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Boston University Graduate School of Arts & Sciences

Boston University Graduate School of Arts & Sciences

Boston University Graduate School of Arts & Sciences

Introduction

Maximize your potential for success with a master’s degree from the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences at BU.

Welcome! Arts & Sciences is Boston University’s largest academic division, the heart of a world-class research university. Our faculty in the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences is among the world’s most respected professors, researchers, and professionals in their disciplines. Our alumni are leading innovation and research and making an impact in their fields. Our campus is Boston, a city vibrant with history, culture, and diversity, and teeming with potential for connections and careers.

Qualifications for Admission

Those who have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university or with equivalent international education may apply.

  • Your undergraduate program should include introductory studies in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences; completion of specified courses without credit may be required to make up any deficiency.
  • You may apply to a master’s degree program if you have a bachelor’s degree (if you hold a three-year degree, you may be required to complete a one-year master’s degree program or post-graduate diploma in a relevant subject).
  • You may not enroll simultaneously in more than one graduate program unless the programs are part of a BU-approved combined degree.
  • If you have twice been rejected for admission to the same degree program, you must submit a letter of approval for application from the current director of graduate studies in the department to which you seek admission.
Read more on the institution's website

Statistics

  • International students:

    25%

    • 0

  • Student to faculty ratio:

    10 to 1

Admissions

Qualifications for Admission

Those who have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university or with equivalent international education may apply.

  • Your undergraduate program should include introductory studies in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences; completion of specified courses without credit may be required to make up for any deficiency.
  • You may apply to a master’s degree program if you have a bachelor’s degree (if you hold a three-year degree, you may be required to complete a one-year master’s degree program or post-graduate diploma in a relevant subject).
  • You may not enroll simultaneously in more than one graduate program unless the programs are part of a BU-approved combined degree.
  • If you have twice been rejected for admission to the same degree program, you must submit a letter of approval for application from the current director of graduate studies in the department to which you seek admission.
How to Apply

Visa Requirements

As international students and scholars at BU, you must apply for the most appropriate visa that will allow you to enter the US to begin or resume your academic activities. The length of the visa will vary depending on your country of citizenship and your visa classification. The visa must always be valid when entering the US but is allowed to expire after you have entered the country. If you leave the US in the middle of your academic activities and plan to return to BU in the same visa classification to resume the same academic activities, you will need to make certain that your visa is still valid or renew your visa before you return to the US.

Citizens of Canada are not required to obtain a visa to enter the US but must follow all of the other required procedures below to enter the US in the proper immigration classification.

Steps

  1. Make sure your passport is valid
  2. Make sure your immigration documents are correct
  3. Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate to apply for the visa
  4. Schedule a visa appointment
  5. Prepare the documents for the visa interview (Form, DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, application fee, One photograph, a passport valid for at least six months beyond the expected date of entry to the US, additional documents)
  6. Be patient--your visa may take some time to be processed through security clearances
  7. In the unlikely event that your visa is denied, contact the ISSO
  8. Schedule your travel to the US

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Scholarships and Funding

There are many opportunities to find external funding, as well as institutional funding for your education. We want to share some specific steps you can take to find funding at BU. From Scholarships, to campus jobs, to federal loans, there are so many opportunities to fund your education at BU!

Five Steps you can take to find funding at BU for your graduate education:

1. Look at institutional Merit Scholarships your program offers

Programs such as economics, computer science, statistical practice, and earth & environment, have merit scholarships available to eligible students, many times without requiring a separate application. Be sure to check your specific program of interest to see what sort of aid you are automatically considered for!

2. Look for institutional scholarships or fellowships that require separate applications for consideration— you can see what BU offers here!

3. Federal Work-Study

Federal work-study promotes access to employment for students who demonstrate financial need. Recipients of federal work-study are selected by the Financial Aid Office and meet the federal needs and other criteria.

4. Campus Jobs

You can also look for a job on campus or nearby. There are many offices on campus that hire graduate students, as well as businesses close to campus that are always looking for student employees. Another option is to reach out to your program department and inquire about becoming a Resident Assistant (RA) for an undergraduate dorm.

5. Federal and Credit-Based Loans

There are two types of federal loans students may receive. The first is a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan, this is a low-interest loan available to students for post-secondary educational expenses. The second type of loans are credit-based loans, which can either be federal or private. To learn more about these types of loans please visit our website. Federal loans are only available for US citizens and permanent residents. Private credit-based loans are a great option for international students. MPower and Prodigy finance offer credit-based loans to international students looking for financial aid.

View Scholarships

Alumni Statistics

Rankings

  • #17 Best Private University by 2021 QS Report
  • #28 in the Nation for Economics by 2021 QS Report
  • #27 Best US Colleges by The Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education
  • 1 of 3 universities in Boston and Cambridge named to the prestigious Association of American Universities
  • #42 among national universities by US News & World Report
  • #37 among global research universities by US News & World Report
  • #21 in the US for Best Universities for Excellence, Equity, and Employability
  • #3 in Massachusetts for Best Universities for Excellence, Equity, and Employability

English Language Requirements

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Locations

  • Boston

    Boston, USA

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