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Application Instructions

Master of International Affairs & Public Health (Combined) Degree

Master of International Affairs & Master of Public Health Combined Degree

The Bush School Admissions Office works with the Public Health Admissions Office to keep track of MIA-MPH combined degree students. Applicants begin the process by applying through the School of Public Health application and noting that they intend to pursue the combined MIA-MPH degree. Visit Public Health Admissions for instructions.

To help you manage the process, the Bush School has created an Application Checklist; it will also print with the Application Instructions below.

Overview of the Application Process

Please read the application instructions listed below and submit by one of our MIA deadlines:

  • Application Deadline* =  February 1, 2021
    *Should the need arise and if space allows, we might extend the deadline to consider late applicants.

To complete the application process, applicants must submit the following items:  

  1. SOPHAS and MIA Supplemental Applications
  2. Resume
  3. Statement of Purpose
  4. International Experience Essay
  5. Letters of Recommendation with Evaluation
  6. Transcripts
  7. GRE/GMAT Scores (optional if GPA above 3.2)
  8. English Proficiency Test Scores (for applicants from non-English speaking countries)

SOPHAS and MIA Supplemental Applications

Once you submit your SOPHAS application to the School of Public Health, you then submit a supplemental MIA application to the Bush School by the dates indicated above. The supplemental application will ask applicants the following:

  • Which semester and year you expect to enter the Bush School as part of the MIA-MPH combined degree program.   *Students admitted to the program typically start the “MIA” portion of the program in the spring of their second year.*
  • MIA Program Track(s) and Concentration(s) of Interest
  • Where you heard about the MIA-MPH program  
  • How many years of professional or relevant work experience will you have by the time you enroll?
  • If you have or will serve in the United States military? If yes, if you will be active-duty military sponsored and what your rank/branch is/was?
  • What your foreign language ability is and how you acquired your language ability? When will you be able to pass the required Oral Proficiency Exam in another language?

Professional Résumé

Applicants are required to submit a resume through the SOPHAS application. However, if you would like to submit a modified resume to the MIA portion of the program that includes the information below, the applicant may do so by uploading their resume through the Supplemental MIA Application. 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 required)
    • 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)

Statement of Purpose

Applicants are asked to upload a Statement of Purpose to their SOPHAS application. However, if the Statement of Purpose submitted in SOPHAS does not address items in the prompt below, please upload another Statement of Purpose to the Supplemental MIA Application.

MIA Prompt:
In 750 words or less, describe your personal and professional goals (including the people, places, or events that inspired your to pursue a career in international affairs and/or public service) and how obtaining and MIA degree from the Bush School will help you achieve your goals. Additionally, include your public service experience and what value you bring to the program.    

Your essay should be typed in 11 pt font and spaced 1.5-2”. Include your name on each page.

International Experience Essay

Applicants are required to upload an “International Experience Essay” to the Supplemental MIA Application:

In 750 words or less, tell us about the experiences that have influenced your interest in international affairs. We recognize that your experiences and opportunities may vary substantially from others, but we are looking for aspects of study abroad, living abroad, influential courses or readings, language interests, international news or events, cultural interactions, and more. It’s okay to have some repetition between this essay and your statement of purpose.   

Your essay should be typed in 11 pt font and spaced 1.5-2”. Include your name on each page.

Letters of Recommendation & Evaluation

Three recommendations are required. It is strongly recommended that two be from someone familiar with your academic work (typically faculty and advisors) while another can speak to your potential leadership, public service, or work experience (typically supervisors, mentors, associates). Applicants will be asked to submit recommendation letters via the SOPHAS application.

Transcripts

Please refer to the School of Public Health Admissions website for instructions on submitting transcripts.

GRE/GMAT Test Scores

While GRE/GMAT scores may not be required to apply to the School of Public Health for Fall 2020 and Fall 2021, GRE/GMAT scores are required for the joint MIA/MPH program if the applicant’s cumulative undergraduate GPA is below a 3.2 or if the applicant’s application does not accurately reflect their abilities.

Applicants will be given the option to upload a copy of their GRE/GMAT scores to the internal application, if available/needed.

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

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
Email: admissions@tamu.edu

The Bush School International Affairs department and the School of Public Health will work together on processing the applicant’s application materials.

Questions?

CONTACT INFORMATION (Bush School)

If you have any questions about the MIA portion of the application, please contact Ashlee Treadway or Kathryn Meyer in the Bush School Admissions Office. Our contact information is below:

  • Phone: 979-862-3476 or 979-862-8841
  • Email: bushschoolapplications@tamu.edu
  • Address:
    Bush School Admissions
    Texas A&M University
    2129 Allen Bldg / 4220 TAMU
    College Station, TX 77843

CONTACT INFORMATION (School of Public Health)

If you have any questions about your SOPHAS or MPH portion of the application or application process, please contact the School of Public Health. Their contact information is below:

  • Phone: 979.436.9356
  • Email: SPH-OSA@tamhsc.edu
  • Address:
    SPH Administration Building, Suite 160
    College Station, TX 77843

All documents on this page are in PDF format. To view the files you must have the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer.