Deadlines & Requirements
Learn more about application requirements and deadlines. Check your program page for specific application details and offered program start terms.
Application Details
Master's Programs
Priority Deadlines:
We strongly suggest applying by your program鈥檚 stated priority deadline, which can be found on each program鈥檚 webpage. Applicants who submit a completed application by the priority deadline are ensured that their application will receive a full review for admission and scholarship (if applicable).
Rolling Deadlines:
Some of our programs accept applications on a rolling basis after the priority deadline. If your program participates in rolling admissions, the program鈥檚 webpage will list a separate Rolling Admission deadline. Application and scholarship consideration during the rolling application period is always on a space-available basis. We suggest submitting your application as early in the rolling period as possible for the best chance of admission.
Doctoral Programs
Ph.D. Programs
- Deadline: 12/1
- Programs start in the Fall semester.
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Ed.D. Programs
- Ed.D. in Educational Leadership (PSAP) Deadline: 1/15
- Ed.D. in Higher Education Deadline: 12/1
- Programs start in the Summer semester.听
Certificates & Nondegree Coursework
Students interested in pursuing coursework at the graduate level but not interested in enrolling in a degree program may apply for nondegree admission (Special Student Status). Many individuals choose Special Student Status either to explore the seriousness of their interest in studying for an advanced degree and/or to strengthen their credentials for a future degree application. Others are interested in taking graduate course work for personal enrichment or professional development.听Complete the听online application听and select "Nondegree Status" in the "Applicant Profile" section.听
* If you are applying to take a course and pay for it with a Field Placement & Partnership Outreach Office voucher, please indicate "nondegree" under both the Intended Program and Intended Concentration sections.听听
Please note:听听International applicants are not eligible for nondegree status unless they are currently enrolled full-time at another U.S. institution or they possess a current U.S. Visa that permits them to take graduate-level courses. Please contact the Office of Graduate Admission for clarification.
Although there is no limit to the number of courses a Special Student may take, no more than four courses (12 credits), if appropriate, may be applied toward a degree program in the Graduate School of Education. While admission as a Special Student does not guarantee subsequent admission for degree candidacy, courses taken as a Special Student may be applied to a degree program after official acceptance into the program and with the consent of the student's advisor.听Certain restrictions apply to courses available to Special Students. Professional coursework associated with teacher or counseling licensure (including practicum coursework) is reserved for matriculated degree students in these programs. A listing of restricted courses is available in the Graduate Office each semester.听 Additionally, nondegree students are not eligible for University-sponsored sources of financial aid or any financial aid that requires matriculation in a degree program.
Deadlines
Admission to certificate programs is conducted on a rolling basis.听This means that applications can be submitted throughout the year and a decision will be rendered once the application form and any required documents are received. Please note: certificate applications close approximately one month prior to the start of classes for a given semester. We strongly encourage students to apply well in advance of the start of their desired first semester or course.听
Undergraduate Programs
International Applicants
An international applicant is defined as any person that requires a student visa in order to study in the United States. International applicants are eligible to apply to any graduate program in the Lynch School, provided they have successfully completed the equivalent of a United States bachelor degree and have the appropriate diplomas and/or satisfactory results on transcripts or leaving examinations from the country in which the degree was earned. International applicants must complete all program-specific application requirements as well as additional requirements outlined below.
Transcripts
Applicants that have completed a degree outside of the United States must have a course-by-course evaluation of their transcript(s) completed by an听听(NACES), such as or听.听An official evaluation is required in order to consider your application complete.听We are not able to accept unofficial evaluations. Submission of falsified documents is grounds for denial of admission or dismissal from the University.
English Proficiency
All applicants whose primary language is not English are required to submit proof of satisfactory English proficiency. At this time, the only acceptable forms of proof for English proficiency are the TOEFL iBT and IELTS Academic test. The minimum score requirement for TOEFL iBT is 100. The minimum score for IELTS Academic test is 7.0.
An official score report must be sent directly from Educational Testing Services (TOEFL). TOEFL School Code: 3240.
Exemptions
Applicants that meet either of the criteria below do not need to submit proof of English proficiency.
- Applicants who completed an undergraduate or graduate degree from a regionally-accredited institution within the United States
- Applicants who completed an undergraduate OR graduate degree at an institution outside of the United States where the language of instruction was English
Designated STEM Programs
The following degrees are STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) designated programs as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. F-1 students enrolled in STEM degree programs are currently eligible for an additional 24 months of Post Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) for a total of 36 months after graduation. The 24-month STEM extension must be applied at the end of the 12 month OPT period and very specific criteria must be met by you and your employer in order to qualify for the 24-month STEM extension.
- Applied Development and Educational Psychology (Ph.D.)
- Applied Statistics and Psychometrics (M.S.)
- Research and Evaluation Methods (M.A.)
- Learning, Design, and Technology (M.A.)
- Measurement, Evaluation, Statistics, and Assessment (Ph.D.)
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Application Timeline
We strongly recommend that international students complete their applications by each program's stated deadline. If applying during rolling admissions, we recommend applying no less than 3 months prior to the start of classes for a given entrance term at a minimum, in order to allow sufficient time for application review, admission, enrollment, and the student visa process. This means that we recommend international students apply no later than the following:听
- Spring (January) start: October 15
- Summer start: February 15
- Fall start: June 1
Fifth-Year & Early Admission Programs
Fifth-Year & Early Admission Programs offer academically outstanding Boston College juniors a unique opportunity to begin graduate study during their undergraduate senior year, allowing them to graduate with a bachelor鈥檚 and master's degree in a shortened amount of time.听Students accepted in the Fifth Year/Early Admit program will be able听to apply two approved graduate courses (6 credits) towards both their bachelor's degree (120 credits) and their master's degree (30 credits or more).听In consultation with an advisor, a graduate level course may be added each semester onto the student's senior-year schedule. All undergraduate juniors in the Lynch School of Education and Human Development, Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences, Connell School of Nursing, and Carroll School of Management are eligible to apply for these programs.
Available Fifth-Year Programs
- Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Early Childhood Education
- Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Elementary Education
- Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Secondary Education
- Master of Education (M.Ed./C.A.E.S.) in Curriculum and Instruction
- Master of Education (M.Ed./C.A.E.S.) in Special Education for Moderate Support Needs
- Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Global Perspectives: Teaching, Curriculum, and Learning Environments
- Master of Arts (M.A.) in Higher Education
- Master of Arts (M.A.) in Learning, Design, and Technology
- Master of Arts (M.A.) in Research and Evaluation Methods
- Master of Science (M.S) in Applied Statistics and Psychometrics
Available Early Admit Programs
Given the number of credits required for licensing in Mental Health and School Counseling, both Early Admission Programs and students admitted directly into the M.A. programs typically need six years to complete their B.A. and license-eligible M.A. Mental Health degree (60 credits) or School Counseling (48 credits). The main advantages of the Early Admit Program are (1) BC juniors receive early provisional admittance into these M.A. programs, and (2) complete two master's-level courses during senior year.
Students interested in a Fifth Year or Early Admission Program should consult with the Lynch School Graduate Admissions Office, located in Campion 135, during the fall semester of their junior year. Without proper advisement and early acceptance into a master's degree program, students will be unable to complete the program in five years.
Students who have completed some psychology-related coursework, have at least a 3.5 GPA, and have completed some type of practical, field-based or helping experience (e.g., residential advisor, camp counselor, hotline operator, youth worker, etc.), either volunteer or paid, are strong candidates for this program.
Application Process
- Students must apply by March 1 of their junior year
- Applicants must meet all standard听graduate admission requirements for their program of interest
- The application fee and GRE requirement are waived for applicants to the Fifth Year and Early Admit Programs
- Notification of approval to begin the program is typically made in May by the Office of Graduate Admission
- If an applicant is not offered admission into the program, they are welcome to re-apply to the master's program upon completion of their undergraduate degree
Full Graduate Student Status
Upon successful graduation from the undergraduate program, Fifth Year and Early Admit students will be advanced to full graduate student status if they have maintained good academic standing (including a 3.5 or higher in their two graduate courses). Early admit students will also need to have engaged in field experience as described above. Students should submit their transcripts and documentation of any additional service work if the work was not previously documented in their application for the Fifth Year and Early Admit programs. Upon final admission, the student will receive an official letter of acceptance into the full master's program by the Office of Graduate Admission.
Check your program's dedicated page for more details.