Accreditation of the University

Since 1935, Boston College has been accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). NECHE is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a reliable authority on the quality of education and adheres to the standards of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. As part of NECHE guidelines, member institutions undergo a peer review process every ten years which involves the preparation of a comprehensive self-study. Boston College鈥檚 most recent full review for accreditation occurred in March 2017.

Inquiries regarding Boston College鈥檚 accreditation status, including requests for a paper copy of this information, should be directed to the Office of the Provost and Dean of Faculties, Boston College, 270 Hammond Street, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 (617-552-3260); individuals may also contact the New England Commission of Higher Education,听301 Edgewater Place, Suite 210, Wakefield, MA 01880 (781-425-7785).

In addition to NECHE, a variety of schools and programs at Boston College are affiliated with discipline-based accrediting agencies such as: Connell School of Nursing:听; Carroll School of Management:听; Law School:听; Boston College School of Social Work:听; School of Theology and Ministry:听; Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences, Chemistry Department:听; Lynch School of Education and Human Development, Teacher Education, Special Education, and Curriculum and Instruction programs:听; Counseling Psychology Programs:听. For distance education, Boston College is an approved member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), and Boston College鈥檚 public safety and police department is an accredited program of the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission.

Annual Notification of Rights

The University Registrar and the Vice President for Student Affairs are responsible for notifying students annually of their rights under FERPA. The annual notice is to appear in the听Boston College Bulletin听and in the听Boston College Student Guide.

All non-directory information is considered confidential and will not be released to outside inquiries without the express written consent of the student.

Student Rights Under FERPA

Boston College maintains a large number of records regarding its students in the administration of its educational programs, as well as its housing, athletics, and extracurricular programs. The University also maintains employment and financial records for its own use and to comply with state and federal regulations. Boston College is committed to protecting the privacy interests of its students and to maintaining the confidentiality of student records in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA).

These rights are as follows:

  • The right to inspect and review the student's education record within 45 days of the day the University receives a request for access.

    Any student who wishes to inspect and review information contained in an education record maintained by any office of the University may, with proper identification, request access to the record from the office responsible for maintaining that record. Unless the circumstances require the existence of a formal request, an oral request may be honored.

    Whenever an office responsible for maintaining education records is unable to respond, the student may submit to the Office of Student Services, dean, academic department head, or other appropriate official a written request that identifies the record he or she wishes to inspect. The University official shall provide access within 45 days after the University receives the request, and shall notify the student of the time and place the record may be inspected. If the record is not maintained by the University official to whom the request is submitted, that official is to advise the student of the correct official to whom the request is to be addressed.

  • The right to request the amendment of the student's education record if the student believes that information contained in his or her record is inaccurate, misleading or in violation of his or her rights of privacy.

    Any student who believes that information contained in his or her education record is inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of his or her rights of privacy is to write to the University official responsible for the record, clearly identifying the part of the record he or she wants changed, and specifying why the record should be amended.

    If the University concludes that the record should not be amended as requested, the University will notify the student, advise the student of his or her right to a hearing and provide information about the hearing process.

  • The right to consent to the disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in the student's education record, except to the extent permitted under FERPA. One exception that permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to University officials with legitimate educational interests, which may include employees in administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); members of the Board of Trustees; and students serving on an official committees, such as a disciplinary or grievance committees, or assisting another University officials in performing their tasks. University officials may also be contractors, consultants, volunteers or other outside parties to whom the University has outsourced institutional services or functions that would ordinarily be performed by University employees. The University may disclose education records without consent to officials of other educational institutions that have requested the records and in which a student seeks or intends to enroll or is already enrolled so long as the disclosure is for purposes related to the student's enrollment or transfer.

  • The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the University to comply with the requirements of FERPA. Written complaints may be directed to the Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C., 20202-4605.

Confidentiality of Student Records

Certain personally identifiable information from a student's education record, designated by Boston College as directory information, may be released without the student's prior consent. This information includes name; term, home, local, and electronic mail addresses; telephone listing; date and place of birth; photograph; major field of study; enrollment status; grade level; participation in officially recognized activities and sports; weight and height of members of athletic teams; dates of attendance; school/college of enrollment; anticipated date of graduation; degrees and awards received; the most recent previous educational agency or institution attended; and other similar information.

Electronic access to selected directory information is available to both the Boston College community and the general public. A student who so wishes has the right to prevent the release of all directory information including verification of enrollment, or to suppress selected directory information at bc.edu/myservices听(鈥淧rivacy Preferences Confirm/Review).鈥 This must be done by the end of the first week of enrollment.

Disclosures to Parents of Students

When a student reaches the age of 18, or attends a postsecondary institution regardless of age, FERPA rights transfer to the student. Guidelines for the disclosure of information to parents are as follows:

  • Parents may obtain directory information at the discretion of the institution.
  • Parents may obtain nondirectory information (e.g., grades, GPA) at the discretion of the institution and after it is determined that the student is legally dependent on either parent.
  • Parents may also obtain nondirectory information if they have a signed consent from the student.

Certificate of Enrollment

Visit the Certificate of Enrollment page for more information.

Certifying enrollment can be done for the following audiences:

  • For current students and employees with access to the Agora Portal
  • For alumni and external audiences, including employers

Disability Services Office

The Disability Services Office (DSO) serves undergraduate and graduate students with physical, medical, psychological, and temporary disabilities. The Assistant Dean works with each student individually to determine the appropriate accommodations necessary for the student鈥檚 full participation in college programs and activities. The听Assistant Dean of Student Disability Services also works with university administrators to develop policies and procedures pertinent to students with disabilities while acting as a general referral service on disability issues.

All accommodation requests must be submitted by June 9, 2023 to the DSO. This deadline does not apply to the Connors Family Learning Center and students registering for accommodations based on a learning disability or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

For more information, contact:

Disability Services Office
Maloney Hall鈥擲uite 448
140 Commonwealth Ave
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
Phone: 617-552-3434
E-mail:听disabsrv@bc.edu

Services for students with learning disabilities and ADHD, as well as all testing accommodations, are coordinated through the Connors Family Learning Center (CFLC). The CFLC, located in O鈥橬eill Library, provides academic support services and accommodations to undergraduate and graduate students. The CFLC鈥檚 services are extensive and vary depending upon the unique needs of the individual student.

For more information, contact:

Kathleen M. Duggan, Ph.D.
Director, Connors Family Learning Center
The Connors Family Learning Center (CFLC)
Thomas P. O鈥橬eill Jr. Library, Room 200
140 Commonwealth Avenue
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
Phone: 617.552.8093
E-mail:听dugganka@bc.edu

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Visit the Notices and Disclosures page for information regarding the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

  • The page enumerates student rights under FERPA.
  • It also contains other notices and disclosures of interest to students and parents.

Financial Aid

Visit the Financial Aid page for more information about financial aid听at Boston College.

Immunization

The state of Massachusetts requires that all full-time, part-time Health Sciences and part-time visa-carrying students entering college must submit proof of the following:听

  • Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap): 1 dose. It must have been given at or after age 7. If Tdap was given before 2013 (鈮 10 years ago), you must also provide a current Tdap or Td.听
  • MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) Vaccine Series: 2 doses. These doses must be given at least four weeks apart beginning at or after 12 months of age.
  • Hepatitis B Vaccine Series: 3 doses at varying intervals or two doses of Heplisav-B given on or after 18 years.听
  • Meningococcal听Conjugate听Quadrivalent Vaccine: 1 dose of (MCV 4- A, C, Y, W-135)听(Menactra,听Menveo Nimenrix, or MenQuadfi)听for听all听full-time students 21 years of age and younger.听The vaccine must be on or after the sixteenth听birthday, or a signed waiver is acceptable.
  • Varicella Vaccine: 2 doses of the vaccine or a reliable history of varicella disease documented by a health care provider.听
  • Tuberculosis Screening/Testing Form complete the form and accompanying testing if needed.

If proof of immunization for measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, and/or varicella is unavailable, a blood titer showing immunity will be accepted.

Failure to show proof of immunizations within 30 days from the start of classes will result in a block on your registration, and an administrative fee of $90 will be charged to your student account.

Important Notices and Disclosures under the HEOA

Boston College maintains a web page that provides all notices, disclosures, and other information required to be disclosed under the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA). This web page is available at bc.edu/content/bc-web/offices/executive-vice-president/notices-disclosures.html. This page includes links to disclosures with the following information:

  • Institutional and Student Information, including information regarding the University鈥檚 academic programs, facilities, faculty, academic improvement plans, accreditation, student rights with respect to the privacy of student records, transfer of credit policies, resources for students with disabilities, the diversity of the student body, voter registration, copyright and file-sharing, and how to reach the Office of Student Services, which maintains additional resources and information for students and prospective students;
  • Financial Information, including the cost of attendance, withdrawal and refund policies, information regarding financial aid programs (including information about eligibility requirements and criteria, forms, policies, procedures, standards for maintaining aid, disbursements and repayment), student employment information and exit counseling information, and how to reach the Office of Financial Aid;
  • Student Outcomes, including information regarding retention rates, graduation rates, and placement and education of graduates;
  • Health and Safety Information, including the Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report which describes the University鈥檚 campus safety program policies and includes statistics for the previous three years concerning reported crimes and fires that occurred on campus; the Drug-Free Campus and Workplace Program; and the University鈥檚 policies with respect to immunizations required under Massachusetts law; and
  • Athletic Program Information, describing how to request a report about the University鈥檚 athletic programs that includes participation rates, financial support, and other information on men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 intercollegiate athletic programs.

Each disclosure explains how you may request a paper copy of the information. Alternatively, you may request paper copies of these disclosures by calling the Office of the Executive Vice President (617) 552-3255 or sending a written request to: Boston College, Office of the Executive Vice President, Botolph House, 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467.

Majors and Minors

Visit the Majors and Minors page for more information about the following:

  • Majors
  • Minors
  • Other Degree Programs

Massachusetts Medical Insurance

Visit the Medical Insurance page for more information regarding medical insurance at Boston College, including the following:

  • Enrollment
  • Waivers
  • Forms
  • Contacts and Questions

Notice of Nondiscrimination

Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1863, Boston College is dedicated to intellectual excellence and to its Jesuit, Catholic heritage. Boston College recognizes the essential contribution a diverse community of students, faculty, and staff makes to the advancement of its goals and ideals in an atmosphere of respect for one another and for the University鈥檚 mission and heritage. Accordingly, Boston College commits itself to maintaining a welcoming environment for all people and extends its welcome in particular to those who may be vulnerable to discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, sex, religion, disability, age, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, military status, or other legally protected status.

Boston College rejects and condemns all forms of harassment, wrongful discrimination, and disrespect. It has developed procedures to respond to incidents of harassment whatever the basis or circumstance. Moreover, it is the policy of Boston College, while reserving its lawful rights where appropriate to take actions designed to promote the Jesuit, Catholic principles that sustain its mission and heritage, to comply with all state and federal laws prohibiting discrimination in employment and in its educational programs and activities on the basis of a person鈥檚 race, color, national origin, sex, religion, disability, age, marital or parental status, genetic information or family medical history, or military status, and to comply with state law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of a person's sexual orientation.

To this end, Boston College has designated its听Associate Vice President for Institutional Diversity to coordinate its efforts to prevent discrimination in accordance with this notice and applicable laws. Individuals are welcome to raise any questions regarding this notice and the requirements of state and federal nondiscrimination laws with the听Associate Vice President for Institutional Diversity:

Boston College Office for Institutional Diversity (OID)
140 Commonwealth Avenue (Office location: 129 Lake Street)
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
Patricia Lowe,
Associate Vice President for Institutional Diversity/Title IX Coordinator
patricia.lowe@bc.edu
Phone: 617-552-3334
Email:听TitleIXCoordinator@bc.edu

The Associate Vice President for Institutional Diversity oversees the efforts of the following additional Title IX coordinators: (i) Melinda Stoops, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Student Affairs Title IX Coordinator (for student sexual harassment complaints), Maloney Hall, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 (617-552-3482); (ii) Marie Elena Gioiella, University Harassment Counselor, 129 Lake Street, Brighton, MA (617-552-3340); and (iii) Reshauna Cobb, Senior Associate Director Athletics, Internal Operations, 310 Conte Forum, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 (617-552-8303).

The following federal laws and regulations require the University not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, sex, or age in treatment, employment, admission or access to Boston College and its educational programs and activities: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (Age Act), and their respective implementing regulations at 34 C.F.R. Parts 100, 104, 106, and 110. Inquiries concerning the application to Boston College of each of the statutes and implementing regulations outlined above may be referred to the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 5 Post Office Square, 8th Floor, Boston, MA 02109-3921 (617-289-0111).

Tuition and Fees

Visit the Tuition and Fees page for more information on the following:

  • Tuition and fees
  • Laboratory/course fees
  • Tuition refund schedule

Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018

The university will adhere to the requirements of Section 3679 of Title 38 of the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018 (referred to below as the "Veterans Benefits and Transition Act").

Boston College shall permit any student who is a covered individual ( as defined in Section 3679 of the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act) to attend or participate in the course of education during the period beginning on the date on which such student provides to Boston College a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance under chapter 31 or 33 of Title 38 of the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act and ending on the earlier of (i) the date on which the U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs provides payment for such course of education to Boston College, or (ii) the date that is 90 days after the date on which Boston College certifies for tuition and fees following receipt from the student such certificate of eligibility.

Boston College shall ensure that it will not impose any penalty (including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities, or the requirement that a covered individual (as defined in Section 3679 of the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act) borrow additional funds) on any student who is a covered individual because of such student's inability to meet his or her financial obligations to Boston College due to the delayed disbursement of a payment to be provided by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under chapter 31 or 33 of Title 38 of the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act.

The University reserves the right to deny access to services or impose additional fees in accordance with University policy on the difference between the amount of the student's financial obligation and the amount of the VA education benefit disbursement if not paid by the student by the required due dates.

GI Bill庐 is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at .