Master of Public Service & Administration (MPSA)

Start your application in GradCAS 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 GradCAS system. (2027 cycle opens August 15)
2. Click the ‘Add Program’ option from the menu on the left.
   Search for and add the “Fall 2027 Master of Public Service & Administration” program
3. Proceed with filling out all required fields, requesting your recommendations, and upload all required documents in your application.
4. 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

Important: The fee cannot be refunded once paid. If any of the following categories apply to you, do not pay the fee or submit your application yet. Email the documentation noted to the address listed and the Bush School will verify, pay the fee for you, and reply with instructions to submit.

Bush School pays the fee for:

• AmeriCorps, Teach For America, City Year, or Peace Corps volunteers (9+ months of service by enrollment): email a service letter or dates of service to bushschoolapplications@tamu.edu.
• PPIA Junior Summer Institute participants: email a copy of your PPIA transcript to bushschoolapplications@tamu.edu.
• Pickering, Rangel, or Payne fellowship finalists or recipients: email bushschoolapplications@tamu.edu with your GradCAS Application ID, the fellowship name, and your status.

Texas A&M pays the fee for:

• Veterans and active-duty U.S. military: send a copy of your DD214 to Delayne Nichols (d-nichols@tamu.edu) before submitting.
• McNair Scholars: send a letter from your McNair Program Director verifying good standing, with your program and term, to Delayne Nichols (d-nichols@tamu.edu).
• Pell Grant recipients or low-income applicants: send a financial aid award letter showing a Pell Grant, or your FAFSA Student Aid Report showing need, to Delayne Nichols (d-nichols@tamu.edu).

Exceptional financial hardship (domestic only):
A very limited number of fee payments are available for domestic applicants experiencing exceptional hardship. Email bushschoolapplications@tamu.edu your resume and an essay of 300 words or less describing the hardship. International application fees cannot be waived.

Two letters of recommendation are required, but up to three are accepted. Applications submitted before all requested recommendations are received will be considered “incomplete” and not reviewed for admission.

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 their degree more than two 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 supervisor, mentors, or associates) who can attest to your character, leadership, commitment to public service, and/or your professional work or military experience.

Add your recommenders’ preferred email addresses in the Program Materials quadrant → Recommendations tab as soon as you have consulted them, and advise them to watch their inbox (including junk/spam) for a request from support@tamu.myliaison.com. You can monitor, resend, or edit requests from the same tab.

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.

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:

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

Applicants must upload a copy of their transcript from every college they attended, except for community colleges and junior colleges, through the Academic History quadrant – Colleges Attended section of their application. Official transcripts should only be submitted upon admission to register for classes. Instructions will be provided upon admission.

See How to Submit Official Transcripts.

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 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 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:

• 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.

Applicants invited to interview must complete two interviews with faculty and/or staff and are required to receive an admissions and funding decision. Most interviews are conducted during Interview Conference Weekend (February 19 & 20, 2027) at the Bush School in College Station, TX. For those unable to attend, alternative interviews are scheduled via Zoom throughout the months of February through April.

Learn more about Interview Conference Weekend.