The part-time Bachelor of Liberal Studies (BLS) in History degree completion program at Boston University’s Metropolitan College (MET) is designed specifically for domestic transfer students with at least six or more completed courses at a regionally accredited college or university. The bachelor’s in History develops your ability to criticize, organize, and synthesize extensive materials—and to write with clarity and precision—through the in-depth study of American, European, world, and military history. The understanding and appreciation you gain via the analysis of human history and historical facts and causalities—as well as global consequences of historical events—will prepare you to excel at careers in teaching, politics and government, law and legislation, medicine and research, publishing, landmark preservation, and more.
Program at a Glance
- On Campus
- Part-Time*
- 128 Credits
- 24–36 Months**
*Please note that Metropolitan College does not issue visas to international students for full-time on-campus study in undergraduate programs (degree or non-degree).
**Program duration depends on volume of approved transfer credits. To learn more about transfer credit eligibility, please contact an Admissions Advisor.
Flexible, Part-Time Degree Completion—at Boston University
The bachelor’s degree in History at Boston University’s Metropolitan College is a self-paced bachelor’s degree completion program offered in a convenient, part-time evening format—ideal for busy professionals who seek to earn a Boston University degree without turning their personal lives upside down or putting their careers on hold. Along with self-paced programs in a variety of majors on campus, MET also offers the Online Undergraduate Degree Completion Program, leading to a bachelor’s in Interdisciplinary Studies.
A Foundation for Success in History
Metropolitan College’s Bachelor of Liberal Arts in History degree will equip you with:
- Knowledge of past societies and familiarity with patterns of social, political, economic, and cultural change; and appreciation of how historical perspective can enrich understanding of contemporary developments and problems.
- The capacity to recognize how varied sources can be used as historical evidence, and to analyze the role of evidence in the construction of historical arguments and memory.
- An understanding of the challenge of weighing multiple perspectives and evaluating the merits of competing interpretations.
- The ability to construct persuasive and evidence-based arguments about historical change and present them in written formats.
Why Complete Your History Bachelor’s at BU?
- Engaged Faculty: In BU MET’s history bachelor’s program, an exceptional student-to-instructor ratio ensures close interaction with highly qualified faculty who draw from active research and substantial professional achievements across diverse fields of social and liberal sciences.
- Extensive Network: Study historical principles alongside peers with professional experience, learn from faculty who have valuable contacts, learn from faculty who have valuable contacts, and benefit from a global alumni community with strong connections.
- Student Support: Benefit from access to personalized professional academic advice from the team of academic counselors in MET Enrollment & Student Success.
- Valuable Resources: Make use of Boston University’s extensive resources, including the Center for Career Development, Educational Resource Center, Fitness & Recreation Center, IT Help Centers, Mugar Memorial Library, Center for Antiracist Research, Howard Thurman Center for Common Ground, George Sherman Union, and many others.
- Flexible Schedule: Pursue your studies part-time, at the pace that works for you, evenings on campus.
- Affordable Tuition: Complete your bachelor’s part-time at BU at a substantial savings compared to full-time study.
- Financial Assistance: Undergraduate students at BU MET are eligible for a range of financial aid and community-minded scholarship opportunities designed to support those investing in their education part-time who still need to navigate full-time responsibilities.
Bachelor of Liberal Studies in History Curriculum
Candidates for the bachelor’s degree at Metropolitan College are required to complete a minimum of 32 courses (128 credits), including Hub requirements, major requirements, related courses, and electives.
Hub Requirements
All BU undergraduate students, including transfer students, will pursue coursework in the BU Hub, the University’s general education program that is integrated into the entire undergraduate experience. BU Hub requirements can be satisfied in a number of ways, including coursework in and beyond the major as well as through cocurricular activities. Students majoring in History may, through related coursework in the major, satisfy BU Hub requirements in Historical Consciousness, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Research and Information Literacy, and Critical Thinking.
Major and Related Courses
A total of 14 courses (56 credits), completed with a grade of C or higher, is required.
Required Courses
Choose ten courses (40 credits). MET HI 101 and MET HI 102 History of Western Civilization are recommended as first courses but are not required. Five courses (20 credits) selected must be at the 200 level or above. All courses must be chosen with the advice and approval of the department coordinator.
Related Courses
Choose four courses (16 credits) at the 300 level or above in the following fields:
- Anthropology
- Art history
- Economics
- English literature
- Geography
- International relations
- Philosophy
- Political science
- Psychology
- Religion
- Sociology
Students may also choose MET CJ 352 Courts, Society, and Criminal Procedure, or CAS CL 321 Greek History.
Courses must be chosen with the advice and approval of the department coordinator.
Electives
Electives are chosen with the advice of an academic counselor. The number of electives varies depending on transfer credit.
Tuition & Financial Assistance
Competitive Tuition
Our part-time rates are substantially lower than those of the traditional, full-time residential programs yet provide access to the same high-quality BU education.Comprehensive Financial Assistance
Our services include scholarships, graduate loans, and payment plans.How Much Does This Program Cost?
BU MET’s bachelor’s degree completion programs allow students to quickly complete their degree at an affordable part-time tuition rate, enrolling in two to three courses (8–12 credits) each semester. Eligible graduates from any public Massachusetts community college receive a 50 percent tuition reduction.
Total program cost is dependent on the quantity of transferrable credits and number of courses taken each semester. For a cost estimate based on your academic background, please connect with an admissions advisor.
This chart shows the variable costs dependent on the volume of incoming transfer credit:
| Incoming Transfer Credits** |
68–80 (17–20 courses) |
36–64 (9–16 courses) |
24–32 (6–8 courses) |
| Remaining BU Credits for Degree Completion |
48–60 (12–15 courses) |
64–92 (16–23 courses) |
96–104 (24–26 courses) |
| Time to Degree | 4–7 semesters (16–28 months)*** |
6–11 semesters (24–44 months)*** |
8–13 semesters (32–62 months)*** |
| Tuition per Credit* | $550 | $550 | $550 |
| Fees per Semester* | $60 | $60 | $60 |
| Total Degree Cost* | $26,640– $33,420 |
$35,620– $51,260 |
$53,280– $57,980 |
*Based on 2024–2025 Boston University tuition & fee rates. Some courses may require a $200 undergraduate lab fee (for non-computer science courses).
**To determine your transferrable undergraduate credits, schedule an appointment with Assistant Director of Admissions Kevin Ahearn.
***Program completion time is dependent upon transfer credits and pace of enrollment (two or three courses per semester).
Please note that enrollment in four or more courses in a semester requires students to pay the full-time (per semester) tuition rate.
Questions? Please contact us to hear from an Admissions Advisor who can help you determine the best enrollment pathway. For information regarding financial aid, visit the Boston University Financial Assistance website. We also encourage you to review the scholarship opportunities for BU MET undergraduate students.
Get Started
Please visit the BU MET admissions page for details on how to apply, financial assistance, tuition and fees, requirements for international students, and more.
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