Application Requirements
Master of International Affairs

Requirements | Admissions Process | How To Apply | Decisions | Contact Us
The Master of International Affairs (MIA) offered through The Bush School at Texas A&M University in College Station, TX admits students into the program once per year, for fall entry only. Applications for the following fall are open from August to February with three rounds of admissions decisions. Please refer to the deadlines and timelines for each round below.
The application for fall 2026 entry will open mid-August 2025 with deadlines as follows.
ROUND ONE
Early Decision & Priority Funding Consideration
Application Deadline: December 15, 2025
Supporting Materials Due*: December 15, 2025
Decisions & Offers Released: Early February 2026
Admitted Student Day:
February 27, 2026
(some activities on Feb 28)
Offer Response Deadline:
April 15, 2026
ROUND TWO
Final Round for International Apps
Application Deadline: January 15, 2026
Supporting Materials Due*:
January 15, 2026
Decisions & Offer Released:
Mid-February 2026
Admitted Student Day:
February 27, 2026
(some activities on Feb 28)
Offer Response Deadline:
April 15, 2026
ROUND THREE
Final Round for U.S./Domestic Apps on space & funding available basis)
Application Deadline: February 15, 2026
Supporting Materials Due*:
February 15, 2026
Decisions & Offer Released:
Mid-March 2026
No Admitted Student Day
Offer Response Deadline:
April 15, 2026
* Supporting materials are all required documents including the application, resume, personal statement, two recommendations, transcripts from all 4-year colleges attended, GRE/GMAT test scores (if desired), and proof of English proficiency (if required).
Texas A&M 3+2 Applicants: Do NOT follow these instructions. Refer to the 3+2 MIA Application Instructions.
Current Texas A&M Graduate Students: Looking to pursue the MIA after graduating from your master’s or PhD? Or, looking to change your major to the MIA? Email us to discuss instructions on submitting an internal application instead.
REQUIREMENTS
To be eligible for graduate admission at Texas A&M University, an applicant must have earned or is expected to earn a bachelor’s degree by the time of enrollment. The Master of International Affairs considers applicants with bachelor’s degree from all majors. All majors accepted!
For degrees earned from a college outside of the United States, please check to make sure the degree(s) you earned are considered by Texas A&M to be equivalent to a 4-year bachelor’s degree in the United States before applying. Click for a list of Bachelor’s Degree equivalencies.
An application and all materials (including recommendations) must be submitted online through the Texas A&M GradCAS application system by 11:59 PM (Central Time) on the day of the application deadlines listed above. Incomplete applications are NOT considered or reviewed for admission.
ADMISSIONS PROCESS
An application must be submitted with all supporting materials (including recommendations) by 11:59 PM (Central Time) on the application deadlines listed above to be considered for the corresponding round of admissions. Applications submitted but missing one or more supporting materials are incomplete and will not be considered until completed for the next round of admissions. Incomplete applications after the final round will be withdrawn.
Those admitted in Round One or Two are encouraged to attend the Bush School’s MIA Admitted Student Day scheduled for Friday, February 27. Students will tour the school, meet with faculty, talk to current and former students, and more. A few events will be held in conjunction with Texas A&M’s Aggieland Saturday on Saturday, February 28, for those who would like to attend. We encourage all admitted students to attend to see if The Bush School is the right for you!
Admitted students have until April 15 to accept or decline their admission and funding offer. Funding for those that fail to reply by the response deadline will be rescinded at midnight on April 15.
HOW TO APPLY
To help stay on track of your application, we’ve created a step-by-step guide and checklist in PDF format for you to use: Fall 2026 MIA Application Requirements – Step-by-Step Instructions & Checklist
To avoid confusion or delay in processing an application, please use the same spelling and name on all correspondence. Notify the Bush School Graduate Admissions Office immediately of any changes to your name or email. When contacting us by email, please use the same email address you entered on your application.
Application
Start your application in GradCAS at any time! You may return to upload additional materials or update information prior to submitting your application. Just make sure you submit your application and all support materials prior to 11:59 PM (Central Time) on the application deadline.
- Create an account in the 2026 Texas A&M University GraduateCAS (GradCAS) system.
- Click the ‘Add Program’ menu option and add the ‘Fall 2025 Master of International Affairs’ program to your application.
**TIP** Consult with your recommenders early in the application process and add their contact information to your application in GradCAS as soon as possible, even before filling out the rest of your application. This allows your recommenders to start working on their recommendation while you work on filling out the application. Skip to ‘Recommendations’ section below for instructions.
- Fill out all required fields and upload all required documents in your application.
- Pay the application fee and submit by the deadline.
Fee
To submit the application, applicants must pay a non-refundable application fee via credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover):
- $89 for domestic applicants*
- $114 for international applicants
We cannot waive the application fee for any applicant. However, we do have written agreements with several organizations whereby the Bush School will pay the application fee for the following:
- Americorps, Teach for America, City Year, and/or Peace Corps Volunteers: If you served in one of these organizations for 9 months or more, email a copy of your service letter (or a document listing your dates of service) to bushschoolapplications@tamu.edu BEFORE submitting your application. We will verify your service, pay the application fee for you, and reply with further instructions for you to submit your application. **DO NOT** pay the application fee. Refunds cannot be given once payment is made.
- PPIA Junior Summer Institute Participants:If you participated in the Public Policy International Affairs Junior Summer Institute (JSI), email a copy of your transcript to bushschoolapplications@tamu.edu BEFORE submitting your application. We will pay the application fee for you and reply with further instructions for you to submit your application. **DO NOT** pay the application fee. Refunds cannot be given once payment is made.
- Pickering, Rangel, or Payne Fellowship Finalists or Recipients: If you are a finalist or recipient of the Pickering, Rangel, or Payne Fellowship, email bushschoolapplications@tamu.edu when you are ready to submit your application with your GradCAS Application ID, the name of the fellowship and whether you are a finalist or recipient of the fellowship. We will verify your status, pay the application fee for you, and reply with further instructions for you to submit your application. **DO NOT** pay the application fee. Refunds cannot be given once payment is made.
Texas A&M Application Waivers:*
- Veterans and Active-Duty U.S. Military: Texas A&M will pay the application fee for veterans or active-duty U.S. military members. Send a copy of your DD214, showing proof of your military service, to Delayne Nichols d-nichols@tamu.edu BEFORE submitting your application.
- McNair Scholars: Texas A&M partners with the McNair Scholars program to pay the application fee for applicants to various programs across campus. Scholars must submit a letter from their McNair Program Director verifying their status as a McNair Scholar in good standing to Delayne Nichols d-nichols@tamu.edu Include the program and term you are applying to. Visit the 2025 Texas A&M Graduate Admissions website for details.
- Pell Grant Recipients or Low Income Applicants: Submit an awards letter from your current school’s financial aid office showing the award of a Pell Grant or your Student Aid Report (SAR) from a current FAFSA showing financial need to Delayne Nichols d-nichols@tamu.edu in the Texas A&M Office of Graduate Admissions. Visit the 2025 Texas A&M Graduate Admissions website for details.
Exceptional Financial Hardship?
The Bush School has a very limited number of application fees we can pay for domestic applicants with an exceptional financial hardship. We are unable to pay application fees for international applicants.
- If you are a U.S. applicant experiencing an exceptional financial hardship:
Email bushschoolapplications@tamu.edu with your resume and an essay of 300 words or less explaining your hardship and need for an application fee waiver. Hardships may be due to your family receiving public assistance, experiencing a recent family tragedy, or other financial limitation. We will review your request and if approved, pay the application fee for you and reply to your request with further instructions on how to submit your application.**DO NOT** pay the application fee. Refunds cannot be given once payment is made. - International Applicants: Texas A&M nor The Bush School waives or pays the application fees for international applicants.
Recommendations
Recommendations can be from:
- (preferred) a higher education academic reference, particularly from a course instructor who can attest to an applicant’s capability to pursue graduate school.
- a professional reference as needed, particularly for those who graduated several years prior to applying. Professional references can speak to the applicant’s leadership; character; public service, military, or work experience, but should provide specific anecdotes as to why the applicant is qualified for graduate school.
As soon as you have consulted your recommenders, add their contact information to your application in GradCAS! This allows your recommenders to start working on their recommendation while you continue filling out the application. To add a recommender, you will first need to add the ‘Fall 2026 Master of International Affairs’ Then, access the Program Materials quadrant → Recommendations tab.
Please enter the preferred email address of your recommenders and advise them to monitor that email, including junk and spam folders, for a recommendation request sent from support@tamu.myliaison.com
Click for instructions on requesting, monitoring, and resending a recommendation request in GradCAS.
Résumé
Upload a current résumé (two pages maximum) containing activities after high school to the Supporting Information quadrant → Documents section of your application in GradCAS. A Résumé Template is available for reference, containing the information/sections to include in your résumé. The formatting/order of contents in your résumé do not have to match the template. However, make sure the content listed in the template is found somewhere on your résumé.
Personal Statement
Upload your personal statement to the Program Materials quadrant → Documents tab of your application in GradCAS. Statements should answer the following prompt, be typed in 11 pt font, spaced 1.5”, and include the applicant’s name, the title “Personal Statement,” and a page number on each page.
Prompt: In 1,000 words or less, please address the following topics in your personal statement:
- What inspired or influenced you to pursue a career in international affairs (include relevant people, places, travel, courses, internships, and/or events),
- Your personal and professional goals within international affairs,
- What value you bring to the program (include meaningful experiences, education, and/or jobs you have had), and
- How an education from the Bush School will help you to achieve your goals.
Transcripts
Applicants must have earned a bachelor’s degree or are expected to earn a bachelor’s degree by the time they enroll in the program. Applicants with a degree from a university outside of the United States must have earned a degree equivalent to a 4-year bachelor’s degree in the United States. Visit the Texas A&M International Graduate Admissions website for a list of Bachelor’s Degree equivalencies.
To apply, applicants are required to upload copies of their transcripts from all 4-year colleges they’ve attended to their application in GradCAS, even if a degree was not earned or credits were transferred into another college.
In the Academic History quadrant → Colleges Attended section of your GradCAS application by doing the following:
- Add the names of every college or university you’ve attended.
- Then, upload a copy of your transcript for only the 4-year colleges you’ve attended by clicking on the ‘Upload Transcript’ link under the name of the corresponding college.
TEXAS A&M CURRENT/FORMER STUDENTS: Upload your unofficial TAMU transcript to GradCAS.
- INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE(S): For each international college, upload a file containing a copy of your transcript and degree certificate in its native language, as well as an English translation for both (if applicable).
- If you attended a college in CHINA, please be aware that if admitted, you will be required to submit transcripts and degrees verified by the Center for Student Services and Development (CSSD) to Texas A&M admissions@tamu.edu via Parchment.
Transcript requirements:
- Copies of your degree evaluation/audit will not be accepted. Copies of your transcript are required.
- Official transcripts are NOT needed to apply but must be submitted upon admission to enroll in courses. Instructions on submitting official transcripts will be emailed to those admitted.
- For each college where a degree was earned, the corresponding transcript must indicate the name of the degree and date it was awarded.
- If a degree is in progress, courses and grades through the most recent semester at the time of your application must be included on your transcript.
GRE/GMAT Test Scores (Optional)
GRE or GMAT test scores are not required to apply. However, scores are:
Strongly encouraged for those with a cumulative GPA below a 3.2. We use the cumulative GPA (out of 4.0) as listed on the transcript issuing the degree (bachelor, master, PhD).
Encouraged and accepted for anyone who feels their scores can complement a strong file or offset concerns such as a low GPA, lack of experience in the field, or if their grades/experiences do not reflect current abilities.
When considering whether to submit scores for your application, know that our average GRE score is a 310 for those applying to the MIA degree. Any score of 300 or above can help strengthen an application. Test scores must be within five years of the submission date of your application.
If you choose to submit GRE or GMAT test scores, upload a copy of your Test Score Report to the Program Materials quadrant → Documents tab of your application in GradCAS.
**OFFICIAL GRE/GMAT test scores are only needed after admission for international applicants who wish to provide proof of English language proficiency via their GRE or GMAT verbal score. See below for additional information.
Proof of English Language Proficiency (if required)
(for citizens from non-English speaking countries, if required)
Proof of English language proficiency is required for most international applicants. Visit the Texas A&M 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/exempt, you must submit proof of English proficiency in one of the following ways via your application at the time you apply (also listed on the International Application Requirements website): Applications submitted without proof of English proficiency (if required) are considered incomplete and will not be considered.
Complete all 4 years of a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited university located in the United States.
GRE Verbal Score of at least a 146 from a test date within five years of applying. Upload a copy of your test score report to your application via the Program Materials quadrant → Documents tab. If admitted, you will need to request your official GRE scores be sent to Texas A&M University using GRE school code 6003.
GMAT Verbal Score of at least a 22 from a test date within five years of applying. Upload a copy of your test score report to your application via the Program Materials quadrant → Documents tab. If admitted, you will need to request your official GMAT scores be sent to Texas A&M University using GMAT school code 7B7-K9-57.
TOEFL Score of at least 80 i-BT from a test date within two years of applying. We prefer a score of at least 100 i-BT. Upload a copy of your test score report to your application via the Program Materials quadrant → Documents tab. If admitted, you will need to request your official TOEFL scores be sent to Texas A&M University using school code 6003.
IELTS Academic Overall Band Score of at least 6.0 from a test date within two years of applying. We prefer an overall band score of at least a 7.0. Upload a copy of your test score report to your application via the Program Materials quadrant → Documents tab. If admitted, you will need to request your official IELTS scores be sent to Texas A&M University (College Station) at the address below:
Internal Admissions Processing Texas A&M University
PO Box 40002 College Station, TX 77842-4002 admissions@tamu.edu
Applicants are advised to schedule a test date of at least two months in advance of the application deadline to ensure test scores are received by the application deadline. Test scores can take anywhere from 2-6 weeks to come in. Applications submitted without proof of English proficiency (if required) are considered incomplete and will not be considered.
After Submitting Your Application…
Please allow us 7-10 business days to process your application once submitted, sometimes longer during peak times (mid-December through mid-January).
Once we have finished processing your application, we (Bush School Graduate Admissions) will email you at the email address you entered on your application with the official status of your application (Incomplete or Complete). The status of your application in GradCAS is not accurate as GradCAS only checks for some of the required items.
- If incomplete, it is your responsibility to submit the missing material(s) by the application deadline.
- If complete, sit tight and wait for an email containing your admissions decision (and Bush School funding offer, if admitted).
If offered admission, your offer letter from The Bush School will include the Bush School Scholarship or funding you’ve been awarded.
Those admitted in Round One or Two are encouraged to attend the Bush School’s MIA Admitted Student Day scheduled for Friday, February 27. A few events will be held on Saturday, February 28, for those that would like to attend. During the Admitted Student Day, students will tour the school, meet with faculty, talk to current and former students, and more. We encourage all admitted students to attend to see if The Bush School is the right for you!
Contact Information: Bush School Graduate Admissions
Questions about the application or admissions process for the Master of International Affairs program should be directed to Ashlee Treadway or Kathryn Meyer in the Bush School Graduate Admissions Office:
Phone: 979-862-3476
Email: bushschoolapplications@tamu.edu
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.