How to Apply

Applicants should send all official transcripts directly to CSDCAS (not Boston University) by following these instructions. We strongly encourage you to submit all transcripts in advance of the application deadline, as CSDCAS requires approximately three to four weeks to verify transcripts.

We require a formal course-by-course evaluation of all foreign transcripts by a third-party verification organization such as World Education Services (WES). Foreign transcript evaluations should be sent directly to CSDCAS (not Boston University) by following these instructions.

All students admitted to the program must complete a baccalaureate degree at an accredited institution prior to matriculation.

GRE scores are not required to apply to the program. Any GRE scores received by the program will not be considered by the admissions committee.

For international students whose first language is not English, official TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic scores are required unless you have completed a baccalaureate degree at an institution where the primary language of instruction is English. TOEFL iBT scores should be submitted electronically through ETS to BU using the institutional code 3087. IELTS Academic scores should be requested from IELTS to be released to Boston University Graduate Programs.

Students who are most competitive for admission will have a composite TOEFL iBT score of at least 90-100 and minimum scores of 20 in each section.

Three (3) letters of recommendation are required. We strongly recommend that two letters be from college-level instructors who are familiar with your academic ability.

Letters of recommendation must be submitted through CSDCAS by following these instructions.

Boston University requires four (4) short-answer essays for the combined MS/PhD program. Each essay should be limited to 1500 characters, or approximately 250 words, and submitted within the CSDCAS application when prompted.

Applicants are required to upload a copy of their CV/Resume within the ‘Documents’ tab in the ‘Program Materials’ section of the CSDCAS application.

Highly qualified candidates are invited to participate in a Zoom interview in February. Candidates will meet individually with two members of the faculty.

For international students whose first language is not English, proficiency in spoken English must be demonstrated during an oral interview with the admissions committee.

Boston University values a diverse student cohort and welcomes students with or without an educational background in CSD. Our cohorts purposely include a relatively equal number of CSD majors and non-CSD majors. As a result, Boston University does not require completion of any prerequisite coursework prior to applying to the program. However, some coursework must be completed prior to matriculation. There are two categories of prerequisites for students to consider:

1. General coursework (completed as part of a bachelor’s degree)
2. Field specific coursework

Category A: General Coursework

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) requires that one course be completed in each of the following areas:

• Biological Sciences (no lab required)
• Physical Sciences (Physics or Chemistry; no lab required)
• Social/Behavioral Sciences
• Statistics (must be a stand-alone course and not part of a Research Methods course)

This coursework is not required to apply. While we highly recommend that these courses be completed prior to matriculation, they may also be taken on a non-graduate-credit basis concurrently with graduate study. Please note that ASHA requires that this general coursework be completed prior to graduation from the master’s degree program. These courses may be taken at any accredited university in a face-to-face or online format, and must be completed with a grade of “C” or better. AP credits are acceptable with a score of 4 or 5. Additional information on these general course requirements is available on the ASHA website.

Category B: Field Specific Coursework

Boston University requires the following field specific coursework:

1. Phonetics (SAR SH221)
2. Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech Mechanism (SAR SH522)
3. Language Acquisition (SAR SH524)
4. Diagnostic Audiology/Introduction to Audiology (SAR SH535)
5. Introduction to the Clinical Process (SAR SH547)
6. Aural Rehabilitation (SAR SH542)

This coursework is not required to apply. However, courses #1-4 listed above must be completed prior to matriculation. For students who have not completed course #5, Introduction to the Clinical Process, we strongly encourage students to take this course at Sargent College in the first semester of the program. This course was specifically designed for non-CSD majors and includes guided observation hours and required coursework on the methods and procedures used to treat individuals with communication and swallowing disorders. Course #6, Aural Rehabilitation (SAR SH542), may be completed prior to matriculation or during the program, typically in the summer between year 1 and 2. All field specific courses may be taken at any accredited university in a face-to-face or online format.