Admissions Process

Applications to the MPA program are accepted for the fall semester only. The online application is available starting in the first week of September.

All application materials must be received by the final deadline. U.S. applications are reviewed on a rolling basis in the order of file completion, beginning with those completed by the early deadline and ending with those completed by the final deadline. All international applications are reviewed after the application deadline rather than on a rolling basis. Applications that are completed after the submission deadlines are considered on a space-available basis only.

Please note the following:

• Admitted applicants who do not qualify for the ACC 381–Financial Accounting waiver (based on two semesters of Financial Accounting, including one semester of Intermediate Accounting, at the undergraduate level with a grade of B or better) will be required to complete two courses during the second 6-week summer session. Second summer session courses begin in mid-July.
• Admitted applicants who have not completed Introduction to Financial Accounting or the equivalent at another institution must enroll in ACC 311-Fundamentals of Financial Accounting in the first summer session, which typically begins in late May or early June. ACC 311 (or the equivalent) is a prerequisite for ACC 381-Financial Accounting. Please note that Introduction to Financial Accounting can be completed at a community college or as an online course at an accredited, degree-granting institution.

*U.S. applicants with strong credentials are encouraged to submit their applications by the early deadline if they wish to receive an earlier decision notification. Although each application is evaluated in its entirety and in comparison with the rest of the applicant pool for a particular year, in general, U.S. applicants with an upper-division GPA of 3.5 or better and a GMAT score of 600 or better should consider applying by December 1. Please note that the admissions committee may decide to admit, deny or place an applicant on a waitlist, depending on the strength of the entire application and applicant pool.

**An international applicant is defined as a person who is not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States of America.

How to Apply

Submission of your application to the MPA program affirms your desire to be part of our honorable community at the McCombs School of Business and assures that all information contained in the application is complete, accurate, and the result of your own individual efforts. Submission of false information will justify a denial, withdrawal, cancellation of enrollment, and/or other appropriate university action. Please review the application checklist carefully before proceeding with the online application.

The Graduate and International Admissions Center (GIAC) will provide you with a UT EID after receiving your application so that you may check your application status online. This service will list your received and missing application materials and will inform you once a decision has been made. Please note that the MPA admissions committee will not review an application until all application materials have been received. It is the applicant’s responsibility to monitor the progress of his/her application and notify GIAC of any errors or delays in processing.

Characteristics of a Strong Application

The MPA admissions committee carefully considers each completed application, with particular attention to prior academic performance; the statement of purpose essay; letters of recommendation; extracurricular, leadership and community activities; honors and achievements; test scores and work history (if applicable). Personal characteristics that add to the diversity of the class may also be considered, such as country of citizenship, academic and professional background, gender, multilingual skills and socioeconomic history. Additional details are available below.

• Academic Achievements
  The University of Texas at Austin requires a minimum 3.0 (B) grade point average (GPA) to be considered for admission into a graduate program. For admissions purposes, the university calculates a GPA using grades from upper-division undergraduate courses and any graduate courses completed at the time of application. The ranking and reputation of the applicant's undergraduate institution may be taken into consideration, as will extracurricular and leadership involvement during the undergraduate experience.
• Statement of Purpose Essay
  Because the admissions process typically does not include personal interviews (except on a case-by-case basis), the statement of purpose essay is a crucial reflection of your communication and presentation skills. The essay is submitted as part of the ApplyTexas online application.
• Letters of Recommendation
  References should speak to your personal qualities, career potential, and potential to succeed in the classroom. Choose references who know you in an academic or professional context and are familiar with your academic achievements, credentials, career aspirations and work history (if applicable).
• Service, Activities and Recognition
  Public, community or military service; extracurricular and leadership activities; travel experiences; special aptitudes and any honors or recognition received are all important indicators of your motivation and character. The admissions committee looks for these details throughout your completed application, reviewing your submitted resume in particular.
• Work Experience
  Work experience is not required for admission to the MPA program, although professional work experience is viewed positively in the application review.
• GMAT
  All applicants must submit official Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) scores. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) will not be accepted in lieu of the GMAT. The MPA program does not require a minimum score, but GMAT scores are an important component of each application. Applicants are encouraged to take the GMAT no later than mid fall. Applications are not considered complete—and will not be evaluated—until The University of Texas at Austin receives the official GMAT scores. If an applicant retakes the GMAT, the admissions committee will consider the highest valid score and will not average the GMAT scores. GMAT scores are valid for five years from the test date.
  
• TOEFL
  English skills are essential for academic and professional success. All international applicants, except those from English-only speaking countries, must take the Internet-based version of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and have their scores submitted directly from ETS to The University of Texas at Austin. Applications are not considered complete—and will not be evaluated—until UT-Austin receives the official TOEFL scores. Although the university requires a minimum TOEFL score of 79 for admission, the MPA program prefers a minimum score of 105 overall and a minimum of 24 on each individual section (reading, listening, speaking, writing). The MPA program will not allow international applicants to waive the TOEFL if they have earned an undergraduate or graduate degree in an English-speaking country. Please refer to the Admissions FAQs for additional information. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores may be submitted in lieu of the TOEFL. The MPA program prefers minimum IELTS band scores of 7.5. If an applicant retakes the TOEFL or IELTS, the admissions committee will consider the score report with the highest total score. TOEFL and IELTS scores are valid for two years from the test date. 

Reapplying

Most application materials are kept for one year. Applicants who reapply must submit the following:

• New online application
• Application processing fee
• Updated resume (if applicable)

Additional letters of recommendation, a revised essay and updated test scores are not required but may be submitted at the applicant's discretion. Applicants who have undertaken additional coursework must submit an updated transcript. International students will need to provide an updated statement of financial support if admitted to the MPA program.