Frequently Asked Questions

Master’s Programs: Priority deadline: February 1 (for consideration of all scholarships). Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until our final deadline: May 1. Please note that some programs may fill prior to May 1. If programs reach their desired cohort size and are no longer admitting applicants, we will list them on our website. We encourage you to submit your application well before the May 1 deadline.

The Graduate Certificate in Civic Science Communication also offers spring admission. We encourage you to submit your application by December 1.

The Emerging Media Studies Ph.D. program will not be accepting applications for the Fall 2026 admissions cycle. We are pausing admissions to thoughtfully enhance our program and ensure we continue to offer a world-class academic experience for our doctoral candidates.

• For most Master’s programs, the priority application deadline is February 1 and the final deadline is May 1. Applicants who apply by the priority deadline typically receive admission and scholarship decisions by mid-March.
• Applications submitted after February 1 are reviewed on a rolling basis, and most applicants can expect a decision within 5-7 weeks after completing their application.
• PhD decisions are typically emailed in mid-March.
• April 15 – Admission response and tuition deposit due for PhD and February 1 master’s admits
• Early May – May 1 applicants are sent to admission committee
• Mid-to-late May – May 1 applicants are emailed decisions
• Early-to-mid June – Registration materials typically emailed to incoming students

Most of BU COM Master’s programs operate on a fall-intake only cycle. Prerequisite classes for many of our degree programs are only offered in the fall, so students cannot begin a program in the spring semester.

The online Graduate Certificate in Civic Science Communication is our only program that offers spring admission.

Your application is a self-managed process, which means that applicants are encouraged to regularly monitor the status of the application and to see if any application items are missing. You may check your application status through your online portal. Decisions and notifications are sent via email.

We’ll begin reviewing your application once all required materials have been received.

Applicants who submit by the February 1st priority deadline typically receive decisions by mid-March. Those who apply closer to May 1st can expect decisions 5-7 weeks after submitting their complete application.

Apply via our online application, which contains detailed application instructions. All application materials must be uploaded through the online system. Please see our application requirements page for a full list of required materials..

You may apply to up to two (2) BU COM graduate programs. A separate application fee is required for each program.

No, you only need to upload unofficial transcripts (screenshots, PDFs) from all previously attended colleges/universities. Official transcripts showing the Bachelor’s degree conferred date are only required after you have been admitted and accept the offer.

No, there is no minimum GPA cutoff. BU COM uses a holistic review process, considering transcripts, career goals, personal statements, and work experience. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher is generally expected for successful applicants.

No. Most COM graduate programs welcome students from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds. We value diverse experiences and perspectives, and many students enter our programs from fields outside communication and media. Whether you’re coming directly from undergraduate study or bringing years of professional experience, we’ll evaluate your application in the context of your individual experiences and goals.

One exception is the MS in Strategic Integrated Communication, where professional experience is particularly helpful given the nature of the coursework and student cohort.

There isn’t one. Our admission process is holistic, which means we consider every part of your application in context. Academic performance, experience, recommendations, personal statement, and Kira responses all help us understand who you are and what you hope to accomplish.

That said, your personal statement and Kira responses are often the best opportunities to tell your story, explain your goals, and show us why you’re interested in your chosen field.

No, only applications that are complete (including all supplementary materials, test scores if needed, and letters of recommendation) by the deadline will be reviewed for admission.

No, our master’s programs do not require an interview. In some cases, faculty members may contact applicants for a Zoom meeting if more information is requested by the admission committee.

Informational meetings can also be conducted with relevant program faculty at the student’s request, but these do not have an effect on admission to the program. Please contact COM Graduate Affairs if you would like to schedule an appointment.

We require a minimum of 2 letters of recommendation for our Master’s programs, and a minimum of 3 letters for our PhD in Emerging Media Studies application. Students have the option of submitting up to 5 recommendations. We strongly prefer that at least one letter is from a professor who can address your ability to perform in an academic setting. Applicants cannot send recommendations directly to COM; all recommendations must come directly from the recommender via the online portal. If your recommender is not able to access the online portal, they may send their letter to us at comgrad@bu.edu.

Recommendations must be completed electronically by your recommenders, via the online portal. We suggest that you contact the individuals writing the recommendations to confirm that they will be able to write your recommendation letter and to confirm their preferred email address.

An email request from COM is sent to your recommender directing them to a secured website for completion. Because recommendation requests may be caught by spam filters, you should contact your recommenders to ask them to allow their email systems to “permit” COM’s recommendation email address. 

If the COM email request was not received by your recommender, please contact us and the email will be sent again. If your recommender continues to have trouble accessing the portal, they may send their recommendation letter via email to comgrad@bu.edu.

You can delete and add a new recommender if the status is still “Requested” or “Accepted”. Once the status is “Completed,” changes cannot be made.

No, the GRE is NOT required for our Master’s or certificate programs. (The GRE is only required for the PhD in Emerging Media Studies).

The GRE and TOEFL institution codes are 3087.

International applicants whose native language is not English must meet one of the following minimums: TOEFL iBT 100 (or 5.0 for tests after Jan 2026), IELTS 7.0, or Duolingo 130.

Students who received their undergraduate degree from a non-English speaking institution must take one of the aforementioned English proficiency tests.

We must receive an official English proficiency score by the application deadline. We recommend taking the exam at least 20 days prior to our deadline to ensure that we receive the score.

Yes, students who earned a degree from an institution where English was the primary language of instruction do not need to submit a TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo score. Please reach out to us at comgrad@bu.edu with questions.

Yes, all transcripts must be in English OR accompanied by a certified English translation. This requirement includes the unofficial transcripts uploaded with your application.

No, a WES evaluation is not generally required. It might only be requested by the admissions committee if your university does not provide a GPA on the American 4.0 scale.

If your transcript is double-sided, please include both sides and be sure to include the transcript legend (the part of the transcript that explains your institution’s grading scale).

Yes, applicants with a three-year international undergraduate degree are eligible to apply to COM, provided the bachelor’s degree is conferred prior to fall matriculation (early September).

The College of Communication’s financial aid resources include various scholarship funds and graduate assistantships (teaching, research, and administrative). In addition, graduate students can apply for educational loans to help cover their cost of attendance. Numerous on-campus and off-campus employment opportunities are also available.

Scholarship: All applicants for full-time admission are automatically considered for COM merit-based scholarships. Students who are admitted are notified at the time of admission if they have been awarded a merit scholarship, which is applied toward their cost of tuition. Online and part-time students are not eligible for merit-based scholarship.

Graduate Assistantship: Graduate assistantships may be available to qualified full-time graduate students. All graduate assistants, including international students, must have a valid U.S. Social Security number in order to be paid for their work. Assistantships can pay anywhere from $20/hour up to $23/hour.

Federal Unsubsidized Loan: Students are eligible for the Federal Unsubsidized Loan if they are: 1) U.S. citizens or permanent residents; 2) enrolled in a degree program at least half-time (six credits); 3) making satisfactory academic progress; and 4) demonstrate need as determined by federal regulations. 

Private Educational Loans: BU has identified some private loans if you are interested in researching additional options. This list of options is certainly not all inclusive, and we encourage you to search for other outside private loan options that may be available to you.

Yes, all full-time applicants, both domestic and international students, are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships. Part-time and online students are not eligible for merit-based scholarship.

All full-time applicants (domestic and international) are automatically considered for COM merit-based scholarships upon admission review. No separate application is necessary. Students are notified about scholarships with their admission decision.

Scholarships are awarded based on merit and range from covering 10% to 50% of tuition per academic year. Applying by the February 1st deadline is recommended for priority consideration.

All applicants for full-time admission are automatically considered for COM merit-based scholarships. Students are notified at the time of admission if they have been awarded a merit scholarship, which is applied toward their cost of tuition.

Yes, a limited number of graduate assistantships (teaching, research, administrative jobs) are available to qualified full-time students. These positions are paid via a stipend and are capped at a maximum of 20 hours per week.

All graduate assistants, including international students, must have a valid U.S. Social Security number in order to be paid for their work. Assistantships can pay between $20/hour up to $23/hour; they do not cover the cost of tuition and are separate from any merit-based scholarship a student may receive.

All domestic students applying for federal aid (loans) must complete the  FAFSA form. List “Boston University” using federal code number 002130 in the College Release Section.

Yes, it is strongly encouraged to report your SSN. This allows us to expedite the financial aid process by matching your admission application with your FAFSA.

Federal Unsubsidized Loan: Students are eligible to participate in the Federal Direct Loan Program if they are: 1) U.S. citizens or permanent residents; 2) enrolled in a degree program at least half-time (six credits); 3) making satisfactory academic progress; and 4) demonstrate need as determined by federal regulations. 

The maximum annual loan limit for graduate students is $20,500. Your actual eligibility may be less and is determined by how many credits you are enrolled for, and other sources of financial aid. Full time students enrolled in 12-18 units per term will be eligible for $10,250 per semester.

Our website provides information on the different types of loan options available to graduate students. These may include the Federal Unsubsidized Loan and private educational loans.

Private Educational Loans: BU has identified some private loans if you are interested in researching additional options. This list of options is certainly not all inclusive, and we encourage you to search for other outside private loan options that may be available to you.

The IRS Data Retrieval Tool is a function on the FAFSA that allows applicants who have already filed taxes to prefill answers to some questions by securely transferring data from their federal income tax returns. This can save the family some time in completing the FAFSA. It is highly recommended that students utilize the IRS Data Retrieval Tool when completing the FAFSA.

COM graduate students do not need the CSS PROFILE to be eligible for federal aid.

Yes, we offer tours and visits by appointment. You can also schedule virtual options like Zoom meetings or phone calls with Graduate Affairs. You can schedule your visit here: bu.edu/com/admissions/visit/.

We encourage you to visit the “Manage My Programs” section of the online application, as well as browse the rest of the Frequently Asked Questions, to see if the answer to your application question is addressed. If not, please contact us at comgrad@bu.edu or (617) 353-3481 with questions about:

• Admission requirements and policies
• Supplemental application materials
• Status of your application after it has been submitted
• Content and duration of a particular COM graduate program

Students can transfer into COM via the regular application process. Please note that graduate students cannot normally transfer credit from other institutions, but see the question below for more information.

You can transfer into COM via the regular application process. However, graduate students cannot normally transfer credit, though up to 8 credits may be approved after one semester of full-time study.

No, the College of Communication does not offer conditional admission for its graduate programs.

BU’s International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) provides comprehensive visa guidance, documentation procedures, and support for all admitted international students. You can also visit the international student website for details about visas.

International applicants may be required to submit an English proficiency requirement beyond the standard application materials.

Yes, international students can apply for on-campus employment, including a limited number of COM graduate assistantships (max 20 hours/week). Other positions can range from (for example) an administrative assistant at the library to a lifeguard job at the FitRec Center. A valid U.S. Social Security Number is required for payment. International students may apply for a Social Security Number, which is outlined on the ISSO website. International students should review the Employment Guide for International Students before starting a position.