Flexible Degree Options to Meet Your Specific Interests
The College of Arts & Sciences offers a number of specialized degree programs to qualified students who wish to pursue their academic or future career goals though a program that addresses their particular interests:
BU Dual Undergraduate Degree Program
The BU Dual Degree Program (DDP) allows qualified undergraduates to enroll in two of the University’s schools or colleges and earn two baccalaureate degrees simultaneously. The program has become a popular option with students whose professional goals can be met by acquiring two degrees, as well as with students who have strong academic interests in disciplines which are based in two different colleges.
The program is a demanding one and requires a substantial commitment. To be eligible to enroll, you must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 and must maintain this level of performance for the duration of the program. At least 144 credits must be earned in no fewer than 36 courses. Some students enroll in summer courses, use AP credit, and/or overload to ensure that they graduate with their class.
You must design a curriculum in consultation with your Faculty Advisors and/or Counselors in the relevant colleges to ensure that all requirements for both degrees are addressed; unless and until all requirements are fulfilled for both degrees, neither degree will be granted. You may apply for admission no earlier than the first semester of your sophomore year and no later than the end of the first semester of your junior year.
To explore BU Dual Degree Program possibilities in the College of Arts & Sciences, please contact the CAS Academic Advising Center to schedule an appointment with a CAS Academic Counselor.
Modular Medical/Dental Integrated Curriculum (MMEDIC)
The MMEDIC program is an early assurance program to the Boston University School of Medicine and the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine. Founded in 1977 as a collaborative effort between the College of Arts & Sciences and the School of Medicine, the MMEDIC program is open to premedical and predental students enrolled in undergraduate degree–granting programs at all Boston University schools and colleges. The MMEDIC program does not accelerate the prehealth-professional sequence but rather permits an enhanced educational transition from undergraduate to graduate professional study. At least three years must be taken at Boston University; the last two years of undergraduate study, including at least 64 course credits, must be completed in the MMEDIC program at Boston University. Students must also register at the School of Medicine or School of Dental Medicine for at least four years for a total of eight years of combined study.
Bachelor’s-to-Master’s Programs
If you are looking ahead toward a professional career or post-baccalaureate education, you may wish to consider the Bachelor’s-to-Master’s degree programs offered jointly by the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, by which you complete all requirements for the Bachelor of Arts and the Master of Arts or Master of Science.
Successful completion of the Bachelor’s-to-Master’s Program may lead to enhanced career employment opportunities, professional training, or doctoral studies. Bachelor’s-to-Master’s Programs are offered through a number of departments in the College, but not all.
5-Year Liberal Arts/Master of Public Health (MPH) Program
The BA-MPH dual degree program is a 5-year program offered jointly by Boston University’s College of Arts & Sciences and the Boston University School of Public Health. This dual degree program enables qualified students the opportunity to obtain a Bachelor of Arts degree (128 credits) at the College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) and a Master of Public Health degree (48 credits) at the School of Public Health (SPH) in a minimum of five years of full-time study. All requirements for the BA and the MPH must be met. A maximum of 16 credits of course work can count toward both degrees. Those 16 credits consist of graduate-level SPH courses that fulfill requirements in the School of Public Health and also count as free electives toward the BA in CAS. The BA will be awarded at the completion of all BA degree requirements; the MPH will be awarded upon completion of all MPH degree requirements. A 5-year BS/MPH program is also available to qualified students in Boston University’s College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences (Sargent College).
To learn more about the BA/MPH, please visit the BUSPH website.
7-Year Liberal Arts/Medical Education Program
The College of Arts & Sciences and the School of Medicine offer a combined curriculum designed to improve the quality of medical education while shortening the overall period of study. Students must apply for admission to this program at the time of their application for admission to Boston University.
The first three years are spent in the College of Arts & Sciences, where the student takes premedical sciences and elective courses in the humanities and the natural and social sciences. In addition, the second summer is spent taking a required biology course and elective courses in the humanities and social sciences, so that the undergraduate requirements are completed by the end of the third academic year. Following completion of the required premedical courses in the first two years of study, students may enroll in certain modular medical courses in the third academic year. Although the program is accelerated, the student has three summers completely free to pursue other interests. Students in this program must meet all liberal arts, residence, and course-distribution requirements for the Bachelor of Arts (BA).
First-year medical studies begin with the fourth year; the amount of time devoted to medical courses is the same as in the present conventional medical program. Students are awarded the Bachelor of Arts degree at the completion of the first year at the School of Medicine and the Doctor of Medicine degree at the completion of the program. Learn more here.