5-Year (3+2) Bachelor’s / Master’s Program
Earn a bachelor's and a Bush School master's in five yearsThe 3+2 program lets qualified Texas A&M undergraduates earn both their bachelor's and a Bush School master's degree in five years instead of six. You apply in your junior year, begin graduate coursework in your senior year, and graduate with two degrees. It's a faster, more affordable path into a public service, policy, or international affairs career.
How It Works
The 3+2 program combines a bachelor’s degree you’re already pursuing with a Bush School master’s, interlocking the two so you finish both in five years.
- Enroll in an Eligible Undergraduate Degree/MajorBe admitted to Texas A&M University and enroll in one of the undergraduate majors listed below.
- Apply to the MIA or MPSA in Your Junior YearAs a U3 in an eligible major, you apply to the Bush master’s in the fall of your junior year.
- Enroll in the MIA or MPSA Your Senior YearIf admitted, you begin Bush School graduate courses in your senior year (U4), with 13-18 of those graduate hours double-counting toward your bachelor’s, depending on program.
- Finish in Your Fifth YearYou’re reclassified as a graduate student (G7) and complete the remaining master’s requirements, earning both degrees at the end of year five.
- No Risk to Your Bachelor’sIf you choose not to finish the master’s, you can exit at any time, your completed Bush courses apply to your bachelor’s, and your undergraduate degree is unaffected.
Available Programs
Seven combinations are available, grouped by the master’s you’ll earn. Select a program to explore the degrees it combines.
| Undergrad Major | Into Bush Master’s |
|---|---|
| Political Science | MPSA |
| Economics | MPSA |
| Agricultural Economics | MPSA |
| Sociology | MPSA |
| Rangeland, Wildlife, & Fisheries Management | MPSA |
| Undergrad Major | Into Bush Master’s |
|---|---|
| International Affairs | MIA |
| Economics | MIA |
Eligibility
To apply, you’ll generally need to be a U3 in an eligible major with a qualifying GPA (typically 3.25, though it varies by program), are on track to have about 102 undergraduate credit hours completed by entry, and have worked with your undergraduate advisor to map plan your courses. Each program’s specific requirements are detailed on its admissions page.
Plan Your Path
Because the 3+2 requires careful course mapping from early in your undergraduate years, start with your undergraduate advisor as soon as possible. A course planner for each program helps you stay on track.
Explore Further
Explore the MPSA and MIA, the graduate degrees these programs lead to.
See requirements, deadlines, and rounds for each 3+2 program.
Explore tuition and funding for the graduate portion of the program.