Woods College of Advancing Studies

The James A. Woods, S.J., College of Advancing Studies offers both full- and part-time study to undergraduate and graduate students from widely differing backgrounds and preparations who wish to maximize their experiences and master the skills necessary to advance their future.

Boston College fosters in its students rigorous intellectual development coupled with religious, ethical, and personal formation in order to prepare them for citizenship, service, and leadership in a global society.

Within the context of the Boston College environment, James A. Woods, S.J., College of Advancing Studies promotes the care and attention to the human person that is the hallmark of Jesuit education while faculty and students engage in scholarship that enriches the culture and addresses important societal needs.

Undergraduate Programs

The James A. Woods, S.J., College of Advancing Studies offers the atmosphere of a small college within the environment of a large university. The professional staff at the James A. Woods, S.J., College of Advancing Studies have experience helping students arrange a realistic program of study, one that combines work responsibilities with educational goals. Students receive personal attention while enjoying access to the many resources of Boston College. A flexible admission process coupled with academic advising allows a student to select the most appropriate major based on individual needs. Courses are ordinarily scheduled between the hours of 6:15–9:35 p.m. on weekdays, with online and hybrid courses also available.

Bachelor of Arts Program

The Bachelor of Arts program prepares students to address and master the challenges of a rapidly changing and increasingly complex world. A broad-based and robust liberal arts curriculum, which includes Core requirements, permits students to choose courses and majors reflecting individual interests and varied career objectives. The curriculum offers intensive work and a degree of disciplined mastery in a major area.

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B.A., Applied Liberal Arts

Applied Liberal Arts (ALA) helps clarify connections between your education and your life, your job, and your future. The critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and cultural literacy skills valued by today’s employers are hallmarks of a liberal arts education. Our program also provides courses in high-demand workplace essentials such as project management, data visualization and analysis, design thinking, and conflict resolution. 

When you select this major, you will also select a concentration in one of six areas: English, History, Interdisciplinary, Political Science, Sociology, and Philosophy. In addition to the six major requirements, you’ll also complete five or six courses within a specific concentration. Each concentration’s requirements and learning outcomes are outlined below. 

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B.A., Applied Liberal Arts Concentrations

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B.A., Business

Students in the Business bachelor’s degree program develop skills in-demand by employers, including critical thinking, ethical leadership, quantitative analysis, communication, project management, and risk management. Through elective courses, students can align their degree and professional goals.

Core Curriculum

A distinguishing characteristic of liberal arts education is a required Core curriculum. The Bachelor of Arts programs require the following Core courses:

  • The Examined Life
  • 2 English courses:
    • College Writing
    • Literary Works or other Core literature course
  • 2 Philosophy courses (one of which should be an Ethics course)
  • 2 Theology courses
  • 2 Social Science courses
  • 2 History courses (one must be non-Western)
  • 1 Quantitative Reasoning course
  • 1 Natural Science course
  • 1 Arts course
  • 1 Engaging Diverse Perspectives Course
  • Designing Your Career

Major Requirements

  • ADEC1101 Principles of Economics (satisfies a Social Science Core requirement)
  • ADMT1801 Data Analysis and Probability (satisfies a Quantitative Reasoning Core requirement)
  • ADBM/ADCO1143 Corporate Communication 
  • ADAC1081 Financial Accounting
  • ADIT3300 Project Management
  • ADFN1010 Principles of Finance
  • ADCO/ADMK2201 Digital Marketing Strategy
  • ADBM1510 Management and Organizational Behavior
  • ADLA2400 Business Law
  • ADSY4001 Strategic Leadership
  • Two Business elective courses

In addition to the credits required by the Core and major, students must take free elective courses to attain the 120 credits required to complete a bachelor's degree at Woods College.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

  • Apply analytical skills in a systematic manner to define a business problem/challenge or opportunity, develop potential solutions, select the “best” solution using the information/performance data available at the time, and prepare an implementation (rollout) and evaluation plan—with metrics for measuring successes and/or failures, as well as strategies for action-planning based on performance against these metrics. 
  • Translate strategic objectives into measurable plans and deploy the necessary resources in the most effective manner to achieve the desired results. 
  • Apply management theories to solve contemporary business problems.
  • Participate in and lead small and large group projects, working within defined time constraints, and allocating available resources to achieve the desired results.
  • Solve problems using a defined approach that enables them to turn information into quantitative data and analyze that data to develop potential solutions. 
  • Use data analysis skills to find relationships among various types and sources of data and be able to use that data to enhance their understanding of an issue and strengthen their conclusions. 
  • Communicate effectively in writing, person-to-person, and through presentations to large and small groups using a variety of electronic applications. 
  • Apply working knowledge of risk management to identify and mitigate risks in organizations. 
  • Examine all situations through an ethical lens and apply principles of ethical decision-making in a business context
  • Assess the possible legal, environmental, financial, and human resource impacts of their decisions with an emphasis on the effects on historically marginalized groups along with the impact on the overall performance of the organization.
  • Optimize the use of skills of all individuals in their respective organizations by developing long-term solutions that recognize the ability of each individual—and integrate those skills to create a more talented, diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment.

B.A., Criminal and Social Justice

This flexible B.A. program explores the intersection of criminal and social justice through the lenses of psychology, sociology, and data analysis. In addition to studying the foundations of the criminal justice system, students analyze systemic issues such as addiction, race, gender, and violence to understand the social and economic roots of crime and identify ethical approaches to addressing them.

Taught by experts in the field of criminal justice—including attorneys, police chiefs, academics, and practitioners—the program combines in-depth study of criminal law and criminology with electives on social change, psychology, and sociology. Boston College’s Jesuit tradition of inquiry and service prepares graduates to help build an ethical, rehabilitative criminal justice system.

Core Curriculum

A distinguishing characteristic of liberal arts education is a required Core curriculum. The Bachelor of Arts programs require the following Core courses:

  • The Examined Life
  • 2 English courses:
    • College Writing
    • Literary Works or other Core literature course
  • 2 Philosophy courses (one of which should be an Ethics course)
  • 2 Theology courses
  • 2 Social Science courses
  • 2 History courses (one must be non-Western)
  • 1 Quantitative Reasoning course
  • 1 Natural Science course
  • 1 Arts course
  • 1 Engaging Diverse Perspectives Course
  • Designing Your Career

Major Requirements

Requirements for Major:

  • ADPS1100 Introduction to Psychology (satisfies a Social Science Core requirement)
  • ADSO1001 Introduction to Sociology (satisfies a Social Science Core requirement)
  • ADCJ1100 Introduction to Social Justice
  • ADCJ1101 Principles of Criminal Justice
  • ADCJ3010 Criminal Law and Procedure
  • ADCJ4100 Corrections: Policies and Practices
  • ADCJ2000 Criminology or ADCJ2001 Crime and Punishment
  • ADCJ3051 American Institutions
  • Two courses from Social and Systemic Challenges in Criminal Justice elective courses
  • Two courses from Interdisciplinary elective courses

In addition to the credits required by the Core and major, students must take free elective courses to attain the 120 credits required to complete a bachelor's degree at Woods College.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

  • Appraise the power dynamics of policy, social norms, and biases in determining how criminal laws are made and enforced.
  • Apply established and emerging psychological and sociological theories to explain criminal behavior. 
  • Identify and propose interdisciplinary approaches to resolve critical criminal and social justice issues, recognizing that these issues are both evolving and contested, as demonstrated in real-life case studies.
  • Employ oral and written communication to effectively interact within a variety of audiences and contexts. 
  • Articulate the competing ethical issues surrounding criminality and punishment and advocate for a course of action informed by ethical principles that serve the common good.
  • Explain the roles of the key components of the criminal justice system: law enforcement, the courts, and corrections.
  • Integrate historic social, cultural, legal, economic, and political events into a coherent explanation of the current state of American institutions.
  • Distinguish the constitutional protections of people who are suspected to have committed a crime, those who are accused of having committed a crime, and those who are convicted.
  • Explain how legislation and judicial decisions affect criminal justice policies and practices.
  • Apply criminal and constitutional law to specific facts employing legal reasoning skills.

B.A., Cybersecurity

The B.A. in Cybersecurity prepares students to succeed in the ever-changing cyber ecosystem.

This program emphasizes risk management, risk tolerance, and risk mitigation as well as the implementation of security controls and compliance with regulatory requirements necessary to achieve the level of risk tolerance acceptable to a particular organization.

The cybersecurity program provides a robust baseline of skills needed to adapt to changes in business, technology, and threat environments. The degree program introduces advanced topics within cybersecurity including ethical hacking, incident response and disaster recovery, security within the software development framework, and the legal and regulatory aspects of cybersecurity.

Core Curriculum

A distinguishing characteristic of liberal arts education is a required Core curriculum. The Bachelor of Arts programs require the following Core courses:

  • The Examined Life
  • 2 English courses:
    • College Writing
    • Literary Works or other Core literature course
  • 2 Philosophy courses (one of which should be an Ethics course)
  • 2 Theology courses
  • 2 Social Science courses
  • 2 History courses (one must be non-Western)
  • 1 Quantitative Reasoning course
  • 1 Natural Science course
  • 1 Arts course
  • 1 Engaging Diverse Perspectives Course
  • Designing Your Career
     

Major Requirements

Requirements for Major:

  • ADIT2500 Cybersecurity Fundamentals
  • ADEN 2650 Writing with Precision
  • ADIT2000 Computer Security
  • Programming Elective (Choose One)
    • ADIT1990 C++ Programming
    • ADIT1985 Python Programming
  • ADIT2100 Computer Networks
  • ADIT2750 Systems Analysis and Design
  • ADIT4110 Ethical Hacking
  • ADIT3500 Laws, Frameworks, and Policies in Cybersecurity
  • ADIT3650 Incident Response and Disaster Recovery
  • ADIT3102 DevOps Automation and Cloud Security

In addition to the credits required by the Core and major, students must take free elective courses to attain the 120 credits required to complete a bachelor's degree at Woods College.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

  • Discuss articulately and efficiently with large groups of diverse stakeholders, both technical and non-technical, to effectively demonstrate and communicate security concepts and the value of a modern cybersecurity program.
  • Detect, analyze, identify, prioritize, and resolve security vulnerabilities, threats, risks, and breaches using appropriate tools.
  • Develop cybersecurity programs, policies, and procedures to manage enterprise security risks.
  • Apply security principles and practices to maintain operations in the presence of risks and threats.
  • Demonstrate foundational knowledge of risk management strategies, including calculation of risk, evaluating risk tolerance, compensating controls, and risk management planning.
  • Evaluate and communicate the human role in security systems with an emphasis on ethics, social engineering vulnerabilities, and training.
  • Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
  • Discuss relevant laws, regulations, and frameworks as they apply to cybersecurity operations.
  • Describe professional, ethical, legal, security, and social issues and responsibilities related to computing and cybersecurity.
  • Upon additional review, the ability to achieve the following industry certifications: Cisco—CCNA, CompTIA—Network+, CompTIA—Security+, CompTIA—CySA+, EC-Council Ethical Hacking, ISACA—CRISC, ISACA—CISA, ISACA—CISM, (ISC)²—CCSP, (ISC)²—SSCP, (ISC)²—CISSP, ITIL Foundations.

B.A., Digital Communication

Acquire an in-depth understanding of the many ways communication affects—and is affected by—modern societies. The Digital Communications degree prepares students for a field that relies on technology channels to share and receive information. Students will develop skills to critically analyze information and present it persuasively and effectively.

Core Curriculum

A distinguishing characteristic of liberal arts education is a required Core curriculum. The Bachelor of Arts programs require the following Core courses:

  • The Examined Life
  • 2 English courses:
    • College Writing
    • Literary Works or other Core literature course
  • 2 Philosophy courses (one of which should be an Ethics course)
  • 2 Theology courses
  • 2 Social Science courses
  • 2 History courses (one must be non-Western)
  • 1 Quantitative Reasoning course
  • 1 Natural Science course
  • 1 Arts course
  • 1 Engaging Diverse Perspectives Course
  • Designing Your Career

Major Requirements

Requirements for Major:

  • ADCO1005 Introduction to Communications
  • ADCO1020 Survey of Mass Communication
  • ADBM/ADCO1143 Corporate Communications
  • ADCO2001 Writing for the Digital Space
  • ADCO/ADMK2201 Digital Marketing Strategy
  • ADCO/ADMK3201 Social Media Marketing 
  • ADCO3002 Digital Storytelling
  • ADCO4050 Strategic Communications
  • Three Communications or Marketing elective courses

In addition to the credits required by the Core and major, students must take free elective courses to attain the 120 credits required to complete a bachelor's degree at Woods College.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

  • Communicate effectively across different channels and mediums, both verbal and written, for personal and professional purposes.
  • Identify communication opportunities where a new, strategic plan would benefit a business or organization.
  • Create a strategic communications and/or marketing plan for a business or organization, leveraging the newest tool, resources, and trends to achieve business goals.
  • Present data and information in a way that tells a compelling story and drives influence within a team or organization.
  • Evaluate existing marketing and communications campaigns in order to optimize tactics for long-term success.
  • Possess a fundamental understanding of the ethical and legal ramifications of various communication scenarios.
  • Work collaboratively, as a part of a team, to implement a strategic communications plan for a local entity and report back on the successes and opportunities observed.

B.A., Economics

Want to understand how consumers and businesses alike behave? For students aspiring to master the theory and practical skills central to our market-driven world, our program provides a 360-degree understanding of economic dynamics in modern societies.

Students aiming to become bankers, business managers, market researchers, budget analysts, or others working in careers where they need to know the intricacies of economies will be well-suited for success with this degree. Students learn to differentiate between market structures and analyze case studies using theories of economic growth, unemployment, and inflation.

Core Curriculum

A distinguishing characteristic of liberal arts education is a required Core curriculum. The Bachelor of Arts programs require the following Core courses:

  • The Examined Life
  • 2 English courses:
    • College Writing
    • Literary Works or other Core literature course
  • 2 Philosophy courses (one of which should be an Ethics course)
  • 2 Theology courses
  • 2 Social Science courses
  • 2 History courses (one must be non-Western)
  • 1 Quantitative Reasoning course
  • 1 Natural Science course
  • 1 Arts course
  • 1 Engaging Diverse Perspectives Course
  • Designing Your Career

Major Requirements

Requirements for Major:

  • ADEC1101 Principles of Economics (satisfies a Social Science Core requirement)
  • ADMT1100 Calculus 1 (prereq for ADEC3201/3202) (satisfies a Quantitative Reasoning Core requirement)
  • ADMT1353 Statistics or ADMT1805 Applied Statistics
  • ADEC3201 Microeconomic Theory
  • ADEC3202 Macroeconomic Theory
  • ADEC3515 Econometric Methods
  • Five upper-level economics elective courses

In addition to the credits required by the Core and major, students must take free elective courses to attain the 120 credits required to complete a bachelor's degree at Woods College.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

  • Bring theories of economic growth, unemployment, and inflation to bear on the analysis of particular case studies.
  • Characterize and distinguish between different market structures.
  • Relate models of consumer and firm behavior to particular case studies.
  • Bring different macroeconomic models to bear on the analysis of the national economy.
  • Communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
  • Evaluate economic policies and decision making with an ethical lens.

B.A., Information Technology

The Information Technology undergraduate program is structured to provide students with a holistic understanding of the field of IT and allow them to explore specialized electives that cater to industry-specific needs. It includes core concepts such as operating systems and database management as well as advanced topics like automation and cloud security.  The curriculum is designed with an applied focus, offering hands-on learning experiences that mirror real-world scenarios.  There is an emphasis on integrating technology-driven teaching methodologies and tools to replicate the environment students will encounter in their professional lives.

Core Curriculum

A distinguishing characteristic of liberal arts education is a required Core curriculum. The Bachelor of Arts programs require the following Core courses:

  • The Examined Life
  • 2 English courses:
    • College Writing
    • Literary Works or other Core literature course
  • 2 Philosophy courses (one of which should be an Ethics course)
  • 2 Theology courses
  • 2 Social Science courses
  • 2 History courses (one must be non-Western)
  • 1 Quantitative Reasoning course
  • 1 Natural Science course
  • 1 Arts course
  • 1 Engaging Diverse Perspectives Course
  • Designing Your Career

Major Requirements

  • ADIT1400 Python
  • ADIT2050 Operating Systems
  • ADIT2200 Database Management
  • ADIT2000 Computer Security
  • ADIT3300 Project Management
  • ADIT4000 Systems Architecture
  • Four Information Technology elective courses

Students in the Information Technology major are strongly encouraged to take ADMT1004 Finite Probability as their Quantitative Reasoning Core requirement.

In addition to the credits required by the Core and major, students must take free elective courses to attain the 120 credits required to complete a bachelor's degree at Woods College.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will/will be able to:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of core information technologies, including proficiency in programming languages, database management, networking, and cybersecurity, and apply this knowledge in various real-world contexts. 
  • Develop strong analytical thinking and problem-solving skills. They will be able to analyze complex problems, identify and evaluate possible solutions, and implement the most effective solutions using information technology tools. 
  • Understand the ethical, legal, and societal implications of information technology. This involves recognizing the potential impacts of technology on individuals, organizations, and society as a whole and making responsible decisions in the design and implementation of IT systems. 
  • Communicate technical information to various audiences both orally and in writing.
  • Work collaboratively in teams, reflecting the importance of collaboration in the field of IT. 
  • Understand how information technology aligns with business strategy and contributes to achieving organizational goals. This includes the ability to analyze business needs, design IT solutions that meet those needs, and manage IT projects to successful completion. 
  • Upon additional review, the ability to achieve the following industry certifications: 
    • CompTIA A+: Pursued by students who have studied basic IT operations and technologies. 
    • CompTIA Network+: Pursued by students who've taken courses in networking fundamentals. 
    • CompTIA Security+: For students who've delved into basic cybersecurity concepts. 
    • Cisco's CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate): For those who've studied networking. 
    • Microsoft's MTA (Microsoft Technology Associate) or MCSA (Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate): Relevant for student who've studied Windows servers (operating system), databases, or other Microsoft technologies. 
    • AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate: For students who've been introduced to cloud computing, specifically with Amazon Web Services. 
    • Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP): Ideal for student who've covered advanced cybersecurity topics. 
    • Project Management Professional (PMP): For those who've taken the project management course. 
    • CompTIA Project+: For those who've taken the project management course.

B.A., Psychology

Do you wonder why we do what we do and what makes us tick? Seek the answers through this flexible program, which covers aspects of many applied areas in psychology. Whether you enroll full or part-time, you'll study with leading practitioners and industry experts as you learn to apply key theories from the field of psychology to solve real-world issues at work, in your community, and in society. Courses are offered weekends, nights, online, and in a hybrid format.

This major is ideal for students who want to analyze human behavior through the lenses of developmental history, social sciences, cognitive psychology, and civil society. You’ll also learn the theory and practice of psychological counseling and apply foundational principles of developmental and cognitive psychology to case studies while considering the field’s ethical dimensions.

Core Curriculum

A distinguishing characteristic of liberal arts education is a required Core curriculum. The Bachelor of Arts programs require the following Core courses:

  • The Examined Life
  • 2 English courses:
    • College Writing
    • Literary Works or other Core literature course
  • 2 Philosophy courses (one of which should be an Ethics course)
  • 2 Theology courses
  • 2 Social Science courses
  • 2 History courses (one must be non-Western)
  • 1 Quantitative Reasoning course
  • 1 Natural Science course
  • 1 Arts course
  • 1 Engaging Diverse Perspectives Course
  • Designing Your Career

Major Requirements

Requirements for Major:

  • ADPS1100 Introductory Psychology (satisfies a Social Science Core requirement)
  • ADPS1153 Research Methods for the Social Sciences
  • ADMT1805 Applied Statistics (satisfies a Quantitative Reasoning Core requirement)
  • ADPS1261 Developmental Psychology
  • ADPS2272 Cognitive Psychology
  • ADPS4001 Psychology in Context (must first complete ADMT1805, ADPS110, ADPS1153, ADPS1261, and ADPS2272)
  • Six psychology elective courses

In addition to the credits required by the Core and major, students must take free elective courses to attain the 120 credits required to complete a bachelor's degree at Woods College.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

  • Interpret and evaluate psychological phenomena by engaging in scientific reasoning and dynamic problem solving in broad, multi-disciplinary contexts
  • Identify and evaluate trustworthy scholarly resources; articulate ways in which context shapes research questions and findings; and interpret basic statistical analyses found within those resources.
  • Evaluate and apply the ethical standards of the psychology field in their professional and personal lives.
  • Propose solutions to civic, social, and global problems through the creative application of psychological theories and constructs while recognizing society’s inherent diversity and the ways in which that diversity impacts those psychological theories and constructs.
  • Create effective communication materials in written, oral, and digital formats, including the correct implementation of the APA style.

Fifth Year and Advanced Standing Programs for Boston College Students

Accelerated Program for Boston College Undergraduate Economics Students (Enrolled at the Woods College, Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences, or Carroll School of Management)

Woods College of Advancing Studies is proud to offer Boston College students an option for accelerated completion of the Master of Science in Applied Economics program. This option is available to students with significant previous economics course work, including Economics majors and minors in the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences as well as to students with Economics concentration in the Carroll School of Management. Students enrolled in the accelerated program will have to complete eight courses in WCAS, which is possible to achieve within one calendar year of entry into the program.

Benefits

Under the terms of this agreement, qualified students are eligible for:

  • Waiver of application fee
  • Waiver of Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
  • Preferred admission without the competition of the rest of the applicant pool
  • Credit for Microeconomic Theory (ECON2201 or ECON2203) and Macroeconomic Theory (ECON2202 or ECON2204) courses if the courses are completed with a grade of B or better. These credits will count as fulfilling the requirement of taking Applied Microeconomic Theory (ADEC7201) and Applied Macroeconomic Theory (ADEC7200).
  • Option to complete the eight remaining course requirements in one additional calendar year

Qualifications

  • Anticipated successful completion of a bachelor’s degree in May of senior year
  • Overall GPA of 3.30 or above
  • Grade of B or better in prerequisite courses: Principles of Economics, Statistics, Calculus I, and Calculus II*
  • Submission of all Applied Economics application materials by the end of the semester in which the student will graduate. In order to receive priority consideration for WCAS financial aid, students should apply in the fall semester of their senior year.

*Calculus II course can be taken after the admission into the program.

Accelerated Program for Boston College Undergraduate Students (enrolled at the Woods College, Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences, or Carroll School of Management)

Woods College of Advancing Studies is proud to offer Boston College students an option for accelerated completion of the Master of Science in Leadership. Students enrolled in the accelerated program will have to complete eight courses in WCAS, which is possible to achieve within one calendar year of entry into the program.

Benefits

Under the terms of this agreement, qualified students are eligible for:

  • Waiver of the application fee;
  • Waiver of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE);
  • Preferred admission without the competition of the rest of the applicant pool;
  • Advanced standing for up to two upper-level courses that student has completed at BC; Graduate Program Director to approve.
  • Option to complete the eight remaining course requirements in one additional calendar year.
     

Qualifications

  • Anticipated successful completion of a bachelor's degree from BC in May of senior year
  • Overall GPA of 3.30 or above
  • Submission of all the application materials by the published Boston College deadline.

Interested students should contact the Woods College Office of Admissions with any further questions.

Minors

The Woods College of Advanced Studies offers a variety of minors open to Woods College students. Minors at Woods College consists of at least 15 credits and at most 24 credits. Of these credits, only one course can be double counted in the major or core. No more than half of the minor may consist of transfer credits. Students must successfully complete at least 12 credits at Woods College before applying to a Minor program.

Students must take:

  • No more than one course at the 1000 level
  • No more than two courses at the 2000 level
  • At least one course between the 3000-4000 level

Business

Minor Requirements

  1. ADEC1101 Principles of Economics 
  2. ADAC1081 Financial Accounting
  3. ADBM4001 Strategic Leadership
  4. ADBM1510 Management and Org Behavior 
  5. One elective course from:
    1. ADBM/ADCO1143 Corporate Communication
    2. ADLA2400 Business Law
    3. ADBM/ADET2650 Entrepreneurship
    4. ADCO/ADMK2201 Digital Marketing Strategy
    5. ADIT3300 Project Management
    6. ADFN1010 Principles of Finance

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this minor, students will be able to:

  • Apply analytical skills in a systematic manner to define business challenges or opportunities, develop potential solutions, and evaluate their success.
  • Translate strategic objectives into measurable plans that deploy the necessary resources in the most effective manner to solve business problems within defined constraints.
  • Employ data analysis skills to enhance understanding of a business problem and identify solutions that are supported by the data.
  • Communicate effectively across business contexts, both in writing and verbally, and give multimedia presentations to large and small groups using a variety of technology applications.
  • Apply a working knowledge of risk management strategies to identify and mitigate risks in organizations.
  • Examine all situations through an ethical lens and apply principles of ethical decision-making in a business context.
  • Develop long-term solutions that optimize the strengths of individuals who make up diverse teams and advance an inclusive and equitable organizational approach and environment.

Criminal and Social Justice

Minor Requirements

  1. ADCJ1100 Introduction to Social Justice
  2. ADCJ1101 Principles of Criminal Justice
  3. ADCJ2011 Criminology or ADCJ2001 Crime and Punishment
  4. ADCJ3010 Criminal Law and Procedure
  5. One course from the Systemic and Social Challenges or interdisciplinary CSJ elective courses

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this minor, students will be able to:

  • Appraise the power dynamics of policy, social norms and biases in determining how criminal laws are made and enforced.
  • Apply established and emerging psychological and sociological theories to explain criminal behavior.
  • Identify and propose interdisciplinary approaches to resolve critical criminal and social justice issues, recognizing that these issues are both evolving and contested, as demonstrated in real-life case studies.
  • Employ oral and written communication to effectively interact within a variety of audiences and contexts.
  • Articulate the competing ethical issues surrounding criminality and punishment and advocate for a course of action informed by ethical principles that serve the common good.
  • Explain the roles of the key components of the criminal justice system: law enforcement, the courts, and corrections.
  • Integrate historic social, cultural, legal, economic, and political events into a coherent explanation of the current state of American institutions.
  • Distinguish the constitutional protections of people who are suspected to have committed a crime, those who are accused of having committed a crime, and those who are convicted.
  • Explain how legislation and judicial decisions affect criminal justice policies and practices.
  • Apply criminal and constitutional law to specific facts employing legal reasoning skills.

Cybersecurity

Minor Requirements

  1. ADIT1200 Cybersecurity Fundamentals
  2. ADIT2000 Computer Security
  3. ADIT2100 Computer Networks 
  4. ADIT2300 Systems Analysis and Design
  5. ADIT3500 Laws, Policies, and Frameworks in Cybersecurity
  6. ADIT4100 Ethical Hacking

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this minor, students will/will be able to:

  • Articulately and efficiently discuss cybersecurity concepts and the value of modern cybersecurity measures with a diverse range of stakeholders, including both technical and non-technical groups. This includes tailoring communication to meet the needs and understanding of different audiences.
  • Detect, analyze, identify, prioritize, and resolve security vulnerabilities, threats, risks, and breaches using appropriate tools and methodologies. This outcome ensures that students are prepared to handle real-world cybersecurity challenges proactively.
  • Apply security principles and practices to maintain safe operations in the presence of risks and threats. This includes developing strategies to ensure continuous operation and integrity of systems under potential cyber attacks.
  • Demonstrate a foundational knowledge of risk management strategies, including the ability to calculate risk, evaluate risk tolerance, implement compensating controls, and develop comprehensive risk management plans.
  • Evaluate and communicate the critical role humans play in security systems, emphasizing social engineering vulnerabilities, and the importance of targeted training to mitigate human errors.
  • Describe the professional, ethical, legal, and social issues and responsibilities related to computing and cybersecurity, ensuring a well-rounded understanding of the field’s broader context.
  • Prepare for industry-recognized certifications, such as Cisco – CCNA, CompTIA – Network+, CompTIA – Security+, ITIL Foundations, and (ISC)² – SSCP, equipping students with the qualifications needed to advance in their careers.

Digital Communications

Minor Requirements

  1. ADCO1005 Introduction to Communications
  2. ADCO3002 Digital Storytelling
  3. ADCO/ADMK 2201 Digital Marketing Strategy 
  4. ADCO/ADMK 2300 Social Media Marketing 
  5. One Communication or Marketing elective course

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this minor, students will/will be able to:

  • Communicate effectively across different channels and mediums, both verbal and written, for personal and professional purposes 
  • Identify communication opportunities where a new, strategic plan would benefit a business or organization
  • Create a strategic communications and/or marketing plan for a business or organization, leveraging the newest tool, resources, and trends to achieve business goals
  • Present data and information in a way that tells a compelling story and drives influence within a team or organizaton
  • Evaluate existing marketing and communications campaigns in order to optimize tactics for long-term success
  • Possess a fundamental understanding of the ethical and legal ramifications of various communication scenarios
  • Work collaboratively, as a part of a team, to implement a strategic communications plan for a local entity and report back on the successes and opportunities observed

Economics

Minor Requirements

  1. ADEC1101 Principles of Economics
  2. ADEC3201 Microeconomic Theory
  3. ADEC3202 Macroeconomic Theory
  4. ADEC3515 Econometric Methods
  5. One Economics elective course

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this minor, students will be able to:

  • Bring theories of economic growth, unemployment, and inflation to bear on the analysis of particular case studies.
  • Characterize and distinguish between different market structures.
  • Relate models of consumer and firm behavior to particular case studies.
  • Bring different macroeconomic models to bear on the analysis of the national economy.
  • Communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
  • Gain insight into the moral dimension of economic policies and decision-making.

English

Minor Requirements

  1. Completion of the Core English requirements: ADEN1054 College Writing and ADEN1060 Literary Works (or other core literature course).
  2. One Non-Western Literature elective.
  3. Three English elective courses.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this minor, students will/will be able to:

  • Compose an original, clear and well organized papers by analyzing high-quality evidence and applying appropriate conventions
  • Read closely, interpret and analyze literary texts
  • Gather and utilize evidence from secondary sources to support an interpretation of a literary text and articulate a critical position or interpretation in a thesis statement; 
  • Recognize and analyze the influence of cultural, historical, and social contexts on works of literature

Entrepreneurship

Minor Requirements

  • ADBM/ADET2650 Entrepreneurship
  • Four elective courses from:
    • ADBM2103 Digital Commerce 
    • ADCO/ADMK2201 Digital Marketing Strategy 
    • ADET2104 Social Entrepreneurship for Business and Nonprofits 
    • ADET3101 Business Planning for New Ventures 
    • ADET3102 Design and Prototyping for Entrepreneurs 
    • ADET3103 Funding for New Ventures 
    • ADET4105 Design Your Entrepreneurship Deep Dive
    • ADMK3210 Marketing Data Analytics 
    • ADSY4001 Strategic Leadership 

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this minor, students will/will be able to:

  • Apply entrepreneurial thinking, innovative problem-solving, and business planning skills in a variety of industry sectors, organizations, and career paths
  • Plan and validate the feasibility of an entrepreneurial project as a startup venture or in a corporate or nonprofit setting
  • Develop innovative product and service ideas into entrepreneurial opportunities
  • Research target markets and competitors, create simple prototypes, collect and analyze customer feedback, and build realistic financial projections
  • Effectively communicate mission statements, value propositions, business pitches and marketing messages in formats appropriate for various audiences
  • Create a go-to-market plan for a startup idea, including customer acquisition, product pricing, and distribution strategies, resource needs, and a 3-year financial plan for operations and sustainable growth
  • Apply communications and critical thinking skills to presenting startup pitches, integrating peer feedback, and providing constructive feedback for the entrepreneurial ideas of colleagues
  • Develop collaborative leadership, communications, analytical thinking, and team building skills to achieve entrepreneurial goals

Forensic Science

Minor Requirements

  • FORS5318 Forensic Science (Fall - CSON)
  • FORS5315 Victimology (Fall - CSON)
  • FORS5317 Forensic Mental Health (Spring - CSON)
  • Three elective courses from the approved list on the Woods College Minors webpage

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this minor, students will be able to:

  • Students construct a "pathway" plan tailored to their major and career interests
  • Emphasizes critical thinking about the role of science and algorithms in society
  • Prepares students for careers in forensic science, law enforcement, legal professions, and related fields
  • Interdisciplinary approach drawing from various schools and departments at Boston College

History

Minor Requirements

  1. Completion of History Core requirements.
  2. One Non-Western History elective.
  3. Three History elective courses.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this minor, students will/will be able to:

  • Analyze the impact of major historical events, movements, and figures, especially in the context of geopolitics and global economics
  • Evaluate primary sources, secondary sources, or both to gain knowledge of main ideas and general trends in historiography
  • Contextualize historical events in light of ethical considerations and contemporary issues including social justice and the distribution of power.
  • Produce an independent research assignment that results in an interpretation of an historical event, actor, or movement

Information Technology

Minor Requirements

  1. ADIT 2000 Computer Security
  2. ADIT 2050 Operating Systems
  3. ADIT 2200 Database Management
  4. ADIT 4000 Systems Architecture
  5. One Information Technology elective course

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this minor, students will/will be able to:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of core information technologies and the ability to apply this knowledge in various real-world contexts. This includes proficiency in programming languages, database management, networking, and cybersecurity.
  • Develop strong analytical thinking and problem-solving skills. They will be able to analyze complex problems, identify and evaluate possible solutions, and implement the most effective solutions using information technology tools.
  • Understand the ethical, legal, and societal implications of information technology. This involves recognizing the potential impacts of technology on individuals, organizations, and society as a whole and making responsible decisions in the design and implementation of IT systems.
  • Communicate technical information to various audiences both orally and in writing. 
  • Collaborative in teams, reflecting the importance of collaboration in the field of IT.
  • Understand how information technology aligns with business strategy and contributes to achieving organizational goals. This includes the ability to analyze business needs, design IT solutions that meet those needs, and manage IT projects to successful completion.

Philosophy

Minor Requirements

  1. Completion of the Philosophy Core requirements.
  2. One Non-Western Philosophy elective.
  3. Three Philosophy elective courses.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this minor, students will/will be able to:

  • Identify the core ideas of important philosophical movements and figures and compare/contrast their approaches to enduring philosophical questions and engage in these centuries long conversations 
  • Analyze issues through the lens of a variety of philosophical schools of thought to articulate their own approaches to philosophical questions
  • Reflect on the relationship between ethical and moral thought and their Application to our life 
  • Thoughtfully and critically respond to moral and ethical issues raised in philosophy 
  • Interpret contemporary issues  in light of questions of philosophical theory 
  • Articulate an original argument on a philosophical issue by applying research and logical reasoning
  • Express and defend a philosophical ideas  stance  in discussions with peers 

Political Science

Minor Requirements

  1. ADPO1041 Fundamental Concepts of Politics
  2. ADPO4005 Comparative Politics
  3. Three Political Science elective courses.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this minor, students will be able to:

  • Discuss and analyze political institutions and processes in consideration of major theories of politics.
  • Formulate an argument about a political process or event supported by evidence 
  • Research and evaluate scholarship in order to place political events in historical, national, and theoretical contexts.

Psychology

Minor Requirements

  1. ADPS1100 Introductory Psychology
  2. ADPS1261 Developmental Psychology
  3. ADPS2272 Cognitive Psychology
  4. Two Psychology elective courses

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this minor, students will/will be able to:

  • Interpret and evaluate psychological phenomena by engaging in scientific reasoning and dynamic problem solving in broad, multi-disciplinary contexts
  • Identify and evaluate trustworthy scholarly resources; articulate ways in which context shapes research questions and findings; and interpret basic statistical analyses found within those resources.
  • Evaluate and apply the ethical standards of the psychology field in their professional and personal lives. 
  • Propose solutions to civic, social, and global problems through the creative application of psychological theories and constructs while recognizing society’s inherent diversity and the ways in which that diversity impacts those psychological theories and constructs.
  • Create effective communication materials in written, oral, and digital formats, including the correct implementation of the APA style.

Sociology

Minor Requirements

  1. ADSO1001 Introductory Sociology
  2. ADSO2501 Sociological Theories
  3. Three Sociology elective courses.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this minor, students will be able to:

  • Analyze the relationship between individuals, societal structures and institutions as well as systemic inequalities
  • Discuss sociological theories and evaluate
  • Research, analyze and communicate sociological scholarship

Professional Studies Certificate: Cybersecurity

The Professional Studies Certificate is an end in itself for some students. For others, it may be applied toward completion of a bachelor’s degree. Whatever one’s ultimate goal, whether to qualify for promotion, initiate a career change, or earn an undergraduate degree, a Professional Studies Certificate can help to achieve that objective. The Woods College offers a professional studies certificate in Cybersecurity.

Certificate requirements include the following:

  • Students must receive at least a grade of C for each course credited toward the certificate.
  • Certificate requirements should be completed within two years of initial enrollment for non-degree students, and prior to degree completion for students already enrolled in a degree program; courses are permanently retained on the student record.

Cybersecurity Certificate

This Cybersecurity Certificate emphasizes risk management, tolerance and mitigation by implementing security controls and compliance with regulatory requirements that achieve a level of risk tolerance acceptable to the organization. The Cybersecurity certificate program lays the foundation for security professionals to achieve success providing a robust baseline of skills needed to adapt to changes in business, technology, and threat environments.

Certificate Requirements

  • ADIT1200 Cybersecurity Fundamentals
  • ADIT2000 Computer Security
  • ADEN2650 Writing with Precision
  • ADIT2100 Computer Networks
  • ADIT2300 Systems Analysis and Design
  • One programming elective course from:
    • ADIT1400 Python Programming
    • ADIT1450 C++ Programming

Academic Honors

Degree with Honors

For information regarding academic honors printed in the Commencement program, visit the Policies and Procedures: Undergraduate Academic Regulations, Degree with Honors section of the catalog.

Undergraduate Graduation Awards

Awards at commencement recognize a distinguished scholastic record, special accomplishments in various academic fields, and qualities of outstanding character, leadership, community engagement, and demonstrated loyalty to the college.

Dean's List

The Woods College Dean's List recognizes the achievement of undergraduate students semester by semester. Students with a GPA of 3.700 or above in the B.A. programs will be placed on the Dean's List. In order to be eligible for the Dean's List, students must earn at least eight or more credits in courses evaluated with a letter grade. Students must not have withdrawals, pass/fail grades, or incompletes in the semester in question. 

Non-Degree Students

Applying as a Non-Degree Student

There are two types of non-degree students: 1) students who wish to take courses before they matriculate in a degree or certificate program and 2) life-long learners, those who are taking courses solely for personal enrichment. All non-degree students must complete an application. Once non-degree students have been admitted, they will be assigned to an academic advisor who will assist them in selecting appropriate courses.

Most Woods courses are open to non-degree students (with certain exceptions for courses in specific degree or certificate programs). The non-degree option is not intended for full-time study. Non-degree students will be limited to two courses per semester. Should a student wish to take more courses in a semester, they will need to apply to a degree or certificate program. 

Non-degree students are not eligible for need-based or merit-based financial aid from Boston College or for most federally and state-funded assistance plans. (See specific assistance programs for exceptions.) However, non-degree work may qualify for reimbursement under employer-sponsored tuition remission development programs. 

Continuation as a Non-Degree Student

Non-degree students who wish to take courses before they matriculate in a degree or certificate program may take up to a maximum of 16 credits if they are an undergraduate non-degree student or 2 courses if they are a graduate non-degree student before they are required to matriculate into a degree or certificate program. If students plan on transitioning to a degree or certificate program, they will be required to submit an application. Regardless of when non-degree students begin taking courses, they will be held to the academic program and policies at the time of acceptance into a degree or certificate program.

Life-long learners have no limit to the number of courses they can take as long as they remain in good academic standing. The life-long learner designation is not intended to lead to a degree or certificate.

Academic Standing as a Nondegree Student

Non-degree students will be held to the academic standing standards as undergraduate and graduate degree-seeking students. For details related to academic standing, please refer to the Woods College’s "Academic Policies" website and the “Academic Standing” section.

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