General Admissions Information

The MSW/MPH Program at Boston University is a rigorous program designed for excellent students who are capable of balancing the requirements and demands associated with two degree programs. The requirements for admission reflect the challenging nature of the program.

An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 and a current graduate GPA of 3.3 are strongly recommended. Students with “incompletes” or in the middle of a formal status review process are ineligible to apply. In general, if an applicant is struggling, it is unwise to add the additional pressures of a dual degree program.

The GRE exam is required of all MSW/MPH applicants, and scores in the 50th percentile or above are strongly recommended. Note, BUSSW does not require standardized exams for its admissions; therefore, students interested in the MSW/MPH program who have not yet taken the exams must plan to take the GRE at some point before their application can be reviewed. International students must take the GRE plus the TOEFL. Please check with BUSPH admissions for more information on test requirements.  

All applicants must comply with the online application processes of each school. Both schools require a professional and personal essay. In addition to having the original references resent, it is recommended that students obtain one or two additional references that support their application to the second program.

Students who, for any reason, deviate from the recommended GPA and GRE profiles, should consult with the Program Director and address the issues in their personal statements.

Application & Admissions

There are three possible pathways into the MSW/MPH program. In all three situations, students must gain admission into both schools, either sequentially or simultaneously. Regardless of pathway, applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

  • Pathway 1: (80 % of students) Students apply and are accepted initially into the School of Social Work and complete the first year at BUSSW, applying midyear to BUSPH.
  • Pathway 2: (10% of students) Students apply and are accepted initially into the School of Social Public Health and complete the first year at BUSPH, applying midyear to BUSSW.
  • Pathway 3: (10% of students) Students apply simultaneously to both schools; applicants are strongly advised to begin their coursework at the School of Social Work, and most do.  

Admissions Pathway #1: BUSSW Student Applying to BUSPH (SSW>SPH)

  • BUSSW students should attend one of the Informational Sessions listed above.
  • Once students have attended one of the Information Sessions and have read the program materials carefully, make an appointment with the director of the program at bjruth@bu.edu
  • SSW>SPH Students Submit an Internal Pre-application Preapplications for MSW/MPH Program 2011/2012 After a brief academic screening process, SSW>SPH students are granted formal approval to apply through an email letter from the Program Director.
  • SSW students are encouraged to apply as soon as they know they are interested in the MSW/MPH program, particularly if they are requesting the BUSPH/SOPHAS  fee waiver. There are a limited number of fee waivers available and the sooner a student begins the application process, the more likely it is it will be granted. SSW>SPH students may begin the application process, even before they have taken the GRE exam, in order to qualify for the fee waiver.
  • Students complete the application to BUSPH using the online SOPHAS system: http://sph.bu.edu/index.php/Application-Requirements/application-process/menu-id-235.html.
  • SSW>SPH students who have not yet taken the GREs should plan to do so immediately and alert BUSPH to the date of examination.
  • SSW>SPH Students’ applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. In some cases, BUSPH Admissions may wait until after the spring semester grades are in to make a determination. Most students will know their application outcome by late June, 2012.
  • BUSSW students commence program in fall, 2012, taking one or two BUSPH courses, while still enrolled in BUSSW.

Admissions Pathway #2: BUSPH Student Applying to BUSSW (SPH>SSW)

  • BUSPH students should first complete an Preapplication Preapplications for MSW/MPH Program 2010/2011.
  • BUSPH students then apply to BUSSW using the BUSSW online application Admissions | School of Social Work | Boston University
  • To reduce costs associated with applying to the MSW/MPH Program, BUSPH students should request the BUSSW Admissions fee waiver; in additional BUSPH students should ask to have their materials (transcripts, scores and references) sent from BUSPH to BUSSW Office of Admissions.
  • One new reference is required, provided the three references used for SPH admissions are made available to BUSSW.
  • SPH>SSW students are reviewed by Program Director and associated faculty; decisions are made on a rolling basis. As soon as students are admitted, planning for field internship and classes begins.
  • SPH>SSW students are strongly advised to apply by January 30, 2012, for best field internship and financial assistance opportunities. Beyond this date, applications will be reviewed until SSW admissions close, but neither field internships nor financial aid are guaranteed to be available.
  • SPH>SSW students commence program in fall 2012 in residence at SSW.

Admissions Pathway #3: Simultaneous Application to Both BUSSW and BUSPH

  • Applicants interested in applying and obtaining simultaneous admission to both schools should contact the Associate Director of Admission and Financial Aid as a first step: Alison McAlear (amcalear@bu.edu)
  • Applicants should inform the admissions departments of both schools of their intention to apply simultaneously and note this on their applications.
  • Applicants must pay both schools’ admissions fees.
  • Upon acceptance, applicants work with Program Director to determine initial school of entry. Students are strongly encouraged to begin at BUSSW.

Students already enrolled in Boston University may attend an Information Session, which will provide overview of the program, the application and admissions process, and more information on public health social work. MSW/MPH Program Information Sessions. Once students have attended one of the Information Sessions and have read the program materials carefully, they are encouraged to make an appointment with the director of the program. Contact program director Betty J. Ruth to schedule an appointment.