Transfer of Units

Graduate School of Arts & Sciences Policy

Units for appropriate graduate coursework taken prior to matriculating into GRS that was not used to satisfy the requirements of an undergraduate degree at Boston University or elsewhere may be transferred on recommendation of the major advisor and the Chair or Program Director with the approval of the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. Only courses taken for a letter grade (not Pass/Fail) may be considered for transfer units. No transfer of units for courses taken before the senior year of college or from correspondence or distance learning will be accepted. Petitions for units for transfer are available on the GRS website.

Units for work to be taken concurrently with studies in the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences must be approved before registration for such courses.

Master’s Degree Program

A maximum of 8 units may be transferred from other institutions unless a department requires more than 32 units. For programs requiring more than 32 units, a student may transfer additional units up to the number required in excess of 32. Programs may set a lower maximum number of units that may be transferred. Students may not use units or other work used to satisfy the requirements of a master’s degree earned at Boston University or another institution to fulfill the requirements of a master’s degree in the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences.

PhD Degree Program

At least 64 units of graduate coursework are required to complete the PhD. Programs may set a higher minimum number of units that must be completed at Boston University. No student may transfer more than 32 units. Programs may set a lower maximum number of units that may be transferred.

To complete a PhD degree without being awarded a master’s degree as part of the same program, a student must complete at least 32 of these units at Boston University, which means a maximum of 32 units may be transferred.

To complete a master’s degree while pursuing a PhD, a student must have completed 32 units of graduate coursework. At least 24 units must have been completed at Boston University, which means a maximum of 8 units may be transferred toward the awarding of the master’s degree. Students may not use units or other work used to satisfy the requirements of a master’s degree earned at Boston University or another institution to fulfill the requirements of a master’s degree in the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences.

To complete both a master’s and a PhD degree as part of the same program, a student must have completed 64 units of graduate coursework. At least 48 of these units must be completed at Boston University, which means a maximum of 16 units may be transferred.