The Bush School of Government & Public Service

Public Service is a noble calling.


Home / Online Executive Master of Public Service & Administration / EMPSA Admissions

EMPSA Admissions

Application Requirements

Admissions occur every fall, summer, and spring semester. All application materials, transcripts, and scores must be received by the deadline! The upcoming application deadlines are as follows:

EMPSA Application Deadlines

  • Spring 2025: Sunday, November 17, 2024 by midnight.

To apply, applicants must have at least five years full-time public service experience, with three years at the mid-to-upper level, a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, and submit the following materials:

Spring 2025 Application

  • Texas A&M University GraduateCAS
    • Applicants need to go to the “Add Program” tab and either scroll down to find EMPSA or type “Executive Master of Public Service and Administration” into the search bar. Make sure to select the correct term you wish to apply for.
  • Application Fee. A non-refundable $89 application fee for US applicants and $114 for international applicants.
  • Official Transcripts and Records. Official transcripts for all 4-year colleges or universities attended must be sent to Texas A&M University’s Office of Graduate Admissions (see Official Transcripts and Records section for submission requirements).
  • Unofficial Transcripts: Texas A&M University GraduateCAS requires unofficial transcripts to be uploaded to the application in addition to ordering officials.
  • Resume (professional experience must be included.)
  • Statement of Purpose
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation
  • GRE or GMAT scores Optional
    • Scores Recommended for GPAs below 3.2 or to Strengthen Application
      • The Bush School has modified its GRE/GMAT testing requirements. Effective immediately, testing is now optional. However, scores are highly recommended and strongly encouraged for GPAs below 3.2 or if you need to strengthen your application package. Test scores (GRE preferred) should be sent directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to the Bush School of Government and Public Service or Texas A&M University (GRE Code 6003/GMAT Code 7B7-K9-57)
  • Proof of English Proficiency: Applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit proof of English proficiency, which may be satisfied by
    • a minimum TOEFL score (from a test date within two years) of 550 for paper-based testing (p-BT) or 80 for Internet-based testing (i-BT), or
    • a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 overall band, or
    • completion of all years of a bachelor’s degree or higher at a US accredited university.

Official Transcripts and Records

Submit official transcripts from all 4-year colleges or universities attended, including summer school courses and study abroad. An official statement of the award of a degree or diploma is required for each degree completed.

Note to TAMU students/alumni: Do NOT submit an official transcript from Texas A&M University; we will download your transcript as we process your application.

Transcripts can be submitted in these ways:

  • Official: sent directly from your registrar (ask for the available options); or
  • Electronically through AVOW, SPEEDE, eSCRIPT-SAFE, or National Clearing House to admissions@tamu.edu; or
  • Mailed to Texas A&M Graduate Admissions Processing. Documents that must be sent via postal mail, please use the addresses listed below:
  • NOTE: Photocopies or other duplications, such as notarized copies and faxes, are not considered official.

If the transcripts or marksheets are from a university outside the United States, they are to be signed by the registrar, controller of examinations, or president of the university issuing the document. Official records are to be in the language of instruction, accompanied by official translation in English, if necessary. Only translations sent directly from the institution attended or from a recognized translator are considered official.

  • (US Postal Service)
    • Graduate Admissions Processing
    • Office of Admissions
    • Texas A&M University
    • P.O. Box 40001
    • College Station, TX 77842-4001
  • (Overnight or Hand Delivery)
    • Graduate Admissions Processing
    • Texas A&M University
    • General Services Complex
    • 750 Agronomy Road, Suite 1601
    • 0200 TAMU
    • College Station, TX 77843-0200
    • (979) 845-1060

Texas A&M University is closed on Saturday and Sunday. Credentials scheduled by overnight mail carriers for Saturday delivery will be delivered and accepted by the University on the next business day.

  • Unofficial Transcripts: Texas A&M University GraduateCAS requires unofficial transcripts to be uploaded to the application in addition to ordering official transcripts. Applicants will be required to upload unofficial transcript(s) in the “Academic History” tab in order to submit their application.

Professional Résumé

Provide a current résumé. Include the following sections.

  • Name and contact information
  • Education
    • Undergraduate institution; include month/year completed (or to be completed)
    • Degree earned (with major, minor)
    • Current overall GPA (you can also add a last 60 hour or major GPA)
    • List additional undergraduate or graduate degrees and certificates, as necessary
    • Optional
      • Relevant/highlighted courses you’d like to list
      • Academic honors and awards
  • Relevant work/internship experience
    • List work, volunteer, or internship experiences related to public service, to include government, nonprofits, educational institutions, military service, and other relevant areas.
    • Include any track related work or volunteer experience you may have in the master’s track you will pursue of homeland security, nonprofit management, or public management.
    • **Note: Internship and volunteer experience may count toward the 5 years of public service experience. The combined experience must be 5 years full-time. At least 3 years’ experience at the middle-to-upper level is required.
    • Include dates (at the very least month and year).
    • Include full-time or part-time (number of hours worked per week).
    • Include duties and responsibilities.
  • Leadership, service, organizational memberships, and honors
    • List your involvement in any related activities YOU want to highlight. Indicate the organization, position/role you assumed, the duration/dates involved, and the time involved per week/month/semester. Include dates (at the very least month and year).
  • Other (optional)

Applicants applying through the Texas A&M GraduateCAS application are required to upload the resume to “Supporting Information” in order to complete their application. If you have submitted a complete application and need to make edits to your resume before the application deadline please email bushschoolonline@tamu.edu.

Statement of Purpose

In 750 words or less, tell us your goals for obtaining an EMPSA. Also describe your public service experience. Include the number of years of your public service experience, and describe the range of your experiences. Include any management or supervisory experience you may have. Address questions such as the following:

  • What did you do?
  • What were your duties and responsibilities?
  • What were some of your achievements?
  • Describe the unique value that you will bring to the program.
  • Include your full name on each page of the statement.

Applicants are required to upload their personal statement to “Program Materials” in order to submit their application. If you have submitted a complete application and need to make edits to your statement before the application deadline please email bushschoolonline@tamu.edu.

Letters of Recommendation (3)

Three letters of recommendation are required for the EMPSA application. It is strongly recommended that at least one recommendation letter be from someone who is familiar with your capacity for academic work and/or speak to your potential to advance in your career (typically supervisors, faculty, or advisor) and another recommendation be from someone familiar with your leadership, public service, and middle to upper level work experience. Both the demonstrated capability to do graduate academic work and significant public service work experience are integral in your recommendation letters and application. Letter may also include potential to advanced in their career. One letter may be from a peer.

Letters of recommendation can be submitted in these ways:

  • Online through the Texas A&M GraduateCAS Application system: If applicants would like to submit letters of recommendation online through GradCAS, they can request them while still in the application. Go to the “Program Materials” square and click on the “Recommendations” tab. Click “Request Letter of Reference and Likert Scale Recommendation” and fill out the information required. Only 3 letters of recommendation are required, but applicants can add up to 6. If an applicant would rather submit letters via email or regular mail, they may click “I am Not Adding Any Recommendations.”
  • Hard copy: Mailed or dropped off to the Bush School Extended Education Admissions office (address below).
    • Letters should be written on letterhead.
    • Bush School Extended Education Admissions
      Texas A&M University
      4220 TAMU
      College Station, TX 77843
  • Emailed: Sent tobushschoolonline@tamu.edu by your recommender.
    • Letters should be written on letterhead, signed, and scanned as a PDF.

GRE or GMAT Test Scores Optional

Recommended test scores (GRE preferred) should be sent directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to the Bush School of Government and Public Service or Texas A&M University (GRE Code 6003/GMAT Code 7B7-K9-57) and be from a test date within five years of the date the GradCas application is submitted.

We recommend tests be completed six weeks in advance of the priority deadline.

TOEFL/IELTS Scores

Texas A&M University requires that applicants whose native language is not English submit proof of English proficiency, which may be satisfied by one of the following:

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of at least 80 ibt (Internet) or 550 pbt (paper). The Bush School prefers a TOEFL score of 100 ibt (Internet) or 600 pbt (paper) or 7.0 IELTS score.
  • International English Language Testing System Test (IELTS) score of at least 6.0 overall band
  • Completion of all years of a bachelor’s degree or higher at a US accredited university (subject to departmental approval).
  • a minimum PTE Academic Score of 53
  • a GRE Verbal Reasoning Score of at least 146 (subject to departmental approval)
  • a GMAT Verbal Score of at least 22 (subject to departmental approval)
  • Acquiring alternative verification from the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies via departmental request. An international student holding a master’s degree from a U.S. accredited university qualifies for alternative verification.

TOEFL scores should be sent directly from the testing service to Texas A&M University (Code 6003); there is no institutional code for the IELTS, but tests should be mailed to the address below and be from a test date within two years of the date the GradCas application is submitted. You may verify receipt of your official scores by e-mailing the contact below. Include your name (as given on the test), date of birth, UIN, type of test, date of test, and date you requested scores to be sent.

  • Data and Research Services
    • Texas A&M University
    • 4239 TAMU
    • College Station, TX 77843-4239
    • E-mail: dars@tamu.edu

More information is found on the Texas A&M website at https://admissions.tamu.edu/international/graduate.