Current Undergraduate Students
Resources for Current Undergraduate Students
For more academic policy information, visit University Academic Policies and Procedures.
Requirement for Good Standing
Students must complete 120 credits to earn the bachelor's degree. To continue enrollment in a full-time program of study, a student must maintain a cumulative average of at least 1.5 as the minimum standard of scholarship and must not fall more than 6 credits behind the total number of credits a student of their status is expected to have completed (15 credits each semester freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior year).
Any student who is permitted by the dean to continue enrollment in a full-time undergraduate program is considered to be in good standing.
Academic Dismissal
At the end of each semester, students who do not meet the academic standards of the Carroll School of Management are dismissed. Possible grounds for academic dismissal include the following:
- Passing fewer than three courses (or 9 credits) in a semester
- Passing fewer than eight courses (or 24 credits) in an academic year (except senior year)
- Passing fewer than 18 courses (or 54 credits) by the end of sophomore year
- Passing fewer than 28 courses (or 84 credits) by the end of junior year
- A cumulative grade point average of below 1.5
- Students with any combination of 7 withdrawals and/or failures may be permanently dismissed
A student on probation may return to good standing by approved methods (e.g., make-up of credits via approved summer school work; students may make up no more than 12 credits in summer study). A student who incurs additional failures or withdrawals or carries an unapproved underload while on probation may be required to withdraw from the School at the time of the next review.
Enrollment Status
Undergraduate Full-Time Enrollment Status
To be considered full-time, students must be registered for courses totaling at least 12 credits per semester. At least 9 of the credits must be in courses of 3 credits or more. Ordinarily, students should average 15 credits per semester with a target of completing 30 credits per academic year.
Overloads
The standard semester course load for undergraduates is five 3-credit courses and a maximum of 20 credits, including labs and other 1- or 2- credit courses. Students are eligible to overload if they have earned at least a 3.0 overall cumulative GPA or a 3.0 GPA in the semester immediately prior to the one for which the overload is sought, in which case they may register online for a sixth course of 3 credits or more and a maximum of 24 credits, including labs and other 1- and 2-credit courses, starting on the Wednesday before the first day of classes for the semester.
Students are not permitted to take a sixth course of 3 credits or more during their first semester at Boston College. Second-semester freshmen who wish to overload with a sixth course of 3 credits or more must obtain permission from their Academic Dean.
Students with an overall cumulative GPA between 2.0 and 3.0 may, under exceptional circumstances, be allowed by their Academic Dean to enroll in a sixth course.
Attendance
Students are expected to attend classes regularly, take tests, and submit papers and other work at the times specified by the professor on the course syllabus. Students who are absent repeatedly from class or practica will be evaluated by faculty responsible for the course to ascertain their ability to achieve the course objectives and to continue in the course.
Professors may include, as part of the semester's grades, marks for the quality and quantity of the student's participation in class.
Professors will announce, reasonably well in advance, tests and examinations based on material covered in class lectures and discussions, as well as other assigned material. A student who is absent from class on the day of a previously announced examination, including the final examination, is not entitled, as a matter of right, to make up what was missed. The professor involved is free to decide whether a make-up will be allowed.
A student who is absent from class is responsible for obtaining knowledge of what happened in class, especially information about announced tests, papers, or other assignments.
In cases of prolonged absence, the student or a family member should communicate with the student's Academic Dean as soon as the prospect of extended absence becomes clear. The academic arrangements for the student's return to classes should be made with the Academic Dean's Office as soon as the student's health and other circumstances permit.
Absences for Religious Reasons
Any student who is unable, because of his or her religious beliefs, to attend classes or to participate in any examination, study, or work requirement on a particular day shall be excused from any such examination, or study or work requirement, and shall be provided with an opportunity to make up such examination, or study or work requirement, that may have been missed because of such absence on any particular day. However, students should notify professors at the end of the first class meeting or at least two weeks in advance of any such planned observances, and such makeup examination or work shall not create an unreasonable burden upon the University. No fees will be charged and no adverse or prejudicial effects shall result to any student who is absent for religious reasons.
Final Examinations
The final examination schedule for most courses is set before classes begin. It is available to the public, and students are responsible for consulting it. A student who misses a final examination is not entitled, as a matter of right, to a make-up examination except for serious illness and/or family emergency. No student should make travel arrangements to return home which are at odds with his or her examination schedule. Students who schedule a departure without regard to their schedules risk failure in their final examinations.
Courses with multiple sections may have common departmental final examinations at a date and time determined by the Office of Student Services. Students with three final examinations scheduled for the same day are entitled to take a make-up exam at a later date during exam week. If one of the three exams is a common departmental exam, this is the exam that is taken at the later date.
No exams or final assignments are to be scheduled during the Study Days designated on the Academic Calendar.
Pass/Fail
Sophomores, juniors, and seniors may elect to designate a course as pass/fail during the first seven class-days of the semester. Only electives can be taken pass/fail. Courses being used to fulfill major, minor, Core, or corequisites cannot be taken pass/fail.
Second-semester freshmen who have been approved by their Academic Dean for an overload of a sixth course of 3 credits or more may take that course on a pass/fail basis, in which case the course may not be used to fulfill a major, minor, Core requirement, or corequisites.
No more than one course of 3 or more credits may be taken pass/fail in any semester. No student may take more than six pass/fail courses of 3 or more credits for credit toward a degree.
Courses in the Carroll School of Management may not be taken on a pass/fail basis. Departments may designate some courses as not available in general for pass/fail enrollment.
Any foreign language course being used to fulfill a major, minor, Core, or corequirement cannot be taken pass/fail.
A student enrolled in a course on a pass/fail basis who earns a grade of D- or higher will receive a grade of Pass for the course.
Pass/Fail Option for 1-Credit Courses in the Major
At the discretion of the school or department, some 1-credit courses that are required for a major or minor may be offered on a pass/fail basis only (e.g., practica, performance).
External Courses
After admission to Boston College, the only courses that a student may apply towards a degree will be those offered at Boston College in a regular course of study during the academic year. Any exceptions to this rule must be approved in writing by the Academic Dean before the courses are begun. Exceptions may be granted by the Academic Dean for official cross-registration programs, external summer study abroad and certain special study programs at other universities.
A student must earn a grade of C- or better to receive credit for any course taken at another university. In some instances, the Academic Dean may stipulate a higher grade. After the course has been completed, the student should request that the registrar at the host university forward an official transcript to the Office of Student Services at Boston College.
Summer Courses
As of summer 2018, summer courses taken at Boston College count for academic credit and all grades earned are factored into students’ GPA as regular BC courses. Courses may satisfy Core or major/minor requirements as specified by the department, and will count toward the 120 credits required for the degree. A maximum of 4 courses (12–13 credits total) can be taken in the summer.
BC Summer Courses Abroad
BC summer courses taken abroad through the Office of International Programs (OIP) are factored into students' GPA as regular BC courses, and count for academic credit.
Summer Courses at Other Institutions
Summer courses taken at another university—local, national, international—, must be pre- approved from the Academic Dean using the Course Approval Form. Students will also need departmental approval if they want the summer course to fulfill a Core, language, major, or minor requirement. These summer courses may count for academic degree credit and grades will factor into the GPA if students have credit deficiencies. Students will receive enrichment credit if there is no prior credit deficiency. Enrichment credit means that the course may satisfy Core or major requirements with department permission, but will not count toward the 120 credits required for the degree. Courses, grades, and credits will be listed on the transcript but will not be calculated into the GPA. With the approval of the Academic Dean, students who incur deficiencies may use enrichment courses in previous summers to make up for deficiencies incurred subsequently.
Leave of Absence
There may be times—due to personal, medical and/or other reasons—when an undergraduate student may need or want to take a leave of absence from the University. This policy describes the process to take and return from a leave of absence as well as addresses additional expectations and questions about the process.
Taking a leave of absence can be a difficult decision and the University wants to support students as they consider taking a leave. We encourage students to outreach to their Undergraduate Associate Dean of their school or college (MCAS, CSOM, LSEHD, CSON, or WCAS) to ask questions, discuss options, and be referred for additional support if needed.
Undergraduate students may take either a personal or medical leave. In order to request a leave of absence, students must complete the Withdrawal/Leave of Absence Form and indicate whether they are taking a personal or medical leave of absence. Please see additional information regarding a personal leave of absence and a medical leave of absence on the University's Academic Policies page.
Academic Integrity
The Carroll School of Management works in accordance with the University's standards and procedures regarding academic integrity. Please review the University’s Undergraduate Academic Integrity policies.
Academic Grievances
Any student who believes he or she has been treated unfairly in academic matters should consult with the chairperson of the undergraduate or graduate department or his or her Academic Dean to discuss the situation and to obtain information about relevant grievance procedures. To appeal a grade, please follow the steps below.
Procedure of Appeal
A student should always attempt to resolve problems concerning the manner in which grades have been awarded or the academic practices of an instructor by direct contact with the instructor. In the rare case of an unresolved question the student should bring the matter to the Chairperson or Director of the relevant department or program.
A formal appeal of a course grade, which ought not be entered lightly by a student nor lightly dismissed by an instructor, should be made no later than the sixth week of the following semester. In making a formal appeal, a student files a written statement to the departmental chairperson. The decision of the chairperson is final.
The following forms are frequently used in the Carroll School. For a more comprehensive list of academic forms, visit the Office of Student Services.
Course Pre-Approval Form
The Course Pre-Approval Form needs to be completed before you take classes over the summer at external institutions. Complete the online form and attach a course syllabus for the sponsoring academic department to review. You will receive an email notification letting you know if your request has been approved or denied.
Course Withdrawal Form
If you wish to withdraw from a course, you should speak with a staff advisor in the Dean's Undergraduate Office to answer any questions you may have and to learn about how you can make up the credits to stay on track for graduation. Once you've made a decision to withdraw, please fill out the Course Withdrawal Form by the deadline. Students can take no fewer than 12 credits per semester.
One-Credit Internship Form
Students may receive a one-credit practicum for paid or unpaid work in the business world. You will need to complete internship paperwork with your supervisor and submit it to the Senior Associate Dean’s Office. Students will need to work a minimum of 10 hours per week in order to get credit for an internship.
Request for Excused Absence Form
Students may be excused from class for reasons, including, but not limited to, illness, death/critical illness of a family member, personal emergency or religious observance according to BC policy.
Students will not be excused for non-emergency absences that have not been authorized in advance and/or for reasons including but not limited to medical/dental appts, job interviews or employment obligations and personal or family events or celebrations. Please complete the following form to request a dean's note. Make sure to include appropriate documentation.
In addition to the advising system offered in the Carroll School, Boston College offers many resources to assist you in your academic pursuits during your undergraduate experience.
Boston College Library System
The libraries here at Boston College are among the most outstanding University libraries in the region. Visit the University Libraries website and learn more about the resources available to students.
Students in the Carroll School have access to university librarian Sonia Ensins who is available to assist students with research for their management courses. Visit the Business and Management resource page for helpful research guides and details on how to get in touch with Sonia.
Also located in O'Neill Library, the Media Center has a non-print collection with facilities for viewing and listening.
Tutoring
The Connors Family Learning Center provides free tutoring to all students in over 60 courses of study. All tutoring is provided on-site in a very comfortable learning center housed in O'Neill Library, right on Boston College's main Chestnut Hill campus.
Writing assistance is also available in the Connors Family Learning Center for students. The Online Writing Lab (OWL) allows students to submit drafts of writing assignments for constructive feedback.
Connors Family Learning Center
Learning Disabilities Services and Support
The Connors Family Learning Center also offers support services to students with learning disabilities, such as screenings and consultations about accommodations.
The Disability Services Office serves students with medical, physical, or psychological disabilities. Students seeking accommodations should go through the registration process including providing documentation and scheduling an intake appointment.
Accessibility
The Accessibility at Boston College website gathers resources from across campus such as maps with accessible paths, resources for students who need accommodations, and information on technology accessibility.
At the Carroll School, advising features an entire team—faculty, staff, dean, and peer advisors—dedicated to helping students address these questions and other academic, personal, and career issues. Our advising approach evolves as students progress through the program, adjusting to fit their needs and interests as freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
In your freshman year, your Portico professor is your faculty advisor. In your sophomore year, you are assigned to a staff advisor and then in your junior and senior year, you have a faculty advisor in your concentration area in addition to the staff advisor you met in your sophomore year. On top of all these resources, students can meet with one of our 12 Carroll School Peer Advisors, who are seniors who bring their first-hand experience and expertise to advising meetings. Visit the Carroll School Undergraduate Advising Resources website for more information.
Carroll students also have access to a dedicated team of career advisors who can provide personalized guidance, helping students identify potential career paths and job opportunities, prepare for interviews, negotiate salaries, and more. In particular, sophomores and second- semester freshmen are encouraged to take UGMG2222 Career Accelerator, a nine-week, 1 credit comprehensive career development course covering everything from foundational skills to how to dress for interviews and communicate with potential employers.
Get in touch with the undergraduate programs office and academic department staff with any questions on the contact page.
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