Current Undergraduate Students
Current Lynch School Undergraduate Students
From the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Students
First and foremost, on behalf of colleagues and staff, I would like to welcome you to the undergraduate program at the Lynch School of Education and Human Development at Boston College! You are joining an elite community of intelligent, committed, and caring professionals whose mission is to prepare you to enhance the life chances of all children and adults through academics, research, and service.
Welcome!
Welcome!
First and foremost, on behalf of colleagues and staff, I would like to welcome you to the undergraduate program at the Lynch School of Education and Human Development at Boston College! You are joining an elite community of intelligent, committed, and caring professionals whose mission is to prepare you to enhance the life chances of all children and adults through academics, research, and service. We are truly proud of our community, mission, and accomplishments, among which we include your decision to join us.
Transitioning to college is simultaneously exciting and overwhelming. Here, you will become autonomous, make your own decisions and choices, and discern your vocation. Here, you will establish effective and appropriate academic, physical, and social routines to ensure a productive college experience. Here, you will explore new subjects, develop fulfilling relationships, and serve others as you come to live fully human lives. Although you are probably concerned about fitting in, succeeding academically, finding like-minded peers, getting involved in campus life, and maintaining good health, our Lynch Office of Undergraduate Programs team—Campion 104—is here to support you as you negotiate these challenges in ways that assure strong intellectual curiosity, academic rigor, and effective physical, social, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. Our goal is to care for you so that you may care for others.
On the following page, you will learn about the extensive opportunities and rigorous preparation that will guide you as you plan your life at Lynch. Stop by Campion 104 to ask questions, seek help, learn about campus life, or talk. We are here to support you!
All the best,
Julia DeVoy, Ph.D.
Associate Dean of Undergraduate Students and Programs
Resources for Current Undergraduate Students
Declare a Major or Minor
Major and Minor Declaration Form for Lynch School Students
Lynch School students interested in declaring or adjusting their major(s) and minor(s) can do so using the Adjust Major or Minor Form. Please note that some majors and minors in other undergraduate schools may require an application and cannot be declared via this form.
Minor Declaration Form for non-Lynch School Students
Non-Lynch School students can declare Lynch School minors using the Lynch School Minor Declaration for MCAS, CSOM, and CSON Students Form. Please note that declaration of a minor in Secondary Education requires an application and a meeting with a member of the Office of Undergraduate Programs.
Lynch students who plan to declare any MCAS major or minor should list the major or minor on the Lynch School declaration form. Please note that some MCAS majors and minors require an application. Please review the relevant department website for additional information.
Academic Policies and Procedures
The Lynch School of Education and Human Development (LSEHD) adheres to all undergraduate academic regulations as outlined by the University Catalog. Additional LSEHD-specific undergraduate academic regulations are noted below.
LSEHD undergraduates are expected to adhere to University policy regarding academic integrity.
Academic Grievance
Any student who believes they have been treated unfairly in academic matters should consult with the chairperson of the undergraduate department or the undergraduate associate dean to discuss the situation and to obtain information about relevant grievance procedures.
In the event that the grievance concerns treatment or evaluation in a practicum, a student should follow this same procedure, discussing the matter first with their field supervisor. If this discussion does not lead to resolution, the matter should be brought to the appropriate Director of Field Placements.
Procedure of Appeal
A student should always attempt to resolve problems concerning grading matters or the academic practices of an instructor by directly contacting the instructor. In the rare case of an unresolved question, the student should bring the matter to the chairperson or director of the relevant department or program.
A formal appeal of a course grade, which ought not be entered lightly by a student nor lightly dismissed by an instructor, should be made no later than the sixth week of the following semester. In making a formal appeal, students should file a written statement to the departmental chairperson. The decision of the chairperson is final.
Good Standing
Students must complete 120 credits to earn the bachelor's degree. To continue enrollment in a full-time program of study, a student must maintain a cumulative average of at least 1.667 as the minimum standard of scholarship. Students also must not fall more than 6 credits behind the total number of credits a student of their status is expected to have completed (15 credits each semester in each of first, sophomore, junior, and senior years).
Any student who is permitted by the dean to continue enrollment in a full-time undergraduate program is considered to be in good standing.
Academic Dismissal
At the end of each semester, students who do not meet the academic standards of the Lynch School of Education and Human Development may be placed on academic probation or be subject to dismissal. Possible grounds for academic probation or academic dismissal include the following:
- Passing fewer than three courses (or 9 credits) in a semester
- Passing fewer than eight courses (or 24 credits) in an academic year (except senior year)
- Passing fewer than 18 courses (or 54 credits) by the end of sophomore year
- Passing fewer than 28 courses (or 84 credits) by the end of junior year
- A cumulative grade point average of below 1.667
Students with any combination of 7 withdrawals and/or failures may be permanently dismissed.
A student on probation may return to good standing through approved methods (e.g., make-up of credits via approved summer school work; students may make up no more than 12 credits in summer study). A student who incurs additional failures or withdrawals or carries an unapproved underload while on probation may be required to withdraw from the school at the time of the next review.
A student who has been dismissed from the Lynch School may be eligible to apply for readmission. To be eligible for return, a student must fulfill the conditions specified in the letter of dismissal from the LSHED Office of Undergraduate Programs. This will ordinarily include the reduction of deficiencies and the attainment of a minimum grade point average. A student who fails to fulfill the specified conditions will not be allowed to return to the Lynch School. It is at the discretion of the associate dean of undergraduate programs and students whether to allow readmission.
Students may be reinstated only once after a dismissal. A student who receives a subsequent dismissal may not be reinstated.
Elementary and secondary education majors and minors are required to meet guidelines outlined in the Academic Catalog.
Fifth-Year and Early Admit Policies
The Fifth Year and Early Admit programs offer academically outstanding Boston College juniors a unique opportunity to begin graduate study during their undergraduate senior year. The program allows students to graduate with both a bachelor's and a master's degree in a shortened time frame.
All undergraduate juniors in the Lynch School of Education and Human Development, Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences, Connell School of Nursing, and Carroll School of Management are eligible to apply for these programs.
Study Abroad
Students interested in a semester or year abroad are required to meet with an advisor in the Office of Undergraduate Programs (OUP) in the fall of their sophomore year to review LSEHD academic policies regarding education abroad.
In addition, students must follow the procedures outlined by the Office of Global Education and meet all stated deadlines for application.
Summer abroad applicants do not need to meet with a member of the OUP team prior to application.
Internal Transfer
Boston College undergraduate students may apply for transfer consideration into the Lynch School of Education and Human Development (LSEHD). LSEHD offers the following majors:
- Applied Psychology & Human Development
- Elementary Education
- Secondary Education
- Transformative Educational Studies
To be eligible, students must:
- have a minimum 3.0 grade point average for admission to Applied Psychology & Human Development, Elementary, or Secondary Education majors
- have a minimum 2.5 grade point average for the Transformative Educational Studies major
- have a record free of or with limited academic deficiencies
- complete at least four semesters of full-time study in the Lynch School
- have completed at least one semester at Boston College
Please view the Office of Undergraduate Programs website for more information or to schedule an interest meeting with a member of our team.
Lynch School Senate
An undergraduate student organization sponsored by the Office of Student Involvement (OSI), the Lynch Senate works to support the mission of the Lynch School of Education and Human Development by organizing meetings, outreach and activities for LSEHD students and the greater Boston community. To get involved or to learn more, contact the Office of Undergraduate Programs.
Contact Us
The Office of Undergraduate Programs is located in Campion Hall 104 and can be reached by email lsehdungrd@bc.edu or phone at 617-552-4204.
See the Lynch School contact page for more details.
Programs of Study
View the programs of study for all Lynch School undergraduate and graduate programs.
Commencement Details
This site will assist you in navigating all details regarding this year's commencement activities.