International

International Students and Non-US Transcripts
All international students must complete all application materials for the program to which he or she has applied via SOPHAS. International Students who have completed a college/university degree program outside of the United States must also complete the steps below in order to submit a completed application. 

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).

Test Required Minimum Score
TOEFL ibt 100 or higher
TOEFL pbt 600 or higher
IELTS 7.0 (total band score)

TOEFL and IELTS scores are valid for two (2) years from the date of examination. Applicants who do not meet the required minimum score will not be considered for admission.

If an international applicant's native language is English, or he/she has completed a college/university degree where English was the language of instruction, an applicant may request a waiver of the TOEFL/IELTS. To request a waiver applicants should submit the following directly to the Office of Admissions at BUSPH:
  • A completed TOEFL and IELTS Waiver Request Form
  • Supporting documentation demonstrating that English was the primary lanugage of instruction. If an applicant's official transcript does not state that English was the primary language of instruction, supporting documentation may include WES evaluations or a letter from the applicant's University stating that English was the language of instruction.
Only official TOEFL and IELTS score reports will be acceted and must be submitted using the appropriate reporting code.  Photocopies of test scores or unofficial records will not be accepted.  Reporting codes for TOEFL and IELTS can be found here. 

International Transcripts
The School strongly encourages a course-by-course academic credential evaluation performed and submitted to SOPHAS by the World Education Service (www.wes.org) or by Educational Credential Evaluators (www.ece.org). Evaluations provide the Admissions Office with US grading equivalency which is helpful in the application review process. All transcripts and evaluations must be submitted to SOPHAS directly.

If an applicant's official transcript(s) is in English, the applicant must request that his/her institution send an official copy directly to SOPHAS using the SOPHAS Official Transcript Request Form. Clear, legible photocopies must be provided of all official diplomas or certificates.

If an applicant's official transcript is not in English, the applicant must have the transcript translated into English either by his/her college or university or by a professional translation service such as University Language Services. Translations should be submitted to World Education Service or Educational Credential Evaluators in order to provide U.S. grading equivalency.


Study Abroad for Domestic Applicants
If an applicant has completed his or her college/university degree at a US institution but has one (1) or more semesters at an international institution which counted towards the completion of his/her degree program, the applicant must submit an official copy of his/her transcript from both the international institution and the institution from which the degree was awarded. If the US institution's transcript lists the international coursework and grades earned (not transfer credit), applicants only need to submit an official transcript from the US institution where his/her degree was awarded.  All transcripts must be submitted to SOPHAS directly.

For further information, please contact:

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
www.ets.org/toefl/

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
www.ielts.org

University Language Services (ULS)
www.alsintl.com/university/university.htm

World Education Service (WES)
www.wes.org

Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE)
www.ece.org