Master of Public Health (MPH) and Dual Degree Programs

Below you will find all the information necessary to complete an application for the MPH program and the MPH portion of our dual degree programs. If you are interested in one of our dual degree programs, please be sure to contact the admissions office at the appropriate school for application requirements and procedures.

Dual degree applicants must apply to both programs in order to be considered for admission to the dual degree program.

Wondering if you may be a good fit for the program? Please take a look at our Class Profile. Each aspect of the application will be considered fully before reaching a final decision. For a list of frequently asked questions about the admissions process, please see our FAQ page.

Application Deadline Applications submitted after the priority deadlines will be considered for admission on a rolling basis pending space available. The deadline is for having everything submitted to SOPHAS.

  • Spring Priority Deadline: October 15 (Spring admission will open through SOPHAS in September)
  • Fall Priority Deadline: February 1
Prerequisites Bachelor's degree attainment or work in progress. A bachelor's degree must be conferred before attending BUSPH. There are no specific course requirements to be completed at the undergraduate level.
Test Scores
  • All applicants to Boston University School of Public Health must submit a standardized test score with their application. Applicants may submit one of the following scores for this program: GRE, MCAT, GMAT, LSAT, or DAT. Please review our test specfic reporting codes.
An official test score is required regardless of prior degree(s) obtained.
Statement of Purpose and Objectives Applicants are required to submit a statement of purpose and objectives. This statement is 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:
  1. What are your reasons for pursuing a Master of Public Health?
  2. Why do you wish to pursue your MPH at Boston University School of Public Health?
  3. How do you intend to leverage your MPH in a career of public health practice?
Official Transcripts Applicants must have official transcripts for all registered coursework submitted from each institution directly to SOPHAS using their Official Transcript Request Form. This documentation must be sent from the registrar or designated school records official directly to SOPHAS. Official transcripts will not be accepted from the applicant. Photocopies of official transcripts or unofficial records will not be accepted. International transcripts, including study abroad transcripts, may have additional requirements.

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 Boston University prior to matriculation.

*BUSPH reserves the right to re-evaluate your application for admission upon receipt of the final official transcript.
Letters of Recommendation BUSPH requires three letters of recommendation for the applicant portfolio to be considered complete. Recommenders should be able to evaluate your academic or professional work, your abilities to undertake graduate study, and your potential as a public health professional.

SOPHAS provides an electronic submission process for all letters of recommendation.

Please see our FAQs page for more information on appropriate letter writers.
CV or Resume A current curriculum vitae or resume is required. This document is uploaded directly to your SOPHAS application.


Admissions Timeline

Phase One: Submission to SOPHAS Phase Two: BUSPH Admissions Phase Three: Decision and Notification
Timeline: varies, early encouraged.

In addition to your completed SOPHAS application, please check program specific requirements using the links above.

Please note that it may take SOPHAS up to 4 weeks in order to verify and prepare your application.
 Timeline: 1-3 weeks after completion with SOPHAS.

Upon reception of your application from SOPHAS, you will receive an email confirmation from BUSPH.

We then ensure that your application has all of the necessary documents. If your file is incomplete, you will be notified and it will be held until we receive the necessary documents.

Once the application is complete, it is forwarded to the department for review and recommendation.
Spring Timeline: 1-4 weeks
Fall Timeline: 4-6 weeks*

Monitor your email for all communications.

Once a final decision has been reached, you will be officially notified via postal mail.

*Decision timelines vary for non-MPH programs as not all are handled on a rolling basis.
Questions during this phase?

Please contact SOPHAS directly

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Phone: 617-612-2090
 Questions during these phases?

Review our FAQ's before contacting BUSPH directly


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Phone: 617-638-4640