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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 School of Public Health Admissions Office to process applications for the Master of International Affairs-Master of Public Health (MIA-MPH) combined degree.

To help applicants manage the process, we created the following application instructions and checklist in PDF format to download and reference. The checklist is available on the last page of the documents below:

Overview of the Application Process

Applicants begin the application process by applying through the School of Public Health’s SOPHAS application, noting that they intend to pursue the combined MIA-MPH degree, and uploading all of their support documents. They then apply to the Bush School’s supplemental MIA application and upload any additional pieces.

Applicants must submit the following materials to complete their application by the application deadline. Incomplete applications will NOT be reviewed or considered for admission.

  1. SOPHAS Application
  2. Supplemental MIA Application
  3. Résumé
  4. Personal Statement
  5. International Experience Essay
  6. Recommendations (3)
  7. Transcripts
  8. GRE/GMAT (optional if cumulative GPA is 3.2 or above)
  9. English Proficiency Test Scores (for applicants from non-English speaking countries)

To avoid confusion or delay in processing an application, please use the same spelling and name on all correspondence. Also, notify the Bush School Admissions Office and the School of Public Health of any changes to address and/or name.

Completed applications are reviewed by both the School of Public Health and the Bush School independently. For the Bush School, completed applications are reviewed by the MIA Admissions Committee at one time shortly after February 1 to determine who will be invited to interview during the next step in the admissions process. Interviews are conducted face-to-face during Interview Conference Weekend, or for those unable to attend, scheduled for alternate (Zoom) interactions.  Once interviews are complete, the Admissions and Scholarship Committees meet in late February or early March to make final admissions decisions and award scholarships for the three semesters students will spend in the MIA portion. These decisions are emailed to applicants no later than March 15. For further details, visit our Admissions Timeline page.

Application Deadlines

We admit students into the MIA-MPH combined degree program once per year, for fall entry only. Applications and all supporting materials (including recommendations) must be submitted/received by the application deadline. Incomplete applications will NOT be reviewed or considered for admission.

Application deadlines for Fall 2022 entry:

  • Priority Funding Application Deadline – December 15, 2021
    Applicants are strongly advised to submit all supporting documents and their application by the priority deadline to ensure their file is confirmed to be complete in time to be considered for all available Bush School funding.
  • Final Application Deadline* – February 1, 2022
    Applications received after the priority funding deadline, but on or before the final application deadline, still receive a competitive Bush School Scholarship. However, nomination-based opportunities may no longer be available.

    Additionally, the closer we are to the final deadline date, the busier the Bush School Admissions Office gets. Applicants may experience longer response times, which can be frustrating. We value an applicant’s time and want to ensure all documents are accounted for, questions can be answered, and issues can be dealt with before the submission window closes (which is January 12). Aim for the priority deadline if possible.. 

*Should the need arise and if space allows, we might extend the deadline to consider late applicants. However, this will not be determined until on or after the final application deadline.

The Bush School Admissions Office makes the final determination when an application is complete. Even if the School of Public Health says your application in SOPHAS is complete, it may not be for us, as the system only checks for some of the required items (and will not see our Supplemental MIA Application). The Bush School Admissions Office will provide an official email notification of a complete MIA application. Look for our email updates and please be patient as we process incoming applications and support documents.

SOPHAS Application

To start, submit an application in SOPHAS to the School of Public Health. A non-refundable application fee is required. Visit the School of Public Health Admissions website for instructions.

Supplemental MIA Application

After submitting the SOPHAS application to the School of Public Health, fill out and submit the free Supplemental MIA application to the Bush School by the dates indicated above. Applicants will answer the following questions:

  • Which semester and year do you expect to enter the Bush School portion of the MIA-MPH?   
    • Admitted students typically start the “MIA” portion in the spring of their second year.
    • e.g., Applicants admitted for fall 2022 would enroll in the Bush School (and receive MIA scholarship support) in spring 2024 and graduate in May 2025.
  • What MIA track and concentrations are of interest to you?
  • Where did you hear about the MIA-MPH program?
  • How many years of professional experience will you have by the time you begin the MIA-MPH?
  • How many years of relevant (int’l affairs) work experience will you have when you enroll?
  • Have you served in the US military? What is/was your rank/branch? Will you be active-duty military sponsored?
  • What is your foreign language ability and how did you acquire it? When will you be able to pass the required oral proficiency exam in another language?

Résumé

Applicants upload a current résumé through their SOPHAS application, but if they would like to submit a MIA focused résumé that highlights their international experiences, language, and focus, we encourage them to upload it to the Supplemental MIA Application (linked above).

A Résumé Template is available for reference:

  • Name and Contact Information
  • Education
  • Work/Internship/Military Experiences
  • International Experience
  • Skills and Certifications (language, software, clearance, etc.)
  • Leadership, Service, Organizations, and Honors

Personal Statement

Applicants upload their personal statement to the SOPHAS application. However, if that statement does not address items in the MIA prompt below, please upload one to the Supplemental MIA Application.

Statements should be typed in 11 pt font, spaced 1.5”, and address the following prompt. Include applicant name, the title “Personal Statement,” and page number on each page.

Prompt: In 750 words or less, please address the following topics in your personal statement:

  • Your personal and professional goals for a career in international affairs,
  • What (including the people, places, internships, or events) inspired you to pursue a career in international affairs,
  • How obtaining the MIA degree from the Bush School will help you achieve your goals, and
  • What value you bring to the program (including knowledge gained from meaningful experiences, education, or jobs you have had in the past).

International Experience Essay

The international experience essay is a place for applicants to convey their unique international experiences and influences. It is in addition to the personal statement and required for the MIA application process.  Applicants upload their international experience essay to the Supplemental MIA Application. 

The essay should be typed in 11 pt font, spaced 1.5”, address the following prompt, and include applicant name, the title “International Experience Essay,” and page number on each page.

Prompt: 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. Some repetition may occur from your statement, but this essay should have some new material too.   

Recommendations (3)

Three letters of recommendation with evaluations are required and submitted through the applicant’s SOPHAS application. The Bush School will use these same letters. Based on SOPHAS requirements, at least one rec must be an academic reference from a higher education institution and at least one professional reference. The academic reference must come from one of the applicant’s course instructors who can attest to the applicant’s capability to pursue graduate school. The remaining letter may be professional or academic.

Transcripts

UNOFFICIAL Transcripts Required to Apply
In SOPHAS, applicants upload a copy of their official transcript from all 4-year colleges/universities attended. NOTE: Transcripts uploaded to GradCAS or sent via email are considered unofficial, but are sufficient to review an application for admission.

  • International (non-US) Transcripts: Upload the transcript and diploma (or degree certificate) in its native language, along with a World Education Services (WES) ICAP Course by Course evaluation of academic records. English translation (if applicable).
  • Texas A&M Current or Former Students: Please upload a copy of the Texas A&M transcript into SOPHAS. However, an official transcript will NOT be needed if admitted.

OFFICIAL Transcripts Required upon Admission
Admitted students cannot register for courses until official transcripts from all 4-year colleges/universities attended are received and processed by the Texas A&M Office of Graduate Admissions. A registration hold is placed on the student’s account until officials are on file. Registration typically opens in mid-April, so it is imperative for an admitted student to request official transcripts be sent immediately upon admission.

For a transcript to be considered official, they must be submitted directly from the university/college to Texas A&M’s Office of Graduate Admissions (NOT the Bush School) in one of the following ways:

  • Electronically via SPEEDE, eSCRIPT-SAFE, PARCHMENT, or National Student Clearing House to admissions@tamu.edu.
  • Mailed to Texas A&M Graduate Admissions Processing in a sealed envelope with the registrar’s signature or stamp across the seal.
    • U.S. postal mail
      Graduate Admissions Processing
      Texas A&M University  
      PO Box 40001   
      College Station, TX 77842-4001
    • Express mail or courier (FedEx, DHL, UPS, etc.)
      Graduate Admissions Processing
      Texas A&M University
      General Services Complex
      750 Agronomy Rd, Suite 1601
      College Station, TX 77843-0200

International Transcripts: Applicants must submit their official transcript and diploma (or degree certificate) in its native language as well as an official English translation for both. They are to be signed by the registrar, controller of examinations, or president of the university issuing the document. 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 with the grades earned in each term. Photocopies or other duplications such as notarized copies and faxes are not official.

Texas A&M (College Station, Galveston, or Qatar) Current or Former Students: These students do NOT need to submit official Texas A&M transcripts, or other supporting transcripts, previously sent to Texas A&M.

GRE/GMAT

While GRE/GMAT scores may not be required to apply to the School of Public Health, they may be for the Bush School’s MIA portion of the combined MIA-MPH application process.

Using the cumulative GPA (out of 4.0) as listed on the transcript issuing the degree (bachelor, master, PhD), GRE/GMAT scores are either optional, encouraged, or required for the MIA. We prefer the GRE over GMAT.

  • Optional for those with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or better. We do NOT round up! (a 3.18 is below a 3.2)
  • Encouraged for those who feel the test could complement a strong file or offset concerns such as a low GPA, lack of experience in the field, or if grades/experience do not reflect current abilities. When deciding if scores will help or hinder, consider our previous years’ averages (308).
  • Required for those with a cumulative GPA below a 3.2.

To be valid, scores must be within five years of the date the application is submitted. Applicants will be given the option to upload a copy of their unofficial Test Score Report to their Supplemental MIA Application.

Official scores are only needed for international applicants who wish to provide Proof of English Proficiency via their GRE/GMAT score. Official test scores should be sent directly from the Education Testing Service (ETS) to Texas A&M University and must be within five years of the date the GradCAS application is submitted.

(GRE Code: 7841 / GMAT Code: 7B7-K9-57)

Proof of English Proficiency

(for applicants from non-English speaking countries)

Official English language proficiency (ELP) test scores are required for most international applicants. Citizens of certain English speaking countries are exempt from this requirement. Refer to the list on the Texas A&M International Graduate Admissions website.

If an applicant’s country is not on the exempted list, he/she must have test scores that meet the minimum ELP requirement or meet the Alternative Verification criteria. We have included the School of Public Health ELP requirements as shown on their site. Acceptable options:

  • Score at least 153 on the GRE verbal section (or 22 on GMAT verbal) from a test date within five years of applying.
  • Earn a TOEFL score of at least 95 i-BT from a test date within two years of applying; the Bush School prefers a 100+ i-BT. MyBest TOEFL Scores are not accepted.
  • Score an IELTS Academic test score of 7.0 or higher overall band from a test date within two years of applying.
  • Alternative Verification: Complete all years of a bachelor’s degree (equivalent to four years) or higher (masters is typically two years) at an accredited university in the US.

Applicants are advised to test 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.

To report test scores: 

  • GRE: Use code 7841 for the School of Public Health
  • GMAT: Use code 7B7-K9-57
  • TOEFL Scores should be sent directly from the testing service to Texas A&M University (Code 5688 for the School of Public Health).
  • IELTS Scores should be submitted electronically from the IELTS test center to Texas A&M University (College Station and Galveston); no paper Test Report Forms accepted. An institution code is NOT required. Instead, use the address listed below.

Internal Admissions Processing
Texas A&M University
PO Box 40002
College Station, TX 77842-4002
admissions@tamu.edu

Contact Information: Bush School Admissions

Questions about the application or the application process should be directed to Ashlee Treadway or Kathryn Meyer in the Bush School Admissions Office. Our contact information:

Phone: 979-862-3476
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@tamu.edu

Address:
School of Public Health – Admissions Office
SPH Administration Bldg, Suite 160 
College Station, TX 77843

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