CAS Registration Checklist
College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) Incoming First-Year Student Checklist:
The checklist below will guide you through the registration process. Please read each step thoroughly.
STEP #1: Complete your Pre-Registration Action Items
1. Create your BU login & email account (skip if you have already created your BU login and email):
This login will serve as your official BU email account, which is the primary communication method the University will use going forward. It will also allow you access to secure University resources. You must activate this Early Access account before completing any of the steps below. You should receive an email with instructions to do this after paying your enrollment deposit. You can also find comprehensive instructions here.
2. Sign up for Orientation:
You should sign up for Orientation in addition to registering for classes.
3. Set up academic and/or housing accommodations for qualified students with disabilities:
- Fill out the online Intake Form.
- Upload your documentation to your new Accommodate Portal. You can also fax (617-353-9646) or email (access@bu.edu) your documentation to Disability & Access Services directly.
- Schedule an Intake appointment with one of the Disability & Access Services (DAS) staff members by calling (617)-353-3658.
- For more information, please see the Disability & Access Services website.
STEP #2: Familiarize Yourself with Degree Requirements
Please use the links below to further explore your Hub, language, and potential major requirements. Don’t worry about trying to memorize them or understand every detail; we just want you to have a general understanding for now.
- The BU Hub – Review the general education requirements for all BU students.
- Language Requirement – CAS requires all students to demonstrate or develop proficiency at or above the intermediate level in one language other than English. BU’s exceptional course offerings in 27 different languages allow you to maximize your undergraduate experience by gaining language proficiency and developing essential intercultural skills for living, studying, and working with others around the world.
- Major Program Requirements – Explore the requirements for the major(s) you are interested in. Please note that more specific course registration instructions by major are provided in STEP #4.
- Completion of 128 academic credits
- External Credit through Examination Scores – Review how your specific advanced credit (e.g. Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, etc.) will count towards your degree.
STEP #3. Explore Specialized Academic Opportunities
BU offers a variety of specialized courses and academic programming that may be of interest to you. Use the links below to explore these opportunities!
- Pre-Professional Programs: Pre-Health and Pre-Law – Recommended if you are interested in law, medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, or other related health fields
- Core Program – A comprehensive inter-disciplinary curriculum for students who enjoy classic texts, intellectual discussion, and community.
- BU Hub Opportunities – In addition to Hub courses, there are several distinct and innovative Hub learning experiences that encourage exploration and allow students to engage with faculty, staff, and students across the University.
- Our Hub Social & Racial Justice courses help students explore the historical and systemic bases of racial and social inequities and develop skills around advocacy and action. If this interests you, consider registering for HUB SJ 101 Social & Racial Justice 1: Systems & Structures or HUB SJ 102 Social & Racial Justice: Advocacy & Action. HUB SJ 101 & 102 are open to first-year and sophomore students, and each course fulfills three Hub requirements.
- Hub Cocurriculars are open to all BU undergraduates. They are 0-credit, ungraded experiences that combine hands-on activities, discussion, and reflection and fulfill one Hub requirement.
- Hub Pathways are sets of courses covering a particular topic, that combined, provide an in-depth understanding of that topic, and can also fulfill many, if not all of, a student’s Hub requirements. Hub Pathways are fully elective, and students can choose to incorporate as many courses within a particular Hub Pathway as they wish. Students can choose to pursue one of the following Hub Pathways: Social & Racial Justice, and Environment & Society
STEP #4. Begin Registering for Courses
Registration Guides for Each Major (including Undeclared) – Review a detailed breakdown of the four recommended courses you should register for based on your intended major.