Admissions
Applications are due by March 1 for consideration for early admission. Any later submissions will be considered for rolling admission until the entering class is full.
All applicants for admission are required to have a baccalaureate degree in anthropology or archaeology from an accredited university. Preference is given to students with a concentration in biological or physical anthropology. Students with a baccalaureate degree in biology or chemistry and a minor in anthropology or archaeology will also be considered for admission.
Applicants are also encouraged to complete courses in:
- Anatomy
- Osteology
- Biological Anthropology
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Statistics
- Experimental Design
Minimum required GPA for admission is a 3.50 though applications with lower GPAs will be reviewed.
Our students are engaged in coursework, field exercises and research in various facets of anthropology, anatomy and osteology. Students in the program join us from many parts of the United States and Canada and have impressive undergraduate records. Many joining the program come with experience in archaeological field experience and have completed internships with medical examiners, law enforcement and forensic anthropologists.
MS in Forensic Anthropology Admissions Process
All applicants are required to submit the following:
- Unofficial English language transcripts (unofficial evaluations for international transcripts and transcripts not in English) must be uploaded into your application. Official transcripts or official evaluations are only required upon matriculation.
- BU Graduate Medical Sciences | 72 E. Concord Street, Room L-317 | Boston, MA 02118
Attn: Teresa Garrison
- BU Graduate Medical Sciences | 72 E. Concord Street, Room L-317 | Boston, MA 02118
- A minimum of three letters of recommendation from faculty members in your proposed field
- A Personal Statement of not less than 200 words that describe your qualifications and the objectives of your intended educational program at the Division.
- Official results of the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) (or MCAT) or the Medical College Admission Test. Our GRE institution code is 3087. Preferred minimum required GRE scores are 155 (~500) Verbal and 145 (~500) Quantitative.
- Writing Sample: Students are strongly encouraged to submit a writing sample (in addition to the personal statement required in the application) with their application. The Admissions committee places a significant emphasis on an applicant’s writing ability. Students are also encouraged to complete course work or seminars in writing skills and scientific writing.
- Thesis Topic: Students are strongly encouraged to submit a proposed thesis topic with their applications. Students are required to complete an acceptable thesis proposal by the end of their 1st semester in the program.
International Students
International students are considered for admission to the MS in Forensic Anthropology. In addition to the application material listed above, international students must also submit:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for applicants whose native language is not English
- International Student Data Form for international applicants
International applicants must complete all information in the International Student Data Form section of the online application (required for non-United States citizen). As a requirement of the U.S. Government, all international applicants must submit documentation of all sources of financial support for a minimum of one year. A Financial Sponsorship Certification for International Students should also be submitted to the Division Office. See more.
Financial Aid
Boston University participates in the Federal Direct Stafford/Ford Program. Graduate students receive their Direct loans through this program which has the same loan limits, interest rates and fees as the Federal Stafford Loan Program.
Read about current tuition rates.
Contact the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences for more specific information regarding admissions and applications.
Scholarships and Teaching Assistant Positions
A limited number of Work Study and Peer Tutor positions are available for students. Work study opportunities include maintain the program’s social media platforms, communicating prospective students and responding to inquires from junior and senior high students. Peer tutor opportunities are available in Human Anatomy and Osteology, Crime Scene Investigation and several Forensic Anthropology courses.
The Boston University Women’s Guild scholarships awards scholarships to women enrolled in graduate programs at Boston University. For more information please visit the Boston University Women’s Guild website.
Travel awards are available to students traveling to other Universities, Institutions or Museum to conduct their thesis research project. Travel awards will be granted based on the merit of the thesis proposal and will be granted by the Graduate Student Committee.