Master of National Security & Intelligence (NSI)

In GradCAS, open the “Add Program” tab and either scroll to find EMPSA or search “Master of National Security and Intelligence (Washington, D.C.).” Be sure to select the correct term.

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

Upload to the Program Materials quadrant → Documents tab of your application. Include your name, the title “Personal Statement,” and a page number on each page.

In 750 words, address: your background, skills, and interests, including details about your professional experience in the field; who you are and your future goals; and how earning the NSI degree from the Bush School DC will help you to achieve your goals.

Provide a résumé with dates (month/year) and details of relevant experience.

Sections:

• Name and Contact Information
• Education
• Work/Internship Experience and Military Service
• International Experience
• Skills and Certifications (language, software, clearance, etc.)
• Leadership, Service, Organizations, and Honors

Upload it to “Supporting Information” in GradCAS.

Two letters are required, and you may submit a third. Both should come from those who can speak to your leadership, public service, military, or work experience, or from someone familiar with your academic performance.

Letters from peers, coaches, family members, or friends are not accepted.

Your application is not reviewed until at least two letters are received.

You may include a supplemental writing sample, such as a research paper, thesis or capstone project, or a memo or brief

Upload unofficial transcripts from each 4-year educational institution attended. 

In the Academic History ➡️ Colleges Attended section of your application, you will be asked to add every college you attended, but you only need to upload unofficial transcripts for the 4-year educational institutions you attended.

• If you are a former or current Texas A&M University (College Station or Galveston) student, you will need to upload your unofficial Texas A&M transcript. If admitted, you do NOT need to submit official transcripts.

• For transcripts of colleges where you earned a degree, your transcript must include the degree awarded and conferral date. If you have not yet earned the degree, your transcript must include the courses and grades through your most recent semester.
• For transcripts from colleges not located in the United States, save your transcript and diploma (or degree certificate) in its native language along with an English translation for both (if applicable) into one document per college, then upload to your application for review.

If admitted, you will be required to submit official transcripts from all 4-year institutions attended to enroll in classes. Do not send official transcripts to the Bush School DC Teaching Site.

Check the Texas A&M International Graduate Admissions website for a list of countries whose citizens are exempt from providing proof of English 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 IELTS General test nor the One Skill Retake.

Upload your score report 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)

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.

Spring applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and decisions are made and released within two to three weeks of a completed application. Scholarship offers for the Spring applications will be released after the priority deadline of October 1st.

Fall applications do not follow an initial rolling basis as decisions and scholarship offers will be released after the February 1st priority deadline. We will continue to accept Fall applications on a rolling basis up to June 1st.