Admissions

We are glad you are interested in applying to the Program and are excited to receive your application!  Each year, the MHCBM Program admits students into a unique cohort model that begins classes full-time together in the fall semester. Please read the information below before applying through the online application portal.

For any admissions or program related questions, please email our program mailbox, at mhcbm@bu.edu. If inquiries are sent to any other email besides our program inbox, we cannot guarantee that they will be received or responded to. 

Application Requirements

In addition to completing the Mental Health Counseling and Behavioral Medicine program’s online application, prospective students must also submit:

1. $95 application fee (non-refundable).
2. Unofficial transcripts from each college or university attended (including study abroad and all transfer credits). Students must complete a baccalaureate degree prior to entry into the program. Official transcripts are required if admitted and you choose to enroll. If you have attended (a) university (or universities) outside of the United States, a WES evaluation is also required so that we can maintain equity throughout our application evaluation process.
3. Three letters of recommendation from individuals who can attest to the likelihood of your academic and career success. We recommend that two of your letters of recommendation come from faculty members who may speak to your academic potential.
4. Written personal statement and an essay response, both responding to a prompted question.
5. Official TOEFL or IELTS scores (for applicants from countries where English is not the language of instruction). If an international student has already obtained a degree in the United States, this requirement is waived.

As of November 1, 2018, the Mental Health Counseling and Behavioral Medicine program no longer require that applicants submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores nor Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores as part of their application.  Applicants may still choose to submit GRE scores if they feel they may strengthen their application.  Our BU ETS code is 3087.

The Mental Health Counseling and Behavioral Medicine Program is designed to meet the educational requirements for licensure as a mental health counselor (LMHC) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as granted by the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health and Human Services Professions. Please review the program’s licensing disclosure webpage  for information on licensing in other U.S. states and territories. Pay particular attention to the requirements and determinations made for locations in which you may wish to seek employment upon completion of the program. Please submit any questions to mhcbm@bu.edu regarding the information on the licensing disclosure page.

Application Deadlines

The deadlines for the 2024-2025 year (seeking fall 2025 entry) are as follows:

First Deadline: December 6, 2024

Final Deadline: January 19, 2025

Please note that neither deadline is binding and all students are considered for scholarship opportunities within the program. There is no separate application for these awards. Additionally, Boston University offers a number of other scholarship and fellowship funding opportunities, which you may explore here.

The MHCBM Program’s application portal opens in early September. We encourage students to apply when they feel their application is at its strongest.

For example:

• If you are currently an undergraduate student and you feel like your recommendations or GPA could benefit from an additional semester of education, perhaps the second deadline is a better fit for you. If you are still in college/university, you are welcome to apply by the first deadline, but we will request both your first semester grades and if accepted and you choose to enroll, your final grades and official transcript.
• If you have robust clinical experiences and have a strong professional and/or academic record and you have your materials in order, the first deadline may be a great time to submit your materials. We would also welcome them in January.

Unfortunately, we are unable to accept applications after January 19th, 2025. After applying to the program, selected applicants are offered an invitation to interview.

Please note, that the deadline on the admissions portal may read an error of May 1, 2024. This is an internal deadline. The final application deadline for the program is January 19, 2025 (midnight Eastern Time) for the Fall 2025 start.

We are committed to improving the diversity of our profession and encourage individuals from under­represented groups to apply.

Additionally, if you are experiencing financial hardship or extenuating circumstances, or are alumni of a community-based program (City Year, TFA, Americorps, Posse Fellows, Peace Corps etc.), or of the US Military, please submit a fee waiver here for review. Please note that fee waivers must be submitted before you have submitted your application for review and are only available for US Citizens and Permanent Residents at this time.

International applicants: please see these FAQs from GMS Admissions to answer many commonly asked questions and note our language requirements below. These requirements are waived if you are from a country or attend/ed a university where English is the primary language of instruction.

TOEFL score requirements are:

• Our code is 3087
• Paper-based test: 550
• Internet-based test
  • Reading: 21
  • Listening: 18
  • Speaking: 23
  • Writing: 22

IELTS score requirements are:

• Band score: 7.0

Information Sessions

During the 2025 academic year, we will be hosting online information session events for interested applicants to learn more about our program and ask application questions. These sessions will be facilitated via Zoom. Prospective students are encouraged to post questions via chat or raise your hand and ask the professor/presenter during the session.

There are no more information sessions for this current admissions cycle. Please check back here for updates on future dates for online information sessions for the Fall 2026 cohort and admissions cycle, or checkout a recording of a previous information session here. 

To maintain equity, we are unable to schedule individual appointments with applicants but will answer your questions over email or via monthly information sessions. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we are not able to host on-campus visitors or hold on-campus info sessions at this time. We thank you for your understanding!

Interviews

All applicants applying to the Mental Health Counseling and Behavioral Medicine Program must complete an interview to evaluate their candidacy for admission to the program.

Formal interviews begin in January and are held, by invitation only, for selected individuals. You will be contacted via email to schedule an interview date. Our interview days are held over a virtual platform. The interview includes both an opportunity for us to get to know you better, and for you to ask us questions about the program and faculty. Interviewees meet in small groups with core program faculty, experience an information session, and complete an online writing sample at the conclusion of the interview.

Matriculation and Progression through the Program

Students are matriculated on a full-time basis.  To maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), students need to adhere to the following parameters:

• Full-time status (enrollment in a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester)
• Minimum passing grade of B- for all letter-graded coursework
• Successful completion of clinical training requirements
• Minimum, required cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.70

mhcbm@bu.edu