Graduate Admissions Policies

All applicants to BU Wheelock graduate programs are required to submit the standard nonrefundable application fee as part of a completed application. Fee waiver requests may be submitted and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Applicants are responsible for submitting any fee waiver request well in advance of the application deadline. Because processing a waiver can take time, waiting for a decision on a fee waiver does not qualify as a reason for missing or extending an application deadline. Applicants who wish to ensure their materials are reviewed on time should plan accordingly and be prepared to submit the application fee if a waiver is not approved before the deadline.

Incomplete applications, including those missing the application fee, cannot be reviewed.

Applicants may only apply to one graduate program at BU Wheelock per admissions cycle. We encourage applicants to carefully review our program offerings and reach out to the admissions team with any questions before applying.

To be considered for admission, all application materials must be submitted by the stated application deadline.

Only complete applications will be reviewed. Incomplete applications submitted by the deadline, regardless of what components are missing, will not be reviewed or considered for admission. Applicants are responsible for monitoring the status of their application and ensuring that all required materials are received by the deadline. Extensions or exceptions will not be granted.

Applicants to Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development may request to change the program to which they are applying. Please note the following:

• Applicants may request one program change only during the application cycle

• Once the program change is made, the application will be reviewed under the new program’s admission criteria and faculty

• All previously submitted materials will be considered, though applicants may be asked to submit additional documentation specific to the new program

Applicants who were not admitted to a BU Wheelock graduate program are welcome to reapply. We encourage submitting updated materials, including a revised statement of purpose, an updated resume or CV, and new letters of recommendation.

To allow time for meaningful updates, applicants should wait at least one year before reapplying. Each reapplication will be reviewed as a new application, and prior decisions do not guarantee admission.

Boston University Wheelock does not require the GRE or MTEL exams for admission to any of our graduate programs. All applicants are considered through a holistic review process that values academic history, professional experience, written statements, and letters of recommendation.

At BU Wheelock, we value and encourage original thought, authentic reflection, and personal insight in all application materials. While the use of AI systems is not explicitly prohibited, the most competitive applications are those that demonstrate clear, personal engagement and originality. Over-reliance on generic or AI-generated content may result in application materials that feel impersonal, lack depth, or do not fully represent the applicant’s unique perspective.

To see Boston University’s policies, visit Generative AI Guidelines for Students.

Admitted students may request to defer their offer of admission for up to one year. Deferral requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and must be submitted in writing before the start of the admitted term. To be eligible for a deferral, students must first submit the required nonrefundable enrollment deposit.

Deferrals are not automatically approved and are contingent upon program capacity and the recommendation of the admissions committee.

Admitted students are required to submit a nonrefundable enrollment deposit to confirm their intention to enroll. The deposit amount will be credited toward the first semester’s tuition. Enrollment deposits are due by the deadline stated in the admission offer letter. Failure to submit the deposit by the deadline may result in forfeiture of the admission offer, including any scholarship given.

Note: This policy does not apply to students applying through one of BU Wheelock’s approved academic partner programs.

BU Wheelock offers a range of merit-based scholarships for students pursuing master’s or Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) programs. All admitted students are automatically considered for scholarship funding; no separate application is required.

• Eligibility: Scholarship funding is prioritized for students enrolled full-time, though a limited number of awards are available for part-time students.

• Priority Consideration: Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their applications by the recommended admission deadline to receive priority consideration for merit-based funding.

• Policy Reference:

  • Students admitted in spring 2025 or later should refer to the BU Wheelock Scholarship Policy 2025.

  • Students admitted prior to spring 2025 should refer to the BU Wheelock Scholarship Policies 2024.

All admitted students who intend to enroll must submit official transcripts from all institutions attended, showing conferral of any degrees earned. Transcripts must be sent directly from the institution to wheadmit@bu.edu or in a sealed envelope to 2 Silber Way, Suite 101, Boston, MA 02215. Offers of admission are contingent upon receipt and verification of official transcripts.

Students who have been admitted to Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development may request to change their program of study after receiving their admission decision. The following conditions apply:

• • Accepted students may request one program change only.

  • Program change requests must be submitted no later than six weeks before the start of classes.

  • The student’s application will be re-reviewed under the new program’s admission standards. Admission is not guaranteed.

  • Any scholarships, fellowships, or financial aid previously awarded are not guaranteed to carry over to the new program. Financial aid will be re-evaluated upon admission to the new program.

Boston University does not issue unconditional offers of admission. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of any in-progress coursework, submission, and verification of official transcripts from all previously attended institutions, and adherence to university policies and deadlines.

All prospective students engaging with BU Wheelock, whether through admissions events, interviews, email communications, or other interactions, are expected to demonstrate professionalism, respect, and integrity throughout the admissions process.

We ask that all applicants and attendees adhere to the standards outlined in the Boston University Code of Student Responsibilities, which includes expectations related to behavior, communication, and academic honesty.

Harassment, discriminatory language, disruptive behavior, or dishonesty in any form may result in removal from events, denial of admission, or revocation of an offer. Our goal is to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment for all members of our community, current and future.

BU Wheelock reserves the right to rescind an offer of admission if an applicant provides false or misleading information at any point in the admissions process. This includes, but is not limited to, misrepresentation in academic records, application materials, or failure to disclose relevant information.