Frequently Asked Questions for Admission Applications
The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences prepared a list of frequently asked questions and answers for admission applicants. You may see them here. Below are some questions that our program frequently receives.
Q1. Can I take the required prerequisite course (an introductory course in linguistics) during my first semester of graduate study?
A: We strongly recommend that you take the required prerequisite course before you begin the program. Some applicants have taken the course at BU in the summer, others have taken an on-line course at U Mass Amherst or elsewhere.
Q2. Does your program provide or help graduate students find teaching or research assistant positions?
A: After you are admitted, the Program Director will talk with you about possibilities for research assistant or teaching assistant positions. Most teaching assistant positions are not given to new MA students; however, in the second semester or second year that is possible. If you have university experience teaching a foreign language, you may contact the Program Director to discuss teaching possibilities at BU.
Q3. Do you accept recommendation letters from faculty in a field other than linguistics?
A: Yes—what’s most important is that your letter writers are familiar with your academic and intellectual strengths.
Q4. Do you offer admission for the Spring semester?
A: We usually offer admission only for the fall semester. However, if there is some reason you want to start your study at the beginning of Spring semester, please contact our Program Director to discuss the possibility.
Q5. Do you offer long-distance courses or programs?
A: No. To fulfill the course requirements, our students are required to come to the BU campus to attend classes.
Q6. Can I send you photocopies of transcripts/GRE/TOEFL score reports?
A: You may send photocopies before you have access to the official copies. However, you application is not complete until we receive your official transcripts and GRE/TOEFL score reports.
Q7. I would like to have a campus visit. Whom should I contact?
A: If you need some general information about our program or want to talk to our students, feel free to stop by our program office during office hours. The program assistants would be happy to provide you as much information as they can. If you want to talk about financial aid or your future study plan, please contact our Program Director to schedule an appointment.
Q8. Do you offer conditional admission?
A: Unfortunately, we are unable to grant conditional admission.
Q9. What is the minimum requirement for GRE and TOEFL?
A: Our program does not have a minimum requirement for TOEFL or GRE. However, the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences requires that applicants meet the minimum of each section of the IBT TOEFL. The minimum score requirement is 213 (computer-based test), 550 (paper-based test), or 84 (Internet-based test). The scores for the Internet-based test are broken down as follows:
Reading: 21
Listening: 18
Speaking: 23
Writing: 22
Total score: 84
Q10. I am interested in TESOL or translation. Is your program a good fit for me?
A: Probably not. Despite its name, our program is focused on linguistics. If you are interested in classroom language teaching theory or teaching applications, the programs in School of Education might be a better fit for you. If you are interested in translation, you may consider the BU Center for Professional Education’s Interpreter Program for speakers of Mandarin, Spanish, or Portuguese.
Q11. I have a problem with your online application system. What can I do?
A: For non-technical assistance, please contact grs@bu.edu; for technical assistance, please contact bugrad@bu.edu.
Q12. Where should I send my application materials?
A: Please send all your application materials (including official transcripts and GRE/TOEFL score report) to the GRS Admissions Office. The address is as follows.
Graduate School of Arts & Sciences Admissions Office
705 Commonwealth Avenue
Suite 112
Boston, MA 02215
Q13. How much does it cost to study in your program?
A: An estimation of cost of attending BU can be found either on the webpage of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences or the webpage of the International Students and Scholars Office. Our program strives to help with our students’ tuition. In many cases, by taking two courses per semester, students may pay much lower part-time tuition rates. Please contact to learn more.