Academic Status
For a variety of reasons, a student’s academic status may change. Listed here are the descriptions of some of the frequent terms used along with additional information.
Full-time Students
To be considered a full-time degree candidate, a student must be registered in at least three 4-credit academic courses per semester. To remain in good standing in SMG, students are expected to proceed at the rate of at least three academic courses per semester, with each course carrying a minimum of 4 credits. Full-time tuition covers from 12 to 18 credits (or 20 credits if a student is enrolled in a 6 credit course).
Part-time Students
Any student enrolled in fewer than twelve credits in one semester is considered a part-time student. Approval for part-time status is granted on a case by case basis. Students requesting part-time status should submit a written petition requesting the status change and state the reason for the change. This petition should be submitted to the Director, Norm Blanchard, in the Undergraduate Program Office. Students will be considered to have full-time status, regardless of their course load, until a petition for part-time status is approved. Since the School of Management is a full-time program, a student changing to part-time status without prior approval of the Undergraduate Program Office will be subject to review by the Assistant Dean.
Important Notes
• Dropping to part-time status may affect eligibility to remain in good standing in SMG and may subject the student to academic probation. Please note that students are required to complete at least six academic courses per academic year (not including Summer Term) with a minimum of four credits in each course to be eligible to continue in SMG.
• Dropping to part-time status may affect eligibility for financial aid as well as graduation date. Please note that students are required to complete successfully (i.e. no grade of “F”) a minimum of 12 credits per semester during each academic year (not including Summer Term) in order to be considered for renewal of Financial Aid.
• International students should check with the International Students and Scholars Office before attempting to drop to part-time status. In many cases, taking less than 12 credits in a given semester may result in falling out of visa status.
• Dropping to part-time status can affect eligibility for a housing contract. Only full-time students are permitted to live in the university residences.
• Dropping to part-time status may affect a student's graduation date.
Leave of Absence
If a student wishes to leave Boston University for any reason, he/she must file an official withdrawal/leave of absence form with the University Service Center, located at 881 Commonwealth Avenue, lower level. Students must file this form to be considered officially withdrawn from the University. Simply dropping out of courses does not withdraw a student from the University. Once a student's withdrawal/leave of absence form is received by the University Service Center, refunds will be made according to the following schedule:
• Prior to the start of classes - 100% tuition and fees
• During the first two weeks of classes - 80% tuition
• During the third week of classes - 60% tuition
• During the fourth week of classes - 40% tuition
• During the fifth week of classes - 20% tuition
• After the fifth week of classes - no refund.
Please click here for the Fall 2007 Withdrawal and Tuition Refund Schedule
Transferring to Another College or University
Students may decide that Boston University and/or SMG is not the place for them, and that they want to transfer to a college or university better suited to their needs. Applications for transfer can be obtained directly from the schools to which a student is interested in transferring. He/she will need to obtain official transcripts from the Office of the University Registrar at 881 Commonwealth Avenue, and will also need recommendations. These can be obtained from professors and/or an academic advisor. If a student decides to transfer, he/she must notify Boston University in writing. This is done by filing a withdrawal form at the University Service Center, located at 881 Commonwealth Avenue, lower level. Failure to do so will result in the student being charged for any courses for which he/she may have pre-registered, regardless of whether or not he/she takes the courses.
