Application Requirements
Master of International Affairs & Public Health Combined Degree
Overview | Timeline | Deadlines | International Applicants | Contact Us
The Bush School and School of Public Health admits students once per year, for fall entry only, into the Master of International Affairs-Master of Public Health (MIA-MPH) Combined Degree. Both applications and all supporting materials (including recommendations) must be submitted by 11:59 PM (Central Time) on the day of the application deadlines listed below. Incomplete applications will NOT be reviewed or considered for admission.
Fall 2025 Application Deadlines
Application Opens: September 1, 2024
Application Deadline: February 1, 2025
Applications received after the priority funding deadline, but on or before the final application deadline, will still receive a competitive Bush School Scholarship. However, nomination-based opportunities may no longer be available.
REQUIREMENTS
(Click the links below to jump to the corresponding section.)
To help you keep your application on track, we’ve created a step-by-step guide and checklist in PDF format for you to use as you work on your application: Fall 2025 MIA-MPH Application Requirements – Step-by-Step Guide & Checklist
- SOPHAS Application
- MIA Supplemental Application
- Résumé
- Personal Statement
- Recommendations (3)
- Transcripts
- GRE/GMAT Scores(optional)
- Proof of English Proficiency (for citizens from non-English speaking countries)
Questions? Contact us!
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.
SOPHAS Application
The first step in applying to the MIA-MPH Combined Degree Program is to submit a SOPHAS application to the School of Public Health’s MPH program in one of these two concentrations:
- Health Policy and Management
App is listed under the following program names in SOPHAS:- “MPH HPM dual degree w/MIA – US” for domestic applicants
- “MPH HPM dual degree with MIA – INT” for international applicants
- Health Promotion and Community Health Sciences
App is listed under the following program names in SOPHAS:- “MPH HPM dual degree w/MIA – US” for domestic applicants
- “MPH HPM dual degree w/MIA – INT” for international applicants
Through the SOPHAS application, applicants answer all required questions, order transcripts and/or WES evaluations, order official English Language Proficiency test scores (if applicable), request recommendations, upload support materials (resume, personal statement, and other optional documents), and then pay a non-refundable application fee to submit. The School of Public Health processes submitted SOPHAS applications and will notify applicants of any missing materials and/or to submit the MIA Supplemental Application. Visit the School of Public Health Admissions website for additional instructions. A Supplemental Application. Visit the School of Public Health Admissions website for additional instructions.
MIA Supplemental Application
After submitting the SOPHAS application to the School of Public Health, fill out and submit the free MIA Supplemental Application to the Bush School by the application deadlines indicated above.
While the Bush School will use most of the materials and information submitted through the SOPHAS application, there are some additional questions specific to the MIA program applicants will be asked to answer via the supplemental application. Additionally, applicants will be asked to upload their GRE or GMAT score reports (if desired), a personal statement that addresses the MIA prompt (if the personal statement uploaded to the SOPHAS application does not), and/or a resume geared toward the MIA (if desired).
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 MIA Supplemental Application (linked above). A Résumé Template is available for reference containing the information/sections to include for the MIA portion of the program.
Personal Statement
Applicants are asked to upload a personal statement to the SOPHAS application. However, if that statement does not address items in the MIA prompt below, please upload one that does to the MIA Supplemental 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 1000 words or less, please address the following topics in your personal statement:
- Your personal and professional goals for a career in international affairs and public health,
- What inspired or influenced you to pursue a career in international affairs (including relevant people, places, travel, courses, internships, or events)
- How obtaining the MIA-MPH degree will help you achieve your goals, and
- What value you bring to the MIA program specifically (including knowledge gained from meaningful experiences, education, or jobs you have had in the past).
Recommendations (3)
Three recommendations (each consisting of a letter and brief evaluation) are required and must be received by the application deadline. Recommendations are requested and submitted through the applicant’s SOPHAS application. The Bush School and the School of Public Health will use the same recommendations.
At least one recommendation must be an academic reference from a higher education institution and another from a professional reference. Preferably, the academic reference should come from one of the applicant’s course instructors who can attest to the applicant’s capability to pursue graduate studies. The remaining letter may be professional or academic. Recommendation letters from family and friends are not appropriate.
Transcripts
The following is required depending on where the college(s) you attended is located. Required for all colleges attended, regardless of coursework that was transferred from one college to another.
- For U.S. and English-speaking Canadian colleges: Order official transcripts through the SOPHAS application → Academic History quadrant → Colleges Attended section. Add the college(s) you attended. Then, press the ‘Order’ link for each college.
- For all other colleges located outside of the U.S. and non-English speaking Canadian colleges: Request a World Education Services (WES) course-by-course (ICAP) evaluation of academic records through the SOPHAS application → Academic History quadrant → Colleges Attended section. Add the college(s) you attended. Then, press the ‘Order’ link for each college.
GRE/GMAT (optional)
GGRE/GMAT test scores are not required to apply to the MIA-MPH combined degree program. However, for the MIA application portion of the program, scores are:
- Strongly encouraged for those with a cumulative GPA below 3.2 (on a 4.0 scale).
- Accepted for anyone feels their test scores can 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 your MIA application, consider our previous years’ average GRE score of a 308. We prefer the GRE over the GMAT. To be valid, scores must be within five years of the date the application is submitted. The GRE or GMAT exam should be scheduled and taken at least 3 weeks prior to the application deadline.
If you choose to submit GRE or GMAT test scores for your application to the MIA portion of the program, upload a copy of your Test Score Report to the MIA Internal Application.
Proof of English Proficiency
(for citizens 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 of citizenship is not on the exempted list of countries, the applicant is required to submit official scores that meet minimum ELP requirement or meet the Alternative Verification criteria for the School of Public Health. Visit the SPH International Applicants website for details.
Contact Information
Bush School Graduate Admissions Office
Questions about the MIA or the MIA portion of 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
Office #2022 and 2023
College Station, TX 77843
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:
Address:
Reynolds Medical Sciences Building, Suite 154
1114 TAMU
206 Olsen Blvd., College Station, Texas 77843
Phone: 979.436.9356
Email: SPH-GSS@tamu.edu
