Non-Degree Program Admissions

Deadlines: The admissions process for graduate certificates is rolling. Applications are processed and reviewed for admission as they are received. Although you may apply at any time, recommended deadlines are provided on our Deadlines pages.

For information about registering for certificate coursework, please email wherec@bu.edu.

Cost and tuition varies according to full-time or part-time enrollment. The majority of courses within the non-degree certificate programs are charged per credit hour at the BU Wheelock evening rate. For more information, visit Costs & Tuition.

• All non-degree certificate programs are considered to be graduate-level programs of study. To be eligible for a certificate program, you must hold a bachelor’s degree or the international equivalent from an accredited institution before you enroll.

• All admissions decisions will be released via email.

• International applicants will not be able to acquire a student visa through this course of study. International students in a certificate program must be on a valid visa that allows for part-time study. International applicants seeking a course of study that is permissible for a full-time student visa should review information on our master’s, CAGS, and doctoral programs.

• Students will have six years to complete certificate requirements and must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA. Coursework for which you receive a grade under a “B” (3.0) will not be counted toward your certificate program.

To register for individual courses as a non-degree student:

• Review our full list of potential course offerings in the BU Bulletin
• Reference the Boston University Registrar’s class schedule to determine the semester in which your course of interest is being offered
• Fill out a registration form with all required information for your course(s) and email to the Data & Enrollment Management Office at wherec@bu.edu

Should you later be admitted into a degree-granting program, up to eight credits of non-degree coursework can be transferred to the program. View our full transfer credit policy. For questions regarding non-degree coursework, email the Data & Enrollment Management.