The 4+1 degree programs will restrict admissions to students with exceptional academic records. Students can complete a Bachelor of Science (BS) and a Master of Science (MS) in Human Development programs in five years of full-time study. Students who are interested should seek pre-application advisement from the human development academic advisor regarding the application process for conditional admission to the MSHR program no later than the beginning of their junior year.

Admission decisions for the program will be made no later than the spring of the junior year. Admission decisions for the 4+1 program will be based on course grades (either a 3.5 cumulative GPA or a 3.5 major GPA), at least two letters of recommendation, a current résumé and a personal statement of approximately 500 words (two typewritten pages, double-spaced). The required materials should be submitted via email to the Human Development academic advisor. It is recommended that materials be submitted by March 1; applications after this date will be considered on a space-available basis. 

When evaluating student success, the admissions committee looks for evidence of academic achievement, community involvement, and personal characteristics that suggest the applicant has the capacity to foster an institutional culture that advances human rights principles and practice and can succeed in a demanding graduate program. In the personal statement, the committee assesses the student’s commitment to human rights principles and practice and their ability to communicate in writing. The essay allows the admissions committee to review a non-generic piece of writing for structural and grammatical quality. The rigorous admissions standard for the program reflects that students will be entering the program earlier than typical students. In this way, a higher GPA will indicate that students have the maturity and capacity to do graduate work earlier in their educational careers. Admission decisions to the 4+1 program indicate to the student that there are subsequent requirements that must be met to continue in the program: successful completion of the BS in the fourth year, a “B” or better in graduate education coursework, and satisfactory completion of the other requirements of the MSHR program. 

During the fourth year, students apply formally to the Graduate School by doing the following:

• Submit the online application and all required application materials, including a required letter of recommendation, through BU BRAIN.
• Choose the “Accelerated Graduate Degree Application for Admission” in the “Home” tab.
• Answer the presented questions and submit the application with the application fee.

All admissions to 4+1 degree programs are conditional due to the nature of the program; regular admission status as a graduate student is only granted after the senior/fourth year is completed satisfactorily.

Students in the human development program also have the opportunity to pursue 4+1 degrees in:

• MS in Human Rights 
• MS in Educational Studies
• MPA in Public Administration
• MS in Higher Education and Student Affairs 
• MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) 

Students should visit the Human Development Academic Advising Office to learn more about these options.