Entering Post-doctoral Student Requirements

Entering Postdoctoral Student Requirements

All admission offers are provisional, based on completion of all acceptance and enrollment requirements. These requirements include, but are not limited to, receipt of a satisfactory criminal background history report and submission of official qualification documents, including an official degree-conferring dental transcript. Applicants who were enrolled in another certificate or degree program are expected to successfully complete that program before matriculation into the Boston University postdoctoral program.

Acceptance Confirmation and Deposit

To hold a space in the incoming class, admitted applicants must signal their intention to enroll by submitting a completed Acceptance Confirmation form and $3,000 nonrefundable tuition deposit. The nonrefundable deposit is applied to the student account toward tuition for the first semester of enrollment. The deposit is payable online to Boston University through Student Accounting Services for U.S. bank accounts, or through Flywire/Western Union Business Solutions for international bank accounts. Deposits may also be paid by personal check or bank check, in U.S. dollars. Note the enrollee’s name, BUID, and program in the memo line on the check. Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery scholarship recipients submit only the Acceptance Confirmation form.

Official Qualifications Reports

Qualifying test and academic reports submitted for your PASS application directly from the testing agency or credential evaluator will be included in the entering student record. If documentation in the PASS application is incomplete or does not qualify, the entering student must submit official reports to Admissions directly from the testing agency, credential evaluator or institution prior to matriculation.

Authorized electronic documents and original, official paper reports are acceptable. Submitted materials become part of the applicant’s record and will not be returned. We cannot accept scans, faxes or photocopies of required documentation from entering students.

  • Official, final dental transcript documenting the earned dental degree
    • The official, final transcript must be submitted prior to matriculation.
    • A diploma copy also is required if the transcript does not specify that the dental degree has been awarded.
  • ECE or WES course-by-course dental transcript evaluation documenting earned dental degree
    • Required for internationally educated dentists
  • Official, final transcripts for all earned degrees
    • U.S. educated students must submit undergraduate transcripts.
    • Individuals who hold additional degrees must submit a transcript from each program.
  • NBDE Part 1 & 2 or INBDE passing result
    • National Board Dental Examination results are required for all U.S. educated dentists and for all Endodontics enrollees.
  • TOEFL, required for internationally educated dentists
    • TOEFL Institution code 3081, TOEFL Department code 38
    • Minimum total score of 90

Criminal Background Check

Boston University participates in an arrangement with ADEA PASS and Certiphi® Screening Inc. for criminal background checks of accepted applicants. In case of evidence of criminal history, an applicant may be deemed ill-suited for a postdoctoral program, in which case an offer of admission may be rescinded. Review is on a case-by-case basis.

Incoming Health Requirements  

All enrolling students submit mandatory health and immunization information to Student Health Services. All postdoctoral students must be in clinical compliance status as determined by Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston University Student Health Services, and state and local requirements.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires all health professions students to be immunized against hepatitis B or provide serologic proof of immunity. Hepatitis B immunization requires a three-dose regimen of vaccine, which must be completed prior to matriculation. Evidence of inoculation (all three doses) must be provided at matriculation.

Boston University Computing and Email Account

Entering postdoctoral students will receive instructions on creating a Boston University computing account. The Boston University computing and email account are required for a variety of important processes and should be set up as soon as available.

Massachusetts Limited Licensure

Clinical postdoctoral students may need to obtain a Massachusetts Limited License for rotations at affiliated sites. Check with your program department for instructions.

International Student Documentation

International students require a Boston University immigration document (I-20 or DS-2019), which is needed for a visa application.  Postdoctoral Admissions will inform entering international students how to submit scanned materials and financial documentation.

Program Start

Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine holds mandatory orientation sessions as well as academic sessions during the first days of the program. Orientation sessions include administrative sessions, health and safety training, library research guidance, academic expectations, and information on resources and programs.

Attendance at all school-wide and program-specific postdoctoral orientation sessions is mandatory.  International students should note that mandatory orientation sessions may occur before the program start date on the immigration document.