{"id":55483,"date":"2014-10-10T09:30:53","date_gmt":"2014-10-10T13:30:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/?page_id=55483"},"modified":"2026-04-29T10:46:28","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T14:46:28","slug":"mph-dual-degree-programs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/admissions\/applying\/mph-dual-degree-programs\/","title":{"rendered":"MPH Dual Degree Application Requirements"},"content":{"rendered":"<nav id=\"anchor-list\" class=\"anchor-list\"><ul><li><a class=\"anchor-link\" href=\"#application-deadlines\"><span><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"11\" height=\"11\" viewBox=\"0 0 11 11\"><circle cx=\"5.5\" cy=\"5.5\" r=\"5\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\"><\/circle><polygon points=\"3 4 5.5 8 8 4 3 4\" fill=\"currentColor\" stroke=\"none\"><\/polygon><\/svg><\/span>Application Deadlines<\/a>\n<\/li><li><a class=\"anchor-link\" href=\"#sph-prerequisites\"><span><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"11\" height=\"11\" viewBox=\"0 0 11 11\"><circle cx=\"5.5\" cy=\"5.5\" r=\"5\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\"><\/circle><polygon points=\"3 4 5.5 8 8 4 3 4\" fill=\"currentColor\" stroke=\"none\"><\/polygon><\/svg><\/span>SPH Prerequisites<\/a>\n<\/li><li><a class=\"anchor-link\" href=\"#dual-degree-applicant-information\"><span><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"11\" height=\"11\" viewBox=\"0 0 11 11\"><circle cx=\"5.5\" cy=\"5.5\" r=\"5\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\"><\/circle><polygon points=\"3 4 5.5 8 8 4 3 4\" fill=\"currentColor\" stroke=\"none\"><\/polygon><\/svg><\/span>Dual Degree Applicant Information<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><a class=\"back-to-top\" href=\"#anchor-list\"><span><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" xmlns:svgjs=\"http:\/\/svgjs.com\/svgjs\" viewBox=\"0 0 140 140\" width=\"140\" height=\"140\"><g transform=\"matrix(5.833333333333333,0,0,5.833333333333333,0,0)\"><path d=\"M20.5 8.999L12 0.499 3.5 8.999\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg><\/span>Top<\/a>\n<ul class=\"button-list\"><\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"anchor-heading\" id=\"application-deadlines\">Application Deadlines<\/h2>\n<p>Dual degree applicants\u00a0<strong><em>must<\/em><\/strong> apply and be accepted to both programs in order to begin a dual degree program. Please read each section carefully regarding applying to dual programs below.<\/p>\n<h5>Fall 2026:<\/h5>\n<p>Priority Deadline*: October 15, 2025<br \/>\nInternational Final Deadline: October 15, 2025<br \/>\nDomestic Final Deadline: December 15, 2025<\/p>\n<h5>Spring 2026:<\/h5>\n<p>Priority Deadline*: January 15, 2026<br \/>\nInternational Final Deadline: April 1, 2026<br \/>\nDomestic Final Deadline: June 1, 2026<\/p>\n<p><strong>Applications must be complete (all materials received) and verified by SOPHAS by the final deadlines.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>*The priority deadline is <u>not<\/u> a hard deadline. We encourage applicants to submit by the priority deadline as seats are more plentiful at the beginning of the cycle and a decision will be released earlier.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>SOPHAS can take 2-4 weeks to verify an application, so we highly recommend that you submit your application early to ensure you meet the appropriate deadline.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"anchor-heading\" id=\"sph-prerequisites\">SPH Prerequisites<\/h2>\n<h5>Education:<\/h5>\n<p>Applicants from all undergraduate majors and backgrounds are acceptable and encouraged to apply. Successful candidates display a solid mix of quantitative, verbal and reasoning skills<\/p>\n<h5>Experience:<\/h5>\n<p>None required. Work, volunteer, research, and\/or internship experience relevant to public health is valued in the review process.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/education\/degrees-and-programs\/dual-degree-programs\/\">Learn more about our dual degree programs<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h2 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Standardized Test Scores<\/h2><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\">A GRE score is not required for application to BU School of Public Health and will not be considered if submitted.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h2 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">English language proficiency exam<\/h2><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p><strong>English Proficiency Exams<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>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).<\/p>\n<p>Only official TOEFL and IELTS score reports will be accepted and must be submitted using the appropriate reporting code through SOPHAS. Photocopies of test scores or unofficial records will not be accepted<\/p>\n<p>Boston University School of Public Health does not accept Duolingo English Test results.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Test and Required Minimum Score<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>TOEFL ibt: 100 or higher (<em>if exam was administered prior to January 2026<\/em>) <strong>or<\/strong> 5.0 or higher (<em>if exam was administered January 2026 or later<\/em>)<\/li>\n<li>TOEFL pbt: 600 or higher<\/li>\n<li>IELTS \u2013 Academic Exam Only: 7.0 (total band score)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>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.<span>\u00a0<\/span><em>Applicants with invalid scores or who do not meet the required minimum score will not be considered for admission.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Waivers<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>If an international applicant&#8217;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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>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 &amp; 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.\n<ul>\n<li>One (1) year of study in a bachelor\u2019s degree in the US or in any of the countries above does <u>not<\/u> qualify. The majority of the bachelor\u2019s degree program (at least 2+ years) must be completed in one of the countries above to be considered for this waiver.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>SPH Admissions will automatically waive the TOEFL\/IELTS requirement for International applicants who are citizens of Cameroon or Canada and have earned your post-secondary degree from a university in Cameroon or Canada in which English is the language of instruction.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>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:\n<ul>\n<li>A <em>completed <\/em><a href=\"\/sph\/files\/2016\/09\/toefl_and_ielts_waiver_request_form.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">TOEFL and IELTS Waiver Request Form<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Official supporting documentation demonstrating\u00a0English proficiency sent directly from the university or institution on official letterhead. We cannot accept supporting documentation directly from applicants.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Reporting codes for TOEFL and IELTS<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span>TOEFL<\/span><br \/>\nInstitution Code: 5688*<br \/>\nDept. Code: Any<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.ets.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">www.ets.org<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><span>IELTS<\/span><br \/>\nPlease have a score report submitted through SOPHAS.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h2 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Academic Transcripts or WES ICAP Evaluation<\/h2><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\">\n<p>Applicants must submit official transcripts for all registered coursework from each college or university attended. The SOPHAS Official Transcript Request Form must be included with each transcript. This documentation must be sent from the registrar or designated school records official directly to\u00a0<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/www.sophas.org\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">SOPHAS<\/a>. Official transcripts will not be accepted from the applicant. Photocopies of official transcripts or unofficial records will not be accepted.\u00a0<a title=\"Transcripts\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/admissions\/applying\/transcripts\/\">International transcripts, including study abroad transcripts, may have additional requirements<\/a>.\u00a0International applicants should submit a\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.wes.org\/fees\/icap.asp\">WES ICAP evaluation<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>If you are currently in a degree program, you are required to submit a current official transcript showing completed coursework and all work in progress. If you are accepted for admission, a final official transcript after degree conferral must be submitted directly to BUSPH\u00a0prior to matriculation.<\/p>\n<p>SPH reserves the right to reevaluate your application for admission upon receipt of the final official transcript.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h2 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Three (3) Letters of Recommendation<\/h2><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\">While only two letters of recommendation are needed for SOPHAS to submit your application to BUSPH for review, three letters of recommendation are required for an application to be considered complete. Recommenders should be able to evaluate academic or professional work, evaluate abilities to undertake graduate study, and comment on an applicants potential as a public health professional. If possible, two of the letters of recommendation should come from faculty.<\/p>\n<p>SOPHAS provides an electronic submission process for all letters of recommendation.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h2 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Statement of Purpose and Objectives<\/h2><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\">Applicants are required to submit a statement of purpose and objectives, intended to give applicants the opportunity to submit a narrative describing past education, experience, and current professional career objectives. Applicants must address the following three questions:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>What are your reasons for pursuing a Master of Public Health?<\/li>\n<li>Why do you wish to pursue your MPH at Boston University School of Public Health?<\/li>\n<li>How do you intend to leverage your MPH in a career of public health practice?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Though there is no set limit, most statements are 1\u20132 pages, single-spaced.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h2 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">CV or R\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/h2><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"> A current curriculum vitae or r\u00e9sum\u00e9 is required. This document should be uploaded directly to the SOPHAS application.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"anchor-heading\" id=\"dual-degree-applicant-information\">Dual Degree Applicant Information<\/h2>\n<p>In addition to following the application procedures above, please see additional degree-specific information below. Decisions from the schools are made independently. Students accepted into dual degree programs are not eligible for additional scholarship aid.<\/p>\n<h5>MS in Medical Sciences\/MPH<\/h5>\n<p>Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply to the MS program first for fall entry, however they can apply concurrently. Current students within the MS program may then apply to the MPH for a future semester.\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/gateway\/prospective\/masters-in-medical-sciences\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Please visit the Graduate Medical Sciences website<\/a> for details on how to apply to the MS program in Medical Sciences.<\/p>\n<h5>MS in Genetic Counseling\/MPH<\/h5>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>Only students accepted to and matched with the MS Genetic Counseling program qualify to apply for this dual degree prior to their first semester in the BU Genetic Counseling program.<\/em> The application for students who have been accepted and matched with the Genetic Counseling Program typically opens on or around April 1, and closes on May 1. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/genetic-counseling\/\">Please visit the Graduate Medical Sciences website<\/a>\u00a0for details on how to apply to the MS program in Genetic Counseling.<\/p>\n<h5>MBA\/MPH<\/h5>\n<p>Applicants interested in applying to both programs concurrently are only able to do so for fall enrollment. Alternatively, first-semester MBA students may apply to the MPH for the spring semester during their first year. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/questrom\/admissions\/graduate-programs\/mba-joint-degrees\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Please visit the Questrom Business School website<\/a>\u00a0for details on how to apply to the MBA program.<\/p>\n<h5>JD\/MPH<\/h5>\n<p>Applicants are encouraged to apply to the MPH portion of this program while in their first or second year of law school at BU.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/academics\/dual-degrees\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Please visit the School of Law website<\/a>\u00a0for details on how to apply to the JD program. SPH will accept official LSAT score from LAW in order to be used for review in lieu of the GRE. Students opting to submit an LSAT score in lieu of the GRE should submit their score directly to the Admissions Office. LSAC does not report scores to non-Law schools.<\/p>\n<h5>MSW\/MPH<\/h5>\n<p>Applicants are encouraged to apply to both programs concurrently for fall entry, or apply to the MPH portion of the dual program as a first-year MSW student. Alternatively, first-year MPH students may also apply to the MSW portion of the program. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/ssw\/academics\/msw\/dual-degrees\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Please visit the School of Social Work website<\/a>\u00a0for details on how to apply to the MSW program.<\/p>\n<h5>MD\/MPH<\/h5>\n<p>Applicants must apply to the MPH portion of this program while enrolled in the MD program at BU School of Medicine. Medical students from outside BU may not take part in this dual degree program. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/busm\/admissions\/degree-programs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Please visit the School of Medicine website<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/sophas.cas.myliaison.com\/applicant-ux\/#\/deeplink\/programSearch\/organization\/5570904105431456768\" class=\"button btn-arrow\" >Ready to begin? Start your MPH application<\/a>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dual degree applicants\u00a0must apply and be accepted to both programs in order to begin a dual degree program. Please read each section carefully regarding applying to dual programs below. Fall 2026: Priority Deadline*: October 15, 2025 International Final Deadline: October 15, 2025 Domestic Final Deadline: December 15, 2025 Spring 2026: Priority Deadline*: January 15, 2026 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8472,"featured_media":0,"parent":55469,"menu_order":3,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"bu-publication":[],"profile_tax":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/55483"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8472"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=55483"}],"version-history":[{"count":54,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/55483\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":227557,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/55483\/revisions\/227557"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/55469"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=55483"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"bu-publication","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bu-publication?post=55483"},{"taxonomy":"profile_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/profile_tax?post=55483"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}