Master of International Affairs (MIA)

Start your application in GraduateCAS at any time.

You may return to upload additional materials or update information prior to submitting your application. Make sure you submit your application and all support materials prior to 11:59 PM (Central Time) on the application deadline.

Steps:

1. Create an account in the 2027 Texas A&M University GraduateCAS system.
2. Click the ‘Add Program’ from the menu on the left.
3. Search for and add the “Fall 2027 Master of International Affairs” program.
4. Proceed with filling out all required field, requesting your recommendations, and upload all required documents in your application.
5. Pay the application fee and submit by the deadline.

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.

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

Bush School Application Fee Waivers
The Bush School pays the application fee for applicants in the following categories. Do NOT pay the application fee before contacting us; refunds cannot be given once payment is made.

• Americorps, Teach for America, City Year, or Peace Corps Volunteers (9+ months of service): Email a copy of your service letter (or a document listing your dates of service) to bushschoolapplications@tamu.edu BEFORE submitting your application.

• PPIA Junior Summer Institute Participants: Email a copy of your transcript to bushschoolapplications@tamu.edu BEFORE submitting your application.

• Pickering, Rangel, or Payne Fellowship Finalists or Recipients: Email bushschoolapplications@tamu.edu when ready to submit your application with your GradCAS Application ID, the name of the fellowship, and whether you are a finalist or recipient.

Texas A&M Application Waivers

• Veterans and Active-Duty U.S. Military: Texas A&M will pay the application fee. Send a copy of your DD214 to Delayne Nichols at d-nichols@tamu.edu BEFORE submitting your application.

• McNair Scholars: Submit a letter from your McNair Program Director verifying status as a McNair Scholar in good standing to Delayne Nichols at d-nichols@tamu.edu.

• Pell Grant Recipients or Low Income Applicants: Submit an awards letter from your current school’s financial aid office or your Student Aid Report (SAR) showing financial need to Delayne Nichols at d-nichols@tamu.edu.

Exceptional Financial Hardship (U.S. applicants only)
The Bush School has a limited number of application fees we can pay for domestic applicants with exceptional financial hardship. Email bushschoolapplications@tamu.edu with your resume and an essay of 300 words or less explaining your hardship. Hardships may be due to your family receiving public assistance, experiencing a recent family tragedy, or other financial limitation.

Note: Texas A&M and The Bush School do not waive or pay application fees for international applicants.

Two recommendations (consisting of a letter and brief Likert evaluation) are required and collected via your application in GraduateCAS. Up to three recommendations are accepted. All requested recommendations must be received by the application deadline. Submitted applications with one or more missing recommendations are considered incomplete and not reviewed for admission.

We are looking for the following types of recommendations:

• • For applicants who graduated with a degree within the past two years, we strongly encourage and prefer you request two academic recommendations from a course instructor who can attest to your academic performance and potential to succeed in graduate school. However, we will accept up to one professional recommendation as needed.
  • For applicants who graduated with a degree more than to years ago, we prefer at least one recommendation be from a course instructor who can attest to your academic performance and potential to succeed in graduate school. But we also realize an academic recommendation may not be possible the further out you are from graduation and will accept recommendations from professional references (such as supervisors, mentors, or associates) who can attest to your character, leadership, commitment to public service, and/or your professional work or military experience.

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 2027 Master of International Affairs’ program. Then, access the Program Materials quadrant → Recommendations section.

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.

Monitoring the status of your recommendation requests in GradCAS:
Log back into your application at any time before, during, or after submitting your application to monitor the status of your recommendations and resend requests when needed. Completed/submitted recommendations are marked as “Complete.” Follow up with your recommenders if the status is “Requested” or “Accepted.”

• Upload a current resume to the Supporting Information > Documents section of your application in GradCAS. Your resume should be no more than two pages and can be in any format, but must include the following information/sections:
  • Every experience must include dates (the beginning month/year as well as the end month/year)
  • Name and contact information
  • Education
  • Work Experience
  • Military Service
  • Internship Experience
  • International Experience
  • Skills and Certifications (language skills, security clearances, software skills, etc)
  • Leadership, Service, Organizations, and Honors

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)
• How an education from the Bush School will help you to achieve your goals

Applicants must have earned a bachelor’s degree or be 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.

In the Academic History -> Colleges Attended section, you will be asked to add every college you’ve attended. However, you only need to upload a copy of your transcript from the 4-year colleges you attended via the Academic Records page. Official transcripts should only be submitted upon admission to register for classes. Instructions will be provided upon admission.

Please note the following transcript requirements:

• • • Texas A&M University students or alumni: Upload a copy of your unofficial TAMU transcript to their application. An official transcript is not needed, even if admitted.
    • Transcripts from international colleges: A copy of your transcript and degree certificate in their native language as well as an English translation for both (if applicable) is required. Upload native language and English translations in one file for each international college attended.
    • Transcripts from China: If admitted, please be aware you will be required to submit transcripts and degrees verified by the Center for Student Services and Development (CSSD) to Texas A&M University via Parchment.
    • Transcript from college(s) where a degree was earned: Transcript must include the date your degree was conferred/awarded.
    • Transcript from college(s) where a degree is still in progress: Transcript must include courses and grades through the most recent semester.

GRE or GMAT test scores are not required to apply. However, scores are:

• Strongly encouraged for those with a cumulative GPA below 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 GraduateCAS.

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 English Language Proficiency below).

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 you are not exempt, you must provide proof of English proficiency at the time of your application by achieving a minimum required score on an acceptable standardized exam or completion of a bachelor’s or master’s degree at an accredited academic institution within the United States. Accepted standardized exams are as follows:

• • GRE Verbal ≥ 146 (test date must be within 5 years of application)
  • GMAT Verbal  ≥ 77 on the new scale or 22 on the old scale (test date must be within 5 years of application)
  • TOEFL iBT Overall Score  ≥ 80 (in person or Home Edition) taken prior to January 21, 2026, and from a test date within two years of application (Texas A&M University does not accept the MyBest TOEFL score).
  • TOEFL iBT Overall Score  ≥ 4.5 (in person or Home Edition) taken on or after January 21, 2026, and from a test date within two years of application WITH a 4.0 minimum score required on each individual skill section (Texas A&M University does not accept MyBest TOEFL score).
  • TOEFL Essential Score  ≥ 8.5 (test date must be within 2 years of application) Texas A&M University does not accept MyBest TOEFL score.
  • IELTS Academic Test Score  ≥ 6.0 overall band (test date must be within 2 years of application) Texas A&M University does not accept the IETLS General test nor the One Skill Retake.

Upload test score reports to the Program Materials quadrant ➡️ Documents tab of the application. Submit official test scores to Texas A&M University.

• GRE Scores: Use code 6003
• GMAT Scores: Use code 7B7-G5-73
• TOEFL Scores: Use code 6003
• IELTS: Request test center submit electronically to Texas A&M University (College Station and Galveston)

Exams must be scheduled at least two months before the application deadline since scores can take 2 to 6 weeks to receive. Applications submitted but missing proof are considered incomplete.