Degree Requirements
The undergraduate curriculum in the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences at Boston College is built on a foundation in the liberal arts. In wide-ranging courses in humanities and sciences, students learn to think critically and independently while developing communication and analysis skills.
Credits
To graduate from the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences, you must take at least 120 credits over eight semesters. Included in the program are at least 45 credits in the Core Curriculum, usually 30 to 36 credits in a major department, and elective courses in other departments. You also are expected to demonstrate proficiency at the intermediate level in a modern foreign language or in a classical language. Ninety-six of the total 120 credits must be from departments in the College of Arts and Sciences.
The Core Curriculum
Our undergraduate Core is a set of 15 required courses that give students exposure to a wide range of possible majors. Core courses are generally three-credit courses, so they account for somewhat more than one-third of the courses and credits needed for graduation. The Core Curriculum consists of one course in writing, one in literature, one in some form of art, one in mathematics, two in natural science, two in social science, two in history, two in philosophy, two in theology, and one in Cultural Diversity.
MCAS Language Proficiency Requirement
All students in the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences must demonstrate intermediate-level proficiency in a modern or classical language in order to graduate. You can demonstrate proficiency in any of the following three ways:
- AP/IB Test Scores: You can demonstrate proficiency by receiving a qualifying score on an accepted exam, including Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate.
Qualifying Exams and Scores
- Completion of Coursework: You must complete the second semester of an intermediate-level modern or classical language course or complete one modern or classical language course beyond the intermediate level. You cannot take foreign language courses on a pass/fail basis until you have completed the University’s language proficiency requirement. Language courses count as MCAS electives. The University currently offers the following courses fulfilling the language proficiency requirement: American Sign Language (ASL)*, Arabic, Bulgarian, Chinese (Mandarin), French, German, Greek (Ancient and Modern), Hebrew, Irish, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Portuguese*, Russian, Spanish, and Yiddish*
*ASL, Portuguese, and Yiddish are offered at nearby universities through the Boston Consortium Cross-Registration Language Program. Please see your Academic Dean for more information.
- Native proficiency: Students seeking to satisfy the language requirement by documentation of native proficiency should do so no later than fall semester of sophomore year. Postponement can result in a delayed graduation. Documentation of native proficiency ordinarily assumes evidence of post-elementary school education in the native language.
Heritage students are those who are fluent in their family/home languages and will need to demonstrate proficiency at the academic intermediate level in those languages. They must test successfully in all language skills (reading, speaking, writing, listening comprehension, and grammar). If after an assessment, students do not demonstrate academic proficiency at the intermediate level, or if an assessment is not available for a particular language, then, in order to fulfill the language requirement, students may need to take the appropriate, or an alternative, language course(s) for a letter grade.
Students who attended a school where all courses were primarily instructed in a non-English language until they were at least 14 years old may satisfy the language proficiency requirement. Please contact your Associate Dean during the first year of study for more information. The Associate Deans may determine additional steps are necessary to fulfill the MCAS requirement, and it is important to allow adequate time for completion.
Language Placement Exams
Students who need to enroll in a language course to either further their language studies or to fulfill the MCAS language proficiency requirement may need to take a placement exam. Each language/department has their own process and can assist you with proper placement.
Language: Arabic
Department: Eastern, Slavic, and German Studies
Placement Exam: To schedule a placement exam, contact Dr. Atef Ghobrial, ghobrial@big5vn.com
Who should take a placement exam?
- Students who studied Modern Standard Arabic before coming to Boston College
- Students who never studied Arabic, but learned a variant (Syrian, Egyptian, Iraqi etc..) in a family setting (“heritage speaker”)
Who does not need to take a placement exam?
- Students who never studied Modern Standard Arabic
If you are not required to take a placement exam, please register for Elementary Arabic I (3 credits) and its co-requisite Elementary Arabic I Practicum (3 credits).
Due to the Practicum requirement for Arabic, students only need to complete Elementary Arabic I (Lecture + Practium, 6 credits) and Elementary Arabic II (Lecture + Practicum, 6 credits) to fulfill the MCAS language proficiency requirement.
Language: Chinese
Department: Eastern, Slavic, and German Studies
Placement Exam: Online; Contact Prof. Fang Lu, luf@big5vn.com
Who should take a placement exam?
- Students who are from a Chinese heritage family
- Students who have learned Chinese in middle and/or high school
- Students who have stayed in China or Chinese-speaking countries/regions for significant amounts of time
Who does not need to take a placement exam?
- Students who have never studied Chinese
- Students who have never spoken Chinese at home
If you are not required to take the placement exam, please enroll in EALC1121 Elementary Chinese I (Lecture + Practicum, 6 credits).
Due to the Practicum requirement for Chinese, students only need to complete Elementary Chinese I (Lecture + Practium, 6 credits) and Elementary Chinese II (Lecture + Practicum, 6 credits) to fulfill the language proficiency requirement.
Students who scored a 4 or 5 on the AP Chinese Language and Culture exam have fulfilled the MCAS language proficiency requirement. Please contact the Academic Advising Center (aac@big5vn.com) for assistance in applying for an exemption based on your score.
The Chinese Placement Test consists of three parts: A. Listening Comprehension; B. Grammar & Reading Comprehension + Writing; C. Oral Interview.
- The sections of Listening Comprehension and Grammar & Reading Comprehension consist of multiple-choice questions online. Please make sure you have headphones for listening or a quiet place to play audio recordings from your computer.
- In the section of Writing, you will be asked to handwrite a very short composition. Please make sure that you have paper and pencil for writing. You also need a smartphone or other device to photograph and upload your writing sample.
- After finishing parts A and B, you will be contacted to set up a time for your Oral Interview, either on Zoom or in-person. The oral interview will most likely be on your first day of class.
Students who missed the test prior to the beginning of the fall semester and need to take it during the regular semester OR students who seek to satisfy the language requirement by proof of native proficiency, please contact Prof. Fang Lu at luf@big5vn.com.
Language: French
Department: Romance Languages and Literatures
Placement Exam: Online *see instructions below
Contacts:
- Prof. Andréa Javel, javel@big5vn.com, Elementary French I and II (FREN1009 / FREN1010); Intermediate French I and II (FREN1109 / FREN1109)
- Prof. Maribel Valdes, valdesmc@big5vn.com, Administrative Assistant, RLL
Who should take a placement exam?
- Students who have studied French before at the middle school, high school or college level
- Students who scored less than 3 on the AP French Language exam
- Students who have lived in a francophone country for a significant period of time and have studied French formally
- Students who speak French at home
Who does not need to take a placement exam?
- Students with no previous knowledge of French should enroll in FREN1009 Elementary French I
- Students who have never spoken French at home.
French Placement Test Instructions
The French Placement Test is offered online and can be taken at any time from anywhere. It has two parts, a reading test and a listening test. Both must be completed in order to receive a course placement recommendation. Students can sign up for the test by clicking the link below.
French Placement Test Sign-Up Form
Once students are signed up, they will receive an email with information on how to access the reading and the listening placement tests online. It is not necessary to access Canvas, Boston College's Learning Management System, to take the tests. Students will receive their results via the email address they included on the sign-up form. The test can be taken more than once, with department permission.
Students who have taken the AP French Language exam should determine their placement based on the following recommendations.
- If you scored 3 on the AP French Language exam, the department recommends: FREN2209 Conversation, Composition, and Reading 1 (CCR 1)
- If you scored a 4 or 5 on the AP French Language exam, please visit the Foreign Languages resource table during course registration on Tuesday of your Orientation Session this summer OR email Prof. Kevin Newmark (kevin.newmark@big5vn.com).
ACTFL’s (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) online Proficiency Placement test (APPT) is designed to help you determine the most appropriate course level for your ongoing studies in French. A demo test is available online. Students will receive their results at the end of the test.
*For any combinations not listed below, email Prof. Andréa Javel at javel@big5vn.com.
| Rating on Reading Test (RPT) | Rating on Listening Test (LPT) | Recommended Course |
| Novice Low (NL) - Novice Mid (NM) | Novice Low (NL) - Novice Mid (NM) | Elementary French I, FREN1009 |
| Novice Low (NL) - Novice Mid (NM) | Novice High (NH) | Elementary French I, FREN1009 |
| Novice High (NH) | Novice Low (NL) - Novice Mid (NM) | Elementary French I, FREN1009 |
| Novice High (NH) | Novice High (NH) | Elementary French II, FREN1010 (offered only in the spring) |
| Intermediate Low (IL) - Intermediate Mid (IM) | Intermediate Low (NL) - Intermediate Mid (IM) | Intermediate French I, FREN1109 |
| Intermediate Low (IL) - Intermediate Mid (IM) | Intermediate High (IH) | Intermediate French I, FREN1109 |
| Intermediate High (IH) | Intermediate Low (NL) - Intermediate Mid (IM) | Intermediate French I, FREN1109 |
| Intermediate High (IH) | Intermediate High (IH) | Intermediate French II, FREN1110 (offered in the fall and spring) |
| Intermediate High (IH) - Advanced Low (AL) | Intermediate High (IH) Advanced Low (AL) | CCR I, French Conversation, Composition, and Reading FREN2209 |
| Advanced Low (AL) and above | Advanced Low (AL) and above | You may be ready for French courses at the 3000 level, especially if you had more than 4 years of a solid high school program in French and have had some experience studying abroad in France or a Francophone country. |
For further help in determining your placement, see the list of French language advisors below:
- Elementary and Intermediate French: Prof. Andrea Javel, javel@big5vn.com
- French CCR: Prof. Franco Mormando, mormando@big5vn.com
- All French courses above CCR: Prof. Kevin Newmark, kevin.newmark@big5vn.com
If you scored a 4 or 5 on the AP French Language exam, please visit the Foreign Languages resource table during course registration on Tuesday of your Orientation Session this summer OR email Prof. Kevin Newmark (kevin.newmark@big5vn.com).
Language: German
Department: Eastern, Slavic, and German Studies
Contact: Prof. Daniel Bowles, daniel.bowles@big5vn.com
Placement Exam: Take the placement test by enrolling here with your Boston College log-in credentials: http://bostoncollege.instructure.com/enroll/FHNXDG
Who should take a placement exam?
Students who have learned any German prior to enrolling at Boston College (e.g. in elementary, middle, or high school, at a foreign institution, during a stay abroad, or informally with your family) MUST take the German Placement Test.
Who does not need to take a placement exam?
- Students who have never studied German. You should plan to enroll in GERM1001: Elementary German I.
- Students who earned a 4 or 5 on the AP German exam
Language: Classical Greek
Department: Classical Studies
Placement Exam: Contact Prof. Christopher Polt, christopher.polt@big5vn.com
For students wishing to begin language study, the department provides elementary and intermediate courses in Ancient Greek. These courses aim at preparing a student for more advanced study of ancient literature in the original languages. Elementary and intermediate courses in Modern Greek are also available. All these courses may be counted towards satisfying the University's undergraduate language requirement.
Language: Modern Greek
Department: Classical Studies
Placement Exam: Contact Prof. Christopher Polt, christopher.polt@big5vn.com
For students wishing to begin language study, the department provides elementary and intermediate courses in Modern Greek. These courses may be counted towards satisfying the University's undergraduate language requirement.
Language: Hebrew
Department: Eastern, Slavic, and German Studies
For questions about Hebrew and other Near and Middle Eastern languages, please contact Prof. Franck Salameh, salameh@big5vn.com.
Language: Irish
Program: Irish Studies Program
Placement Exam: Contact Prof. Joseph Nugent, nugentjf@big5vn.com
Course placement recommendations from the Irish Program:
- If you have never studied Irish or if you have studied it formally or informally for one year or less, take ENGL1093, Elementary Irish 1 (Fall semester).
- If you have studied Irish for two to three years in high school, or in Ireland, take ENGL2097, Intermediate Irish I (Fall semester).
- If you have any doubts, consult Professor Nugent who will arrange a placement exam if it seems necessary.
- Completing the two-semester Elementary and two-semester Intermediate Irish courses will enable you to fulfill the MCAS modern language requirement.
Language: Italian
Department: Romance Languages and Literatures
Placement Exam: Contact Prof. Carmen Merolla, carmen.merolla@big5vn.com.
Course placement recommendations from the department:
- If you have never studied Italian or if you have studied it in high school for one year, take ITAL 1003, Elementary Italian I
- If you have studied Italian for two to three years in high school, take ITAL 1004, Elementary Italian II (spring semester).
- If you have studied Italian for three to four years in high school or for two semesters at the college level, take ITAL 1113, Intermediate Italian I.
- If you scored a three on the AP Italian Language exam or have studied Italian in high school for four years or for three semesters at the college level, take ITAL1114, Intermediate Italian II (spring semester).
- If you scored a four or five on the AP Italian Language exam, or studied moe than four years in high school or four semesters at the college level, take ITAL2213, Italian Conversation, Composition and Reading I.
Language: Japanese
Department: Eastern, Slavic, and German Studies
Placement Exam: Online Test (see link below) and Interview
Contact: Prof. Ritsuko Sullivan, sulliadq@big5vn.com
Who should take a placement exam?
- Students who are from a Japanese heritage family
- Students who have learned Japanese in middle and/or high school
- Students who have stayed in Japan for significant amounts of time
- Students who took the AP Japanese Language exam (regardless of score) and wish to continue their language studies
Who does not need to take a placement exam?
- Students who never studied Japanese
- Students who have never spoken Japanese at home
If you are not required to take a placement exam, you can enroll in EALC1221 Elementary Japanese I.
Students who scored a 4 or 5 on the AP Japanese Language and Culture exam have fulfilled the MCAS language requirement. Please contact the Academic Advising Center at aac@big5vn.com for assistance in applying for an exemption based on your score.
To find out about your appropriate placement in the Japanese language curriculum at BC, follow the Three-step process described below:
Step 1. Preliminary Self Sorting
The preliminary self-sorting can be helpful as a first step towards working out the entire Fall schedule for yourself.
The Japanese Language Placement Test at BC consists of a standardized test (Grammar, Reading and Writing) followed by an interview (Listening and Speaking). You will be able to change to a different course later after your placement has been finalized and during the add-and-drop period.
Step 2. Online Test
The Grammar and Reading section will be given in a standard multiple-choice format. You do not need to do any special preparatory study for the test. Depending on the level you are aiming at placing yourself into, the test can last anytime from half an hour to two hours. To take the test, please click on this link: http://bostoncollege.instructure.com/enroll/HD7P64
Step 3. Interview during the First Week
Your online test score will preliminarily place you into a likely level of Japanese course. Attend the first class of the recommended course on Monday, August 29, where the instructor will finalize your placement based on both the test score and an interview that week.
Language: Korean
Department: Eastern, Slavic, and German Studies
Placement Exam: Online Test and Interview; Contact Prof. Jaehee Ju, jujf@big5vn.com
To find your appropriate placement in the Korean language curriculum at BC, follow this three-step process:
Step 1. Preliminary Self-Evaluation
- If you have never studied Korean or if you studied the language in high school for one to two years, take EALC1311 Elementary Korean I.
- If you studied Korean for 2-3 years in high school or one year at the college level, take EALC2311 Intermediate Korean I.
- If you studied Korean for 3-4 years in high school or 2 years at the college level, take EALC4311 Advanced Korean I.
- If you have received significant exposure to Korean language and culture, and thus have some listening and speaking skills, but haven’t had sufficient opportunity to develop knowledge of basic reading, writing, and grammar in Korean, take EALC1341 Accelerated Elementary Korean.
NB: Please note that you may be required to take the placement test during the add-and-drop period and be redirected to another course.
Step 2. Placement Testing for Fall 2024
Students have the option to take the online placement test beginning the week of August 19. For the most part, the test has a standard multiple-choice format. You do not need to do any preparatory studying for the test. Depending on the level you’re aiming at placing into, the test can last anywhere from a half-hour to two hours.
Students who have NOT taken a Korean course at Boston College, the AP Language Exam, or the SAT Subject Test in Korean, but believe they have proficiency above the intermediate level, should take an in-person proficiency test. The dates for this exam in the fall are as follows: October 2 (W) and November 15 (F). The exam time for each day will be determined after students contact Professor Rhee.
Step 3. Interview before or during the First Week
All students who have taken the placement test will have a brief interview with an instructor via Zoom at a time mutually arranged on before the first week, after which the instructor will guide them to their final placement, based on the test score and Zoom interview. Alternatively, students can attend the first class on Monday, August 26, where the instructor will guide final placement, based on an interview and, if necessary, a placement test.
Language: Latin
Department: Classical Studies
Placement Exam: Online Test
The Latin placement exam can be taken online: http://bostoncollege.instructure.com/enroll/ETNN3D
To take the exam, students need to enroll in the "course," visit the Placement Exam site in Canvas, and then follow the simple directions posted there. The exam has two parts: a multiple choice grammar section and a short translation section. It should take about an hour.
Once students have completed the exam, they must notify Prof. Polt (christopher.polt@big5vn.com) by email.
Language: Portuguese
Department: Romance Languages and Literatures
Please note: Currently the RLL department only offers elementary Portuguese (1, Fall; 2, Spring). Elementary Portuguese is not sufficient for satisfying the language proficiency requirement for graduation. There is no placement exam for Portuguese. Students should contact the department at rll@big5vn.com for more information.
Language: Russian
Department: Eastern, Slavic, and German Studies
Placement Exam: Test and Oral Interview. To schedule a placement test, contact Prof. Tony Lin, tony.h.lin@big5vn.com
The Russian placement test consists of 1) a written test focusing on grammar and 2) an oral interview.
Who should take a placement exam?
- Students who have studied Russian in secondary school
- Students who speak Russian at home
- Students who are seeking to fulfill the MCAS language requirement with Russian
Who does not need to take a placement exam?
- Students who have never studied Russian
- Students who have never spoken Russian at home
If you are not required to take a placement exam, you may enroll in SLAV1121 Introduction to Russian I.
For other Slavic languages (Polish and Bulgarian), please contact Prof. Tony Lin at tony.h.lin@big5vn.com
Language: Spanish
Department: Romance Languages and Literatures
Placement Exam: Online *see instructions below
Contacts:
- Prof. Silvana Falconi, falconis@big5vn.com, Elementary Spanish I and II (SPAN1015 / SPAN1016); Intermediate Spanish I and II (SPAN1115 / SPAN1116)
- Prof. Yohana Gil Berrio, gilberyo@big5vn.com, Spanish CCR1 (SPAN2215); Spanish CCR2 (SPAN2216)
Who should take a placement exam?
- Students who are from a Hispanic heritage family
- Students who have learned Spanish in middle and/or high school or at a foreign institution
- Students who have stayed in a Hispanic country for a significant period of time
Who does not need to take a placement exam?
- Students with no previous knowledge of Spanish should enroll in SPAN1015 Elementary Spanish I
- Students who have never spoken Spanish at home
Spanish Placement Test Instructions
The Spanish Placement Test is offered online and can be taken at any time from anywhere. Students can sign up for the test in one of two ways:
- If you indicated on your Orientation Registration Form that you are interested in taking the placement test for Spanish, you will automatically be sent instructions on how to take the placement test OR
- If you did not indicate your interest in taking the Spanish placement test on your Orientation Registration Form, but would like to take it, you can sign up to receive test instructions
Spanish Placement Test Sign-Up Form
Once students are signed up, they will receive an email with information on how to access the 50-minute placement test in Canvas. The test can be taken only once. Students must have their picture ID and Boston College Agora username and password with them before starting the test. Students will receive their score immediately upon completing the test.
Students who have taken the AP Spanish Language and Culture Exam should determine their placement based on the following recommendations:
- Students who scored a 3 or above on the Spanish Language and Culture AP Exam, or 6/7 on the IB Language Exam (higher level), have fulfilled the language requirement; however, they are encouraged to continue in the Spanish program at the appropriate higher level.
- Students who have taken the AP Exam and have not yet received their score should take the Spanish Placement Test and register for the course recommended when they complete the test. When students receive the AP score, they should do the necessary placement adjustment according to the information provided in the table below.
Guidelines for Spanish Placement
| IB Language Exam in Spanish | AP Exam Scores in Spanish | Language Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| 6/7 higher level | 3 or above | Language requirement fulfilled. Go to chart below |
| IB Language Exam in Spanish | AP Exam Scores in Spanish | Course / Test to be taken / Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Never studied Spanish | Never studied Spanish | Take SPAN1015 Elementary Spanish I |
| Did not take | Did not take | Take the Spanish Placement Test |
| 3 | Take the Placement Test if you wish to continue further studies in Spanish | |
| 6/7 higher level | 4 | SPAN2215 Conversation, Composition and Reading I |
| 5 | SPAN2216 Conversation, Composition and Reading II | |
| Native or heritage speaker | Native or heritage speaker | Consult the Department (rll@big5vn.com) |
If students have taken Elementary or Intermediate Spanish at a 4-year institution of higher education, they should sign up for the next course in sequence without taking the Spanish Placement Test, but must provide proof of past academic performance in the Spanish courses. However, if students did not take Spanish at a 4-year institution of higher education, but did take Spanish in high school, they should take the placement test. Transfer students coming from 2-year institutions should take the placement test.
If special testing accommodations are necessary, DO NOT take the Spanish Placement Test online until you receive the accommodations approval letter. Make sure to submit your request for accommodations as early as possible by registering with either the Disability Services Office or the Connors Family Learning Center, so that they will be able to issue you a letter of accommodation. Students must receive the accommodations approval letter before taking the test. Students will need to contact the test administrator, Prof. Silvana Falconi (falconis@big5vn.com) and attach the letter in order to be able to take the test with special accommodations (e.g. extra time).
Your Major
All BC undergraduates choose at least one major from the 30-plus options. You don’t need to keep the major you indicated on your college application; in fact, students often change their minds as they explore courses and discover new fields of study.
In your first year at BC, you may register for whatever courses you like. Keep in mind, however, that there are Core requirements that will give you exposure to a wide range of possible majors. We recommend that you find a balance between Core classes and courses that interest you.
If you have a particular major in mind, you may want to sign up for a course in that subject to help you decide whether you like it.
Declaring Your Major
- Second-semester freshmen: send an email (after February 1) to aac@big5vn.com
- Sophomores and juniors: go to the office of your chosen major to declare
Fulfilling Your Major Requirements
- For questions about course sequences in the major, go to your major’s Undergraduate Coordinator or Director of Undergraduate Studies.
Elective Courses
College electives are courses that do not count toward your major, minor, or Core requirements, but that fulfill credit requirements for graduation. Although the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences does not require a particular number of electives outside of the major, we encourage you to use electives to explore interests outside of your chosen field, or to supplement your major. For example, an English major may benefit from electives in philosophy, just as a political science major may be interested in economics or history electives. Choose electives based on your curiosity, your career aspirations, or simply your desire to learn something new.