BU Graduate Hospitality Programs FAQs

Boston University and the School of Hospitality Administration offer numerous financial aid and scholarship resources to support you financially. All admitted master’s degree students receive at least $14,000 in scholarships. 

Read more about tuition and scholarships. 

Yes. If you are a current student or graduate of Boston University, you may be eligible for benefits when applying to the Boston University School of Hospitality Administration graduate programs.

These may include:

• Simplified application requirements (no transcripts or letters of recommendation required)
• Application fee waiver
• BU & SHA Alumni Scholarships (Double Terrier Scholarship), which supports BU students continuing into graduate study

Our goal is to make your transition from BU undergraduate to graduate study as seamless as possible.

Boston University School of Hospitality’s graduate programs take a transformative approach to hospitality education through the lens of experience innovation. Earning a master’s degree not only qualifies you for jobs in traditional hospitality fields like food and beverage, hotel, tourism, and event planning but also prepares you to pursue lucrative careers in other industries with transferable skills. 

 Learn more about the value of a hospitality degree. 

BU School of Hospitality has strong industry connections with world-renowned brands and companies. Our graduates work at organizations ranging from hotels to consulting firms to startup companies to real estate trusts. Here are just a few examples: Aramark, Boston Consulting Group, JP Morgan, Sonesta, InterContinental Hotel, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, PwC, America’s Test Kitchen, and Independence Realty Trust. 

Explore where our alumni work.  

When deciding which master’s program is the best fit for you, you can start by thinking about your passion and career goals. For example, if you have a specific interest in real estate and asset management, the MS in Hospitality Real Estate program could be right for you. If your interest lies more in management, you can choose the Master of Management in Hospitality program. On the other hand, our MS in Hospitality Management program is designed for those who want to prepare for a PhD program or a career in academic research. 

 If you are currently working full-time, you should also consider your schedule. You can apply to programs like the MMH, MSHRE, or certificate programs that offer flexible part-time learning opportunities.  

 Learn more about how to choose the best hospitality program. 

 You can also connect with an admission counselor (shagrad@bu.edu) to help you decide your program of study. 

The School of Hospitality Administration offers a streamlined application process. We offer detailed information about the admission requirements of the graduate programs. Prepare your materials and submit your application online!  GRE or GMAT scores NOT required.  

 Graduate programs application requirements. 

Yes. You are welcome to start and submit your application with available materials, and our admissions team will work with you to complete any remaining requirements.

For example:

• International transcripts can be reviewed without immediate third-party evaluation
• Missing materials can often be submitted shortly after your application
• Our team will guide you step-by-step if anything is needed

We encourage you to apply early—especially by priority deadlines—to maximize scholarship consideration and admission opportunities.

Our office is open from Monday to Friday, 9 AM – 5PM, except for public holidays.

• For in-person visit: Please give us a call at 617-353-3261 or email at shagrad@bu.edu / busha@bu.edu to personalize your visit. Based on availability, we can schedule a meeting with a current student, faculty, admissions staff or plan a sit-in in one of the graduate classes.
• For Zoom meeting: Please schedule a meeting with our admissions manager using Calendly

• Prospective Student Resources: Looking for housing, international students’ support, scholarship, or plan a visit to SHA
• Career Service: Through individualized advising, industry-led workshops, and direct access to leading hospitality employers, SHA Marriott Career Center services equip graduate students with the experience and connections needed to succeed in a fast-growing global industry. Strong industry and alumni connections give students a competitive edge in the global hospitality job market. Meet SHA Director of Career Services & Employer Relations
• Student Life at SHA: Get a preview of life at SHA and BU through annual events, global experiences like Service-Learning and Spring Break trips, cultural tours, workshops, and campus life!
• SHA Events & Competition: Learn more about our annual events, speaker conferences, Hospitality Summit, and Innovation Competitions.

• Master of Science in Hospitality Management: Our 2-year research-focus program prepares students who are interested in pursuing a career in academic research, data-driven industry, or PhD. This STEM-designated degree opens door for collaborations with SHA research faculty, participating in projects, and presenting at research conferences, etc.
• Faculty Research: Learn more about the insights and analysis of the ever-changing Hospitality industry from our dedicated team of research faculty

After you have been academically admitted to the School of Hospitality at Boston University, you can begin to submit the following documents via the Liaison Collect Documents Portal.

Documents to Submit:

1. A completed International Student Data Form (ISDF) Fill out the following information completely and accurately.
   • Enter your name exactly as it appears in your passport, even though you may have more than one way of spelling your name (especially in English).
   • Enter your date of birth in the American format: month, day, and year (MM/DD/YYYY). For example, May 12, 1978, should be written 05/12/1978.
   • Pay attention to your address. This is where we will mail your I-20 unless otherwise notified.
   • Answer every question.
   • Sign and date the form.
2. A scanned copy or photo of the biographical page of your passport. Please make sure the copy is easily readable.
3. Copies of all of your immigration documents if you are currently in the U.S. This includes but is not limited to all previous I-20s, and VISAs.
4. Required financial documentation demonstrating your ability to pay for your expenses at Boston University. Please see additional information detailing your required financial documentation below.
5. Official TOEFL/IELTS score reports (if you did not submit an official copy in your application).

Required Financial Documentation:

Please Submit a bank document in English, on bank letterhead, dated within a year from program start date.

The required amount of funds will be communicated to you after admission.

Please note: If you are receiving a scholarship from the School of Hospitality Administration, you may subtract the scholarship amount from the required amount listed above.

All declarations of financial support must:

1. Reflect the minimum amount of support in US dollars. This amount may increase if you are bringing a dependent (spouse or child under the age of 21) with you.
2. Specify funding for study at Boston University (not another college or university)
3. Be dated within a year of the program start date
4. Indicate the period of time for which the support will be provided
5. Be written in English
6. Reflect funds that are readily available for tuition payments (i.e., checking or savings accounts). Certain investment accounts such as stocks, salary documents, property holdings, etc. do not reflect available funds and will not be accepted

It is recommended that the prospective student request three sets of financial documents to submit to Boston University, the US Embassy or Consulate to which the prospective student will apply for the visa, and to retain for his/her record (and to present at the US Port of Entry if requested).

Specific Requirements

If the student will be funded by a family member, he/she must submit:

• A letter of sponsorship which indicates that the sponsor is willing and able to support the prospective student financially for academic fees and living expenses throughout the duration of study at Boston University and also indicates the relationship of the sponsor to the applicant. We would suggest that they utilize the Sponsorship Certification Form.
• An official bank letter, bank statement or credit reference from a bank stating the availability of the funding to support minimum estimated expenses as indicated on the Estimate of Expenses.

If the student will be funded by their government, an organization, a company, etc., the sponsor must submit a letter of sponsorship on official letterhead which states:

• The funding is valid specifically for Boston University.
• Exactly which expenses will be covered (i.e., academic fees, living expenses, health insurance, financial support for family members, travel, etc.).
• The length of the financial support.

If the student will be funded by a bank loan, he/she must submit an official letter of certification from the lending institution indicating the specific amount for which he/she has been guaranteed.

If the student will be funded by a manner not listed above (for example, if they will fund themselves), he/she must submit official documentation (a bank letter, bank statement or a credit reference from a bank) indicating the specific amount to support minimum estimate of expenses.

Boston University is required by U.S. government regulations to check the availability of adequate funding for tuition, fees, and living expenses for the duration of the prospective student’s studies at Boston University in order to issue the immigration documents necessary to obtain a student visa. All financial documents submitted for evaluation will become the property of Boston University and will not be returned to the prospective student.

Please Submit: A bank document in English, on bank letterhead, dated within a year from the program start date.

How to Apply For a visa:

1. After you receive your I-20 in the mail (following the steps above) you can begin applying for a visa.
2. Please view the International Students and Scholars (ISSO) website for directions on how to apply for your visa.

Thank you for your patience throughout this process. Please email SHA’s Office of Graduate Affairs at shagrad@bu.edu with any questions.