Question Subjects
APPLICATION | ADMISSIONS | DEGREE | FINANCIAL AID | EMPLOYMENT | VISIT
Master’s Degree Admissions Stats and FAQ
Incoming Student Stats for Fall 2025-26
| MPSA | MIA & MPH | MIP | |
| Total Enrollment | 87 | 83 | 10 |
| GPA Average | 3.48 | 3.62 | 3.26 |
| Age Average | 24 | 23 | 32 |
| Women % | 57% | 40% | 0% |
| Students of Color % | 40% | 29% | 40% |
| International % | 9% | 2% | 10% |
| Non-resident % | 28% | 34% | 40% |
| Countries Represented | Bangladesh Brazil Congo Indonesia S Korea Sweden | Bangladesh Indonesia | S Korea |
| Work experience in years: | |||
| >> 0-2 years | 70% | 73% | x |
| >> 2-5 years | 16% | 12% | x |
| >> 5+ years | 14% | 15% | 100% |
| Program Averages (‘23,’24,’25) | |||
| Admitted per year | 130 | 157 | 10 |
| Enrolled per year | 80 | 90 | 9 |
| Merit Funding per student | 5.7K | 5.1K | 0 |
Texas A&M University Stats
Total Enrollment in F24 – 79,114
- Undergraduate Enrollment – 61,442
- Graduate & Professional Enrollment – 17,672
Enrollment by Location
- Galveston, Qatar, & Health Science Center – 6,554
- College Station campus – 72,560
Texas A&M Facts
- Our colors are maroon and white
- Texas A&M is the first public university in Texas
- We have over 593,000 Former Students – Once an Aggie, Always an Aggie
- TAMU hosts over 140 undergrad, 170 master’s, 94 doctoral, and 5 professional degree programs
- We are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- TAMU is one of 24 institutions in the nation to hold the triple designation of a land, sea, and space grant university
- We maintain more than 1,300 student organizations
- TAMU sends over 5,600 students to 110 countries through Education Abroad
- Our research expenditures reached nearly $1.3 billion in 2023
Texas A&M Rankings
- #1 Best Value School in Texas public universities and #21 among public universities (U.S. News & World Report, 2024)
- #1 in Texas, #6 in the Nation among public universities, and #38 among private and public universities overall (Wall Street Journal / Times Higher Education, 2024 Best Colleges in the U.S.)
- #2 most recognized public university in U.S and #13 worldwide (American Caldwell’s 2025-26 Global University Visibility Rankings) – standing among the world’s most talked about, searched, and followed institutions of higher learning
- #2 Best College for Veterans in Texas (College Factual, 2023)
- Third largest study body in the nation (2024 U.S. News & World Report)
Master’s Degree Frequently Asked Questions
For the main campus (College Station) programs (MPSA, MIA, MIP)
Admissions
What are the application deadlines?
Check out our Deadlines page for a list of Priority application and Final application deadlines.
How do I apply?
Visit our web pages below for detailed application instructions:
What documents are required to complete my application?
Complete and detailed instructions for each degree are found on the links listed above. Be sure to download the application instructions and checklist available on those pages for a concise overview you can reference as you fill out your application.
How do I withdraw/cancel my submitted application?
Applicants are asked to email the Bush School Graduate Admissions Office at bushschoolapplications@tamu.edu if they decide to withdraw their application from consideration. Be aware that the application fee cannot be refunded for those who withdraw or cancel their submitted application.
MIA-MPH degree applicants are asked to also email the School of Public Health (SPH-GSS@tamu.edu) to withdraw their application from admissions consideration.
How will I know when my application is considered complete?
The Bush School Graduate Admissions Office will notify applicants via the email they used on their application to communicate all updates regarding their application, including any missing items, when an application is complete and under review, and a final admissions decision.
Applicants who applied through GradCAS may check the general status of their online application through their GradCAS account. This includes monitoring the status of recommendations to ensure all forms/letters are submitted and received by the application deadline. Be aware that the application status in GradCAS may not be the true status of your application. For instance, a transcript may have encountered an error in uploading or the file is locked and cannot be downloaded, etc.
Applicants must pay attention to emails from our Bush School Graduate Admissions Office (buschoolapplications@tamu.edu) for the true status of their application.
Is the GRE/GMAT required?
No, the GRE/GMAT tests are optional to apply to our master’s degrees. However, we encourage testing for those with a cumulative GPA below 3.2 and for anyone who feels scores can help with the following:
- Complement strong aspects of their application.
- Assist with deliberations in merit scholarship consideration.
- Offset concerns of a below-average GPA or lack of experience in the field.
- Support an application if past efforts do not accurately reflect current abilities.
What if I take the GRE/GMAT more than once?
There is no penalty for those who take a test more than once. We use the highest total score from one test date. Scores are not averaged nor super scored. To submit new scores after you have submitted your application, send a copy of your Test Score Report to bushschoolapplications@tamu.edu, preferably by the Priority Application Deadline, but no later than the Final Application Deadline.
Where do I find information about taking the GRE? How much does it cost?
Visit the GRE website. Most test takers now have two options: At home or at a testing center. Applicants can find test centers and dates by searching for a GRE General Test location near a specific city or address or evaluate if they meet the requirements for home testing.
As of August 2025, the GRE test costs $220 for most countries. More information is found on the link above.
How can I prepare for the GRE? Can I retake the test to improve?
The GRE website linked above includes a list of tools to help you prepare for the test. Additionally, various companies provide up-to-date college test prep materials for the GRE., including Khan Academy, Princeton Review, Kaplan, Magoosh, and more.
If you retake the GRE, we use the highest total score from one test date. Scores are not averaged nor super scored. To submit new scores after you have submitted your application, send a copy of your Test Score Report to bushschoolapplications@tamu.edu, preferably by the Priority application deadline, but no later than the Final application deadline.
When are GRE/GMAT scores due?
All materials must be received by the Final application deadline. Applicants who wish to submit GRE scores should schedule to take the test at least six weeks prior to their intended deadline. For example, complete the test by November to meet the mid-December Priority funding deadline.
Do international students have to take the TOEFL/IELTS exams?
No, not if English language proficiency can be met in another way.
Texas A&M requires proof of English language proficiency for admission. You can visit the TAMU International Graduate Admissions website for a list of countries whose citizens are exempt from submitting proof of English language proficiency.
If your country of citizenship is not listed, then you must meet English proficiency in another way at the time you apply (also listed on the International Application Requirements website and under each Admissions “How to Apply” section).
Applicants are advised to complete tests at least two months before the application deadline. Test scores can take anywhere from two to six weeks to be processed, depending on the test. Applications missing the required proof of English proficiency will not be reviewed or considered for admission.
What criteria does the Admissions Committee use to evaluate an applicant?
The Admissions Committee evaluates applicants holistically. All aspects of an applicant’s application are considered, including an applicant’s merit, background, experiences, recommendations, personal statements, résumé, courses taken, institution attended, cumulative GPAs in all degrees earned, test scores (if submitted), interview quality, and/or various life and work experiences.
How can I make my application as competitive as possible?
Successful applicants are those with academic potential and leadership qualities who show a propensity for serving in the public, nonprofit, and private sectors domestically and internationally. We are looking for students who have a fleshed-out career goal; have provided some relevant context through professional experiences, volunteerism, travel/language, and/or studies; have demonstrated they are prepared for a rigorous graduate education; and have shown maturity and drive. Make sure you exhibit these qualities through your application materials.
Who makes the decision on admissions?
Each program has an Admissions Committee consisting of faculty and staff who review applications to determine who to invite for an interview and/or who to admit. The committees’ decisions are final.
How many applicants are invited to interview?
We try to interview as many as we can so prospects can tell their stories, but that is not always possible. Our limit is double the intended class size (around 180 for a class of 90).
The MIA program decided to pause interviews for the fall 2026 applicant process, but the MPSA program will continue to interview. Interviews are not conducted for the MIP.
What and when is the Interview Conference Weekend or Admitted Student Day?
Read more about our interactive campus visit days on the links below.
MIA – Admitted Student Day
MPSA – Interview Conference Weekend
When will final admissions decisions be announced?
Admissions decisions vary depending on when an applicant applies. For instance, MPSA and MIA applicants who apply by December 15 will receive an early admissions decision in February, with funding decisions to follow in March. Find more specific information by visiting the degree timelines.
MIP (TX) applicants are notified via email with their final admissions decision within 7-10 business days of submitting an application and all required materials (including recommendations).
Do you have a waitlist?
The MIA uses a waitlist each year; the MPSA uses one sporadically. Candidates placed on the waitlist are notified in mid-March via email and are informed if a seat in the incoming class becomes available. The waitlist is not ranked.
The MIP (TX) does not use a waitlist.
When does the Bush School start in the fall?
The fall begins with a mandatory Bush School New Student Orientation the week prior to the first day of school. Classes typically start in mid-to-late August. For specific dates, refer to the Texas A&M University Academic Calendar.
Degree Advice
Can you pursue the College Station degrees part-time?
Yes, if this works better for your schedule. Classes held in-residence are typically offered Monday through Friday during work hours, so you must have some flexibility in your work schedule. Keep in mind that students must be enrolled in at least half-time status (a minimum of nine credit-hours during the fall/spring semester) to qualify for federal financial aid.
To receive the Bush School Scholarship awarded (and non-resident tuition waiver, if applicable), students must be enrolled in full-time status (a minimum of nine credit-hours during the fall/spring semesters).
Are there any required prerequisite courses?
No, none of our degrees require prerequisites, although we do encourage applicants to have some familiarity with these topics:
- MPSA: American Government; Economics (micro or macro); Statistics, Research Methods, and/or Calculus
- MIA/MIP (TX): International Relations or World Politics; Diplomatic History; American Foreign Policy; Twentieth Century History
- MIA (IDEP track): Economics (micro or macro); Statistics
What are the specialized tracks and concentrations?
Visit the following pages for more information on the tracks and concentrations offered for each degree. The MPSA and MIP programs do not require concentrations.
- MPSA: MPSA Tracks and MPSA Concentrations
- MIA and MIA-MPH: MIA Tracks and MIA Concentrations
- MIP (TX): Refer to the MIA tracks and concentrations above, as needed.
What are the required number of hours and graduation requirements in each degree?
- MPSA: The degree is 2 years, 48-credit hours. To complete the degree, students must successfully complete all 16 courses, a year-long capstone project, and a professional internship. Most attend full-time (12 credit hours/4 courses a semester); those who enroll part-time may take longer to graduate and will not have funding for those remaining semesters.
- MIA: The degree is 2 years, 48-credit hours. To complete the degree, students must successfully complete all 16 courses, a semester-long capstone project, a professional internship or foreign language training, and passing a foreign language proficiency exam in a second language of their choice (for native English speakers). Most attend full-time (12 credit hours /4 courses a semester).
- MIA-combined degrees: The MIA-MPH and ECON-MIA degrees are 3 years, 78-credit hours and require completion of the Master of Public Health or Master of Science in Economics practicum, an MIA internship, and at least one semester-long capstone project that meets the requirements for both departments. Native English speakers must pass a foreign language exam to graduate with the MIA. Most attend full-time (12 credit hours /4 courses a semester).
- MIP (TX): This degree is only for those with at least four years of professional experience in international affairs. The degree is 1 year, 30-credit hours and has no capstone, no internship, and no language requirement. Most attend full-time (12 credit hours /4 courses a semester).
Are any online courses offered?
The Bush School offers Distance Education courses through the Office of Extended Education. With faculty advisor approval, students can take these courses and apply them towards their degree plan with the following limitations:
- Core/required courses must be taken in the modality of the degree. For instance, MPSA/ MIA students must take BUSH 631 in-residence.
- Up to 49% of the courses for a degree in the MPSA or MIA can be taken online (with the exception of the core/required courses).
- Only two courses for the MIP (TX) degree can be taken online.
- All Bush School Distance Education (DE) courses with Section Level 700 (or above) are charged an additional $1,509 DE fee per course.
May I transfer my Bush School graduate certificate courses/hours to a Bush School master’s degree?
- MPSA/MIA: A maximum of 12 credit hours taken in post-baccalaureate non-degree seeking status (G6) may be transferred into the Bush School’s MPSA, MIA, or MIA-combined degrees.
- MIP (TX): A maximum of six (6) credit hours taken in post-baccalaureate non-degree seeking status (G6) may be transferred into the Bush School’s MIP program. Only two online courses can transfer and the total number of transfer credits allowed is nine credit hours (combination of Bush School certificate courses and courses from other institutions).
You need to research which certificates work best with each degree and which classes match your concentration requirements. While Admissions Committees do take interest in how you perform in the certificates, successful completion does not guarantee admission; you must be competitive in other aspects too.
May I transfer graduate hours from another university towards a Bush School degree?
MPSA/MIA: In most cases, no more than 12 credit hours may transfer into a student’s degree plan in the MPSA or MIA programs.
MIP (TX): No more than 9 total credit hours (combination of Bush School certificate courses and courses from other institutions) can transfer into the MIP.
For candidates to transfer in courses from another institution, several requirements must be met:
- The courses must have been taken in-residence at an accredited or approved institution,
- The student must have been in degree-seeking status at the institution during the time in which those courses were earned,
- Grades earned in each course must be a “B” or better,
- Courses used toward a previous degree cannot be used again,
- Courses over seven (7) years old cannot transfer,
- The department head has final approval for any transfer work.
- More details are found in the Graduate Catalog:
Financial Aid
How can I pay for my education? What scholarships and waivers are available?
A comprehensive overview of the funding the Bush School offers its students is found under Funding & Cost portion of the website, listed by degree.
In short, the MPSA and MIA programs offer merit awards to every admitted student. Awards consist of Bush School Scholarships typically worth between $3,000 to $15,000 per year. A few competitive, TAMU-supported and faculty-nominated awards are also available and worth significantly more.
Out-of-state and international students receive non-resident tuition waivers allowing them to pay in-state tuition rates, a current reduction of about $12,700/year when enrolled in 12 credit hours per semester.
Funding for the second year is renewed at the same amount as long as a student maintains a certain GPA as outlined in their offer letter. Alternatively, a student can compete for a GA (graduate assistant) position for second-year employment in working for Bush School faculty or staff. If successful, they give up their first-year funding and instead work 20 hours a week for a monthly paycheck equivalent to about $20,000 for the year.
The MIP program does not provide funding, but at a shorter time for completion, it is still an affordable option with military benefits and federal aid support.
How can I be competitive for a higher scholarship?
The amount of scholarship a student receives is based upon merit factors of perceived strength of the applicant’s application, including academic performance, quality of institution, professional experience (including relevant internships), leadership, volunteerism, recommendations, commitment to public service, language skills, international travel, awards, and other notable attributes.
Are international students eligible for Bush School Scholarships?
Yes, international students admitted to the MPSA or MIA degrees are eligible for Bush School Scholarships. However, they are not eligible to participate in the Federal Loan programs (Stafford, Perkins, etc.).International students seeking additional financial support can refer to the following websites for helpful guidance and opportunities:
- Texas A&M University International Student & Scholar Services – Helpful dates and a general place to start. Two samples of information found there:
- Financial Resources – Provides banking & student billing info, financial Aid resources on campus, financial hardship resources, and more.
- Costs & Financial Documents – Find cost of attendance info, basic requirements for financial documents, fees, etc.
- Texas A&M Scholarships & Financial Aid – Offers helpful guidance and instructions to complete the ISFAA (International Student Financial Aid Application) or eTASFA (Texas Application for State Financial Aid). But these are only for second year funding, not incoming support.
Are graduate assistantship (GA) positions available?
The Bush School does not offer GA positions to incoming degree students. However, for MPSA and MIA second-year students, about a dozen research GAs are awarded per department, as are a few non-teaching GA positions. First-year grades, skills, and fit play a heavy consideration in who will be chosen. GA positions require 20 hours of work per week and are paid approximately $20,000 per year, plus nine-hours of tuition (this replaces a student’s first-year award).
How much will the degree cost?
A breakdown of tuition and required fees by program is listed via the links below:
- MPSA: Cost & Funding
- MIA: Cost & Funding
- MIA-MPH: Cost & Funding
- ECON-MIA: Cost & Funding
- MIP (TX): Cost & Funding
Remember! Students live in an affordable town with close proximity to four major metropolitan areas (Houston, Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, and San Antonio), and they graduate to join one of the largest and most active alumni associations in the world.
How do I contact the Financial Aid Office at Texas A&M?
The Scholarships and Financial Aid office may be reached online at Texas A&M Aggie Ones Stop or by phone at 979-847-1787. Business hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00-5:00 p.m. (CST).
Employment/Internships
Does the Bush School offer career mentoring and assistance?
Yes, the Bush School has dedicated Career Services staff who assist students in bridging the gap between academia and the professional world through career development workshops, internship and job search assistance, alumni talks, and more. We are committed to helping our students and alumni create successful careers, providing them with the tools to complete an effective employment search, make connections with employers, and find opportunities to build a network of professional contacts. Additional information can be found online under Career Services.
Does the Career Services Office help with internship options and funding?
Yes, the Career Services staff work with our faculty to provide leads on relevant internships as well as maintain internship information from a variety of public, private, and nonprofit organizations. Students are also encouraged to seek out opportunities through their own networking contacts. Ultimately, students have to apply and market their skills effectively to secure an internship that is relevant to them, but we provide guidance and help.
Should students receive an internship with no funding, they can apply for some financial support through the Bush School’s Career Services Office. But they have to qualify by attending the career development workshops offered in the fall and spring of their first year. Aid amounts vary by internship location.
What do the average employment rates look like six months after graduation?
Our employment rates are very competitive from year to year. Of those who respond to our annual survey, averages for the last three years are 95% for MPSA and 97% for MIA. Find more details on our Employment Statistics. Ultimately, how quickly you land a job and how closely it matches your interests depends on many factors (including security clearances, your knowledge/skill sets, communications ability, desired location, etc.).
Visit Us
May I visit the Bush School?
Yes! Take a look at our Recruitment Events page for a list of events you are welcome to attend, from Open Houses, online webinars, Zoom hours, and more.
Additionally, check out our Visit Us page to set up an individual Bush School or campus visit.
