Inspiring Excellence in the Field of Public Service

College Station On-Campus Graduate Programs  

Master of Public Service & Administration

The MPSA develops principled leaders for the public and nonprofit sectors. The MPSA program is fully accredited by NASPAA. The curriculum provides students with knowledge and analytical skills in management, leadership, policy analysis, and research methods. Graduates leave the Bush School ready to make a difference both effectively and ethically.  Read more about the MPSA program here.

MASTER OF
International Affairs

The MIA prepares students for professional careers in global affairs. The curriculum provides students with knowledge and analytical skills in diplomacy, international politics, regional studies, intelligence, international economic development, and is taught by faculty who combine a mix of scholarly and professional international experience. Read more about the MIA program here. 

MASTER OF
International Policy

The MIP  is offered fully in-residence on the Texas A&M University campus or at the Washington, D.C. teaching site.  It's a mid-career degree intended for students who have already spent at least four years experience in the professional field of international affairs, broadly understood. The program expands students’ worldview and prepares them to advance their careers. Read more about the MIP program here.

Internships: Furthering Career Goals

Students further career goals while building on their backgrounds, course preparation and interests. See a list of Summer 2024 Internships and Immersions.

Developing Principled Leaders: Employment Stats

Bush School’s career services support students every step of the way. Within six months of graduation, 97% of the 2023 MPSA respondents were employed in a related field or continuing their education. Similarly, 95% of MIA graduates secured employment in their chosen fields. Bush School graduates make an impact in public service at all levels of government and the independent sector. Learn more.

U.S. News & World Report

 

 

Meet Our Dean: John Sherman ’92

John B. Sherman ’92 became Dean of the Bush School of Government and Public Service on 1 August, 2024. Prior to this he spent 30 years in national security and intelligence positions in the CIA, Department of Defense, and other agencies where he worked and led activities ranging from overhead reconnaissance to all-source analysis to open-source intelligence. He most recently served in the Presidentially-appointed, Senate-confirmed position as Chief Information Officer of the Department of Defense, where he oversaw technology and cyber modernization for a 4-million person enterprise with a $60B IT and cyber budget. John is a 1992 Distinguish Military Graduate of Texas A&M University where he served as Corps Commander. He also earned a Masters of Public Administration from the University of Houston and he served as an Army Air Defense Officer. He is married to Liz, Class of ’91, who has also served a full career in national security, and they have two grown children who are both professionals in public service. Watch Dean Sherman's welcome video.  

 

Alumni say it best: Meet Krystle

Meet Krystle Beauchamp, Class of 2007 MPSA graduate. Listen to her as she talks about what she loves most about the Bush School and how her experience has prepared her for her career now. Watch here.

Meet Krystle Beauchamp

Current Students: Meet Javier

Meet Javier Díaz, a Master of Public Service and Administration student at the Bush School. Javier was inspired by President George H.W. Bush and his grandfather's commitment to public service. He believes in the power of young individuals to enhance government and public services in Mexico Watch here.

Faculty: World Recognized Experts

Cultivating skills both inside and outside the classroom

Practitioner Perspectives with Capstone Courses

Homeland Security: Brooks County Sheriff’s Office

One of our 2024 MPSA capstone projects involves collaboration with the Brooks County Sheriff's Office. Led by Associate Professor Dan DeBree, who has over 30 years of experience in military and homeland security, the project is being undertaken by a team of 13 MPSA students.
The Brooks County Sheriff’s search and recovery team rescues migrants in distress and attempts recovery and identification of deceased migrants. Over the course of the school year, Professor DeBree’s students will observe and gather data in the field, meet with Customs and Border Protection officials and local nonprofits, and test drone technologies that could assist in locating migrants. They aim to propose viable solutions to the humanitarian crisis affecting Brooks County and much of South Texas.
The inspiration behind this project was Emma Newman, a Texas A&M doctoral anthropology student researching the crisis in Brooks County. Seeking a deeper understanding, she enrolled in Professor DeBree's class on border security. Intrigued by her research, Professor DeBree decided to visit and observe the crisis firsthand. This led to the capstone’s creation, with Newman as a co-primary investigator. This capstone is a great example of how the Bush School takes on relevant challenges and teaches students how to tackle complex situations.

U.S. Human Trafficking Capstone

Another groundbreaking capstone led by Dr. Robbie Robichau, a Bush School alumna herself, focused on anti-human trafficking and the nonprofit sector. The MPSA students developed and analyzed a comprehensive, longitudinal U.S. Human Trafficking Policy Database that included 27 policy indicators over 21 years across all 50 states. They also conducted additional research examining three case study states - Florida, Oklahoma, and North Carolina - to identify current progress and future improvements. To understand the implementation of policies detailed in the Database, they also conducted in-depth interviews with stakeholders from government, nonprofits, law enforcement, and other sectors in anti-human trafficking.
MPSA graduate Lizette Beltran credits her experience and research with the capstone in securing her position with the federal government’s Department of Labor in Austin, Texas. She believes her new employers were impressed with the relevant skills and knowledge she demonstrated in this policy field. "I often draw on skills gained from my capstone—such as reading and interpreting legislation—which have been crucial in my day-to-day work, especially in the learning stage as I familiarize myself with complex labor laws and federal codes. Just as I did in my capstone,  I will need to apply critical thinking and analytical skills to determine whether individuals are subject to labor violations and to ensure that employers and employees are aware of their requirements and protections."