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鈥�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.
Degree Requirements and 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
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Degree candidates must fulfill all Core curriculum and major requirements as part of earning the minimum of 120 credits. Students are required to achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 1.67 to be eligible to graduate.
Transfer of Credit and Residency Requirements: External to 51茶馆
At the B.A. level, a minimum of 60 credits must be completed at Boston College to satisfy residency requirements, and a maximum of 60 credits from regionally accredited institutions, CLEP exams, DSST exams, or Joint Service Transcripts may be transferred into a student鈥檚 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.
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 and DSST examinations. The Woods College recognizes the American Council on Education鈥檚 college credit recommendations for each CLEP and DSST exam. Those recommendations can be found on the听听website and the听听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鈥檚 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鈥� 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 trainings that map onto courses or disciplines that Boston College offers. For example, a recommendation for three credits for Computer Applications would transfer as three credits within the Information Systems discipline. A recommendation of three 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 Joint Service Transcripts (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 credits a student may have would also count towards this 30-credit limit. For example, a student with nine credits through CLEP would be allowed to bring in 21 credits through the JST. Or a student with 24 JST credits would be allowed to bring in six credits through CLEP exams.
Students should submit their official JST for evaluation prior to the conclusion of your 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, exmatriculated, or otherwise interrupted their studies at the Woods College are not eligible for transfer credit for courses taken during their absence from the Woods College.听
Transfer of Credit and Residency Requirements: Internal 51茶馆 Students
Current Boston College students transferring to the Woods College of Advancing Studies must submit a Woods College Bachelor of Arts Degree Application at听bc.edu/woodsapply.
The following conditions will apply to all transfers of credit from any other Boston College schools into the Woods College of Advancing Studies:
- All courses taken at any other school within Boston College and the GPA earned will transfer to the Woods College of Advancing Studies.
- All incoming credits will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine applicability within the program of study the student chooses to pursue at Woods College of Advancing Studies.
- A minimum of 12 credits (equivalent to one full-time semester of study) will be required to be taken at Woods College of Advancing Studies.
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Course Load
Woods College students,听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 (i.e., taking additional credits or courses beyond the maximum) 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 Admission
Applications for admission may be submitted at any time and are reviewed on a rolling basis. The following documentation is required:
- Completed online application form;
- Official transcripts from high school and colleges previously attended;
- Two essays (requirements are found on the application);
- Two letters of recommendation; and
- If English is not your primary language, then English Language Proficiency with an IELTS score of 6.5鈥�7.5 or TOEFFL score of 90鈥�100.
Please see the Woods College website for further details on how to apply.
Degree Programs and Certificates
Woods College offers the following undergraduate majors:
- Applied Liberal Arts (ALA)
- English (ALA Concentration)
- History (ALA Concentration)
- Interdisciplinary Studies (ALA Concentration)
- Philosophy (ALA Concentration)
- Political Science (ALA Concentration)
- Sociology (ALA Concentration)
- Sustainability (ALA Concentration)
- Business
- Digital Communication
- Criminal and Social Justice
- Cybersecurity
- Economics
- Information Technology
- Psychology
Woods College also offers undergraduate-level certificates in Cybersecurity.
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鈥檚 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.
Curriculum
You will pursue a major in Applied Liberal Arts while earning a concentration in one of six areas. You'll complete seven major requirements and either five or six courses within a specific concentration.
Major Requirements
ADIT3308 Project Management
This course takes a 360-degree perspective on project management, incorporating the important peripheral elements that influence the discipline. This course helps students develop practical skills for functioning in a variety of roles on projects, including project manager, while developing an appreciation for the importance of governance and project and portfolio management (PPM) in any work environment, looking at the concept and the practice of projects from the perspective of participant, practitioner, and executive sponsor.
Data Visualization or Programming
ADIT2025 Data Visualization
A picture is worth a thousand words. We are in a world full of data and information; the demand for data analytics and visualization skills is growing rapidly nowadays. Data visualization is a critical part of data science. It is an effective way to communicate insights from data through visual presentation. We use data visualization to identify hidden patterns and reveal relationships to show trends in data and tell the full story of the data. In this course, students are introduced to the foundations of data visualization along with various data visualization tools. We will introduce the key design principles, how to present data using a number of common data visualization tools (such as Excel and Tableau software). This course will provide students from all backgrounds the opportunity to learn data skills and have hands-on experience working with various datasets, creating visualizations and telling data stories. Students will develop data visualization skills that can be applied to their fields of study and future career. Topics covered include best practices in use of color, visualization principles, static and interactive visualizations, visualization types, etc.
Programming Courses
- ADIT1350听JavaScript: This course teaches students the fundamental concepts of programming (coding). First, we will define what a programming language is and then we will learn its grammar and syntax. We will learn about variables, conditionals, and iteration. We will also learn about arrays, functions, and objects. We will use the industry-standard JavaScript programming language to put into practice all of these concepts. Designed specifically for individuals who have little-to-no programming experience, this course teaches participants in a project-based environment how to code JavaScript, the language of the web. During this course students will (1) learn how to think of problems logically and computationally, (2) use programming tools to express themselves creatively as they learn the fundamentals of coding, and (3) create real-world applications.
- ADIT1985听Python: This course is meant for any student interested in learning computer programming concepts with the Python programming language. We will cultivate our problem-solving abilities as we develop programs in Python. This course is suitable for students that have little to no programming experience. We will start with the basics as we discuss logical decisions and loops. Further, we will explore Python data structures such as tuples, sets, lists, and dictionaries. We will couple this knowledge to make our own classes as we learn about object-oriented programming. We will also discover basic debugging techniques throughout the semester. At the end of this course, we will have learned enough concepts to be able to compose Python programs that solve problems on their own.
- ADIT1990听C++: An introduction to programming with C++. This course is meant for students with little or no programming experience. We will start with the basics of programming using the C++ programming language. C++ is the cornerstone programming language used to develop many of the fundamental applications we use on a daily basis. For example, operating systems, web browsers, and other programming languages such as Java, Python, and SQL are built with C++. We will use the low-level nature of the C++ programming language to learn about the fundamental aspects of how a computer works. In this course we will develop basic command line applications, explore how data is stored in memory and how we may use logic to manipulate the data to produce different results.
ADBM3075 Conflict Resolution and Negotiation
This course presents specific tools for improving people skills in preparing for and conducting negotiations. It examines the characteristics of different negotiating situations, leadership and decision-making functions, interpersonal communication, the intercultural community, management strategies, and factors affecting which negotiation style most enhances communication.
ADBM1771 Applied Data Analysis and Interpretation
This course will introduce students to the basics of data analysis and interpretation. Students will critically engage with actual data from across disciplines in order to develop their own interpretations of the underlying meaning. We will explore how these skills can apply to making decisions in academic, professional, and community contexts. The skills developed and practiced here will assist the students in critically evaluating and drawing meaning from data as well as making well-informed decisions from that data.
ADBM2250 Design Thinking and Creativity
Design Thinking is human-centered, creative problem solving. It seeks to tackle tough problems by examining what is economically possible, systemically viable, and desirable to the constituents of focus. It is a process that overcomes many of the challenges to innovation today鈥攑reference for or comfort in the status quo鈥攚hile remaining true to human nature at the center of most problems. This course seeks to introduce students to the concept of Design Thinking, its foundational principles, and the application of these principles to real-world issues. At its heart, this is a methods course that asks students to reframe problems in new ways so that creative solutions might arise from a reframing of the problem.
ADEX4500 Integrative Capstone
This course closes out the degree. It's meant to be taken after completing all major requirements (though not necessarily all degree requirements). You may take it concurrently with the final courses for the major if you are scheduled to graduate in the given semester.
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
Learning Outcomes
Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving
- Examine, and dissect the assumptions and conventions of different areas of study, while addressing complex questions, problems, materials, and texts of all types with creative solutions and analytical processes
- Evaluate and synthesize large amounts of information to execute decisions and devise solutions to problems
- Formulate creative solutions to complex problems integrating multiple perspectives
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Quantitative Reasoning
- Ethically analyze and interpret data from real-world situations to construct creative solutions
- Develop creative arguments supported by quantitative evidence and communicate numerical data in a variety of formats and mediums utilizing data visualization and other media tools
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Communication and Information Literacy
- Find, appraise, organize, use, and convey information and their ideas, both individually and collaboratively, through oral, digital, and written forms. Address both specific and general audiences through various writing genres.
- Analyze and manage group dynamics and the resolution of conflicts by integrating conflict resolution strategies with the goal of reaching productive outcomes.
- Produce and present ideas using digital media and storytelling techniques that increase knowledge, foster understanding, or promote change in listener attitudes, values, beliefs, or behaviors
- Understand the value and process of working with others and use critical perspectives and skills needed to co-create knowledge with others
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Acting as Men and Women for and with Others
Discern personal and professional responsibilities in order to develop creative solutions that lead to engagement in courageous action that contributes to dismantling unjust structures
Integrative learning
- Reflect on connections among ideas, disciplines, and experiences in order to examine issues, ideas, and events
- Synthesize and transfer their learning to new and complex situations or issues
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Diverse Perspectives
Demonstrate a nuanced understanding and respect of diverse individuals and perspectives and the application of this understanding to further equity, human rights, and social justice.
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Applied Liberal Arts Concentrations
English Concentration
The English concentration continues to improve upon skills that are first introduced in the College Writing and the Literary Works Core requirements. Continued development of these technical English skills is the central focus of this concentration. Honing these technical skills and developing a strong base in the English language will allow students to best translate those skills into any future discipline.
Beyond these required courses, students will be free to select any four electives. Students will focus these electives primarily on the broad array of literature courses covering the major time periods and genres, as well as a selection of courses with non-Western roots. Consistent across all literature courses will be an emphasis on developing the essential, and widely transferable, skill of analysis. This exploration of literature will allow students to explore the issues fundamental to the human condition and they will emerge with a deep understanding of how literature both reflects and enhances the lived experience.
Concentration Requirements
- Completion of the Core English requirements: ADEN1054 College Writing and ADEN1060 Literary Works.
- ADEN2650 Writing with Precision
- Four additional English electives, one of which must focus on a non-Western literary genre.
Learning Outcomes
- At the end of the program, students will be able to write at an advanced level.
- At the end of the program, students will be able to distinguish between and characterize different periods in American and British literature.
- At the end of the program, students will be able to interpret literature through the lens of class, race, gender, and historical context.
- At the end of the program, students will be able to criticize works of literature in a thoughtful and responsible way.
- At the end of the program, students will be able to imaginatively inhabit the perspectives of others.
History Concentration
Deepen your understanding of the present through an immersion in the events and cultures of the past. Our curriculum encompasses European, American, Latin American, African, Middle Eastern, and Asian history ranging from premodernity to today. Classes introduce you to vital areas of historical research and schools of thought.
As critical thinkers, students apply tools and concepts of historical inquiry and communicate research results clearly and effectively. Students will engage in primary sources in an attempt to better understand the perspectives and viewpoints of other cultures, civilizations, and people. Students will engage in critical analysis of historical texts to analyze how the interpretation of events is altered based on vantage point. Courses will also encourage students to engage the current events of today by drawing connections to the events of the past.
Entering this concentration, students are required to take five additional history courses beyond the Core requirements. One of these courses must focus on Latin American, African, Middle Eastern, or Asian history.
Concentration Requirements
- Completion of History Core requirements.
- Five additional History electives, one of which must focus on Latin American, African, Middle Eastern, or Asian history.
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Learning Outcomes
- At the end of the program, students will be able to bring historical research methods and principles of interpretation to bear on research problems.
- At the end of the program, students will be able to distinguish between and characterize distinct significant events and periods in American, European, and non-Western history.
- At the end of the program, students will be able to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
- At the end of the program, students will be able to apply an ethical framework to the interpretation of historical events.
Interdisciplinary Studies Concentration
Students choosing to pursue the Interdisciplinary Studies concentration will work with their academic advisor to design a course of study that allows them to draw upon the other disciplines within the ALA major. In designing their concentration, students should make sure to select courses from up to three different disciplines, two of which must be within the ALA program. Furthermore, a student may use at most two introductory level Core courses toward the completion of this concentration.
听It will be incumbent upon the student to thoughtfully consider how the courses they choose combine to form this interdisciplinary concentration to ensure that it has a coherent structure with a beginning, middle, and end. Students should also incorporate a range of course levels from introductory to advanced. This will be accomplished with the assistance of their academic advisor.听 They will need to submit their proposed plan of study to the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs for approval. The approval process ensures the integrity of the program as well as assists Woods College in the course scheduling process.
Additionally, this concentration will provide the flexibility needed for some transfer students to bring together their previous coursework into a meaningful program of study at the Woods College.
Concentration Requirements
In designing their concentration, students should make sure to select courses from up to three different disciplines, two of which must be within the ALA program.
Learning Outcomes
- At the end of the program, students will understand the relationship between different fields of social scientific inquiry and will be able to address research problems using an interdisciplinary approach.
- At the end of the program, students will be able to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
- At the end of the program, students will have the capacity to engage in meaningful, constructive exchanges with others.
- At the end of the program, students will be able to design research projects that respect the ethical boundaries involved in the study of human beings.
Philosophy Concentration
Who are we, and why are we here? What is the nature of knowledge, truth, and justice? This concentration explores these and other enduring questions that form the basis of our shared humanity while sharpening your critical thinking and analytical skills in the process.
This concentration is ideal for students who seek to understand the world around them at its deepest level. They will learn to address fundamental questions about knowledge, goodness, and the nature of human experience in a clear, systematic fashion. With a curriculum anchored in the great works of antiquity and the Enlightenment, this program introduces students to the major fields of philosophical inquiry, including political philosophy, the philosophy of religion, and the philosophy of science among others.
Before beginning this concentration, students are encouraged to take a philosophical ethics course in addition to a second philosophy Core course. To complete the concentration, students need to take four additional philosophy elective courses, one of which must be a non-Western philosophy course.
Concentration Requirements
- Completion of the Philosophy Core requirements.
- ADPL History of Philosophy
- Four additional Philosophy electives. One of these courses must be a non-Western philosophy course.
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Learning Outcomes
- At the end of the program, students will be able to analyze ethical problems from a variety of philosophical standpoints.
- At the end of the program, students will be able to evaluate arguments using the tools of practical logic.
- At the end of the program, students will be able to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
- At the end of the program, students will have the capacity to engage in meaningful, constructive exchanges with others.
- At the end of the program, students will be able to engage critically and analytically with the information that they encounter in different spheres of life.
Political Science Concentration
The Political Science concentration exposes students to the concepts underpinning the U.S. political system before broadening and applying that knowledge to politics as a whole with exposure to other forms of political systems found throughout the world. The classic texts of political theory will form the base of this concentration, and through thoughtful exploration within the elective courses, students will develop their particular focus within the discipline.
Concentration Requirements
- ADPO1041 Fundamental Concepts of Politics (Satisfies a Social Science Core requirement)
- ADPO3005 Comparative Politics
- Four additional Political Science electives
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Learning Outcomes
- At the end of the program, students will be able to compare and contrast the American system of government with other forms of government.
- At the end of the program, students will be able to apply the principles of international relation theory to the analysis of current events.
- At the end of the program, students will be able to apply a sophisticated understanding of race, class, and gender to the analysis of contemporary political phenomena.
- At the end of the program, students will be able to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
- At the end of the program, students will have the capacity to engage in meaningful, constructive exchanges with others.
Sociology Concentration
Students in the Sociology concentration will develop the skills necessary to apply a sociological lens to everyday life and scholarly research. They will also be able to analyze and critique social, structural, and cultural factors that influence those experiences and develop the critical thinking skills to discern how different systems of society and people engage with each other.
Concentration Requirements
- ADSO1001 Introductory Sociology (Satisfies a Social Science Core requirement)
- ADSO2501 Sociological Theories
- Four additional Sociology electives
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Students in the Sociology Concentration are strongly encouraged to take a statistics course as their quantitative reasoning Core requirement.
Learning Outcomes
- At the end of the program, students will be able to analyze social phenomena from the perspective of classical and contemporary sociology.
- At the end of the program, students will be able to apply a sophisticated understanding of race, class, and gender to the analysis of contemporary social phenomena.
- At the end of the program, students will be able to design research projects that respect the ethical boundaries involved in the study of human beings.
- At the end of the program, students will be able to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
- At the end of the program, students will have the capacity to engage in meaningful, constructive exchanges with others.
Sustainability Concentration
There is increasing recognition of the growing challenges of balancing human needs with ensuring a healthy planet for all. Indicators of planetary health are declining at the same time that environmental shocks and stressors to human well-being are increasing. Moreover, environmental degradation disproportionately impacts the most vulnerable.
There is growing recognition that addressing planetary sustainability is one if not the major existential challenges facing us. Many professions and jobs intersect with sustainability in some way, including businesses, public administration, non-profit organizations, and health care practitioners to name a few.听
Concentration Requirements
- ADSB1904 Planetary Health
- 1 Elective in Global Environmental Change
- 1 Elective in Well-being Society
- 1 Elective in Sustainable Systems Solutions
- 1 Elective in Mobilizing Personal and Societal Change
- 1 additional ADSB elective
Learning Outcomes
- At the end of the program, students will be able to evaluate and synthesize information about global environmental change, human health and societal well-being to assess and analyze situations and devise solutions increase planetary and human health.
- At the end of the program, students will be able to analyze and assess the economic, environmental, political, social, and equity issues around environmental sustainability to prioritize and develop sustainable solutions.听
- At the end of the program, students will be able to assess different approaches to sustainability challenges and develop creative solutions to complex socio-ecological problems integrating perspectives from different communities and stakeholders including indigenous groups, marginalized populations, businesses, and community-based organizations among others.听
- At the end of the program, students will be able to apply ethical principles of sustainability to practical problem solving and identifying solutions for issues of planetary health, social justice, and environmental-economic equity.
- At the end of the program, students will have explored their place in interconnected natural and human systems; evaluated the personal, social, and environmental impacts of their choices; and be able to apply their knowledge and skills for building a just, resilient, and thriving world.
B.A., Business
Students in the Business bachelor鈥檚 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
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Major Requirements
- ADAC1081 Financial Accounting
- ADMT1801 Data Analysis and Probability
- ADBM1430 Corporate Communication
- ADMK2201 Digital Marketing Strategy
- ADEC1101 Principles of Economics
- ADIT3308 Project Management
- ADBM3101 Management and Organizational Behavior
- ADFN2000 Principles of Finance
- ADLA2400 Business Law
- ADSY4001 Strategic Leadership
- 2 Business Electives
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ADMT1801 Data Analysis and Probability may fulfill the quantitative reasoning Core requirement. ADEC1101 Principles of Economics may fulfill one social science Core requirement.
Learning Outcomes
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 鈥渂est鈥� solution using the information/performance data available at the time, and prepare an implementation (rollout) and evaluation plan鈥攚ith metrics for measuring successes and/or failures, as well as strategies for action-planning based on performance against these metrics.听
- Translate strategic objectives into measurable plans and deploy the necessary resources in the most effective manner to achieve the desired results.听
- 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.听
- 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.听
- Communicate effectively in writing, person-to-person, and through presentations to large and small groups using a variety of electronic applications.听
- Apply working knowledge of risk management to identify and mitigate risks in organizations.听
- 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鈥攁nd integrate those skills to create a more talented, diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment.
B.A., Digital Communication
Acquire an in-depth understanding of the many ways communication affects鈥攁nd is affected by鈥攎odern 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听
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
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Major Requirements
Requirements for Major:
- Survey of Mass Communication
- Introduction to Communications
- Corporate Communications
- Digital Marketing Strategy
- Writing for the Digital Space
- Social Media Marketing
- Principles of Strategic Communications
- Digital Storytelling
- 3 electives
Learning Outcomes
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., 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
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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
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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鈥擟CNA, CompTIA鈥擭etwork+, CompTIA鈥擲ecurity+, CompTIA鈥擟ySA+, EC-Council Ethical Hacking, ISACA鈥擟RISC, ISACA鈥擟ISA, ISACA鈥擟ISM, (ISC)虏鈥擟CSP, (ISC)虏鈥擲SCP, (ISC)虏鈥擟ISSP, ITIL Foundations.
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
- ADMT2530 Statistics
- ADMT1100 Calculus 1 (prereq for ADEC3201/3202)
- ADEC3202 Macroeconomic Theory
- ADEC3201 Microeconomic Theory
- ADEC3515 or ADEC5310 Econometrics or Data Analysis
- Upper-level Economics electives: Select five courses.
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ADEC1101 and ADMT1100 will fulfill the Core social science and Core quantitative reasoning requirements respectively.
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able at the end of the program 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.听 The curriculum is designed with an applied focus, offering hands-on learning experiences that mirror real-world scenarios.听 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
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Learning Outcomes
- 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.听
- 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.听
- 听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.听
- 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.听
- 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.听
- Upon additional review, the ability to achieve the following industry certifications:听
- CompTIA A+: Pursued by students who have studied basic IT operations and technologies.听
- CompTIA Network+: Pursued by students who've taken courses in networking fundamentals.听
- CompTIA Security+: For students who've delved into basic cybersecurity concepts.听
- Cisco's CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate): For those who've studied networking.听
- 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.听
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect 鈥� Associate: For students who've been introduced to cloud computing, specifically with Amazon Web Services.听
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP): Ideal for student who've covered advanced cybersecurity topics.听
- Project Management Professional (PMP): For those who've taken the project management course.听
- CompTIA Project+: For those who've taken the project management course.听
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鈥檒l 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鈥檚 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
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Major Requirements
Requirements for Major:
- ADMT1805 Applied Statistics
- ADPS1100 Introduction to Psychology
- ADPS1153 Research Methods for the Social Sciences
- ADPS1261 Developmental Psychology
- ADPS2272 Cognitive Psychology
- ADPS4001 Psychology in Context
- 6 Psychology Electives
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Electives
Students are required to complete six elective courses in psychology. To assist students in selecting the best electives for their academic goals, we have developed three areas that reflect possible career paths or areas of interest for which the particular course might be helpful. Some courses will fit into multiple areas. Students do not need to take all of their electives within a single area, and the areas will not be reflected on the student鈥檚 transcript or diploma. These are simply to guide students in selecting electives and to provide a better understanding of how the B.A. in Psychology might be put to use.
Community Psychology (CP)
Courses within Community Psychology (CP) bring together many different lenses through which to understand the human being in context. Courses may explore concepts of social justice, social empowerment, and inequality, encouraging students to understand the roles of power and privilege and their impacts on various populations in an effort to conceptualize effective leadership and active citizenship. Students will apply theories of psychology to societal systems and institutions with an aim of developing effective approaches to fostering collaborative relationships and advocating for more just civil structures.
Community Psychology is a broad field with many areas of application including education, public policy, community resources and organizations, and research.
CP Career Paths
- Education Programming
- Special Education Paraprofessional
- Policy Planning, Creation, and Implementation
- Community Resource Creation
- Community Health Worker Coordinator
- Conciliation Specialist
- ABA Therapist
- Health Data Specialist
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Health/Human Services Psychology (HP)
Courses within Health/Human Services (HP) explore areas of psychology related to physical and mental health. It seeks to give students a deeper understanding of how to apply psychological theories to meet the diverse needs of society and develop trusting relationships with individuals they aim to support. Many of the courses in this area equip students to pursue entry-level positions in the field of healthcare advising, community health promotion and outreach, as well as research and data collection.
Health/Human Services is wide-reaching, including the fields of mental health treatment and advisement, data collection, research, and many areas within physical healthcare.
HP Career Paths
- Research Assistant
- Mental Health Associate
- Mental Health Technician
- Health Data Specialist
- Health and Community Interventionist
- Health Promotion Specialist
- Health Educator
- Outreach Worker
- ACCS Outreach Worker
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Industrial-Organizational Psychology (IO)
Courses within Industrial and Organizational Psychology (IO) investigates the role of psychology in efficient, effective, and equitable systems and organizations. These courses explore a range of institutions, the psychological processes within each, as well as the individual鈥檚 place within these group/organizational dynamics. Students will also discuss the psychology behind individual differences and productive, enriching interpersonal relationships.
Industrial and Organizational Psychology involves the application of psychological principles and themes to the field of business, consulting, and human resources.
IO Career Paths
- Product Analyst
- Employee Experience Specialist
- Talent Management Consulting
- Strategic/Brand Planner
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Learning Outcomes
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鈥檚 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
- 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
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Qualifications
- Anticipated successful completion of a bachelor鈥檚 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.
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*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 and Administration program. 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.
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 51茶馆; Graduate Program Director to approve.
- Option to complete the eight remaining course requirements in one additional calendar year.
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Qualifications
- Anticipated successful completion of a bachelor's degree from 51茶馆 in May of senior year
- Overall GPA of 3.30 or above
- Submission of all the application materials by the published Boston College deadline.
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Interested students should contact the Program Director of the Masters in Leadership and Administration at Woods College with any further questions.
Academic Honors
Degree with Honors
For information regarding academic honors printed in the Commencement program, visit the听Policies and Procedures: Undergraduate Academic Regulations, Degree with Honors听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, 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.
Professional Studies Certificates
The Professional Studies Certificate is an end in itself for some students. For others, it may be applied toward completion of a bachelor鈥檚 degree. Whatever one鈥檚 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.
Professional Studies Certificates may be obtained 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.
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A request to apply to a certificate program must be made to the James A. Woods, S.J. College of Advancing Studies.
Cybersecurity Certificate
This Cybersecurity Certificate听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.
Curriculum
Core Courses
Complete the following courses:
- ADIT Cybersecurity Fundamentals
- ADIT2000 Computer Security
- ADIT3010 Technical Writing
- ADIT Computer Networks
- ADIT Systems Analysis and Design
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Electives (complete 1 of the following):
- ADIT1985 Python Programming
- ADIT1990 C++ Programming
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Minors
The Woods College of Advanced Studies offers a variety of minors open to Woods College students.
Business听
Minor Requirements
- Principles of Economics听
- Financial Accounting
- Strategic Leadership
- Management and Org Behavior听
- Elective course
Student Learning Outcomes
- 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
- Introduction to Social Justice
- Principles of Criminal Justice
- Criminology or Crime and Punishment
- Criminal Law and Procedure
- Elective from the Systemic and Social Challenges or interdisciplinary CSJ electives
Student Learning Outcomes
- 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.
Entrepreneurship
Minor Requirements
- ADBM2650 Entrepreneurship
- Four Electives from the following list:
- ADBM 3101 Business Planning for New Ventures听
- ADBM 3102 Design and Prototyping for Entrepreneurs听
- ADBM 2103 Digital Commerce听
- ADBM 2201 Digital Marketing Strategy听
- ADBM 3103 Funding for New Ventures听
- ADBM 3104 Social Entrepreneurship for Business and Nonprofits听
- ADBM 4001 Strategic Leadership听
- ADCO Marketing Data Analytics听
- ADBM Design Your Entrepreneurship Deep Dive
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 nondegree students (with certain exceptions for courses in specific degree or certificate programs). The non-degree option is not intended for full-time study. Nondegree students will be limited to 2 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.听
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.听
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 nondegree student or 2 courses if they are a graduate nondegree 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.听
Academic Standing as a Nondegree Student
Please refer to the "Academic Standing" tab at the top of this page,听Non-Degree Student section, for details related to Academic Standing.