Master’s in Public Health Online Application Requirements.

A GRE score is not required for application to BU School of Public Health and will not be considered if submitted.

International applicants must submit an English language proficiency exam. Applicants may submit the TOEFL or IELTS. TOEFL and IELTS exams are considered valid for two (2) years from the date the exam was administered.

English is the language of instruction at Boston University. You must be able to understand rapid, idiomatic English and express yourself clearly in speech and writing.

English Proficiency Exams

International students whose native language is not English must provide official results of the Test of English as a Second Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

Only official TOEFL and IELTS score reports will be accepted and must be submitted using the appropriate reporting code through the application. Photocopies of test scores or unofficial records will not be accepted.

Boston University School of Public Health does not accept Duolingo English Test results.

Test and Required Minimum Score

• TOEFL ibt: 100 or higher (if exam was administered prior to January 2026) or 5.0 or higher (if exam was administered January 2026 or later)
• TOEFL pbt: 600 or higher
• IELTS – Academic Exam Only: 7.0 (total band score)

Applicants may submit the TOEFL or IELTS. TOEFL and IELTS exams are considered valid for two (2) years from the date the exam was administered. Applicants with invalid scores or who do not meet the required minimum score will not be considered for admission.

Waivers

• If an international applicant’s WES ICAP evaluation states that English was the language of instruction for a completed degree, the TOEFL/IELTS requirement will be waived automatically by SPH Admissions.

• SPH Admissions will automatically waive the TOEFL/IELTS requirement for international applicants who have earned a previous degree in any of the following countries: Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kiribati, Lesotho, Liberia, Micronesia, Montserrat, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uganda, United Kingdom, or Zimbabwe.
  • One (1) year of study in a bachelor’s degree in the US or in any of the countries above does not qualify. The majority of the bachelor’s degree program (at least 2+ years) must be completed in one of the countries above to be considered for this waiver.

• SPH Admissions will automatically waive the TOEFL/IELTS requirement for International applicants who are citizens of Cameroon or Canada and have earned their post-secondary degree from a university in Cameroon or Canada in which English is the language of instruction.

• If you do not meet either of the criteria above but believe the TOEFL/IELTS requirement should be waived for you, please submit the following to SPH Admissions:
  • A completed TOEFL and IELTS Waiver Request Form.
  • Official supporting documentation demonstrating English proficiency sent directly from the university or institution on official letterhead. We cannot accept supporting documentation directly from applicants.

Reporting codes for TOEFL and IELTS

• TOEFL
  Institution Code: 5688
  Dept. Code: Any
  www.ets.org

• IELTS
  Please have a score report submitted through the application.

You will be able to upload one document for each university/school you enter in the table below. If you have multiple documents for one degree, please upload them in one file. Your transcript should show all coursework and grades earned. While unofficial transcripts are requested for application review, applicants who are admitted to Boston University will be required to submit an official final transcript showing all coursework and degrees awarded. 

International transcripts, including study abroad transcripts, may have additional requirements. International applicants should submit a WES ICAP evaluation.

Two letters of recommendation are required for an application to be considered complete. Recommenders should be able to evaluate academic or professional work, the ability to undertake graduate study, and potential as a public health professional.

The application provides an electronic submission process for all letters of recommendation.

Applicants must address the following three short answer questions:

• How does an MPH degree fit into your professional development plan? Why is a focus on health equity important to this plan? How does this specific online MPH program at BUSPH fit your plans?  (500 words or less)
• Online Master’s in Public Health combines both quantitative and qualitative skills. Please explain how your education and professional experience has prepared you for this type of program.  (250 words or less)
• The Online MPH is a self-directed, asynchronous graduate program. Please explain why this model best fits your learning and lifestyle.  (250 words or less)

A current curriculum vitae or résumé is required. This document should be uploaded directly to the application.