BU Virtual extends Boston University’s academic excellence to learners around the world. In close collaboration with faculty across BU’s schools and colleges, we design and deliver online programs that carry the depth, rigor, and intellectual energy of a leading research university.
Through BU Virtual, students engage with world-class scholarship, diverse perspectives, and learning experiences that connect theory with practice—preparing them to advance their careers and contribute meaningfully to their fields and communities.
Explore our expanding portfolio of online programs, developed in collaboration with top tier faculty and researchers at Boston University.
Building on BU Virtual’s commitment to innovation and interdisciplinary excellence, we are excited to introduce a new suite of online graduate degrees launching in 2026, focused on workforce transformation in artificial intelligence.
These programs will equip learners with cutting-edge technical skills, ethical frameworks, and strategic insights needed to lead in AI-driven industries. Developed through close collaboration across BU’s renowned faculty, this next generation of online degrees will prepare professionals to shape the future of work, technology, and society.
The work we are doing today will shape the future of global online education tomorrow. We believe that our work at BU Virtual, which is done in collaboration with our award-winning schools and colleges, brings a new level of innovation, reach, and access to learners around the globe and reinforces our commitment to inclusion at scale. —Wendy Colby, VP and
Associate Provost, BU Virtual
Wherever you are in your life or career, BU Virtual helps you develop the knowledge and capabilities needed to navigate a complex and evolving professional landscape.
Our online programs combine BU’s academic rigor with practical, applied learning—equipping you to think critically, lead effectively, and adapt with confidence. As part of Boston University’s global community, you gain access to distinguished faculty, a powerful alumni network, and the enduring advantages of a BU education.
BU Virtual meets learners where they are—geographically, professionally, and academically. Whether you are advancing in your current field, expanding your expertise, or preparing for new opportunities, our programs support learning that evolves with you.
Working alongside faculty and university leaders across BU, we are expanding access to the university’s scholarship, innovation, and community—bringing Boston University to the service of the world, and connecting the world more closely to BU.
Boston University Virtual works in close collaboration with the schools and colleges across BU to provide innovative, high-quality online programs in areas ranging from business and public health to social work, occupational therapy, education, computer science, and more.
Online learning provides the flexibility to advance your career without hitting "pause" on your professional life. Whether you’re looking to move into leadership or pivot to a new field entirely, Boston University offers online certificates, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs designed to fit your goals. To help you decide if this path is right for […]
The AI career shift is here. Pick the AI Master’s built for how work actually changes. Organizations are moving past AI experiments. They want outcomes: faster decisions, better services, stronger products, and real productivity. Accenture’s Pulse of Change shows the direction clearly: 86% of C-suite leaders plan to increase AI investment in 2026. It also […]
Artificial intelligence has arrived in higher education amid a familiar mix of urgency and unease. Institutions feel pressure to respond quickly, even as they worry about hype, mission drift and whether today’s technologies will still matter tomorrow. The challenge is not whether to engage with AI, but how to do so in ways that are […]
A Complete Comparison: Online vs. On-Campus Computer Science Master’s at Boston University If you’re searching for an online master’s in computer science or weighing an in-person graduate experience, Boston University offers two strong pathways—each designed for a different kind of learner. This guide compares: BU’s Online MS in Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence (CS+AI) and […]
The traditional silos of public relations, advertising, and marketing have dissolved. In today's "Answer Engine Economy," where AI agents scan data and consumers expect hyper-personalized brand experiences, leadership requires more than just channel expertise. It requires a holistic, data-driven approach. Boston University’s College of Communication (COM) is meeting this shift head-on with its fully online […]
What Is Software Engineering for AI — and Why Does It Matter? Software engineering and artificial intelligence used to operate in separate worlds. Data scientists built models in Jupyter notebooks. Software engineers shipped production applications. These disciplines rarely overlapped. But that separation is disappearing rapidly. Today, as AI systems move from research labs and proof-of-concepts […]
The tech landscape isn't just changing; it’s being rebuilt around AI. BU’s new Online MS in Computer Science & AI is designed for those who don’t just want to watch the revolution—it's for those who want to lead it. Online MS in Computer Science & AI: At a Glance Format: 100% online; structured asynchronous learning […]
Boston University offers online degree programs through 13 schools and colleges, providing students with academic depth across a wide range of disciplines. Designed for working professionals, BU’s online programs combine flexibility with the rigor and reputation of a world-class research university. Academic Breadth Across 13 BU Schools and Colleges BU’s online programs span business, healthcare, […]