The Bush School Experience
Where your education extends beyond the classroomThe Bush School is committed to preparing principled leaders for public service and that preparation doesn't stop in the classroom. Here, you'll work with real clients on policy challenges, gain professional experience through internships, expand your perspective through global learning opportunities, and grow as a leader through intentional leadership development. Along the way, you'll apply what you learn in the classroom, build the professional skills employers value, and develop the confidence to lead. By the time you graduate, you'll have the knowledge, experience, and leadership foundation to make an immediate impact in public service.
About
At the Bush School, education extends far beyond the classroom. Every master’s student completes a capstone project for a real client while building professional experience through internships, study abroad, and leadership development. By combining rigorous academics with practical experience, students graduate ready to solve complex public problems and make an immediate impact.
Capstones
The capstone is the signature Bush School experience. Required of all students, it is an integrative, team-based applied research project completed for a real client under the guidance of a faculty member. Working as a consulting team, you define and analyze a complex public policy or management challenge, manage the project and client relationship, and deliver a professional written report and formal presentation. Capstone clients include organizations such as the CIA, the Texas Governor’s Office, Habitat for Humanity, and many other government agencies, nonprofits, and international organizations. In many cases, students present their recommendations directly to senior leaders and decision-makers. The capstone brings together everything you’ve learned in the classroom and gives you the opportunity to apply your knowledge to a real world challenge.
Internships
Bush School students secure internships worldwide across federal, state, and local
government, nonprofits and NGOs, think tanks, and the private sector. Recent
employers included:
- Federal Government: U.S. Department of War, Central Intelligence Agency, Defense Intelligence Agency, Government Accountability Office, U.S. Department of Agriculture
- State Government: Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Texas Department of Public Safety, Arizona Governor's Office of Strategic Planning and Budgeting, TEEX
- Local Government: Cities across Texas including Bryan, College Station, Boerne, Alvarado, LaGrange, Longview, Denton, Corpus Christi
- Nonprofits and NGOs: Allies Against Slavery, Habitat for Humanity, YMCA, BakerRipley, Catholic Charities, United Nations Relief and Works Agency
- Think Tanks: Asia Centre, Marshall Center for Security Studies, Texas National Security Institute, Heritage Foundation
- Private Sector: ExxxonMobil, Amazon, Baker Hughes
Career Support Resources
Opportunities are powered by faculty advisors, recruiter visits, the Aggie Network, the Texas A&M University Career Center (undergraduates), and the dedicated Bush School Career Services team (graduate students).
Degree Requirements
- Undergraduate Students: Encouraged to complete summer internships, language immersions, or study abroad programs.
- Master’s Students: A summer internship is required for those without substantial professional experience. MIA students may choose an intensive language immersion option instead and, most recently, were in Japan, Brazil, Spain, Puerto Rico, France, Canada, Germany, China, Morocco, South Korea, and Honduras, as well as the Middlebury Language School.
International Opportunities
A Bush School education reaches well beyond campus. Students join short international field seminars, two-to-three-week faculty-led trips each January and May, recently to Costa Rica, Botswana, and Europe, and can pursue semester-long study abroad for academic credit. Reciprocal exchange agreements with partner universities around the world will let students study overseas while paying Texas A&M tuition, and language study rounds out a globally focused education.
Public Service Leadership Program
Leadership isn’t an add-on at the Bush School, it is built into the two-year experience through the Public Service Leadership Program. The program develops leadership knowledge, skills, and values in three ways: through the curriculum, workshops, and guest speakers; through experiential learning; and through self-assessment, including individual development plans and leadership coaching. You will graduate not only with the knowledge and skills to succeed, but with the confidence and leadership foundation to make an immediate impact in public service.
Beyond the Bush School Experience
Career Readiness
Every part of the Bush School experience builds toward a career in service. For career services, employment outcomes, and where our graduates go, visit Careers & Outcomes.
Student Life & Community
Beyond the classroom, the Bush School is a close-knit community where students build lasting relationships through student organizations, events, and a shared commitment to public service, no matter where you are completing your studies.