Boston University Metropolitan College: A Gateway to Professional Advancement

Since 1965, Boston University’s Metropolitan College (BU MET) has broadened the reach of Boston University, serving as a bridge from BU to the world. As a laboratory and incubator for new programs, pedagogy, and educational technologies, MET ensures that the resources of a leading research university are accessible to a global community of lifelong learners via flexible, part-time and full-time study during the evening on campus and through innovative online and blended formats. One of Boston University’s degree-granting schools and colleges, BU MET offers a wide range of graduate and undergraduate degree and certificate programs led by faculty who combine firsthand industry expertise with relevant scholarly research. BU MET offers more than 80 programs in established and emerging areas of industry, emphasizing practical, hands-on learning you can put to work immediately.

A Tradition of Innovation and Accessibility

BU MET has a long-standing commitment to providing accessible, high-quality education to a diverse student body. The college's flexible programs cater to the needs of working professionals and lifelong learners, offering options for both on-campus and online study. This commitment to accessibility extends to its curriculum, which is designed to be practical and relevant to the demands of today's workforce.

Key Features of BU MET Programs:

Flexibility: Part-time and full-time study options, both on campus and online, allow students to balance their education with work and other commitments.
Practical Learning: Programs emphasize hands-on learning through projects, case studies, and simulations.
Industry-Relevant Curriculum: Programs are designed to meet the evolving needs of the workforce, with a focus on emerging areas of industry.
Experienced Faculty: Faculty members bring a wealth of industry experience and scholarly research to the classroom.
Supportive Learning Environment: Students benefit from a dedicated team of Student Success professionals and career development resources.

Master of Science in Project Management (MSPM)

Increasingly, all work is becoming project work. Available on campus and online, the Master of Science in Project Management (MSPM) degree program at Boston University’s Metropolitan College (MET) is a unique opportunity to combine a broad and industry-rooted knowledge of business and management principles with a mastery of successful project-based strategies and practices, preparing you for a range of career paths in a variety of industries. The MSPM curriculum also prepares you for success on the exams leading to the Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM®) designation.

Addressing the Talent Gap in Project Management

A recent Project Management Institute study (Make Reality Global Survey 2020-2021) cited project management as one of the top-five areas business leaders would like to prioritize. Yet, a talent shortage persists. According to the PMI 2021 Talent Gap Report, the global economy will need 25 million new project professionals by 2030, filling about 2.3 million job openings per year. BU MET’s MS in Project Management will prepare you to manage complex projects, facilitate communication between the project team and clients, and balance competing demands among scope, time, cost, and quality-providing the tools to achieve success at the highest levels of management.

Curriculum and Focus

As reflected in the seventh edition of the Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide), the global standards of project management are changing radically across industry, including a shift from processes toward principles and best practices for carrying out projects successfully. To meet these changing needs-including corresponding adjustments to professional certification exams-the Project Management master’s provides a strong foundational core in project management technical knowledge, leadership principles, and awareness of the context of projects in the business environment. Along with developing the technical expertise to manage projects in accordance with professional standards, you will be able to demonstrate ethical and culturally aware stakeholder engagement, communication, leadership, and teamwork. With its detailed and tool-based examination of a project’s conception, planning, budgeting, resource allocation, and implementation, BU MET’s Project Management program is beneficial to those with a broad range of professional responsibilities-from working on complex projects for global companies to designing IT infrastructure to completing consulting contracts. Importantly, our program recognizes that to achieve project success, leadership competencies-at the strategic level-are, increasingly, the largest single differentiator. Supplementary lecture modules and pedagogical laboratories in the areas of project, program, and portfolio management provide an unparalleled opportunity to master the tools and techniques of project management practice.

Experiential Learning and Resources

As a student in BU MET’s Project Management program, you have free access to hands-on, non-unit preparatory laboratories offered through the Department of Administrative Sciences. Project Management Essentials (PM 100) provides a foundation in basic project management concepts aligned with the latest project management standard-the PMBOK® Guide, 7th edition-using a threaded, Boston-flavored, sustainability-oriented example case study.

Project Management Student Club

Advance your practical knowledge of project management in fun and interesting ways with opportunities for individual leadership and group development through activities and real projects.

PMI® Exam Prep

BU MET’s optional, complimentary Project Management Professional (PMP®) and PMI-ACP® exam preparation courses are ideal for those who seek to pursue PMP® certification. Those who already hold PMI® certifications can earn up to 45 PDUs per course.

Concentrations and Thesis Option

Students who are not choosing a concentration must satisfy the core courses and general electives as indicated. Students pursuing the concentration in Program & Project Portfolio Management should review those requirements. Students have the option to complete a master’s thesis. The thesis must be completed within 12 months and is available to master’s candidates who have completed at least six courses toward their degree and have a GPA of 3.7 or higher. Students are responsible for finding a thesis advisor and a principal reader within the department. The advisor must be a full-time faculty member; the principal reader may be a part-time faculty member with a doctorate. Permission must be obtained by the department.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the MSPM are prepared to move forward in a wide variety of project management-related careers. Demonstrate advanced knowledge of project delivery principles-such as value, stewardship, team, stakeholders, risk management, communications, and leadership. Demonstrate knowledge of strategic planning, portfolio and program management, project analytics, and governance applicable to large projects and programs.

Graduate Certificate Programs

BU MET graduate certificate programs can serve as building blocks to a master’s degree. The Graduate Certificate in Project Management and the Graduate Certificate in Project, Program & Portfolio Management share specific courses with the master’s in Project Management program, giving you the option to take one or two certificates on your path to a master’s degree. Students currently enrolled in a graduate certificate who are interested in transitioning into a master’s degree should contact their academic advisor to declare their interest in this pathway. A new master’s degree application is not required.

Actuarial Science Certificates and MS in Actuarial Science

The Graduate Certificate in Actuarial Foundations provides a set of courses that cultivates your ability to “think like an actuary.” The approach helps develop actuarial problem-solving skills through exposure to topics, including interest theory and probability, that are crucial to the growing field of actuarial work. Building upon concepts covered in the Graduate Certificate in Actuarial Foundations, the Graduate Certificate in Actuarial Science further cultivates your ability to “think like an actuary” by developing problem-solving skills through exposure to a wide range of actuarial-related topics, notably interest theory and probability. The MS in Actuarial Science gives you the skills to become a successful actuary. You’ll gain a solid academic foundation through specialized courses in actuarial science, statistics, finance, and related fields. Students benefit from practical exposure to business and economic principles, and gain an understanding of the fiscal and ethical dilemmas often encountered in the process of business decision-making.

Graduate Certificate in Advanced Financial Technology

The Graduate Certificate in Advanced Financial Technology equips you with the skills to compete in the most exciting new area of finance-FinTech. This 4-course program exposes you to the very latest developments in machine learning, artificial intelligence, distributed ledger (blockchain) technologies, cryptocurrencies, and crowd wisdom, all with the most recent applications to finance.

SHA Graduate Certificate in Advanced Hospitality Management

The SHA Graduate Certificate in Advanced Hospitality Management is an accelerated graduate-level certificate that prepares students for hospitality industry success anywhere in the world. It is ideal for hospitality professionals hoping to gain a competitive edge or advance their skills in a new area.

Advanced Information Technology Graduate Certificate

The Advanced Information Technology graduate certificate provides students with state-of-the-art knowledge of modern enterprise IT and systems analysis.

Read also: History of the BU Bridge

Graduate Certificate Programs in Regional and International Studies

Egypt, Ghana, Congo, Namibia - explore Africa, a continent rich in diversity, opportunity, and challenges. Pardee regional graduate certificate programs complement any BU degree by enabling students to master interdisciplinary regional knowledge. This certificate can easily be undertaken by students in Pardee's other graduate programs. China, India, Japan, Malaysia - dive in and explore the vast realm of Asia, a region full of ancient cultures and modern dynamism, and home to over half of humanity. Frederick S.

Applied Sustainability Graduate Certificate

The Applied Sustainability graduate certificate provides a unique interdisciplinary perspective on how to make urban and economic development compatible with the natural environment.

Applied Urban Informatics Graduate Certificate

The Applied Urban Informatics graduate certificate provides hands-on experience with valuable analytic and computational tools while developing the key skills needed to work with varied data sources that can serve to inform policy decisions in a range of government, nonprofit, and private organizations.

Arts Management Graduate Certificate

The Arts Management graduate certificate emphasizes excellence, creativity, problem solving, internationalism, and commitment to the new technologies of our age. Students learn how arts organizations achieve and sustain their missions in a changing world.

Arts Marketing Graduate Certificate

The unique Arts Marketing graduate certificate program will equip you with a sophisticated skillset of the latest arts marketing, promotion, and advertising approaches required to enter a career as an arts marketing manager within an arts organization.

Master's Degree Programs

BU MET offers a wide array of master's degree programs designed to meet the diverse needs and interests of its students. These programs are characterized by their practical focus, industry relevance, and flexible format.

Advertising, MS

Inspire audiences and shape brands. Over three semesters in the Master of Science in Advertising, you'll balance academics with practical application. Develop the skills to shape creative briefs and advertising plans that encompass strategy, account management, consumer insight, media, and brand-building, as well as art direction, copywriting, and video development. The Master of Science in Advertising program is a practical, hands-on program combining core advertising fundamentals with the latest approaches in digital content and marketing.

American Law, LLM

The LLM in American Law is for global practitioners seeking to learn how US lawyers think, approach legal problems, and handle client matters.

Anatomy & Neurobiology - Vesalius Program, MS

The Master of Science in Anatomy & Neurobiology - Vesalius Program is a two-year, 32-credit degree program that includes the Vesalius Certificate. This program includes courses in anatomy and neuroscience that are offered by the department or by related departments. Students participate as Teaching Fellows in medical and graduate school courses as part of our Vesalius Teaching Apprenticeship.

Applied AI & Machine Learning Graduate Certificate

The Graduate Certificate in Applied AI & Machine Learning provides intensive exploration of the theory and practice of neural nets, generative AI, automated reasoning, AI security, intelligent image processing, and reinforcement learning, as well as an overview of AI ethics.

Applied Biostatistics, MS

The Master of Science in Applied Biostatistics is a one-year program that prepares graduates to take on challenging roles in this life-changing field.

Applied Business Analytics, MS

The Master of Science in Applied Business Analytics provides comprehensive coverage of data analytics concepts, techniques, and state-of-the-art tools used in the process of data-driven business decision-making. Students gain hands-on experience with a variety of analytical models and decision-support tools.

Applied Data Analytics, MS

The Master of Science in Applied Data Analytics exposes you to various database systems, data mining tools, data visualization tools and packages, Python packages, R packages, and cloud services. The knowledge of analytics tools combined with an understanding of data mining and machine learning approaches will enhance your ability to critically analyze real-world problems.

Applied Human Development, MEd

Our Master of Education in Applied Human Development emphasizes the foundations of learning and development through the lifespan across interrelated developmental domains. Topics of cultural and social diversity are woven throughout our teaching, service, and research.

Archaeology, MA

The Master of Arts in Archaeology prepares students for professional careers in museums and in public and private cultural resource management and heritage work as well as for further study toward the PhD.

Art Education, MA

The Master of Arts in Art Education online program is designed for busy educators who love making and teaching art and who want to enhance their practice, advance their careers, and change their students’ lives through the power of artistic expression. The Master of Arts in Art Education is designed for teachers who already have state licensure, or for individuals who are interested in the field of art education but do not require licensure. The program concentrates on developing methods that teach children to think visually and create art with personal meaning. The Master of Arts in Art Education with Initial Licensure is designed for students with an undergraduate studio art degree who wishes to teach in the public school system. Students will concentrate on developing methods that teach children to think visually, and create art with personal meaning.

Artificial Intelligence, MS

In the MS in Artificial Intelligence degree program, students learn to apply creative thinking, algorithmic design, and coding skills to build modern AI systems. Students will gain deep technical training and expertise in our focus areas of machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing.

Arts Administration, MS

The Master of Science in Arts Administration emphasizes excellence, creativity, problem solving, internationalism, and commitment to the new technologies of our age. Students learn how arts organizations achieve and sustain their missions in a changing world.

Asian Legal Studies, LLM

Students in the program earn their Juris Doctor from our School of Law and Master of Laws in Asian Legal Studies from National University of Singapore, one of the world’s foremost legal institutions.

Banking & Financial Law, LLM

The LLM in Banking & Financial Law focuses on regulatory and transactional courses in the areas of banking law, securities law, and general financial services law. Actively practicing faculty immerse students in the business of the law.

Bioimaging, MS

The Master of Science in Bioimaging trains individuals to be skilled experts in imaging and allied science and technology.

Bioinformatics, MS

The Bioinformatics master's program, the first of its kind in the country, prepares students for industrial positions in the field of bioinformatics. Applicants should have a BA/BS in a related field and a strong background in either a computational or biological science.

Biology, MS

The Master of Science in Biology provides excellent preparation for a variety of careers in the biological sciences or for doctoral study through high-level graduate training in one of three broad subfields within modern biology: cell and molecular biology; neurobiology; or ecology, behavior, evolution, and marine biology.

Biomedical Engineering, MEng

The Master of Engineering (MEng) degree in Biomedical Engineering is an individually designed professional master’s degree program for students who are focused on a career in the medical device and technology field. Our students are clinical observers in a participating specialty at Boston Medical Center, where they perform 50-100 hours of observations. They then develop a medical device to solve one of the clinical challenges they identified. Students develop deep technical skills through advanced biomedical engineering courses and learn about product development, intellectual property and commercialization.

Biomedical Engineering, MS

The Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering provides training in advanced research and applications in biomedical engineering. The program requires students to establish the necessary foundation in molecular- or systems-level biology/physiology and mathematics, in addition to advanced biomedical engineering coursework and a practicum. Students may satisfy the practicum requirement by completing an approved mentored project or by developing a research focus and carrying out original research that culminates in a written thesis. The program can be completed in as little as one calendar year of full-time study, including a summer practicum.

Biomedical Forensic Sciences, MS

The Master of Science in Biomedical Forensic Sciences trains aspiring and mid-career professionals in a variety of forensic disciplines related to crime scene investigation and evidence analysis. Professionals trained in these disciplines are crucial to today’s comprehensive forensic investigations.

Biomedical Research Technologies, MS

The Master of Science in Biomedical Research Technologies is a one-year program designed to prepare students for careers in biomedical research.

Biostatistics, MS

The Master of Science in Biostatistics provides students with the comprehensive, in-depth training required to start a career in this growing field. Graduates can find career opportunities in biomedical research enterprises, pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations, and local and national government agencies.

Doctoral Programs

BU MET offers also a range of doctoral programs designed to prepare students for careers in academia, research, and other advanced fields.

Anthropology, PhD

The Doctor of Philosophy in Anthropology provides a broad background in the field, with primary emphasis on sociocultural anthropology, biological anthropology, or archaeology. Graduates will be prepared for careers in academia, consulting, or applied professions in the discipline.

Astronomy, PhD

The Doctor of Philosophy in Astronomy prepares you for a career in academia and astronomical research by emphasizing a broad understanding of physical systems and teaching the skills necessary to perform leading-edge research.

Bioinformatics, PhD

Our PhD in Bioinformatics provides you unique interdisciplinary training in the science, engineering, medicine, and ethics of twenty-first-century cell biology and prepares you for careers in academia and industry in the areas of molecular life sciences.

Biology, PhD

Our Doctor of Philosophy in Biology will train you at the highest level in one of three broad subfields within modern biology: Cellular & Molecular Biology, Neurobiology, and Ecology, Behavior & Evolution. Upon completion, you should be prepared for postgraduate training and an eventual teaching and/or research position in academia, industry, government, or nonprofit agencies.

Biomedical Engineering, PhD

The Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering is a highly quantitative approach to the biomedical sciences, based on principles of engineering and physical science. The department is among the largest of its kind in the US and is home to award-winning faculty, exceptional students, and numerous research centers and laboratories engaged in an array of interdisciplinary biomedical activities.

Biostatistics, PhD

Our Doctor of Philosophy in Biostatistics prepares you for a career as a professional, academic, or industrial biostatistician in biomedical or epidemiologic sciences…

Additional Resources and Opportunities

BU MET provides students with access to a wide range of resources and opportunities to enhance their learning experience and career prospects.

tags: #Boston #University #Metropolitan #College #programs