arts, now the College of Arts & Sciences, is established, the first fully coed liberal arts college in New England.

Alexander Graham Bell’s First Lecture

February 27th, 1873 in Learning

Professor Alexander Graham Bell delivers the inaugural lecture for the School of Oratory, the first such institution in the country.

School of Law Founded

February 27th, 1872 in Campus, Learning

Boston University School of Law is founded; it is the second School adopted into Boston University. The law school reforms the system of legal education in the US by requiring an admission exam, offering three-year courses, and being among the first to admit women and minorities.

College of Music Established

February 27th, 1872 in Campus, Learning

The College of Music is established, the first degree-granting music school in the country. The New England Conservatory is founded by William Claflin, the son of BU founder Lee Claflin. The two programs share deanship, faculty and facilities, and grant joint degrees.

Divisions Open to Women

February 27th, 1867 in Campus, Firsts, Learning

Boston University is among the first universities in the United States to open all of its divisions to female students.