Boston University Online

Boston University Online

About Boston University

Boston University is one of the leading private research and teaching institutions in the world today, with two primary campuses in the heart of Boston and programs around the world.

Boston University was chartered in 1869 by Lee Claflin, Jacob Sleeper, and Isaac Rich, three successful Methodist businessmen whose abolitionist ideals led them to envision and create a university that was inclusive—that opened its doors to the world—and engaged in service to and collaboration with the city of Boston.

From the day of its opening, Boston University has admitted students of both sexes and every race and religion. It is with pride that Boston University counts Martin Luther King, Jr. among their alumni. What makes us prouder still is the fact that when he received his doctorate from the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences in 1955, Dr. King was taking his place in a long line of individuals that stretches back to the University’s founding. Other notable alumni include the first woman to earn a Ph.D., the first woman admitted to the bar in Massachusetts, the first Native American to graduate with a doctorate in medicine, and the first African-American psychiatrist in the United States.

The University’s founders were also ahead of their time in engaging Boston University in direct service to the community long before such service was fashionable. The third president of the University, Lemuel Murlin, described a university “in the heart of the city, in the service of the city.” As we have evolved and diversified that notion of service has expanded to include the world. The magnitude of the University's engagement—which spans public education, health care, and the arts—is unparalleled in American higher education.

About Boston University Online

Boston University Online is a unique collaboration between the Office of Distance Education and faculty members throughout the many Schools and Colleges that comprise Boston University.
As part of Boston University Extended Education, the office consists of a team of instructional designers, video producers, and support staff who specialize in online education. The Office serves as a resource for Schools and Colleges that seek to develop online programs, and works closely with faculty to ensure that the Boston University Online experience is of the high caliber for which Boston University is regarded throughout the world.

The faculty and staff who design and create Boston University Online programs share a philosophy that your computer is a unique and powerful educational tool. We seek to maximize the capabilities of today’s technologies in order to engage the full learning potential of each student. To do so, Boston University Online strives to create an exciting and interactive online instructional environment that incorporates simulations, video, audio, multimedia, and group activities such as discussion boards.

An online degree from Boston University represents achievement of a high academic standard. Our programs are accredited through the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc., one of six nationally recognized accrediting agencies.

In addition to academic rigor, a vital component of all Boston University Online programs is the availability of outstanding Student Services. The Office of Distance Education assures that Boston University Online students receive prompt and attentive assistance throughout their learning experience, from application and registration to technical support to graduation details.
Boston University Online is an active member in the online education community. Boston University Online are member of, and participate regularly with, the following associations:

· University Continuing Education Association (UCEA)
· The Sloan Consortium
· United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA)

Online Learning at Boston University

It goes without saying that you’ll receive the same high quality level of education as students on campus. You’ll learn from the same world-class faculty. You’ll be challenged to meet the same rigorous academic standards. And like 250,000 other respected BU Alumni, you’ll have a degree you can be proud of when you finish.

But you’ll learn in a format designed specifically for online delivery. So what does that mean?
Interactivity: Boston University Online programs are filled with activities, animations, and simulations to ensure that students get the most out of their experience—many of our graduates tell us that the education they received at Boston University Online was the most engaging and rewarding that they’ve ever had. Students participate actively in each course through a variety of means, including online discussions and group assignments.

Community: BU online is an interactive community of students. Boston University Online students are organized into small groups that form a kind of virtual classroom. Each small group is led by an expert facilitator who answers questions about subject material, coordinates class discussion, assists with assignments, and supports students throughout their studies. In addition, students have their own virtual space within each course where they can post ideas, have casual conversation, share opinions, and even make friends with classmates from all around the world.

Flexibility: Versatility is a key feature of Boston University Online courses and programs. Online course materials are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, from any location. Which means that students can learn where and when it works best—for them. Each student determines which hours are best for studying, attending lectures, and completing assignments. Though students must complete course requirements within an established time frame, the actual hours spent meeting those requirements are mostly at the convenience of each individual.

Motivation: Boston University Online has a lot to offer—knowledge, reward, and the means to achieve them. In return, Boston University Online's students bring a good deal of focus and commitment to their education. Boston University Online highly recommends online learning to those who are self-motivated when it comes to their studies. Boston University Online's most successful students take an active initiative to correspond with instructors and classmates, and complete their assignments with little prompting.

Excellence: Boston University Online programs are designed for maximized convenience. But it is important to remember that they also present students with a rigorous academic experience. Their programs are meant to challenge you so that you can meet your goals—and they know you wouldn’t want it any other way.

Studying Online

· In most cases, Boston University online programs are completely online, which means students do not have to come to campus. Instead, they've designed an online environment which allows our faculty members to interact with students through the use of a Web browser. Course content varies, but usually includes online lecture, videos, interactive animations, discussion boards, and more. Students submit regular assignments including homework, projects and papers, through the Web interface. Most courses also integrate secure online exams.

· In most cases, students are required to formally apply for Boston University Online programs. Applicants are reviewed by an admissions panel and are held to the same academic standards as on-campus students.

· Online learning can require a lot of written communication. Because you will be learning at your own location and during the times that you prefer, e-mail will probably be your primary means of communicating with instructors and other students. In addition, most courses will ask that students engage regularly in online discussions and debates. As an online student, it will be important that you feel comfortable interacting with others from a distance, since you will not have the same face-to-face contact as a student learning on campus.

· Online students take an active role in their education. A greater degree of flexibility also means that you’ll need to be disciplined in your approach to your studies—it will be up to you to make sure you log on to your course and meet your own deadlines, because your professor won’t be in the room to remind you to do so.

· Technology plays an integral role in online learning—it’s what makes this all possible. To get started in a Boston University Online program or course, Boston University Online recommends that students have basic computer skills, such as the ability to send e-mail, navigate the Internet, and install software.

Course Schedules

· Most courses operate on a seven-week schedule. Though you can complete course assignments during the hours that work best for you on a day-to-day basis, you will be required to finish the course within the allotted time period.

· Each course has built-in deadlines along the way to make sure that you progress at a manageable pace.

· Students enrolled in Boston University Online programs are typically able to complete two courses per semester by taking one seven-week course at a time.

· Courses generally begin every seven weeks in January, March, May, July, September, and November, but—students can apply for and begin a Boston University Online program at almost any time throughout the year.

Technical Support and Student Services

· Boston University Online students have access to technical support twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. If you are experiencing any difficulty accessing course materials, or if you have questions, there will always be someone who can help you.

· Boston University Online provides a wide range of Student Services. The staff at the Office of Distance Education, your course facilitator, and your course instructor are all available by phone or e-mail to answer questions and guide you through your experience as a student. However, online students should be comfortable learning independently, taking the initiative to ask questions, and receiving instruction at a distance.