Woods College of Advancing Studies: A Beacon of Opportunity at Boston College
The Boston College Woods College of Advancing Studies (WCAS) stands as one of the nine constituent colleges and schools of Boston College, offering a unique path to higher education for non-traditional students. Founded in 1929, Woods College has a rich history rooted in providing accessible and flexible learning opportunities. Named in honor of its dean, James A. Woods, S.J., through a generous donation by University trustee Robert M. Devlin and his wife Katharine B., the college embodies the Jesuit values of intellectual rigor, personal growth, and service to others.
Historical Roots and Evolution
The origins of Woods College can be traced back to the late 1920s and the establishment of Boston College Law School. Recognizing the need for accessible education, a "Downtown Center" was created as a joint venture between the law school and the Graduate School. This center, later known as the Junior College in downtown Boston, aimed to provide educational opportunities for individuals who possessed a high school diploma but lacked the necessary two years of college coursework required for law school admission.
The Downtown Center offered a special program of study in the late afternoon and evening, covering subjects such as English, accounting, economics, public speaking, modern languages, psychology, ethics, government, and sociology. Simultaneously, another evening program emerged, offering a comprehensive four-year college course leading to a Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) degree. This program was known as the Extension School and operated under the guidance of the Graduate School.
Over the years, these early initiatives evolved and eventually coalesced into the Woods College of Advancing Studies, an institution dedicated to serving the needs of working adults and other non-traditional learners.
A College for the Non-Traditional Student
Woods College caters to a diverse student body, many of whom are working professionals juggling their studies with full-time or part-time jobs. These students bring a wealth of real-world experience to the classroom, enriching discussions and fostering a dynamic learning environment. As Academic Dean David Goodman notes, Woods College students often take their "real-life experience and try to finish their degrees."
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The college's programming is designed with flexibility in mind, offering a range of degree programs and certificates that can be tailored to fit the schedules and needs of busy adults. Caring faculty and staff provide support and guidance, helping students to identify their passions, advance their careers, and cultivate their intellectual, personal, and spiritual growth.
The Woods College experience is further enhanced by its location on Boston College's main campus. Students benefit from access to the university's abundant greenspace, impressive gothic architecture, quiet study areas, and welcoming collaborative spaces.
A Curriculum Focused on Relevance and Growth
Remaining current and practical is a key consideration for Woods College. The administration consistently assesses the needs of the marketplace and develops programs to equip students with the skills and knowledge required by employers. This focus has led to the introduction of new areas of study and a robust certificate program, with a broad expansion of course offerings in recent years.
Among the new focus areas are master’s programs in applied economics and cyber security policy and governance, as well as a master’s in health care administration.
The Enduring "Heartbeat" of Woods College
Despite its forward-looking approach, Woods College remains deeply committed to its core educational and ethical principles. The college strives to be a place that is flexible, rigorous, and accessible, while nurturing the intellectual, personal, and spiritual growth of its students.
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Dean Goodman emphasizes that the desire is to remain a place that is flexible, rigorous, and accessible-and that’s the heartbeat. The increased focus on remaining current and practical at the Woods College has not distracted the institution from the core educational and ethical tenets upon which it was built.
The Faculty: A Diverse and Dedicated Team
The faculty of Woods College plays a crucial role in shaping the student experience. The faculty can essentially be broken down into thirds, beginning first with “day school” faculty from the main undergraduate colleges of BC, and the second consisting of professors and academics who are “cherry-picked” from nearby schools as required by program and course needs. This blend of academic expertise and practical experience ensures that students receive a well-rounded education that prepares them for success in their chosen fields.
Defying Expectations: Stories of Transformation
A recent collection of stories and memoirs written by students and faculty of WCAS entitled Defying Expectations: Redefining Dreams captures the “mosaic” essence of the Woods College. The spirit of these tales and the Woods College as a whole has constantly been particularly inspiring for David Goodman, academic dean for the Woods College.
Reading Defying Expectations, it is obvious that the Woods College student is a special breed. Seeking higher education as well as personal and professional advancement while juggling professional endeavors is no small undertaking, and this character trait of always aspiring to improve is obvious in the pages of the book.
These stories offer a glimpse into the lives of Woods College students, highlighting their resilience, determination, and unwavering commitment to achieving their dreams. They serve as a testament to the transformative power of education and the profound impact that Woods College has on its students.
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Embracing the Jesuit Mission
Woods College is deeply rooted in the Jesuit tradition of Boston College, which emphasizes intellectual inquiry, ethical reasoning, and service to others. The college strives to instill these values in its students, encouraging them to use their education to make a positive impact on the world.
The founder of the Society of Jesus was at one point a nontraditional student himself. Saint Ignatius of Loyola began pursuing formal education while in his thirties, after experiencing a spiritual awakening.
A Call to Excellence
According to Goodman, this dedication is a call to duty, and the philosophy of the faculty must align with the lofty goals of the college and its matriculates.
“There’s this twofold piece which is, ‘What does it mean to be a part of the formation of these students who already have so much under their belt, and have already advanced so much in life?’” Goodman said of this task. “How do we hold them to a higher level of excellence and continue their formation? All the while, encouraging and nourishing their ability to finally get to this place, which is graduation, which is being able to fulfill what for many people is this dream of finally finishing college.
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