Academic Policies

As per the university policy, academic integrity is violated by any dishonest act which is committed in an academic context including, but not restricted to the following.

Cheating is the fraudulent or dishonest presentation of work. Cheating includes but is not limited to:

● Use or attempted use of unauthorized aids in examinations or other academic exercises submitted for evaluation
● Fabrication, falsification, or misrepresentation of data, results, sources for papers or reports, or in clinical practice, as in reporting experiments, measurements, statistical analyses, tests, or other studies never performed; manipulating or altering data or other manifestations of research to achieve a desired result; selective reporting, including the deliberate suppression of conflicting or unwanted data
● Falsification of papers, official records, or reports
● Copying from another student's work
● Actions that destroy or alter the work of another student
● Unauthorized cooperation in completing assignments or during an examination
● Use of purchased essays or term papers or of purchased preparatory research for such papers
● Submission of the same written work in more than one course without prior written approval from the instructors involved
● Dishonesty in requests for late registrations, make-up exams, for extensions of deadlines for submitting papers, and in any other matter relating to a course

Plagiarism is the act of taking the words, ideas, data, illustrations, or statements of another person or source, and presenting them as one's own. Each student is responsible for learning and using proper methods of paraphrasing and footnoting, quotation, and other forms of citation, to ensure that the original author, speaker, illustrator, or source of the material used is clearly acknowledged.

Other breaches of academic integrity include:

● Misrepresentation of one's own or another's identity for academic purposes
● Misrepresentation of material facts or circumstances in relation to examinations, papers, or other evaluative activities
● Sale of papers, essays, or research for fraudulent use
● Alteration or falsification of official University records
● Unauthorized use of University academic facilities or equipment, including computer accounts and files
● Unauthorized recording, sale, purchase, or use of academic lectures, academic computer software, or other instructional materials
● Expropriation or abuse of ideas and preliminary data obtained during the process of editorial or peer review of work submitted to journals, or in proposals for funding by agency panels or by internal University committees
● Expropriation and/or inappropriate dissemination of personally-identifying human subject data;
● Unauthorized removal, mutilation, or deliberate concealment of materials in University libraries, media, or academic resource centers

Collusion is defined as assistance or an attempt to assist another student in an act of academic dishonesty. Collusion is distinct from collaborative learning, which may be a valuable component of students' scholarly development.

Collaboration at acceptable levels varies in different courses. Students are expected to consult with their instructor if they are uncertain whether their cooperative activities are acceptable.

Student Roles in Maintaining Academic Integrity
Students have a responsibility to maintain high standards of academic integrity in their own work, and thereby to maintain the integrity of their degree. It is their responsibility to be familiar with, and understand, the University policy on academic integrity.

Students who become aware of a violation of academic integrity by a fellow student should respond in one of the following ways:

● Students may discuss their concerns with the student whom they suspect of a violation. Direct contact by another student may be the best means of resolving the problem. Repeated demonstration of student concern for academic integrity will in the long run build a peer-regulated community.
● If the incident is a major violation or part of a repeated pattern of violations, students should bring their concerns to the attention of the instructor or to the appropriate department chairperson or associate dean. Suspected violations by students reported to members of the faculty or to an associate dean will be handled according to the procedures set forth below.

Students who have a serious concern that a faculty member is not living up to his or her responsibility to safeguard and promote academic integrity should speak with the faculty member directly, or should bring their concern to the attention of the department chairperson or associate dean.

Faculty Roles in Fostering Academic Integrity
Faculty members should provide students with a positive environment for learning and intellectual growth and, by their words and actions, promote conditions that foster academic integrity.

Faculty should be concerned about the impact of their behavior on students. Students are sensitive to messages communicated in informal discussions and in casual faculty remarks about personal decisions and value judgments. Students are perhaps most sensitive to how responsibly faculty members fulfill their obligations to them in the careful preparation of classes, in the serious evaluation of student achievement, and in their genuine interest in and availability to students.

Faculty should promote academic integrity in the following specific ways:

● At the beginning of each course, instructors should discuss academic integrity in order to promote an ongoing dialogue about academic integrity and to set the tone and establish guidelines for academic integrity within the context of the course, e.g., the extent to which collaborative work is appropriate. Where relevant, instructors should discuss why, when, and how students must cite sources in their written work.
● Instructors should provide students with a written syllabus or other documents prepared for the academic experience that states course requirements and, when available, examination dates and times.
● Instructors are encouraged to prepare new examinations and assignments where appropriate each semester in order to ensure that no student obtains an unfair advantage over his or her classmates by reviewing exams or assignments from prior semesters. If previous examinations are available to some students, faculty members should ensure that all students in the course have similar access. Course examinations should be designed to minimize the possibility of cheating, and course paper assignments should be designed to minimize the possibility of plagiarism.
● Proctors should be present at all examinations, including the final examination, and should provide students with an environment that encourages honesty and prevents dishonesty.
● Faculty should be careful to respect students’ intellectual property and the confidentiality of student academic information.
● Assignment of grades, which is the sole responsibility of the instructor, should be awarded in a manner fair to all students.

Academic Deans
The academic deans have overall responsibility for academic integrity within the Woods College which includes the following:

● Promoting an environment where academic integrity is a priority for both students and faculty.
● Ensuring that students who are honest are not placed at an unfair disadvantage.
● Establishing procedures to adjudicate charges of academic dishonesty and to protect the rights of all parties.

Violations of the Academic Integrity Policy
The university takes the violation of academic integrity seriously. Students who are found to be in violation of the academic integrity policy will face one of the following consequences: required to resubmit the assignment, required to retake the assessment, or given a zero on the related assignment or assessment. Violation information will be tracked by their associate dean. Students need to be aware that a second violation of the policy will result in being placed on probation, and a third violation may lead to the dismissal from the university.

Students who are dismissed must wait a minimum of 12 months before reapplying to an undergraduate or graduate program.

Students who wish to appeal an academic decision should use the following procedures. 

Grade Appeal

Students should attempt to resolve grade issues with the course faculty member first. For graduate students—if a resolution is not reached, they shall notify their graduate program director who shall mediate a resolution.

If a resolution is not reached, then a student may appeal to the academic associate dean using the procedures in the Academic Decision Appeals section above. The decision on grade appeals resides with the academic associate dean and is final.

Appeal of other Academic Decisions  

If a student wishes to appeal an academic decision, the student should submit a narrative and supporting documentation to the academic associate dean. This appeal must be submitted within one semester of the alleged policy violation.

The narrative needs to:

• State the policy that applies to the case
• Explain what the student believes about how the policy was violated
• Explain all of the attempts that have been made to resolve the issue
• State the desired remedy 

The academic associate dean will provide a written decision within 30 days. 

If the student wishes to appeal the academic associate dean’s decision, it must be done in writing to the Dean. The appeal should explain why the student feels that the decision was arbitrary, unethical, or based on error. The Dean’s decision is final.

Students seeking accommodation for learning or other disabilities should submit documentation to Connors Family Learning Center or Disability Services Office prior to the start of class so that an appropriate plan for accommodation can be created. Professors cannot make accommodations without verification from Connors Family Learning Center or Disability Services Office. Students with documented disabilities or functional limitations are held to the same academic standards as other students. With the support of the Connors Family Learning Center or Disability Services Office and appropriate accommodation, these students should be able to maintain satisfactory academic progress for financial aid eligibility purposes.

Woods College undergraduate students are allowed to audit an undergraduate Woods College course (without receiving academic credit). The registration fee per semester is $25 and the fee to audit a course is one half of the normal tuition cost. The charge for the audit is considered a fee; therefore, there is no refund for a student who withdraws from a course taken as an audit.

Students wishing to change the status of a registered course from Credit to Audit (or vice-versa) must do so within the Add/Drop period. There are no course status changes allowed beyond the add/drop period.

Students enrolled in Woods College are not allowed to audit courses offered in any other BC undergraduate schools. Students enrolled in any other BC undergraduate schools are not allowed to audit any courses. It is not possible to audit graduate courses.

Students are expected to meet course requirements in classes as specified in the syllabus.  Faculty policy on attendance may vary. Faculty will announce in advance tests, examinations, and other forms of assessments, as well as other assigned material. A student who is absent from class is responsible for what was covered in that class. If a student misses a class, the faculty are free to decide whether any makeup will be allowed. Students are not automatically entitled to make up assessments. As soon as the prospect of extended absence becomes clear, the student or their representative should communicate with their academic advisor. 

Absences for Religious Reasons

Any student who is unable, because of their religious beliefs, to attend or to participate in any examination, study, or work requirement on a particular day shall be excused from any such examination, study, or work requirement and shall be provided with an opportunity to makeup such examination, 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 course 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.

Woods College students, both graduate and undergraduate, enrolled in three Woods College courses are considered full-time for the purposes of financial aid, and students enrolled in two or fewer courses per semester are considered part-time. The maximum allowed course load is three courses per semester for students in the Woods College. A maximum of four courses over the duration of the summer sessions may be taken.

Course overloads (one additional course) will be considered on a case by case basis, pending an evaluation of academic performance. Advisor approval is required to process a registration for a course overload.

Undergraduate

The Dean's List recognizes the achievement of undergraduate students semester by semester. Students with a GPA of 3.700 or above in the BA programs will be placed on the Dean’s List. In order to be eligible for the Dean's List, students must earn at least 8 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.

All courses must have a final assessment. Faculty usually set the day and time of their final assessment on the last day of class, and note in the syllabus.

All students are responsible for knowing when their final assessment will take place and for taking the assessment at the scheduled time.

● Students who miss a final assessment are not entitled, as a matter of right, to a makeup assessment. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis.
● Students who are not able to take a final assessment during its scheduled time should contact the faculty prior to the assessment date or as soon as possible, to inform the faculty of their situation and to make alternative arrangements if permission is granted to do so.

Undergraduate Degrees
Undergraduate students must complete the degree requirements within 10 years of initial enrollment in the degree program.

Undergraduate Certificates
Undergraduate students must complete the certificate requirements within 2 years of initial enrollment in the certificate.

Graduate Degrees
Graduate students must complete the degree requirements within 5 years of initial enrollment in the degree program.

Graduate Certificates
Graduate students must complete the certificate requirements within 2 years of initial enrollment in the certificate.

Non-Completion (Undergraduate and Graduate)
If completion is not achieved by the Time to Complete, then a Continuation Form needs to be approved by the (UG) Academic Dean and (G) Program Director and Academic Dean.

All current students should request official transcripts via the transcript request link in the Agora Portal. For detailed information on how to request transcripts please visit the Student Services webpage.

Student Services webpage

Transcript/Diploma Holds

The University will not issue diplomas or release transcripts for any student with an outstanding financial obligation to the University, which includes failure to complete a mandatory loan exit interview.

Undergraduate Students

At the undergraduate level, a minimum of sixty credits must be completed at Boston College to satisfy residency requirements, and a maximum of sixty credits from regionally accredited institutions, CLEP exams, or Joint Service Transcripts may be transferred into a student’s program.

Courses from regionally accredited institutions with a grade of C or better may be accepted for transfer credits; only courses with a minimum of three credits will be considered for transfer to satisfy a Woods College program requirement. Courses with fewer than three credits will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis for transfer as elective credit.

For all students, transfer credits must be submitted for evaluation by the conclusion of your first semester of study at the Woods College. After the first semester, any student who wants to bring in transfer credits needs approval by the Associate Dean.

College Credit through Examination
Students will only be awarded up to a total of 15 credits from the combination of CLEP and DSST examinations.

College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) and DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) offer students the opportunity to earn college credits through examination, by demonstrating comprehensive knowledge of college-level material gained through independent or prior study. The Woods College of Advancing Studies will accept up to 15 credits from the combination of the CLEP DSST examinations. The Woods College recognizes the American Council on Education’s college credit recommendations for each CLEP and DSST exam. Those recommendations can be found on the CLEP website and the DSST website

Current students must consult with their academic advisor prior to taking CLEP/DSST exams for credit to verify that any CLEP/DSST exam will support the student’s program of study. Students seeking admission to the Woods College should consult an admissions advisor for evaluation of how previously taken CLEP/DSST exams will impact their program of study.

Joint Service Transcripts
Students who have served in the United States armed forces typically have college-level credit. The American Council on Education (ACE) has worked with the U.S. military to evaluate many of the service members’ training modules. They have recommended college-level credit for many of these trainings, and the Woods College of Advancing Studies recognizes that training for possible transfer credit.

When evaluating ACE credit recommendations for transfer, the Woods College will consider training that map onto courses or disciplines that Boston College offers. For example, a recommendation for 3 credits for Computer Applications would transfer as 3 credits within the Information Systems discipline. A recommendation of 3 credits for Aircraft Maintenance would not be eligible for transfer as Boston College does not offer any courses in this area.

Please consult an academic advisor during the admissions process to evaluate how many of the ACE credit recommendations on your JST might transfer into your program of study at Boston College.
At this time Boston College will accept up to 30 credits through the JST. Any CLEP/DSST credits a student may have would also count towards this 30-credit limit. For example, a student with 9 credits through CLEP/DSST would be allowed to bring in 21 credits through the JST. Or a student with 24 JST credits would be allowed to bring in 6 credits through CLEP/DSST exams.

Students should submit their official JST for evaluation prior to the conclusion of their first semester of study at the Woods College.

Taking Courses at other Institutions
Students enrolled in the Woods College as degree students must follow the curriculum prescribed by the college. Once a student matriculates, courses may not be taken at other institutions for credit in a Boston College degree program.

Students who have taken leaves of absence or have not enrolled in consecutive semesters at Woods College are not eligible for transfer credit for courses taken during their absence from the Woods College.

Transfer of Course Credit for Pass Grades
At the undergraduate level, courses with a grade of Pass, that equate to C or better, may be accepted for transfer as free electives only. Transfer courses with a Pass grade, will not be accepted towards core or major requirements

Policy Exception
Due to the pandemic, courses with a grade of Pass from the Spring 2020, Summer 2020, Fall 2020, and Spring 2021 terms will be considered differently for transfer credit.

From these terms, courses with a grade of Pass the undergraduate level, that equate to C or better, may be accepted for transfer into core and major course areas.

Within the undergraduate programs, any courses transferred in with a grade of Pass taken during the above listed terms will not be counted towards the maximum number of Pass/Fail courses that a student may count toward their undergraduate degree.

Graduate Students

Graduate students may transfer no more than 6 credits into their program only with approval from the respective graduate program director. Students should consult their program director or academic advisor if they have any questions regarding the transfer of credit.

Transfer of Course Credit for Pass Grades
At the graduate level, courses with a grade of Pass are not accepted for transfer credit.

Policy Exception
Due to the pandemic, courses with a grade of Pass from the Spring 2020, Summer 2020, Fall 2020, and Spring 2021 terms will be considered differently for transfer credit.
At the graduate level during this period, up to two courses with a grade of Pass, that equate to B or better, may be accepted for transfer into a graduate program.

Tuition

Tuition for Woods College undergraduate and graduate programs is assessed on a per-course basis. Find current tuition rates on the Woods College website and at the Office of Student Services. Tuition charges are usually assessed to a student’s account within 48 hours of registration. Students should plan to pay tuition before classes start each semester.

Paying​ ​Your​ ​Tuition

Student billing takes place online through the Agora Portal. Generally, the first bill is posted within 48 hours of registration. Make your payment by clicking the “My Bill” link in Agora and using a debit or credit card to complete the transaction through BC’s secure payment site. For additional information about billing and payment options, contact the Office of Student Services.

Tuition​ ​Refunds

Tuition for Woods College courses may be refunded when a student withdraws from a course according to the refund schedule outlined in the Woods College Academic Calendar. Please contact your advisor or program director if you wish to withdraw from a course. A completed withdrawal form must be submitted to Woods College by the deadline to trigger a refund (if applicable) to the student’s account. (For more details concerning Withdrawal, please see the "Withdrawal and Leave of Absence" section below.) Students who do not wish to leave any resulting credit in their accounts for later use should request a refund from the Office of Student Services. 

Fees are not refunded, and tuition paid to audit a course is non-refundable.

Tuition​ ​Remission

Full-time, benefits-eligible employees, as well as their spouses and dependent children, are eligible for the Boston College tuition remission benefit. This benefit applies to tuition charges only, and all fees must be paid by the student. Find more information about the tuition remission benefit in the Boston College Employee Handbook.

Financial​ ​Aid

Eligible Woods College students can apply for Federal Student Aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). To be eligible, students must be enrolled in a degree program and register for two or more courses each semester during the academic year. Federal aid is awarded on the basis of financial need. The federal government works directly with students to make awards to eligible applicants after performing a needs analysis based on financial information submitted. Find out more about federal student aid eligibility and options at the Office of Student Services.

Scholarships

Please see the Scholarship portion of the website for information regarding Woods College-specific scholarship funding. For students applying for Summer 2017 or later, scholarship funding is now administered through the Woods College.

• Scholarship funding is awarded on an as available basis and is limited. Consideration for scholarships for all undergraduate and previously funded students begins with submission of the Boston College Application for Financial Aid and the Woods College Scholarship Application. The deadline to apply is August 15th. (Please include name and Eagle # on separate scholarship essay).
• Funding for scholarships for graduate students is not available.
• International students are not eligible for scholarships.

Any questions you may have can be discussed with your advisor, program director, or submitted via email to the Woods College Scholarship email account. Emails should have the word SCHOLARSHIP in the subject line.

Withdrawing​ ​From​ ​a​ ​Course

After the add/drop deadline passes, students can withdraw from a course by submitting a withdrawal form to the college. When a student withdraws from a course, a grade of “W” is assigned and no academic credit is granted for the course. Tuition may be partially refunded when a student withdraws (see refund schedule in the academic calendar), but the student is responsible for paying all tuition due until the withdrawal is submitted. The following do not constitute a withdrawal from a Woods College course:

• Not attending classes
• Informing a professor of intent to withdraw without submitting a withdrawal to the college
• Failing to pay tuition due

To withdraw from a course, please contact your academic advisor. Students may not withdraw from courses after the withdrawal deadline and will receive a final grade for all registered courses. Find withdrawal deadlines on the academic calendar.

B.A. Students

Students can voluntarily withdraw from a degree program by withdrawing from all courses. We strongly recommend that you consult with your academic advisor before withdrawing from your program.

A student who is not actively enrolled in a degree program for a period of five years will be considered inactive and will have to reapply to continue in the program. Students who reapply after being inactive will be responsible for completing any new program requirements and will follow all policies and procedures in effect at the time of readmission.

Undergraduate Withdrawal Form

*Login with your Agora credentials is required to complete the form.

Masters Students

Graduate students who withdraw from a course after the drop/add period will have a “W” recorded in the grade column of their academic record. To withdraw from a course students should contact their academic advisor or program director.  Students will not be permitted to withdraw from courses after the published deadline. Students who are still registered at this point will receive a final grade for the semester.

A student who is not actively enrolled in a degree program for a period of five years will be considered inactive and will have to reapply to continue in the program. Students who reapply after being inactive will be responsible for completing any new program requirements and will follow all policies and procedures in effect at the time of readmission.

Graduate Withdrawal Form

*Login with your Agora credentials is required to complete the form.

All Students

Transferring​ ​within​ ​the​ ​University
The schools within Boston College operate under the jurisdiction of their respective deans. Approval for transfer within Boston College from one school to another is governed by the admission and degree requirements of the college to which the student seeks to transfer. Students interested in transferring within BC should speak with an academic advisor.

Withdrawal from Boston College
Students who wish to withdraw from Boston College in good standing, please contact your advisor who will help to process your withdrawal. For students dismissed for academic or disciplinary reasons, the dean or advisor will process the withdrawal.

Voluntary Leave of Absence
Students who do not register for course work, in any given semester can request a leave of absence for that semester.  Students may apply for a personal or medical leave of absence. As described below, appropriate documentation is required for a medical leave of absence.

Students may obtain a personal or medical leave of absence form online through Student Services and submit it for their academic advisor or the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Advising for approval.

Leave time for either a personal or medical leave of absence will normally be considered a portion of the total time limit for the degree unless the contrary is decided upon initially between the student and the Associate Dean.

Personal Leave of Absence
Students on an approved personal leave of absence should contact the Woods College of Advancing Studies Office as soon as possible prior to the semester in which they expect to re-enroll.  The appropriate counselor will make the decision on the readmission request.

Medical Leave of Absence
If a student is unable to complete the coursework or other course of study for a semester due to medical reasons, the student may request a medical leave of absence.  Medical leave, whether requested for mental health or physical health reasons, must be supported by appropriate documentation from a licensed care provider. The student submits this documentation to their advisor/dean or Health Services as applicable, who will review it in confidence and make a recommendation to the student’s advisor or Associate Dean, who must approve the leave.  The University reserves the right to impose conditions on readmission from a medical leave, which may include the submission of documentation from the student’s health care provider, the student’s consent for the provider to discuss the student’s condition with University clinicians, and/or an independent evaluation of the student’s condition by University clinicians. Students seeking to return from leave are encouraged to contact their dean/counselor as soon as possible prior to seeking readmission.

At the time of requesting a medical leave, a student consults their academic advisor or dean with regard to school policy concerning return.

Students on Boston College’s medical insurance policy may be eligible to continue their health insurance the semester in which they take a medical leave of absence and the following semester.  Please see the medical insurance information online to learn more.

Involuntary Leave of Absence
Students may be separated from the University for academic reasons (please refer to specific school or department policies for more information) or for reasons of health, safety, or when a student’s continuance at Boston College poses significant risk to the student or others.  For additional information, view the Student Conduct System from the Dean of Students Office.