Woods College of Advancing Studies

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

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

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

Undergraduate Programs

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

Bachelor of Arts Program

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

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B.A., Applied Liberal Arts

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

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Applied Liberal Arts Concentrations

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B.A., Business

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

Core Curriculum

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

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

Major Requirements

  • 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
     

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

B.A., Digital Communication

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

Core Curriculum

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

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

Major Requirements

Requirements for Major:

  • 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., Criminal and Social Justice

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

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

Core Curriculum

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

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

Major Requirements

Requirements for Major:

  • ADCJ1100 Introduction to Social Justice
  • ADCJ1101 Principles of Criminal Justice
  • ADPS1100 Introduction to Psychology
  • ADSO1001 Introduction to Sociology
  • ADCJ2000 Criminology or Crime and Punishment
  • ADCJ2101 Corrections: Policies and Practices
  • ADCJ3010 Criminal Law and Procedure
  • ADCJ3051 American Institutions
  • Select two courses from Social and Systemic Challenges in Criminal Justice elective courses
  • Select two courses from Interdisciplinary elective courses
     

ADPS1100 and ADSO1001 can fulfill the social science Core requirements.

Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

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

B.A., Cybersecurity

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

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

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

Core Curriculum

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

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

Major Requirements

Requirements for Major:

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

Learning Outcomes

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

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

B.A., 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.
     

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.  The curriculum is designed with an applied focus, offering hands-on learning experiences that mirror real-world scenarios.  There is an emphasis on integrating technology-driven teaching methodologies and tools to replicate the environment students will encounter in their professional lives.

Core Curriculum

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

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

 

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

B.A., Psychology

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

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

Core Curriculum

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

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

Major Requirements

Requirements for Major:

  • 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
     

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’s 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
     

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
     

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’s 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
     

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’s inherent diversity and the ways in which that diversity impacts those psychological theories and constructs.
  • Create effective communication materials in written, oral, and digital formats, including the correct implementation of the APA style.

Fifth Year and Advanced Standing Programs for Boston College Students

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

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

Benefits

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

Qualifications

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

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

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

Woods College of Advancing Studies is proud to offer Boston College students an option for accelerated completion of the Master of Science in Leadership 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 BC; Graduate Program Director to approve.
  • Option to complete the eight remaining course requirements in one additional calendar year.
     

Qualifications

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

Interested students should contact the 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 Policies and Procedures: Undergraduate Academic Regulations, Degree with Honors section of the catalog.

Undergraduate Graduation Awards

Awards at commencement recognize a distinguished scholastic record, special accomplishments in various academic fields, and qualities of outstanding character, leadership, 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’s degree. Whatever one’s ultimate goal, whether to qualify for promotion, initiate a career change, or earn an undergraduate degree, a Professional Studies Certificate can help to achieve that objective.

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.
     

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 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
     
Electives (complete 1 of the following):
  • ADIT1985 Python Programming
  • ADIT1990 C++ Programming
     

Minors

The Woods College of Advanced Studies offers a variety of minors open to Woods College students.

Business 

Minor Requirements
  1. Principles of Economics 
  2. Financial Accounting
  3. Strategic Leadership
  4. Management and Org Behavior 
  5. 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
  1. Introduction to Social Justice
  2. Principles of Criminal Justice
  3. Criminology or Crime and Punishment
  4. Criminal Law and Procedure
  5. 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 
    • ADBM 3102 Design and Prototyping for Entrepreneurs 
    • ADBM 2103 Digital Commerce 
    • ADBM 2201 Digital Marketing Strategy 
    • ADBM 3103 Funding for New Ventures 
    • ADBM 3104 Social Entrepreneurship for Business and Nonprofits 
    • ADBM 4001 Strategic Leadership 
    • ADCO Marketing Data Analytics 
    • 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. 

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

Continuation as a Non-Degree Student

Non-degree students who wish to take courses before they matriculate in a degree or certificate program may take up to a maximum of 16 credits if they are an undergraduate 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. 

Academic Standing as a Nondegree Student

Please refer to the "Academic Standing" tab at the top of this page, Non-Degree Student section, for details related to Academic Standing.

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