We welcome students with various academic and professional backgrounds to apply for admission to our program.
Applying
To apply for the MSSP program at Boston University, you should submit an application to the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. Application materials must be submitted directly to the Graduate School, not to our department.
On the application, please be sure to indicate that (i) you are applying for admission to the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, and (ii) that you wish to specialize in statistical practice. The Graduate School has begun offering application fee waivers to domestic applicants for the Fall 2025 admissions cycle. Please visit the Graduate School’s website for eligibility requirements.
Applications for Fall 2025 are now available. Due to the high volume of applications we receive each year, we kindly request that applicants do not inquire about the status of their application before March 15th.
If you miss the January 15th priority application deadline, don’t worry—we are accepting applications for Fall 2025 on a rolling basis until March 15th! Because admission to the MSSP program is competitive, we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, we do not currently accept applications for Spring semester admission.
Admission Decisions
Applicants who submit their materials on or before the March 15th priority deadline should receive an admission decision by the end of Spring semester.
Application Requirements
Recommendations
Two (2) letters of recommendation are required, although stronger applicants ideally submit three (3) for admission to the MSSP program. Applicants with prior work experience are welcome to submit a recommendation from their current or former work/internship supervisor.
GRE
The GRE is NOT required to apply to the program.
If you choose to submit, please send GRE test scores to Boston University GRE Institution Code 3087 (scores received more than 5 years ago are not valid).
No GRE subject test is required for application to the MSSP program.
TOEFL
Accepted standardized tests include Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), TOEFL iBT Home Edition, International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Cambridge English Qualifications, and Duolingo. Please note, the TOEFL ITP exam will not be accepted as proof of English proficiency.
We understand that financing a college education can be difficult, and we strive to help as many applicants as possible pursue their personal, professional, and academic goals here at Boston University. Therefore, we are happy to to offer merit-based tuition assistance to students in the MSSP program in the form of merit-based scholarships. These scholarships provide partial tuition to both domestic and international full-time students who demonstrate an exceptional academic history and a passion for the field of statistical practice. Scholarships are awarded at the time of admission and do not require a separate application. Because the amount of scholarship aid varies from year to year and is based on a variety of factors, we are not able to provide a specific dollar amount that may be awarded.
Prerequisites
The MSSP program actively seeks students with diverse educational backgrounds and career goals. In order to ensure that all of our students are prepared to succeed, MSSP coursework generally requires a solid foundation in the following areas:
Calculus and core statistics (either through previous coursework or equivalent work experience)
Familiarity with computing (e.g., a one-semester programming course, experience in R, etc.)
Exposure to probability and linear algebra is beneficial
Still thinking about applying? Request information to learn more. REQUEST INFO
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between the MA program in Statistics and the MSSP Program?
The Master of Science in Statistical Practice (MSSP) is designed for students who want to acquire fundamental training in statistics and how it is applied to real-world problems in fields such as economics, education, technology, law, management, science, and social science. The program is suitable for students with backgrounds in fields such as biology, bioinformatics, economics, mathematics or statistics, management, neuroscience, psychology, and various areas of engineering. The Master of Arts program in statistics provides advanced preparation in both the fundamental theory and the practice of statistics. This program prepares students for a position in the fields of education or industry, or for further graduate study leading to a PhD. To enter, students need a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, statistics, or a closely related discipline. Prospective students may only apply to one of the programs at a time.
Can the MSSP Program be completed part-time?
Yes. Students are able, and encouraged, to complete the program part-time. You will likely take two courses per semester on a part-time schedule, but please note that most of our courses are currently held during daytime hours so completion of the program will require flexibility within your schedule.
What is the cost of attending the MSSP program?
For more information regarding tuition and fees for the MSSP program, please visit the Graduate School website.
Are any MSSP courses offered online?
The MSSP program emphasizes hands-on interactive learning, and we currently offer no online courses.
Which statistical programming languages are taught and used in the program?
Throughout the MSSP program students predominantly use the R programming language. Previous experience in R is not required. In addition to R, students will have the opportunity to complete certification programs in SAS, SQL, or Python for Statistical Applications.
Are there internship opportunities available for MSSP students?
Yes. MSSP students are able and encouraged to participate in internships both on and off campus. Read more about student internship experiences.
Do you have any information about post-graduation employment?
As a professional program, we strive to integrate career planning and preparation support throughout our courses and programmatic events. Such support includes consultingprojects with industry partners, networking through our Statistics@Work speakers series, and departmental and Boston University’s Career Development Center. Our students have been successful finding internships and employment in a wide variety of positions, including data analyst, consultant, and statistical programmer.
I have a GPA of x, GREs of y, and a TOEFL score of z. What chance do I have of being admitted?
It is impossible for us to prescreen applications. The qualifications necessary for admission are stated on the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences website mentioned above. However, admissions decisions are made only after careful consideration of a complete application, including all transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and official reports of examination scores from the Educational Testing Service. Proof of English proficiency is required of all applicants by submitting official results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Duolingo, and Cambridge English Qualifications. The following minimums on the TOEFL, IELTS, Duoling, and Cambridge English Qualifications are as follows:
TOEFL:100Overall Score (25 recommended in each section). Internet-based Test (iBT) only. We do not accept “MyBest Scores.”
Applicants will not need to submit these scores if they:
are a citizen of the United States (including permanent residents), Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Canada (except Quebec and Nunavut), Cayman Islands, Dominica, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Kiribati, Lesotho, Liberia, Micronesia, Montserrat, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uganda, United Kingdom, Zimbabwe.
are currently enrolled as a full-time student in a degree-granting program at a university in one of the countries listed above for at least two consecutive years by the time of graduation
have received, or expect to receive, an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution in one of the countries listed above, after at least two consecutive years of academic study
have received, or expect to receive, a graduate degree from an accredited institution in one of the countries listed above. Dual-enrollment and satellite programs may not qualify
will have completed at least two consecutive years of academic study in a country not listed above, at an accredited institution where the language of instruction is English, up to two years prior to pursuing studies at Boston University. An acknowledgment that English is the primary language of instruction must be on the transcript, or provided on letterhead by your home institution when submitting your application
are currently a resident, or have been pursuing post-graduate work in one of the countries listed above, for at least two years immediately prior to starting at Boston University
Applicants will need to submit English proficiency scores if do not satisfy any of the conditions outlined above, or if they:
were enrolled remotely (excluding those adhering to the COVID-19 policies of their home institution) in an institution referenced above
have received, or expect to receive, their undergraduate degree in a country referenced above via a partnership or dual degree program that did not require at least two consecutive years of academic study at an institution in said country
have received, or expect to receive their undergraduate degree in a country different to those listed above, via a partnership or dual degree program that did not require at least two consecutive years of academic study at an institution where the language of instruction is English
earned their degree at a foreign satellite campus affiliated with an institution in one of the countries referenced above
have only studied as an exchange student in an English-speaking country
Additional information for international candidates can be found on the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences website.
Which GRE tests are required in order to apply?
*Fall 2023 Cylce: GRE is not required. You must take and submit your scores for the GRE general test. You are NOT required to take or submit scores for the GRE subject test in mathematics. If you would like to submit scores for the GRE subject test in mathematics, you may do so, and these will be considered in evaluating your application.
May I substitute GMAT scores for GRE scores?
No. Applicants must take the GRE general test.
My native language is not English, but I have received a degree from an institution where the instruction is in English. Do I need to submit the results of a TOEFL exam?
In most cases, yes. The TOEFL requirement is waived only if you have received, or expect to receive, an undergraduate or graduate degree from a college or university in any of the following countries prior to enrollment in the MSSP program: the United States of America, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, or Ireland.
Do I have to include official score reports for my GRE and/or TOEFL exams? Will photocopies suffice?
You may include photocopies of your examination results with your application, but we will not be able to accept you unless you provide official score reports from the Educational Testing Service.
Do you offer admission during the Spring semester?
No. Except for the pilot program launched in the spring 2015 semester, we do not currently offer spring admission. The application deadline is February 15 for fall admission.
Is MSSP a STEM program?
Yes, the MSSP program is considered STEM for the purposes of 24-month OPT extention.
