Application Information

Master of Sacred Music Application Requirements

If you have any questions about the application process or how to complete your application, please do not hesitate to contact the School of Theology Admissions Office by phone (617-353-3036), email (sthadmis@bu.edu) or Skype (sthadmis).

  • Online application form
  • $70 non-refundable application fee, submitted online
  • Copies of transcripts from all academic institutions where the applicant received previous academic credit
    • Applicants will be asked to upload to the online application copies of their transcripts from all previous institutions where they have earned academic credit.  Applicants should make sure that the uploaded transcripts are oriented vertically wherever possible. The file size of any scanned transcripts must be shrunk to 500KB or less to be able to be uploaded to the online  application (instructions for shrinking a file’s size are readily available online). Students who are provisionally-admitted to the School of Theology are required to submit official copies of their transcripts to the STH Admissions Office by postal mail before they begin classes.
    • 3 Letters of reference
      • 1 Pastoral Reference – Reference may be from a pastor, ecclesiastical superior, or denominational administrator.  In the case of an applicant who is not seeking ordination and is not connected with a church, a general character reference from a colleague, mentor, church member, or professor may be substituted for the pastoral reference.
      • 2 Academic References – Reference may be from a previous college professor, academic advisor, or Dean/President.  A reference letter from a work supervisor may be submitted for one academic reference letter.  If you have been out of college for a number of years, you may substitute work supervisors, colleagues, or other appropriate persons for academic references.
    • Personal statement
      • In a statement of 500 words or less, describe and reflect on your life journey and the vocational directions toward which you are pointed.

    • Application essay
      • In a 500-word essay, describe and interpret a favorite book or movie with commentary on why it is meaningful to you.

    • Standardized test results
      • For domestic applicants – No standardized test results are required of domestic applicants who are applying for admission.  (For example, the GRE is not required.)
      • For international applicants – official results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), taken during the past two years (A TOEFL score of 570 paper-based, 230 computer-based, or internet-based 89 with at least 22 in each of the four areas are the minimums required for admission.)  Though the Admissions Committee prefers the TOEFL, applicants who cannot take the TOEFL may take the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test instead.  A score of 6.5 on the IELTS is required for admission.  If an applicant successfully graduated from an accredited college or university where instruction was primarily in English, the TOEFL requirement is waived.  All standardized testing scores need to be received directly from the testing organization (ex. Educational Testing Service).  Standardized tests submitted by applicants are not considered official until we receive the official scores from the testing organization.  The student may request that ETS forward a copy of their TOEFL scores to the School of Theology’s code:  3233, Department 99.
    • Pre-Screening Video
      • In addition to the above requirements, MSM applicants must submit a pre-screening video by the December 1st prior to their hoped date of matriculation.  Recordings should be made no earlier than six months prior to the final MSM application completion deadline of January 1st.  Recordings should be uploaded via the School of Music’s “DecisionDesk” online portal.  Information about the DecisionDesk portal and requirements can be found on the School of Music’s audition information site:  http://www.bu.edu/cfa/music/prospective/auditions/
    • International Applicants only: International applicants to all School of Theology degree programs must include additional items as part of their visa application with the United States government.  Please see the “International Applicants” section  for a description of these items and the process by which admission occurs for international students.

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