Frequently Asked Questions

Master’s programs (in-person): Priority deadline: February 1 (for priority scholarship consideration). Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until our final deadline: May 1. Please note that some programs may reach capacity before May 1. If a program is no longer accepting applicants, we will post that information on our application instructions page. We encourage you to submit your application well before the May 1 deadline.

Online MS in Strategic Integrated Communication: Priority deadline: May 1; final deadline: August 1.

The Graduate Certificate in Civic Science Communication also offers spring admission. We encourage you to submit your application by December 1.

Emerging Media Studies Ph.D.: The program will not accept applications for the Fall 2026 admissions cycle. During this time, we’re enhancing the program to ensure we continue to provide an exceptional academic experience for our doctoral students.

• For most master’s programs, the priority application deadline is February 1 and the final deadline is May 1. Applicants who apply by the priority deadline typically receive admission and scholarship decisions by mid-March.
• Applications submitted after February 1 are reviewed on a rolling basis, and most applicants can expect a decision within 5-7 weeks after their application is complete.
• Mid-March: Ph.D. admission decisions are released.
• April 15: Admission response and tuition deposit deadline for Ph.D. admits and master’s applicants admitted through the February 1 priority deadline.
• Early May: Applications submitted by the May 1 final deadline are reviewed by the admission committee.
• Mid-to-late May: Admission decisions are released to May 1 applicants.
• Early-to-mid June: Registration information is typically emailed to incoming students.

Most of COM Master’s programs operate on a fall-intake only cycle. Prerequisite classes for many of our degree programs are only offered in the fall, so students cannot begin a program in the spring semester.

The online Graduate Certificate in Civic Science Communication is our only program that offers spring admission.

After submitting your application, you can track its progress through your application portal. We encourage you to check your portal regularly to ensure that all required application materials have been received. Once your application is complete, it will be forwarded to the admissions committee for review. We’ll notify you by email when your application status is updated.

Most applicants receive a decision within 5-7 weeks after their application is complete. Applicants who apply by the February 1 priority deadline typically receive admission and scholarship decisions by mid-March. More information about the admission timeline is above.

Apply through our online application, where you’ll find step-by-step instructions for completing and submitting your application. All required materials must be uploaded through the application portal. Visit our application instructions page for a complete list of required materials.

You may apply to up to two (2) COM at BU graduate programs. A separate application fee is required for each program.

No, you only need to upload unofficial transcripts (screenshots, PDFs) from previously attended colleges/universities. Official transcripts showing your bachelor’s degree conferral are only required if you enroll.

In most cases, you don’t need to submit transcripts from institutions where you completed individual courses or transfer coursework if those courses appear on the transcript from your degree-granting institution.

There’s no minimum GPA requirement for admission. We use a holistic review process that considers your academic background along with your experience, career goals, personal statement, letters of recommendation, and other application materials. While many successful applicants have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, strong candidates with lower GPAs may also be admitted if other aspects of their application demonstrate their potential for success in graduate study.

Yes. Most COM graduate programs welcome students from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds. We value diverse experiences and perspectives, and many students enter our programs from fields outside communication and media. Whether you’re coming directly from undergraduate study or bringing years of professional experience, we’ll evaluate your application in the context of your individual experiences and goals.

One exception is the MS in Strategic Integrated Communication, which is designed for working professionals. Most students enter the program with at least three years of experience, and bring real-world communication challenges that enrich classroom discussions and collaborative learning.

There isn’t one. Our admissions process is holistic, which means we consider every part of your application in the context of your experiences, achievements, and goals. Your academic background, experience, letters of recommendation, personal statement, and Kira responses all help us understand who you are, what you hope to accomplish, and what you’ll contribute to the BU community.

That said, your personal statement and Kira responses are where we get to hear your voice. They give you the opportunity to connect your story, goals, and motivations in a way that transcripts and resumes can’t.

No. We review only completed applications. To be considered for admission, all required materials—including transcripts, letters of recommendation, and any program-specific requirements—must be received before your application can move forward in the review process.

No, traditional interviews are not required for admission to COM master’s programs. Most programs do, however, require a Kira Talent assessment, which includes recorded video and written responses. It’s not a live interview or an AI interview—the questions are created by COM faculty and staff, and your responses are reviewed by our admission committee as part of our holistic application process.

In some cases, the admissions committee may also invite an applicant to participate in a brief Zoom conversation if additional information would be helpful during the review process.

If you’d like to learn more about a program before applying, you’re welcome to request an informational meeting with a faculty member (when available) or Graduate Affairs team member. These conversations are intended to help you learn more about the program and do not influence admission decisions. Please see our Visit page if you’d like to schedule an appointment.

Master’s programs require two letters of recommendation. The Ph.D. in Emerging Media Studies requires three letters of recommendation. You may submit up to 5 letters of recommendations if you believe additional references will strengthen your application.

Whenever possible, we strongly prefer that at least one letter come from a professor or instructor who can speak to your ability to succeed in graduate-level academic work. If you’ve been out of school for several years, professional recommendations are also appropriate.

Recommendation requests are sent through your application portal, and recommenders should submit their letters directly through the portal. If a recommender is unable to access the portal, they may email their letter to comgrad@bu.edu.

After you enter your recommenders’ names and email addresses in your application, recommendation requests will be sent automatically through the application portal. We suggest that you contact your recommenders in advance to confirm that they’re willing to write a letter on your behalf and to verify their preferred email address.

Your recommenders will receive an email with instructions for submitting their letters electronically through a secure portal. Because these emails can occasionally be filtered as spam or junk mail, we encourage recommenders to check these folders if they don’t see the request in their inbox.  

If a recommender does not receive the request, please contact COM Graduate Affairs and we’ll be happy to resend it. If they continue to experience technical difficulties accessing the portal, they may email their recommendation letter directly to comgrad@bu.edu.

You can track the status of your recommendations through your application portal and, if needed, send reminder emails to your recommenders.

You can update or replace a recommender through your application portal as long as the recommendation has not yet been submitted. Once a recommendation has been received, you may no longer be able to make changes. If you need assistance, please contact COM Graduate Affairs, comgrad@bu.edu.

No, the GRE is not required for admission to any of COM’s master’s degree or graduate certificate programs.

The only exception is the Ph.D. in Emerging Media Studies, which requires GRE scores as part of the application process.

The GRE and TOEFL institution codes are 3087.

Applicants who are required to demonstrate English proficiency must meet one of the following minimum scores: TOEFL iBT 100 (or TOEFL 5.0 for exams using the new TOEFL scoring scale introduced in 2026), IELTS 7.0, or Duolingo English Test 130.

In general, applicants whose undergraduate degree was not taught in English are required to submit an approved English proficiency test. Official English proficiency test scores must be received by the application deadline. We recommend taking your exam at least three weeks before the deadline to allow enough time for official scores to be reported.

Yes. If you earned a degree from an institution where English was the primary language of instruction, you generally do not need to submit a TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test score. If you’re unsure whether this requirement applies to you, please contact COM Graduate Affairs at comgrad@bu.edu before submitting your application.

Yes. If your transcript is not in English, you must upload both the transcript in its original language and a certified English translation as part of your application. This requirement applies to both the unofficial transcripts you upload with your application and any official final transcripts you would submit if you enroll.

No. A WES or other third-party credential evaluation is not typically required as part of the application process. In some cases, the admissions committee may request a credential evaluation if additional information is needed to assess your educational record.

If your transcript is double-sided, please upload both sides. You should also include your institution’s transcript legend or grading scale (the section that explains your institution’s grading system), if available.

Yes. We welcome applications from students who have earned a three-year international bachelor’s degree. As with all applicants, your degree must be officially conferred before you begin classes in the fall semester (early September).

COM at BU offers a variety of financial support options, including various merit-based scholarships, graduate assistantships, federal and private educational loans, and student employment opportunities. Visit our Financial Aid page for complete details.

Merit scholarships: All applicants for full-time, on-campus master’s programs are automatically considered for COM merit scholarships. No separate application is required. Scholarship recipients are notified at the time of admission, which is applied toward their cost of tuition. Online programs, graduate certificates, and part-time students are not eligible for COM merit scholarships.

Graduate assistantships: Teaching, research, and administrative assistantships may be available to qualified full-time graduate students. Graduate assistants, including international students, must have a valid U.S. Social Security number in order to be paid for their work.

Educational loans: U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens enrolled at least half-time may qualify for federal student loans. Private educational loans are also available for eligible borrowers. Please visit the private loans page for additional information. The list of options isn’t all inclusive, so we encourage you to search for other outside private loan options that may be available to you.

On-campus and off-campus employment opportunities are also available.

Yes. All eligible full-time applicants, both domestic and international, are automatically considered for COM merit scholarships as part of the admissions process. No separate scholarship application is required. If you’re awarded a merit scholarship, you’ll be notified at the same time as your admission decision.

COM merit scholarships are available only to students enrolled full-time in eligible on-campus master’s programs. Students in online programs, graduate certificate program, and part-time students are not eligible for merit scholarships.

COM merit scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, experience, and the overall strength of your application. Awards typically range from 10% to 50% of tuition per academic year.

To receive priority scholarship consideration, we encourage you to apply by the February 1 deadline. Scholarship recipients are notified at the time of admission.

Yes. A limited number of graduate assistantships, including teaching, research, and administrative positions, are available to qualified full-time students. Assistantships are paid positions and are limited to a maximum of 20 hours per week.

Graduate assistantships are separate from COM merit scholarships and do not cover the cost of tuition. All graduate assistants, including international students, must have a valid U.S. Social Security number before they can begin paid employment.

To be considered for federal aid (loans), domestic applicants must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). When completing the FAFSA, list “Boston University” and use the federal school code 002130.

We encourage you to submit your FAFSA as early as possible to help ensure timely processing of your financial aid eligibility.

We strongly encourage domestic applicants to include their Social Security Number (SSN) on their application. Providing your SSN helps us match your application with your FAFSA, which can streamline the financial aid process.

If you don’t plan to apply for federal financial aid, there’s no need to include your SSN.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans: Eligible U.S. citizens and permanent residents enrolled at least half-time (six credits) in a degree program may qualify for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans by completing the FAFSA. Students must also maintain satisfactory academic progress.  

Graduate students may borrow up to the annual federal loan limit, subject to federal regulations and their individual financial aid eligibility. Your loan eligibility is determined by factors such as your enrollment status and any other financial aid you receive. Please visit BU’s Financial Aid website for current loan limits and eligibility requirements.

In addition to Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans, eligible students may choose to apply for private educational loans to help finance their graduate education. Visit our Financial Aid page for an overview of available loan options.

Boston University also provides information about several private educational loan lenders. This list is provided as a resource and is not exhaustive. You’re welcome to research and compare other private lenders to find the option that best meets your needs.

Yes. We offer campus visits and tours by appointment, as well as virtual options, including Zoom and phone appointments with a member of the COM Graduate Affairs team.

Whether you’re able to visit campus or prefer to connect remotely, we’d be happy to answer your questions about our Master’s programs, PhD program, or graduate certificate. Schedule your visit or appointment.

If you can’t find the answer in your application portal or on this Frequently Asked Questions page, we’re happy to help! Contact COM Graduate Affairs at comgrad@bu.edu or (617) 353-3481 with questions about:

• Admission requirements and policies
• Required application materials
• Your application status or application portal
• COM at BU graduate programs, curriculum, or admissions process

Students wishing to transfer to a COM graduate program must apply through the regular admissions process. Applications are reviewed using the same admission requirements and criteria as all other applicants.

Transfer credit from another institution is generally not accepted toward COM graduate degree requirements. Please see the FAQ below for additional information about transfer credit.

Transfer credit is not automatically accepted into COM at BU graduate programs. After completing one semester of full-time study, students may be eligible to petition to transfer up to 8 graduate credits from another accredited institution, subject to University and program approval.

No, the College of Communication does not offer conditional admission to its graduate programs. We review applications once all required application materials have been received.

BU’s International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO) is the primary resource for information about F-1 and J-1 visas, immigration requirements, and studying at BU. You can also visit BU’s international students website for additional information about student visas.

International applicants complete the same application as all other COM graduate applicants. Depending on your educational background, you may also be required to demonstrate English language proficiency beyond the standard application materials. Learn more on our International Applicants page.

Yes. International students studying on an F-1 or J-1 visa may be eligible to work on campus, subject to U.S. immigration regulations. Boston University offers a variety of on-campus employment opportunities across academic and administrative departments.

Students must obtain a U.S. Social Security Number before they can be paid for on-campus employment. The International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO) provides guidance on employment eligibility, applying for a Social Security number, and other immigration requirements. We also encourage students to review ISSO’s employment guidance before accepting an on-campus position.