Frequently Asked Questions

There are no fixed application deadlines for students but complete applications need to be submitted no less than one month prior to the start of the semester (domestic students) in which you desire to being your studies. This allows applicants to submit their application on a rolling basis.

Since there are deadlines for I-20 processing, international students will need to apply at least one month ahead of these deadlines in order to ensure there is time to review their application. Admission decisions are announced promptly, pending receipt of all application materials.

There is no minimum GPA requirement. However, applicants with an undergraduate grade point average (GPA) lower than 3.0 are encouraged to submit additional information to demonstrate their capacity to succeed in graduate school.

The Graduate Admissions Exam is not required for admissions to programs in the Metropolitan College.

International students are required to submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Internet-Based Test (iBT). A minimum total score of 84 is required for admission. Required minimum scores in each section are as follows: Reading—21; Listening—18; Speaking—23; and Writing—22.

Scores from the IELTS are also accepted as proof of English proficiency. The minimum total band score of 6.5 is required for admission, with the following section scores: Listening – 6.5; Reading – 6.5; Writing – 6.5; and Speaking – 6.5.

Scores from the Duolingo English Test are accepted as proof of English proficiency. A minimum score of 115 is required for admission.

Applicants submitting Duolingo scores must send the following information to met@bu.edu, using “DUOLINGO Test Result” as the email subject line:

1. First and last name
2. Date of birth
3. Date of Duolingo English Test

Duolingo English Test results are made available 48 hours after the completion of an exam and may take 2–3 business days to process.

The language proficiency requirement may be waived for applicants whose native language is English, or for applicants who have received, or expect to receive, an undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited college or university where the primary language of instruction is English. If your transcript does not clearly state that the language of instruction is English, then please upload supporting documentation on institutional letterhead along with your transcript. However, the final determination is made on a case-by-case basis.

Yes. Financial aid is available to qualifying Metropolitan College graduate degree students in the form of assistantships, private loans, the Federal Direct Stafford Loan (domestic students), and the Graduate PLUS Loan (domestic students).

More detailed information can be found on the Boston University MET College Financial Aid website.

Private loan opportunities for international students: https://www.bu.edu/finaid/types-of-aid/loans/credit-based-loans/international/

The City Planning and Urban Affairs program has one scholarship opportunity per academic year for U.S. Citizens and U.S. Permanent residents. The Burges Scholarship is a $2,000 scholarship for CPUA students in need of financial assistance. Application information is distributed to students in the summer.

Students enrolled on a part-time basis may postpone payment of a portion of their tuition until a predetermined date. A minimum down payment and a nonrefundable enrollment fee are required at the time of enrollment. Visit BU’s Student Accounting Services website for more information.

Metropolitan College’s MSCP program is not PAB-accredited, though it has been listed with the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP) since 2008. The University is currently assessing the relevance of PAB accreditation and the prospects of undergoing the accreditation process.

Students graduating from a non-PAB-accredited institution have similar competitive advantages as most other graduates of planning schools. Employers generally do not require students to be certified by the American Institute of City Planners (AICP) when applying for a job. If interested in AICP certification, Metropolitan College City Planning students are eligible to take the AICP exam upon completing the standard three years of relevant professional experience.

An average grade of B (3.0) must be maintained during the course of study to remain in good academic standing and satisfy the degree requirements. Students who earn a grade lower than B- in a required course or elective must retake that class and earn a grade of B- or higher for it to count toward their degree.

Yes. Metropolitan College, as one of Boston University’s 17 schools and colleges, is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), one of six nationally recognized regional accrediting agencies. When you successfully complete a degree program with us, you receive a diploma stating that you have earned your degree at Boston University, which is accredited by NEASC.

Every MSCP and MSUA student is assigned a graduate student advisor who provides guidance and assistance during all key stages of the student’s academic career, including employment searches. MET Career Development—in collaboration with BU’s Center for Career Development (CCD) and Alumni & Friends office—offers career guidance and coaching, programs, and resources to matriculated online and in-person degree-seeking students. Courses, career fairs and symposia are also offered to give students access to employers and practitioners that can assist in the transition from classroom to job market.

The MSCP is recognized professionally and academically as a two-year graduate degree for people interested in the multi-disciplinary field of city planning. An MSCP education provides the theoretical, analytical, and practical tools of the planning trade, whether it is exercised in the public, private, or nonprofit sector. The MSCP can be treated as a terminal professional degree or as a bridge degree towards doctoral studies in city planning, urban sociology, or human geography, among other social science disciplines.

The MSUA is a one-year graduate degree that provides the theoretical and analytical foundations for understanding the complexities of the urban environment. Students interested in pursuing an MSUA are often in search of a challenging academic experience that helps them delve further into urban issues and debates, or they are in need of a graduate degree for internal advancement within their current professional environment.