Keystone Pathways

The Internal Pathway is the traditional, “in-house” Keystone Project pathway. Students undertake the Keystone Project individually, or in a small group with independent and unique responsibilities, under the supervision of a faculty advisor.

In their junior year, students take KHC HC 451: Keystone Proposal Workshop to draft their research proposal. 451 is a prerequisite to applying to the Internal Pathway.

In their senior year, students following this pathway enroll in Keystone Directed Study I & II: KHC HC 503 (fall) and KHC HC 504 (spring) with their Keystone project advisor. Additionally, all Kilachand students take the People in Process sequence, KHC HC 501 and KHC HC 502/512/522.

Some students have the opportunity and a compelling reason to complete an honors thesis in their CAS major department.  This is an application-based opportunity, and Kilachand students should keep KHC apprised of their admission status within their CAS major department.

Students pursuing this pathway are strongly recommended to take KHC HC 451 in the junior year. 451 guides students through the process of developing an Honors Thesis project. Moreover, if a student is not admitted to the CAS Honors Thesis program, they will need to apply for the Keystone Internal Pathway, for which 451 is a prerequisite.

In the senior year, CAS Honors Thesis students do not enroll in KHC HC 503 and 504, but instead enroll in the honors directed study sequence, CAS XX 401 and CAS XX 402, in their major department. Additionally, all Kilachand students take the People in Process sequence, KHC HC 501 and KHC HC 502/512/522. Note: students whose departments do not offer the CAS XX 401/402 sequence enroll in KHC HC 503 and KHC HC 504 with their CAS Honors Thesis advisor.

Some students may be able to complete the requirements of the BA/MA and BA/MS programs within the College of Arts and Sciences in four years.

Students enrolled in the CAS/GRS BA/MA and BA/MS programs and who can complete these programs in their fourth year are strongly recommended to take KHC HC 451 in the junior year.

In the senior year, they do not enroll in KHC HC 503 and 504 but instead enroll in the departmental directed study courses associated with the MA or MS thesis in their major department. Additionally, all Kilachand students take the People in Process sequence, KHC HC 501 and KHC HC 502/512/522.

Note: This pathway will be phased out for students in the Kilachand Class of 2027 and onward, as BU’s new Bachelor’s-to-Master’s Program Policy (effective June 2025) precludes concurrent completion of Kilachand and master’s coursework. Kilachand advisors can address further questions regarding Kilachand and Bachelor’s-to-Master’s integration.

College of Engineering students are required to complete a Senior Design Project through the College of Engineering in their senior year.

Students completing a Senior Design Project do not take KHC HC 451 in the junior year.

In their senior year, they do not enroll in KHC HC 503 and 504, and instead enroll in the departmental course credits associated with the College of Engineering Senior Design Project. Additionally, all Kilachand students take the People in Process sequence, KHC HC 501 and KHC HC 502/512/522.

Some students have the opportunity engage in the COM Production III Honors. This is an application-based opportunity, and Kilachand students should keep KHC apprised of their admission status.

Students pursuing this pathway are strongly recommended to take KHC HC 451 in the junior year. 451 guides students through the process of developing a project, whether a short film, a script, or work in another field. Moreover, if a student is not admitted to Prod III, they will need to apply for the Keystone Internal Pathway, for which 451 is a prerequisite.

In their senior year, those enrolled in COM Production III do not enroll in KHC HC 503 and 504 and instead enroll in COM FT468. Additionally, all Kilachand students take the People in Process sequence, KHC HC 501 and KHC HC 502/512/522.

Some students have the opportunity and a compelling reason to complete the Senior Thesis for Distinction in Sargent College. This is an application-based opportunity, and Kilachand students should keep KHC apprised of their admission status.

Students pursuing this pathway are strongly recommended to take KHC HC 451 in the junior year. 451 guides students through the process of developing a thesis project. Moreover, if a student is not admitted to the Sargent Senior Thesis program, they will need to apply for the Keystone Internal Pathway, for which 451 is a prerequisite.

In their senior year, students pursuing the Senior Thesis for Distinction do not enroll in KHC HC 503 and 504 but instead enroll in SAR HP 495 for a minimum of 2-credits per semester. Additionally, all Kilachand students take the People in Process sequence, KHC HC 501 and KHC HC 502/512/522.

American & New England Studies Program students complete their program of study by undertaking a one- or two-semester senior project. The senior project may take the form of a research seminar (CAS AM 501 or AM 502) or an individual Directed Study leading to a senior thesis based on original research or criticism (CAS AM 491 or AM 492). Qualified seniors may undertake a two-semester honors thesis (CAS AM 401 and AM 402), which must be evaluated by a faculty committee.

Students planning on this pathway are strongly recommended to take KHC HC 451 in the junior year.

In their senior year, students enrolled in CAS AMNESP do not enroll in KHC HC 503 and 504 and instead enroll in two semesters of the AMNESP senior project, either via CAS AM 501 and 502, CAS AM 491 and AM 492, or CAS AM 401 and 402. Additionally, all Kilachand students take the People in Process sequence, KHC HC 501 and KHC HC 502/512/522.

The Questrom Honors Program Capstone Project will fulfill the Kilachand Keystone Project requirement when students participating in both the Questrom Honors Program and Kilachand Honors College choose the Capstone Project research path within Questrom Honors. Kilachand will review individual student petitions for Questrom Honors Capstone Projects in other paths, such as Innovation.

Students completing a Questrom Honors Capstone Project are not required to take KHC HC 451 in the junior year if they are planning a project on the Questrom Honors research path or another Questrom project approved by Kilachand. Some students do choose to enroll in 451 in order to develop a Questrom Honors Capstone Project.

In their senior year, Questrom Honors students do not enroll in KHC HC 503 and 504, but instead take QST SM 460. Additionally, all Kilachand students take the People in Process sequence, KHC HC 501 and KHC HC 502/512/522.

Students majoring in Data Science should not take KHC HC 451 in their junior year, unless they are planning a research-based Directed Study that would benefit from this workshop. For those students who plan to complete their CDS Capstone Experience through a practicum course (CDS DS 499, CDS DS 519, CDS DS 539, or CDS DS 549; course numbers subject to change by CDS) or Directed Study course (CDS DS 490), the chosen CDS course will fulfill the Keystone Project requirement. An independent internship/co-op experience will not fulfill the Keystone requirement.

In their senior year, Questrom Honors students do not enroll in KHC HC 503 and 504, but instead take the chosen CDS Capstone coursework. Additionally, all Kilachand students take the People in Process sequence, KHC HC 501 and KHC HC 502/512/522.

Students majoring in Education & Human Development should take KHC HC 451 in their junior year. Please discuss your plans to fulfill the Keystone requirement as well as your Wheelock senior coursework with your Wheelock advisor and with our team at keystone@bu.edu, as the best approach to a Keystone project may differ depending on your specialization and coursework within Wheelock.

In their senior year, most Wheelock students enroll in KHC HC 503 and 504, dependent on specific plans worked out with Wheelock and Kilachand advising. Additionally, all Kilachand students take the People in Process sequence, KHC HC 501 and KHC HC 502/512/522.