My Intended Major is not in the College of Arts & Sciences

If your intended major is in another school or college at BU (i.e., not in CAS), contact your advisor to discuss next steps and potential courses. Prior to contacting the advisor, we recommend reviewing the major(s) and requirements you’re interested in:

College of Communication (COM)
College of Fine Arts (CFA)
College of Engineering (ENG)
Faculty of Computing & Data Science (CDS)
Questrom School of Business
Sargent College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences (SAR)
School of Hospitality (SHA)
Wheelock College of Education & Human Development

No matter what major you are considering, all incoming first-years should enroll in a Writing course:

    • If you did not apply to BU with a TOEFL/IELTS score, you can take either:
      • CAS WR 120 First-Year Writing Seminar. Each section of WR 120 focuses on a specific topic/theme, so you should register for a section that pairs with your interests.
      • CAS CC 101 Core Humanities 1: Ancient Worlds: (offered fall only): An interdisciplinary study of the origins of civilization, from Mesopotamia and the Hebrew Bible to the development of Greek civilization through Homer, Greek tragedy, and the philosophy of Plato. You should enroll in CAS CC 101 if you are considering the Core Curriculum. This course fulfills a single requirement in each of the following Hub areas: Aesthetic Exploration, First-Year Writing Seminar, Creativity/Innovation.
    • If you applied to BU with a TOEFL/IELTS score, you should take the Multilingual Writer Placement (instructions will be sent via email) before you register for a writing course. The writing placement is a suggestion, but it will help you make an informed decision about the most appropriate level for you. Depending on what level WR course you register for, you will fulfill the following Hub requirements:
      • CAS WR 111 Academic Writing for ESL Students 1 – fulfills The Individual in Community Hub
      • CAS WR 112 Academic Writing for ESL Students 2 – fulfills Global Citizenship & Intercultural Literacy Hub
      • CAS WR 120 First-Year Writing Seminar – fulfills First-Year Writing Seminar Hub (If you place into WR 120, you are welcome to take CC 101 Core Humanities 1 instead to fulfill your FYW Hub.)
    You may also want to consider an optional First-Year Seminar:

    First-Year Seminar: FY 101 (1 unit) – Optional

    FY101 is a one-unit, low stress, non-academic class that serves as a semester-long introduction to BU and college life. FY101 helps you get a head start on making connections at BU. Each section is taught by a student peer mentor and a staff instructor.

    • FY101 classes are small and are for new students only, so they provide a great way to get to know other first-years!
    • Your peer mentor and instructor will provide resources to create a more successful and meaningful college experience and help you get ahead in your first semester here.
    • FY101 includes free, optional trips around Boston.
    • There are specialty sections based on major and identity (e.g., Undeclared, Natural Sciences, First Generation, etc ) so be sure to choose the one that’s right for you!

     -OR-

    First-Year Career Development Seminar: FY 102 (offered spring only, 1 unit) – Optional

    FY102 will help first-year students get started on utilizing the Career Development Cycle to maximize their time at BU. During this course, students will create a plan of action towards choosing a major, creating a resume, finding an internship, and preparing for a career they will love. Seminars are offered in various fields of interest and include guest speakers from different industries.

    After you’ve discussed your options and next steps with the advisor assisting you with registration, you can follow our registration instructions!