Master of International Policy | DC Teaching Site

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Overview | Qualifications | Courses | Apply
MIP in DC Brochure

Overview

The Master of International Policy (MIP) educates those who have already begun their careers in the fields of international affairs and national security. Students admitted to the program will have a minimum of six years of professional experience in those fields, broadly understood. The degree is offered in residence at the DC teaching site (with an option of taking up to 6 credit hours online).

Students at the DC teaching site will take courses from the National Security and Diplomacy (NSD) track when classes begin. The curriculum consists of two required courses (6 credit hours) in both the theory and practice of international politics and in fundamentals of the global economy. Additional elective courses are chosen from the NSD track, with the option to concentrate in specific subject areas as the curriculum develops. In the near future, students may choose courses from an additional track in International Development and Economic Policy (IDEP).

• The curriculum consists of two required courses:
  • INTA 606 – The Theory and Practice of International Politics (3 Credit Hours)
  • INTA 608 -Fundamentals of Global Economy (3 Credit Hours)

• Students take five courses (15 credit hours) in the National Security and Diplomacy track:

• The remaining three courses (9 credit hours) are electives.

The full degree can be completed either on a part-time basis or, if a student desires, over the course of a year.  To complete the program as a full-time student in a year, the student will take a regular four-course load in the fall and spring semesters, and two courses via distance learning from the Bush School’s Office of Extended Education in the summer.

For information on application procedures, please contact our Admissions Office at 979.862.3476 or bushschoolapplications@tamu.edu.

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Application to the Master of International Policy Program

Depending upon the semester of enrollment, the application instructions differ. Refer to the Spring 2021 application instructions below for specific instructions on applying for Spring 2021 admission. Beginning with Summer 2021, applicants will start applying through a new system. Refer to the instructions below.  

• Spring 2021 MIP applications must be submitted via the ApplyTexas application by the deadlines listed below. Look for “Bush School-International Policy, MIP”.
  • Spring 2021 Deadline: the preferred deadline for applications for spring 2021 is October 15, 2020 but applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the class is filled.

• Summer 2021 and Fall 2021 MIP applications (and thereafter) must be submitted via UniCAS. Details will be forthcoming.
  • Summer 2021 Deadline: March 15, 2021
  • Fall 2021 Deadline: April 15, 2021
  • Spring 2022 Deadline: October 15, 2021

Spring 2021 Application Requirements

Applicants to the Master of International Policy program will first submit basic personal information to the Texas A&M “ApplyTexas” website and pay a nonrefundable online application fee. Within 2-3 business days after submission of the application, the applicant will receive a Universal Identification Number (UIN) from Texas A&M, which will allow access to the University’s Applicant Information System (AIS). There, applicants can upload their supporting documents or send that information directly to the Bush School at bushschoolapplications@tamu.edu.

1. Submit Apply Texas Application
   • Under “Major”, select Bush School – International Policy, MIP
   • Pay non-refundable application fee – $65 for domestic applicants / $90 for international applicants
2. Statement of purpose:
   • In 750 words or less, tell us about the experiences that have influenced your professional and personal goals. This could include people, events, or places that have affected or inspired you (family/ faculty/ interactions/ internships/ courses/ travel/ etc). Essentially, we are looking for where you come from, what you’ve done that impacted your development, and where you want to be for a possible career.
   • Emailed in PDF or Word format to bushschooldc@tamu.edu or uploaded to AIS.
3. Professional resume:
   • Provide a current résumé (up to two pages max) that includes activities after high school. Emailed in PDF or Word format to bushschooldc@tamu.edu or uploaded to AIS. A Résumé Template is available for reference, but should include the following sections:
   • Name and Contact Information
   • Education
     • Undergraduate Institution; include month/year completed (or to complete)
     • Degree earned, with major(s), minor(s)
     • Current overall GPA on a 4.0 scale (you can also add a last 60 hour or major GPA)
     • List additional undergraduate or graduate degrees and certificates, as necessary
     • Optional
       • Relevant/highlighted courses you’d like to list
       • Academic honors and awards
   • Relevant Work/Internship Experience
     • List work or internship experiences related to public service, to include government, nonprofits, educational institutions, military service, etc.
   • International Experience
     • Include study abroad, missions trips, travel, living overseas, and dates completed
   • Leadership, Service, Organizational Memberships, and Honors
     • List your involvement in any related activities that you want to highlight. Indicate the organization, position/role you assumed, the duration/dates involved, and the time involved per week/month/semester
   • Skills and Certifications 
     • Language: List the language and your current speaking level (include beginning, intermediate, advanced, fluent). Optional for reading, writing levels.
     • Computer: List relevant software by name.
     • Clearance: List any you want to highlight.
   • Other (optional)
4. Official transcripts from each 4-year educational institution attended, beginning with undergraduate education.
   • This includes transcripts for study abroad or transfer course work. Also required is an official statement indicating the degree or diploma earned and the date awarded for each degree you completed. Below is a brief overview of the transcript requirements, but you can also refer to Texas A&M’s Office of Admissions website for further details.
   • Texas A&M University Current or Former Students: Do not submit an official transcript from Texas A&M University; we will download your transcript for you.
   • **IMPORTANT**
     • Unofficial transcripts can be used to review your application for admission. However, if admitted, you cannot register for classes until official transcripts and diploma sheets are received by Texas A&M’s Office of Admissions.Registration for courses opens soon after admission letters are released, so admitted students are responsible for submitting their official transcripts as soon as possible. Registration holds for missing official transcripts will not be removed until official transcripts are on file. 
   • Transcripts submission:
     • Unofficial: Required at time of application. Submit transcripts from all colleges or universities attended (excluding US community colleges). Copies of official transcripts can be uploaded into UniCAS when submitting your application, but are considered unofficial.
     • Official: Required if admitted. Official transcripts must be processed before an admitted student will be allowed to register for classes.  They must be sent directly from the Registrar’s Office at your college to Texas A&M’s Office of Admissions in either of the following ways:
       • **DO NOT submit official transcripts to the Bush School via email or mail; we cannot process official transcripts.**
       • Electronically through SPEEDE, eSCRIPT-SAFE, or National Clearing House. Transcripts submitted through any other vendor, such as PARCHMENT, are not accepted. 
       • Mailed to Texas A&M Office of Admissions at the address below in a sealed envelope with the registrar’s signature or stamp across the seal:
         • (U.S. Postal Service)
           Graduate Admissions Processing
           Office of Admissions
           Texas A&M University
           P.O. Box 40001
           College Station, TX 77842-4001
         • (Overnight or Hand Delivery)
           Graduate Admissions Processing
           Texas A&M University
           General Services Complex
           750 Agronomy Road, Suite 1601
           0200 TAMU
           College Station, TX 77843-0200
   • Transcripts from a University/College outside of the United States:
     • Transcripts must be signed by the registrar, controller of examinations, or president of the university issuing the document. If your institution does not issue a transcript in English, you must submit the native language transcript with an official English translation.
     • Official translations are prepared by a recognized translation service and include all original seals and/or signatures. Translations sent directly from the institution attended or from a recognized translator are considered official. Consolidated and provisional mark-sheets are not considered official.
     • Please ask the registrar to send individual mark-sheets that list grades earned in each term. Photocopies or other duplications such as notarized copies and faxes are not considered official.
     • Refer to Texas A&M’s International Graduate Admissions website for more details.
5. Two letters of recommendation
   • Two recommendations are required. You can have either one or both be from someone who can speak to your leadership, public service/military, or work experience (typically supervisors, mentors, associates) or from someone familiar with your academic work (typically faculty).
   • In AIS, you can enter the contact information for at least two recommenders and initiate an email be sent to your recommender on your behalf, asking him/her for two tasks:
     1. Submit a letter of recommendation (preferably written on official letterhead) and
     2. Fill out a brief evaluation.
   • Please advise your recommenders to look for this email in their inbox, as well as their spam or junk-mail folder, as emails are occasionally filtered out.
   • You can log into AIS daily to monitor the submission of your recommendations and, as necessary, to send reminders.
   • If a recommender is unable to submit his/her recommendation via AIS, he/she can submit the letter and evaluation is these ways:
     • Emailed: Sent to bushschooldc@tamu.edu by your recommender
       • Letters should be written on official letterhead and scanned as a pdf. It should be accompanied by the Bush School Recommendation Form, which the recommender fills out, signs, and scans with the letter. Both are then emailed to the Bush School.
   • Hard copy: Mailed or dropped off to the Bush School Admissions Office (address below)
     • Letters should be written on official letterhead and accompanied by the Bush School Recommendation Form, which the recommender fills out, signs, places in an envelope with his/her signature across the seal, and delivers to our office.
6. GRE/GMAT Test Scores Optional
   • The Bush School does not require GRE or GMAT tests for MIP admission. However, we do accept these scores for anyone who feels they can complement a strong file or can offset concerns like a low GPA or lack of certain experiences.
     • Optional if you have an overall GPA of 3.0 or better.        
     • Highly encouraged for GPAs below 3.0 (or if your grades and experiences do not reflect your current abilities).
   • Test scores (GRE preferred over GMAT) should be sent directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to Texas A&M University and be from a test date within five years of the date the UniCAS application is submitted.
   • GRE Code: 6003
   • GMAT Code: 7B7-K9-03
7. Proof of English Proficiency (for applicants from non-English speaking countries)
   • Texas A&M University requires that applicants from non-English speaking countries submit proof of English proficiency in one of several ways:
     • Score at least 146 on the GRE verbal section (or 22 on GMAT verbal)
     • Earn a TOEFL score of at least 80 ibt or 550 pbt; the Bush School prefers a 100 ibt or 600 pbt
     • Score a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 overall band; the Bush School prefers a 7.0 band
     • Complete all years of a bachelor’s degree or higher at an accredited university in the US
   • You can find further clarification, and a list of countries that are exempt from the English proficiency requirements, on Texas A&M’s International Graduate Admissions website.
   • TOEFL scores should be sent directly from the testing service to Texas A&M University (Code 6003).
   • To report IELTS scores: Texas A&M University only accepts scores submitted electronically by the IELTS Test Center. No paper Test Report Forms will be accepted. An institutional code is not required. Please contact the test center where you took the IELTS test and request that your test scores be sent electronically using the IELTS system to the address below:
     • International Admissions Processing
       Texas A&M University
       P.O. Box 40002
       College Station, TX 77842-4002

Application Requirements starting Summer 2021

Staring with Summer 2021 applications, applicants apply through the UniCAS application system, at https://texasam2021.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/deeplink/programSearch/organization/8718616508746933645, where they will also upload their supporting documents and enter the contact information for at least recommenders. Applicants should also send official transcripts and test scores to Texas A&M. All supporting documents, including transcripts and recommendation letters, should be requested well in advance of the deadline. Incomplete applications will not be considered for admission.

Applicants may continue to check the status of their application in UniCAS. However, the UniCAS application only checks some of the required materials to complete an application, so be sure to check the email address you entered on your application for updates. The Bush School will send email notifications indicating any items still missing, when your file is complete, etc.

1. Submit UniCAS Application
   • Summer 2021 Master of International Policy (Washington, DC)
   • Fall 2021 Master of International Policy (Washington, DC)
   • Pay non-refundable application fee – $89 for domestic applicants / $114 for international applicants
2. Statement of purpose:
   • Upload to UniCAS. 
   • Prompt: In 750 words or less, tell us about the experiences that have influenced your professional and personal goals. This could include people, events, or places that have affected or inspired you (family/ faculty/ interactions/ internships/ courses/ travel/ etc). Essentially, we are looking for where you come from, what you’ve done that impacted your development, and where you want to be for a possible career.
3. Professional resume:
   • In UniCAS, upload a current résumé (up to two pages max) that includes activities after high school. A Résumé Template is available for reference, but should include the following sections:
     • Name and Contact Information
     • Education
       • Undergraduate Institution; include month/year completed (or to complete)
       • Degree earned, with major(s), minor(s)
       • Current overall GPA on a 4.0 scale (you can also add a last 60 hour or major GPA)
       • List additional undergraduate or graduate degrees and certificates, as necessary
       • Optional
         • Relevant/highlighted courses you’d like to list
         • Academic honors and awards
     • Relevant Work/Internship Experience
       • List work or internship experiences related to public service, to include government, nonprofits, educational institutions, military service, etc.
     • International Experience
       • Include study abroad, missions trips, travel, living overseas, and dates completed
     • Leadership, Service, Organizational Memberships, and Honors
       • List your involvement in any related activities that you want to highlight. Indicate the organization, position/role you assumed, the duration/dates involved, and the time involved per week/month/semester
     • Skills and Certifications 
       • Language: List the language and your current speaking level (include beginning, intermediate, advanced, fluent). Optional for reading, writing levels.
       • Computer: List relevant software by name.
       • Clearance: List any you want to highlight.
     • Other (optional)
4. Official transcripts from each 4-year educational institution attended, beginning with undergraduate education. This includes transcripts for study abroad or transfer course work. Also required is an official statement indicating the degree or diploma earned and the date awarded for each degree you completed. Below is a brief overview of the transcript requirements, but you can also refer to Texas A&M’s Office of Admissions website for further details.
   • Texas A&M University Current or Former Students: Do not submit an official transcript from Texas A&M University; we will download your transcript for you.
   • **IMPORTANT**
     1. Unofficial transcripts can be used to review your application for admission. However, if admitted, you cannot register for classes until official transcripts and diploma sheets are received by Texas A&M’s Office of Admissions.Registration for courses opens soon after admission letters are released, so admitted students are responsible for submitting their official transcripts as soon as possible. Registration holds for missing official transcripts will not be removed until official transcripts are on file. 
   • Transcripts submission:
     • Unofficial: Required at time of application. Submit transcripts from all colleges or universities attended (excluding US community colleges). Copies of official transcripts can be uploaded into UniCAS when submitting your application, but are considered unofficial.
     • Official: Required if admitted. Official transcripts must be processed before an admitted student will be allowed to register for classes.  They must be sent directly from the Registrar’s Office at your college to Texas A&M’s Office of Admissions in either of the following ways:
       • **DO NOT submit official transcripts to the Bush School via email or mail; we cannot process official transcripts.**
         • Electronically through SPEEDE, eSCRIPT-SAFE, or National Clearing House. Transcripts submitted through any other vendor, such as PARCHMENT, are not accepted. 
         • Mailed to Texas A&M Office of Admissions at the address below in a sealed envelope with the registrar’s signature or stamp across the seal:
           • (U.S. Postal Service)
             Graduate Admissions Processing
             Office of Admissions
             Texas A&M University
             P.O. Box 40001
             College Station, TX 77842-4001
           • (Overnight or Hand Delivery)
             Graduate Admissions Processing
             Texas A&M University
             General Services Complex
             750 Agronomy Road, Suite 1601
             0200 TAMUCollege Station, TX 77843-0200
   • Transcripts from a University/College outside of the United States:
     • Transcripts must be signed by the registrar, controller of examinations, or president of the university issuing the document. If your institution does not issue a transcript in English, you must submit the native language transcript with an official English translation.
     • Official translations are prepared by a recognized translation service and include all original seals and/or signatures. Translations sent directly from the institution attended or from a recognized translator are considered official. Consolidated and provisional mark-sheets are not considered official.
     • Please ask the registrar to send individual mark-sheets that list grades earned in each term. Photocopies or other duplications such as notarized copies and faxes are not considered official.
     • Refer to Texas A&M’s International Graduate Admissions website for more details.
5. Two letters of recommendation
   • Two recommendations are required. You can have either one or both be from someone who can speak to your leadership, public service/military, or work experience (typically supervisors, mentors, associates) or from someone familiar with your academic work (typically faculty).
   • When you apply through UniCAS, you will be required to enter the contact information for at least two recommenders. Your recommendations do not have to be complete before submitting your application; you simply have to enter the contact information for the three recommenders before you can submit.
   • Once you have saved your application, an email request will automatically be sent to your recommender on your behalf, asking him/her for two tasks:
     1. Submit a letter of recommendation (preferably written on official letterhead) and
     2. Fill out a brief evaluation of you through the UniCAS Letters by Liaison Portal.
   • Please advise your recommenders to look for this email in their inbox, as well as their spam or junk-mail folder, as emails are occasionally filtered out.
   • You can log into UniCAS daily to monitor the submission of your recommendations and, as necessary, to send reminders.
   • If a recommender is unable to submit his/her recommendation via AIS, he/she can submit the letter and evaluation is these ways:
     • Emailed: Sent to bushschooldc@tamu.edu by your recommender
       • Letters should be written on official letterhead and scanned as a pdf. It should be accompanied by the Bush School Recommendation Form, which the recommender fills out, signs, and scans with the letter. Both are then emailed to the Bush School.
     • Hard copy: Mailed or dropped off to the Bush School Admissions Office (address below)
       • Letters should be written on official letterhead and accompanied by the Bush School Recommendation Form, which the recommender fills out, signs, places in an envelope with his/her signature across the seal, and delivers to our office.

5. GRE/GMAT Test Scores Optional
   • The Bush School does not require GRE or GMAT tests for MIP admission. However, we do accept these scores for anyone who feels they can complement a strong file or can offset concerns like a low GPA or lack of certain experiences.
     • Optional if you have an overall GPA of 3.0 or better.        
     • Highly encouraged for GPAs below 3.0 (or if your grades and experiences do not reflect your current abilities).
   • Test scores (GRE preferred over GMAT) should be sent directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to Texas A&M University and be from a test date within five years of the date the UniCAS application is submitted.
   • GRE Code: 6003
   • GMAT Code: 7B7-K9-03
6. Proof of English Proficiency (for applicants from non-English speaking countries)
   • Texas A&M University requires that applicants from non-English speaking countries submit proof of English proficiency in one of several ways:
     • Score at least 146 on the GRE verbal section (or 22 on GMAT verbal)
     • Earn a TOEFL score of at least 80 ibt or 550 pbt; the Bush School prefers a 100 ibt or 600 pbt
     • Score a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 overall band; the Bush School prefers a 7.0 band
     • Complete all years of a bachelor’s degree or higher at an accredited university in the US
   • You can find further clarification, and a list of countries that are exempt from the English proficiency requirements, on Texas A&M’s International Graduate Admissions website.
   • TOEFL scores should be sent directly from the testing service to Texas A&M University (Code 6003).
   • To report IELTS scores: Texas A&M University only accepts scores submitted electronically by the IELTS Test Center. No paper Test Report Forms will be accepted. An institutional code is not required. Please contact the test center where you took the IELTS test and request that your test scores be sent electronically using the IELTS system to the address below:
     • International Admissions Processing
       Texas A&M University
       P.O. Box 40002
       College Station, TX 77842-4002