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Application Requirements

5- year Master of Public Service & Administration Degrees with the Texas A&M Departments of Political Science, Economics, Agricultural Economics, Sociology, Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences, and Rangeland, Wildlife, & Fisheries Management

MPSA 5-year (3+2) Degree

Deadlines | Requirements | How To Apply | Decisions | FAQs | Contact Us

The Master of Public Service & Administration (MPSA) admits students from the undergraduate degrees of Political Science, Sociology, Economics, Agricultural Economics, and Rangeland, or Wildlife & Fisheries Management into the 5-year MPSA program once per year, for fall entry only.

Applications for the following fall are open from August to mid-January with two rounds of admissions decision. Please refer to the fall 2026 admissions deadline and timeline for each round below. The application for fall 2026 entry will open mid-August 2025 with deadlines as follows:

Fall 2026 Application Deadlines

ROUND ONE

Early Decision & Priority Funding Consideration

Application Deadline:
December 15, 2025

Supporting Materials Due: *
December 15, 2025

Admissions Decisions Released & Interview Invitations Sent:
Mid-January 2026

Interview Conference Weekend
February 20 & 21, 2026

Funding Offers Released:
Mid-March 2026

Offer Response Deadline:
April 15, 2026

ROUND TWO

Final Round for 3+2 Apps

Application Deadline:
January 15, 2026

Supporting Materials Due: *
January 15, 2026

Interview Invitations Sent:
Late January 2026

Interview Conference Weekend
February 20 & 21, 2026

Decisions & Funding Offers Released:
Mid-March 2026

Offer Response Deadline:
April 15, 2026

* Supporting materials are all required documents including the application, resume, personal statement, two recommendations, 3+2 MPSA Course Planner, and GRE/GMAT test scores (if desired).

An application and all supporting materials (including recommendations) must be submitted and received by 11:59 PM (Central Time) on the day of the application deadline listed above to be considered for that round of admission. Applications submitted but missing on or more supporting materials are incomplete and will not be considered until complete for the next round of admissions. Incomplete applications after the final round will be withdrawn.

REQUIREMENTS TO APPLY

Current Texas A&M University (College Station, TX) undergraduate students may apply for admission into the 3+2 MPSA program during the fall of their junior year (or in the fall when they are classified as a U3) as long as the student:

  • is majoring in one of the following at the time of their application, and
    • Political ScienceEconomicsAgricultural EconomicsSociology
    • Rangeland, Wildlife & Fisheries Management
  • has worked with their undergrad advisor to map out undergrad courses the student must complete prior to and after entry into the MPSA program (if admitted), and
  • is on track to satisfy at least 102 credit hours of their undergrad degree requirements by the start of the fall semester of entry into the MPSA, and
  • has (or can feasibly earn) a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 by the start of the fall semester of entry into the MPSA, and
  • is in good academic standing with their undergrad department, and
  • is not expected to graduate or complete their undergrad degree before the fall semester of entry into the MPSA, * and
  • understands that failure to satisfy ALL of these requirements prior to the fall semester of entry into the MPSA will result in admission (if offered) being revoked to the 3+2 program.

*For example: A Texas A&M Undergrad student majoring in Political Science who is expected to graduate from their undergrad degree in May 2025 is ineligible to apply for fall 2025 admission into the 3+2 program. The student would need to submit a GradCAS application for the 2-year MPSA degree instead.

ADMISSIONS PROCESS

The Master of Public Service & Administration 3+2 program has a four-step admissions process:

  • Apply
    An application must be submitted, and all materials (including recommendations) must be received on or before 11:59 PM (Central Time) on
    • December 15 to receive an early admissions decision (in January) and be given priority funding consideration (funding awarded in mid-March).
    • January 15 to be considered for an admissions and funding decision in mid-March.
  • Early Admissions Decisions Made
    Applicants who submit a completed application on or before December 15 are notified of their admissions decision via email by the end of January and are also given priority consideration for funding awards to be decided in mid-March after two required interviews are completed.
  • Interviews
    Applicants invited to interview (including those already admitted) must complete two interviews with faculty/staff to receive an admissions decision (if not offered early admission) and a funding award. Applicants are encouraged to attend the Interview Conference Weekend (February 20 & 21, 2026), but alternative interviews are scheduled throughout the month of February via Zoom for those unable to attend.

  • Decisions
    In mid-March, offer letters containing an admissions decision (if not already made) and funding award are emailed to applicants who have completed two interviews. Applicants have until April 15 to accept or decline their admissions and funding offer.

  • Coursework and GPA Verification
    The transcript of students admitted into the 3+2 program will be checked after spring and summer grades are posted to ensure the student has completed all of their undergraduate coursework as indicated on their course planner and still meets the minimum GPA requirement to enroll in the program.

HOW TO APPLY

Current Texas A&M undergraduate students who meet the requirements above may apply submitting all of the following materials to complete their application by the application deadline. Incomplete applications will NOT be reviewed or considered for admission.

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 through your application: Fall 2026 5-Year MPSA Application Checklist & Instructions.

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.

Application

Apply by submitting a Fall 2026: 3+2 MPSA Internal Application. There is no application fee.

The application will ask you to provide your information, answer program-specific questions, and upload your supporting materials (resume, personal statement, and GRE/GMAT test scores if desired). We advise 3+2 MPSA applicants to have their supporting materials ready to upload before filling out and submitting the application above.

Recommendations

Two recommendations (consisting of a Recommendation Form and letter) are required and must be emailed directly from your recommender to the Bush School’s Graduate Admissions Office by the application deadline. Applicants should discuss the program and recommendation requirements with their recommender well in advance of the application deadline. Applications with fewer than two recommendations will NOT be reviewed or considered for admission.

Recommendations can be from:

  • (strongly encouraged) 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 worked before or during their undergrad degree. A professional reference should speak to the applicant’s leadership, character, public service, military or work experience, but should also provide specific anecdotes as to why the applicant is prepared for graduate school.

Instructions for applicant:

  1. As soon as the applicant has finalized who their two recommenders will be, the applicant should fill out the top portion of the Recommendation Form with their information.

  2. Applicant emails Recommendation Form to their recommenders with instructions for the recommender (see below) and should communicate a deadline (preferably two weeks prior to application deadline) for their recommender to complete the following steps.
    • Write a letter of recommendation (preferably on official letterhead).
    • Fill out the bottom portion of the recommendation form (evaluation section).
    • Email the completed recommendation form and letter to the Bush School Graduate Admissions Office at bushschoolapplications@tamu.edu **Recommendations emailed from an applicant are not accepted; recommendations must be emailed directly from the recommender.

  3. As needed, applicant sends reminders to their recommenders as deadline approaches.

    The Bush School Admissions Office will send the applicant an email notification each time a recommendation has been received on their behalf. However, it is the applicant’s responsibility to follow-up with any recommenders to ensure they submit their recommendation by the application deadline.

Instructions for recommender:

  1. Fill out bottom portion of the Recommendation Form sent from the applicant.
  2. Write a letter of recommendation for the applicant on official letterhead (if possible). See above for things we are looking for.
  3. Email completed Recommendation Form and letter to Ashlee Treadway in the Bush School Graduate Admissions at bushschoolapplications@tamu.edu. If you do not receive a confirmation email within 1-2 business days, please follow-up.

Résumé

Upload a current résumé (max of two pages) that includes activities after high school to the Fall 2026: 3+2 MPSA Internal Application. 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 a personal statement answering the following prompt to the Fall 2025: 3+2 MPSA Internal Application. Statements should 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 750 words or less, please address the following topics in your personal statement:

  • Your personal and professional goals for your intended career,
  • What (people, places, events) inspired you to pursue a career in public service,
  • How obtaining the MPSA from the Bush School will help you achieve your goals, and
  • Include your public service experience and what value you bring to the program.

Transcripts

Students do not need to submit or upload their Texas A&M transcript. The Bush School’s Graduate Admissions Office will download a copy of the student’s transcript at the time they submit their application, after final fall grades are posted, and again in early August to ensure the student successfully completed all of their undergrad course requirements and met the minimum GPA requirement prior to the fall semester of entry into the MPSA.

GRE/GMAT Test Scores

GRE or GMAT test scores are not required to apply to the 3+2 MPSA degree program. However, we encourage scores for anyone who feels they can complement a strong file or offset concerns such as a lack of experience in the field.

When deciding if scores will help or hinder your application, consider our previous years’ average of a 304. We prefer the GRE over GMAT. Scores must be within five years of the date the application is submitted.

Applicants who decide to submit test scores should upload a copy of their Test Score Report to their Fall 2025: 3+2 MPSA Internal Application. Official scores are not needed but can be sent to Texas A&M University using the following codes. (GRE Code: 6003 / GMAT Code: 7B7-K9-57)

5-Year MPSA Course Planner

It is imperative for a student to meet with their undergraduate advisor as soon as they become interested in pursuing the 3+2 program. We recommend students start filling out a 3+2 Course Planner as early as possible in their undergraduate career to ensure they remain on track to fulfill all requirements (except for the 15-18 credit hours that double count) prior to the fall semester in which they would enter the 3+2 program, if admitted.

To apply to the 3+2 MPSA degree program, the student and advisor must fill out and sign the appropriate 3+2 Course Planner confirming the UG course requirements the student has successfully completed as well as the UG course requirements they still need to complete prior to the fall semester of entry into the MPSA program, if the student is admitted. The course planner ensures the student, their UG advisor, MPSA Admissions, and the MPSIA department are aware of any and all requirements the student must complete to fulfill the requirements of both degrees.

Click here to find and download the 3+2 MPSA Course Planner for your major.

Upload the completed and signed 3+2 Course Planner to the Fall 2026: 3+2 MPSA Internal Application. Applications submitted without a completed (and signed) Course Planner are considered incomplete. Incomplete applications are not considered or review for admission.

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).

  • 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 an update on the status of your application. See timelines above.

Applicants admitted and/or invited to interview will be notified by email in either mid-January or late January (see timeline above) with an invitation to register for two interviews, either during Interview Conference Weekend (Feb 20 & 21, 2026) or at another time via Zoom throughout the month of February. Applicants invited to interview must complete an interview with two faculty/staff members to continue in the admissions and funding consideration process.

Final admissions decisions are made and emailed to applicants no later than March 15. If offered admission, the email will contain an offer letter with the applicant’s funding award. Applicants have until April 15 to accept or decline their offer.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Questions about undergraduate course or degree requirements in preparation for applying to the 3+2 MIA program should be directed to the student’s undergraduate advisor.

Questions about applying to the 3+2 MPSA degree 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.