Application Deadlines

PhD in Emerging Media Studies

  • The application for fall 2020 is open. Application review began December 15 and continues until the desired cohort size has been reached.

All Master’s Programs

  • Priority deadline: February 1, 2020 Apply by this deadline for priority scholarship consideration. Students who apply by this deadline will receive their admissions decision in time to attend our Accepted Students Open House in March (should they be accepted).
  • Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until our final deadline: May 1, 2020 or when the desired cohort size is reached for certain programs (some programs may fill prior to May 1 – we will update that information here). We encourage you to submit your application well before the May 1 deadline.

Application Requirements

Application Fee

A non-refundable application fee of $95. The application fee is an application processing fee, not an application consideration fee. If you think you qualify for an application fee waiver, you can apply for one on this page.

Transcripts

We require a copy of your transcript to be uploaded within our online application. In addition, we require all transcripts from colleges and/or universities attended that count toward any degree (beyond high school). A college senior should submit an official report of work completed in the first semester of the senior year as soon as it is available. All transcripts must be in English or an official translation. If you are admitted and decide to enroll, we will ask for an official copy at that time.

Students admitted into a graduate program in the College of Communication should normally have completed a Bachelor’s degree at an accredited institution prior to matriculation into the program.

Letters of Recommendation

We require three letters of recommendation written by people who know you well and who can speak to your academic and/or professional backgrounds. These letters of recommendation must be sent online via our application service.

International Applicants

International students must fulfill additional requirements to be considered for admission. Please review our International Student admissions requirements before applying.

Resume/CV

We require the most up to date resume or CV for all applicants.

Required Standardized Tests

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

Program GRE Required GRE Not Required
Advertising (MS) ✓
Emerging Media Studies (MA & PhD) ** **
Film and Television Studies (MFA) ✓
Journalism (MS) ✓
Media Science (MS) ✓
Media Science: Marketing Communication Research (MS) ✓ (or GMAT/CAT)
Media Ventures (MS) ✓ (CAT optional)
Public Relations (MS) * *
Screenwriting (MFA) ✓
Television (MS) ✓
January, May, or September 2019/2020 Boston University Graduates (all undergraduate programs) ✓

For programs requiring the GRE, BU alumni who have graduated prior to January 2019 will be required to take the GRE (with the exception of Public Relations and Emerging Media Studies – see caveats below*).

For Boston University Undergraduates graduating in September 2020, all requirements for graduation must be completed by the end of Summer II, 2020.

*Note about GRE Requirement for MS in Public Relations applicants:

The GRE will be waived for applicants to the Public Relations program who have the equivalent of a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale and have graduated/will graduate from an accredited Bachelor’s degree program at a U.S.-located university. All other applicants to the MS in Public Relations program are required to take the GRE.

**Note about GRE Requirement for Emerging Media Studies applicants:

The GRE will be waived for applicants to the MA in Emerging Media Studies program who have the equivalent of a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale and have graduated/will graduate from an accredited Bachelor’s degree program at a U.S.-located university. All other applicants to the MA in Emerging Media Studies program are required to take the GRE.

All applicants to the PhD program must include GRE scores in their submitted materials.

Our GRE code is 3087. You may take the internet-based GRE up until 10 days before our deadline.

India’s Common Admission Test (CAT)

We will accept India’s CAT scores (results declared in January 2018, 2019, or 2020) in place of the GRE and GMAT for the following programs:

  • Master of Science in Public Relations
  • Master of Science in Marketing Communication Research
  • Master of Science in Media Ventures*

Official scores can be emailed to comgrad@bu.edu or mailed to:

Boston University
College of Communication, Graduate Affairs
640 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA 02215

*Submitting CAT scores for the MS in Media Ventures program is optional. GRE/GMAT scores are not required to apply to the Media Ventures program.

Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT)

Applicants to the MS in Media Science: Marketing Communication Research concentration may take the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) in place of the GRE.

Test Of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

Students who received their undergraduate degree from a non-English speaking institution must also take the TOEFL iBT or IELTS. Applicants must receive a minimum score of 100 (TOEFL iBT) or 7.0 (IELTS) for their application to be reviewed. We must receive an official score by our deadline; we recommend taking your TOEFL/IELTS at least 20 days prior to our deadline to assure that we receive the score.

This year, we will not accept scores compiled from multiple tests or the MyBest Score feature to meet the total score of 100 or above for proof of English proficiency.

Our TOEFL code is 3087.

Program Specific Requirements

In most programs, applicants are not required to have experience in communication industries or in the academic areas of the department concerned. Please contact COM Graduate Affairs if you have any questions.

The requirements listed below are in addition to all of the application materials listed above.