Master’s Admissions
Admission Requirements
Requirements for admission:
- Course pre-requisites. No specific undergraduate major is required. Basic pre-med courses will meet our admission requisites.
- Biology and chemistry
- At least one semester of organic chemistry
- Other advanced coursework (e.g., biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, physiology, genetics) is a plus
- Coursework in nutrition is not required
- Research Experience in addition to course lab work is beneficial but not required. You may wish to describe any such experience in your personal statement.
- Three letters of recommendation. Research mentors and course instructors are good choices.
- No minimum GPAis required, but the most competitive applicants have a GPA above 3.5.
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), IELTS, or Duolingo results must be submitted for applicants who received their degrees in a non-English-speaking country. This requirement may be waived only if you have received, or expect to receive, an undergraduate or graduate degree from a college or university in a country whose official language is English.
For other questions, please visit our MS Frequently Asked Questions page.
Tuition
Most students complete the degree in 1.5 – 2 years. At a minimum, students may complete the degree in one calendar year. Example degree timelines and breakdown of tuition for the 2024-2025 academic year:
Tuition when completing degree in two academic years (21 months) *this is a sample timeline and distribution of credits for a two-year degree for domestic students (U.S. citizens)
Semester | Credits | Tuition |
Fall (year 1) | 10 | $ 2,083 per credit x 10 credits = $20,830 |
830Spring (year 1) | 10 | $ 2,083 per credit x 10 credits = $20,830 |
Summer session 1 | 2 | $2,083 per credit x 2 credits = $4,166 |
Summer session 2 | 2 | $2,083 per credit x 2 credits = $4,166 |
Fall (year 2) | 4 | $2,083 per credit x 4 credits = $8,332 |
Spring (year 2) | 4 | $2,083 per credit x 4 credits = $8,332 |
Total | 32 | $66,656 |
Tuition when completing degree in two academic years (21 months) with no summer credits. *this is a sample timeline and distribution of credits for a two-year degree for domestic students or international students.
Semester | Credits | Tuition |
Fall (year 1) | 14 | $33,335 |
Spring (year 1) | 14 | $33,335 |
Fall (year 2) | 2 | $2,083/cr per credit x 2 credits = $4,166 |
Spring (year 2) | 2 | $2,083/cr per credit x 2 credits = $4,166 |
Total | 32 | $75,002 |
Tuition completing degree in one year (12 months)
Semester | Credits | Tuition |
Fall | 14 | $33,335 |
Spring | 14 | $33,335 |
Summer session 1 | 2 | $2,083 per credit x 2 credits = $4,166 |
Summer session 2 | 2 | $2,083 per credit x 2 credits = $4,166 |
Total | 32 | $75,002 |
Tuition completing degree in two academic years with summer off (21 months) *this is an example timeline and distribution of credits, students may arrange their schedules differently.
Semester | Credits | Tuition |
Fall (year 1) | 14 | $33,335 |
Spring (year 1) | 14 | $33,335 |
Summer session 1 | 0 | $0 |
Summer session 2 | 0 | $0 |
Fall (year 2) | 2 | $2,083 per credit x 2 credits = $4,166 |
Spring (year 2) | 2 | $2,083 per credit x 2 credits = $4,166 |
Total | 32 | $75,002 |
General information for prospective students about documents required, tuition costs, and financial aid can be found at the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences Admissions page.
Visit the BUMC Student Financial Services Website for direct costs (tuition & fees) and an estimate of indirect costs (room & board) using the Cost of Attendance Calculator.
Some scholarship funding is available. Be sure to inquire about scholarship options by contacting the Program Director by email. Apply early for best chance of scholarships.
*International students are required to maintain full-time status in the first two full semesters for visa status. After the first two semesters, international students may be “Certified Full Time” while registering for 2 or more credits (e.g., while finishing classes and working on thesis research). While “Certified Full Time”, students pay only for the exact number of credits for which they are registered.
Application Process & Deadlines
Master’s Application Process & Deadlines:
The master’s program in Nutrition & Metabolism accepts applications twice yearly—in the fall and in the spring—on a rolling basis. We encourage you to submit your application and supporting materials as early as possible. Keep in mind that applications must be submitted earlier for international applicants to allow for the added time required to process visa-related information. The deadline for domestic applicants for the Spring of 2025 is December 5, 2024, and for international students is November 14, 2024. The Fall 2025 application deadline for domestic applicants is August 15, 2025 and for international applicants is August 1, 2025.
Spring Application Deadline | Fall Application Deadline |
Domestic applicants – December 5, 2024
International applicants – November 14, 2024 |
Domestic applicants – August 15, 2025
International applicants – August 1, 2025 |
International Graduate Student Guide
Visit Graduate Medical Sciences Admissions webpage for additional details.
Masters Admissions Portal
Please apply directly to the Nutrition and Metabolism program through the GMS online admissions. After you start the application, you will need to select Nutrition and Metabolism to apply. To check if you qualify for an application fee waiver, visit the waiver request page before submitting your application. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Contact |
Program Director, Dr. Lynn L. Moore: llmoore@bu.edu |
Program Administrator, Marika Groussis: marikagr@bu.edu |