Page 55 of Boston College 2006-2007 University Catalog by Boston College University

a possibility. However, students must first be admitted to a departmental program. A student interested in exploring such a possibility should first make an inquiry to the Graduate School Office. Traveling Scholars Program The Inter-Institutional Academic Collaborative (IAC) Traveling Scholar Program enables doctoral-level students at participating Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) universities to take advantage of distinctive educational opportunities specialized courses, unique library collections, unusual laboratories at any other participating ACC university without change in registration or increase in tuition. Visits may be as short as two weeks or as long as two semesters (or three quarters). Any regularly admitted graduate student in good standing in a doctoral degree program is eligible to apply. A limited number of partial relocation stipends are available upon application. It is not necessary, however, to win a stipend in order to participate in the program. Special Students (Non-Degree) Non-degree seeking students who are interested in pursuing course work at the graduate level, may apply for admission as special students. Many individuals enter departments of the Graduate School as special students either to explore the seriousness of their interest in studying for an advanced degree or to strengthen their credentials for possible later application for degree study. Others are simply interested in taking graduate course work for interests sake or for other purposes. Admission as a special student does not guarantee subsequent admission for degree candidacy. Individuals who are admitted as special students and who subsequently wish to apply for admission as degree candidates must file additional application documents and be accepted for degree study. The number of credits one has earned as a special student that may be applied toward the requirements of a degree is determined by the appropriate department in concert with Graduate School regulations. Those admitted as special students may take courses only in the department that has recommended their admission. Special students cannot take two classes in different departments at the same time. Permission to continue to take courses as a special student beyond the semester for which admission was originally gained must be obtained from the admitting departments Graduate Program Director. While required, gaining such permission is not considered to be the same as an original application for admission; consequently, a second application fee is not required. Admission Eligibility and Application Information The Boston College Graduate School of Arts and Sciences is an academic community whose doors are open to all students without regard to race, religion, age, sex, marital or parental status, national origin or handicap. Opportunities and experiences are offered to all students on an equal basis and in such a way as to recognize and appreciate their individual and cultural differences. Applicants for admission to the Graduate School ordinarily must possess at least a bachelors degree from an accredited institution and give evidence of the ability and preparation necessary for the satisfactory pursuit of graduate studies. This evidence consists primarily, but not exclusively, in the distribution of undergraduate courses and the grades received in them. Consult the appropriate departmental descriptions for additional specific requirements. Individuals lacking a bachelors degree generally are not admitted to Graduate School classes. In order to attend graduate classes, persons lacking the bachelors degree should apply for authorization either through the Dean of the Woods College of Advancing Studies or, in the case of Boston College undergraduates, through their appropriate dean and with the approval of the chairperson of the given department. Such students will receive only undergraduate credit for the course taken in the Graduate School, and the course credit will be entered only on their undergraduate record. For regulations governing the simultaneous masters/bachelors degree, one should consult his or her own department. The Graduate School accepts two classes of applicants: degree students (degree-seeking) and special students (non-degree-seeking). A completed application to the Graduate School includes forms that provide biographical information, and official transcripts. All of these documents will be found in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Application, along with complete instructions for their submission. For possible additional required credentials, e.g., GRE scores, statement of purpose, writing sample, references, etc., consult the requirements of the department to which admission is being sought. All application materials should be sent to the Graduate Admissions Office, McGuinn Hall 221. Applicants for special student status are only required to submit an application form, statement of purpose, and official transcripts. All application materials should be sent to the Graduate School Admissions Office, McGuinn Hall 221. Degree and special students are not admitted officially until the completed application form with a positive department recommendation has been approved by the Associate Dean of Admissions and Administration. Admission should not be presumed without receipt of official notification from the Associate Dean. Degree-seeking applicants should consult the department of specialization regarding the specific requirements for the various departmental masters and doctoral programs. For the necessary application forms and information students may either address their requests to the department of interest or to the Graduate Admissions Office, McGuinn Hall 221. Information on the GRE and TOEFL tests may be obtained from the Educational Testing Service, Box 955, Princeton, New Jersey 08540 or at http://www.gre.org/. All documents submitted by applicants for admission become the property of the Graduate School and are not returnable. Applicants who are accepted by the Graduate School, but do not register for course work at the indicated time will have their documents kept on file for twelve months after the date of submission. After that time, the documents will be destroyed and the applicants must provide new ones if they later decide to begin graduate study. Acceptance Announcements of acceptance or rejection are usually mailed no later than April 15 for September admissions, but may vary by department. Decisions are made on the basis of departmental recommendations and the fulfillment of prerequisites. No student should presume admission until he or she has been notified officially of acceptance by the Associate Dean. ARTS AND SCIENCES The Boston College Catalog 2006-2007 55

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