Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences
The Graduate School of the Robert J. Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences (MCGS) is home to a broad range of Ph.D., M.A., and M.S. degree programs in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Graduate education at MCGS focuses on preparing scholars to make positive contributions to society. Doctoral students in MCGS work closely with a faculty adviser to make novel contributions to their field. Master鈥檚 programs focus on attaining advanced knowledge in the field and preparing to use those skills in the professional world.聽
Doctoral Programs
Doctoral students work toward a Ph.D. in one of sixteen different departments and programs housed within MCGS. In addition to completing department requirements, which can be found under department listings, graduate students must complete centralized MCGS requirements, such as the residency requirement, the comprehensive examination, and the dissertation and final defense. Degree lengths vary by program, but all students must complete all degree requirements within eight years of starting the program.
Courses
Specific course requirements vary by program and are set by the admitting department. No more than 6 graduate credits will be accepted in transfer toward fulfillment of course requirements. Students must maintain a 3.0 or higher GPA throughout their enrollment.聽
Residence
The philosophy of the residence requirement is that a doctoral student should experience the total environment of the University. Residence for at least two consecutive semesters of one academic year, during which the student is registered as a full-time student at the University, is required. A plan of study that meets this requirement must be arranged by the student with the department. Registration in two courses per semester is considered to fulfill the residency requirement for students holding full-year fellowships and assistantships. The residence requirement may not be satisfied, in whole or in part, by summer session attendance.
Comprehensive Examination
The Comprehensive Exam gives students the opportunity to demonstrate knowledge, their knowledge of the literature in their field and their ability to present and defend their ideas. Completing the comprehensive examination and moving the doctoral candidacy is an indication of the faculty鈥檚 confidence in a student鈥檚 ability to complete a dissertation in their field.聽
The structure of the examination varies by discipline and may involve elements such as literature reviews, proposals, and oral examinations. Student eligibility for taking the doctoral comprehensive exam is determined by the department. The Comprehensive Exam may be taken on the timeline set by the graduate program and must be passed no later than the end of the third year. Students should consult with their department about the nature of this exam and the time of administration. A student who fails the exam may take it once again, but not sooner than the following semester and at a time designated by the department. In case of a second failure, no further attempt is allowed.
Students who successfully complete the comprehensive examination and all department requirements attain the status of a doctoral candidate.聽
Dissertation and Defense of the Dissertation
Each doctoral candidate is required to complete a dissertation that demonstrates original and independent research and that represents advanced scholarly achievement. The subject of the dissertation must be approved by the major department, and the research performed under the direction of a faculty advisor. The manuscript must be prepared according to style requirements of the departments and of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.聽
Dissertation Committees in the Graduate School of the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences should be composed of at least three members. Two members must be from Boston College; the chair must be a tenured or tenure-track member of the departmental faculty. Committee composition is subject to departmental approval.聽
The dissertation shall be defended by the candidate in a public oral examination. Following the dissertation defense, the dissertation committee members certify their acceptance by signing the title page of the dissertation.
Master's Degree Programs
Requirements for the Degrees of Master of Arts and Master of Science
Requirements for the Degrees of Master of Arts and Master of Science
Graduate students can be admitted to a small number of academic programs to complete a master鈥檚 degree. The requirements for the master鈥檚 vary by program and may include coursework, language study, research, and teaching. Master鈥檚 degrees are typically completed within two years of the start of enrollment. All requirements must be completed within five years of first enrollment.
Specific course requirements vary by program and are set by the admitting department. No more than 6 graduate credits will be accepted in transfer toward fulfillment of course requirements. Students must maintain a 3.0 or higher GPA throughout their enrollment.
Fifth Year B.A./M.A. and B.S./M.S.
In cooperation with the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences, the Graduate School offers five-year B.A./M.A. and B.S./M.S. programs in some disciplines. See the Undergraduate Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences for further information.
Doctoral Degree Programs
Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy
The Ph.D. degree is granted only for distinction attained in a special field of concentration and the demonstrated ability to modify or enlarge upon a significant subject in a dissertation based upon original research meeting high standards of scholarship.
Requirements for the doctoral degree are specific to departments and may be found under departmental listings. Detailed statements of requirements and procedures should be requested directly from the department in which the student has an interest.
Residence
The philosophy of the residence requirement is that a doctoral student should experience the total environment of the University. Residence for at least two consecutive semesters of one academic year, during which the student is registered as a full-time student at the University, is required. A plan of study that meets this requirement must be arranged by the student with the department. Registration in two courses per semester is considered to fulfill the residency requirement for students holding full-year fellowships and assistantships. The residence requirement may not be satisfied, in whole or in part, by summer session attendance.
Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program
Where departmental doctoral programs are unable to satisfy the interests of the student, an interdisciplinary doctoral program remains a possibility. However, students must first be admitted to a departmental program. A student interested in exploring such a possibility should first make an inquiry to the聽MCGS Dean鈥檚 Office.
Special Students (Non-degree)
Non-degree seeking students, who are interested in pursuing course work at the graduate level, may apply for admission as special students. Many individuals enter departments of GSMCAS as special students鈥攅ither to explore the seriousness of their interest in studying for an advanced degree or to strengthen their credentials for possible later application for degree study. Others may wish to pursue coursework in keeping with their intellectual interests or for other purposes. Admission as a special student does not guarantee subsequent admission for degree candidacy. Individuals who are admitted as special students and who subsequently wish to apply for admission as degree candidates must file additional application documents and be accepted for degree study. The number of credits one has earned as a special student that may be applied toward the requirements of a degree is determined by the appropriate department in concert with聽MCGS regulations.
Those admitted as special students may take courses only in the department that has recommended their admission. Permission to continue to take courses as a special student beyond the semester for which admission was originally gained must be obtained from the admitting department鈥檚 Graduate Program Director.
Dual Degree Programs
The Graduate School of the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences also offers several dual degree options. The Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) and Master of Science in Teaching (M.S.T.) are offered in cooperation with the Lynch School of Education Graduate Programs. The Master of Arts/Juris Doctor (M.A./J.D.) and the Doctor of Philosophy/Juris Doctor (Ph.D./J.D.) are offered in cooperation with the Boston College Law School. The Master of Arts/Master of Business Administration (M.A./M.B.A.), and the Doctor of Philosophy/Master of Business Administration (Ph.D./M.B.A.) are offered in cooperation with the Carroll Graduate School of Management. The Graduate School also offers, through select departments, a Fifth Year Master of Arts (M.A.) and Master of Science (M.S.) program for high-achieving 91福利导航 undergraduates wishing to pursue an accelerated graduate program.
Admission
Eligibility and Application Information
The Graduate School of the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences is an academic community whose doors are open to all students without regard to race, ethnic or national origin, religion, color, age, gender, marital or parental status, veteran status, disabilities, or sexual orientation. Opportunities and experiences are offered to all students on an equal basis and in such a way as to recognize and appreciate their individual and cultural differences.
Applicants for admission to the MCGS聽 must possess at least a bachelor鈥檚 degree from an accredited institution and give evidence of the ability and preparation necessary for the satisfactory pursuit of graduate studies. This evidence consists primarily, but not exclusively, in the distribution of undergraduate courses and the grades received in them. Please consult your intended department for additional program-specific requirements.
All applicants must have a minimum bachelor鈥檚 degree or equivalent before matriculation to be eligible for admission. Under no circumstances will an applicant be eligible to enroll if they do not receive a bachelor鈥檚 degree prior to enrollment.
MCGS accepts two classes of applicants鈥攄egree students (degree-seeking) and special students (non-degree-seeking).
A completed application to MCGS聽 includes the application form and official transcripts, as well as any program-specific requirements, e.g., GRE scores, statement of purpose, writing sample, letters of recommendation, etc. For these additional requirements, please consult the requirements of the department to which admission is being sought. In addition, international applicants are required to demonstrate English proficiency. All application materials should be submitted online.
Applicants for special student status are only required to submit an application form, statement of purpose, and official transcripts. All application materials should either be submitted online or sent to the MCGS Admissions Office, Gasson 108.
Degree and special students are not admitted officially until the completed application form with a positive department recommendation has been approved by the Associate Dean of Admissions and Administration. Admission should not be presumed without receipt of official notification from the Associate Dean.
Degree-seeking applicants should consult the department of specialization regarding the specific requirements for the various departmental master鈥檚 and doctoral programs.
For the necessary application forms and information, students may either address their requests to the department of interest or to the Graduate Admissions Office, Gasson 108.
Information on the GRE and TOEFL tests may be obtained from the Educational Testing Service, Box 955, Princeton, New Jersey 08540 or at聽.
All documents submitted by applicants for admission become the property of MCGSand are not returnable.
Acceptance
Announcements of acceptance or rejection are usually sent no later than April 15 for August admissions but may vary by department. Decisions are made based on departmental recommendations and the fulfillment of prerequisites. No student should presume admission until they have been notified officially of acceptance by the Associate Dean.
Financial Aid
Assistantships, Scholarships, and Fellowships
Graduate students in MCGS may receive funds in a variety of ways. These may include tuition and stipend support and come in the following forms:
- Graduate Assistantships
- Research Assistantships
- Teaching Assistantships
- Teaching Fellowships
- Tuition Scholarships
- University Fellowships
Fellowships and Assistantships
University Fellowships
University Fellowships are available in some departments offering the Ph.D. degree. These awards do not require service to the University.
Graduate Assistantships and Teaching Assistantships
Graduate and Teaching assistantships are available in some departments. Duties, including the nature and number of hours (though in no case to exceed 20 hours), and stipend amounts vary by department.
Research Assistantships
Research Assistantships are available in some departments. Research Assistantship duties, including the nature and number of hours (though in no case to exceed 20 hours), and stipend amounts vary by department. Summer research opportunities are available on some research projects. For further information, contact the department鈥檚 graduate program director.
Tuition Scholarships
Tuition scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement and promise. These awards do not require service to the University.
Individuals whose applications are complete will routinely be considered for financial aid by the department in which they hope to study. No separate application is necessary. The scholastic requirements for obtaining these stipend awards or scholarship awards are necessarily more exacting than those for simply securing admission to MCGS.
- Graduate students may not receive University financial aid (stipend and/or tuition scholarships) from two schools or departments simultaneously.
- Graduate students who hold fellowships or assistantships may not be employed full-time without the Dean鈥檚 approval.
Procedures for Financial Aid Recipients
Individuals whose applications are complete will routinely be considered for financial aid by the department in which they hope to study. No separate application is necessary. The scholastic requirements for obtaining these stipend awards or scholarship awards are necessarily more exacting than those for simply securing admission to MCGS.
At the opening of each school year, or at whatever other time financial aid may be awarded, recipients of fellowships and assistantships must report to the Human Resources Service Center to complete their personnel and tax information forms.
An aid recipient who relinquishes a fellowship, assistantship, or a tuition scholarship must report this matter in writing to the department chairperson and to the Dean. These awards may be discontinued at any time during an academic year if either the academic performance or in-service assistance is of an unsatisfactory character. They may also be discontinued for conduct injurious to the reputation of the University.
Other Sources of Financial Aid
Students interested in other sources of financial aid, such as work-study funds and various loan programs, should inquire in the Office of Student Services where all such aid is administered. Refer to the earlier section on financial aid in this catalog.
Academic Regulations
Full-Time Enrollment Status
Graduate schools define full-time status by a student鈥檚 course work or role responsibilities as listed below:
- Students enrolled in a minimum of 9 credits are considered full-time.
- All doctoral candidates in the Graduate School of the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences are considered full-time students through their period of enrollment.
- Master鈥檚 candidates are considered full-time students if they are registered full-time and/or receiving an assistantship or fellowship through an academic unit, e.g., Graduate Assistants, Teaching Fellows, Teaching Assistants, or Research Assistants.
Students completing degree requirements in their final semester may be given exceptions to the school鈥檚 minimum credit standard for full-time status by their academic dean.
The credit amounts listed above are used to determine a student鈥檚 enrollment status for loan deferments, immunizations, medical insurance requirements, and verifications requested by other organizations.
Transfer Credit Policies
Graduate students may request the transfer of no more than 6 graduate credits. Courses will be considered for transfer if the student has received a grade of B or better and if the course has not been applied to a prior degree. If approved, the transfer course and credit, but not the grade, will be recorded on the student鈥檚 academic record. Credit received for courses completed more than ten years prior to a student鈥檚 admission to his or her current degree program are not acceptable for transfer. Students are advised to consult with the procedures and policies of their department or school for exceptions to this policy.
General Information
The Deans鈥� Office of the Graduate School of the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences in Gasson 108 is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, to assist prospective students with general admissions inquiries and current students with any academic or student services needs. Application information may be found on the Graduate School website: bc.edu/gsas.
The course schedule is available online prior to each semester鈥檚 registration period at the Course Information and Schedule link at bc.edu/courses. The International Student Office, the Office of the Dean for Student Development, and the Graduate Student Association provide non-academic services for students.