The ECO-MPA Path: Frequently Asked Questions
- How does the ECO-MPA Path process work?
- I'm a senior by hours. Can I
still apply to the ECO-MPA Path?
- I do not meet the GPA
requirements due to a past bad semester(s)/extenuating circumstances but I am
very interested in the ECO-MPA Path Program and my recent scholastic
performance is good. Can I still apply?
- Is there a way to apply online?
- Can I obtain a recommendation from a lecturer or graduate student (who was
employed as an assistant instructor or teaching assistant)?
- Does getting into the ECO-MPA Path
assure admission to the MPA Program?
- I am currently enrolled in some of
the courses listed as required to meet the eligibility requirements. Can I
still apply even though I do not have a final grade in these courses yet?
- Will I have access to the Ford Career Center services in the McCombs School of Business as soon as I am admitted to the ECO-MPA Path?
Q— How does the ECO-MPA Path process work?
A— The following is an overview of the process:
- In early April, Economics students make initial application to the program. ECO-MPA Path admission is for the summer semester only, and the applicant must complete at least 90 undergraduate hours before the summer of admission.
- In mid April, the MPA committee selects a group from the initial pool. The nominations and essays, resumes, and recommendation letters of the nominees will be forwarded to the Graduate Select Admissions Committee for final selections.
- In early to mid May, the Graduate Studies office notifies those students who are accepted into the program.
- In the second summer session, participants take ACC 381 (graduate course)
- In the fall semester, participants take ACC 380K.11 and ACC 387.1 (graduate courses) along with their undergraduate courses.
- In the spring semester, participants take the final courses required for their undergraduate degree, along with ACC 380K.4, and apply to GIAC for graduate standing in the summer or fall. If participants will be graduating with their undergraduate degree in summer instead of spring, they will not be allowed to complete additional graduate-level courses until they have graduate standing in the fall.
- In the following semesters, if the participants are in good standing and meet the same standards of satisfactory performance that are required of all MPA degree candidates, they may continue taking graduate accounting coursework pursuant to completion of an MPA degree.
Q— I'm a senior by hours. Can I still apply to the ECO-MPA Path?
A— Yes, seniors can apply to the program as long as they will not graduate with their undergraduate degree until the August following admission to the ECO-MPA Path. Ideally, students will be attending UT as an Economics major for at least two more long-session semesters following the summer admission. This is because the following core accounting courses should be completed in the summer, fall and spring semesters of an ECO-MPA Path participant's senior year. The MPA Program Director must approve modifications to this sequence.
| Ų | Second summer session (senior year) | |||
| ACC 381 | Financial Accounting | |||
| Ų | Fall (senior year) | ACC 380K.11 | Introduction to Taxation | |
| ACC 387.1 | Managerial Accounting | |||
| Ų | Spring (senior year) | |||
| ACC 380K.4 | Introduction to Assurance Services | |||
If you plan to graduate with your undergraduate degree before the summer semester of admission to the ECO-MPA Path, you should apply for direct entrance into the MPA Program. Information about this process can be found on the MPA Program website at: http://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/mpa
If you plan to graduate with your undergraduate degree in the summer, please contact Keri
Ledezma at
Q— I do not meet the GPA requirements due to a past bad semester(s)/extenuating circumstances but I am very interested in the ECO-MPA Path Program and my recent scholastic performance is good. Can I still apply?
A— Due to the competitive nature of the ECO-MPA Path admissions, your chances for admission would be greatly reduced by not meeting the minimum GPA requirements. The purpose of the ECO-MPA Path is to encourage academically exceptional undergraduate economics students to remain at the University for the MPA degree. If your GPA does not meet the minimal requirements, we recommend that you raise your GPA while you complete your bachelor's degree and apply to the traditional MPA program. Application procedures for the traditional program can be found on the MPA website
Q— Is there a way to apply online?
A— There currently is no online application available. However, a downloadable application is available on the ECO-MPA web site: http://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/mpa/eco/application.asp. Applications are also available in the Economics Department Advising Office (BRB 1.114 or via email upon request) and must be turned in to the MPA Program office, McCombs School of Business, CBA 2.302 or mailed to the address listed on the application.
Q— Can I obtain a recommendation from a lecturer or graduate student (who was employed as an assistant instructor or teaching assistant)?
A— No. The recommendation letters must come from economics or business school tenure-track faculty at the university. This is a Graduate Studies requirement that cannot be waived.
Q— Does getting into the ECO-MPA Path assure admission to the MPA Program?
A— As long as you meet the same standards of satisfactory performance that are required of all MPA degree candidates, you can continue in the MPA Program. Be advised that even though ECO-MPA Path participants are accepted into the Graduate School Select Admission Program, they are not guaranteed automatic admission to graduate school. All participants must maintain the outstanding academic record that they have established as they progress through the rest of their bachelor's degree program. Participants may be denied admission to graduate school upon completion of their bachelor's degree if their academic record falls below the standards set by the MPA program or the Office of Graduate Studies. In the spring of their senior year, ECO-MPA Path participants initiate a change in status from undergraduate to graduate standing by completing a form provided by Graduate Studies. After acquiring graduate standing, students may continue their graduate MPA coursework, at their discretion, in the fall or summer after completing their B.A. degree. With graduate standing, an ECO-MPA Path participant must satisfy both MPA degree and MPA Program requirements.
Q— I am currently enrolled in some of the courses listed as required to meet the eligibility requirements. Can I still apply even though I do not have a final grade in these courses yet?
A— Ideally, applicants should have completed all required courses at the time of application. However, if you are enrolled in one or two of these upper-division courses at the time of application (such as ECO 320L and/or ECO 329) and you have already completed upper-division economics courses (outside of ECO 420K, 320L, or 329) prior to application, you can still apply for nomination to the ECO-MPA Path.
Q— Will I have access to services in the McCombs School of Business as soon as I am admitted to the ECO-MPA Path?
A— ECO-MPA Path participants will have access to certain MPA resources, including academic and career advisory services, career workshops, and the MPA career fair. However, participants will not have access to the McCombs on-campus recruiting system until they are coded as graduate students.
If you
have additional questions not addressed here, please contact Keri Ledezma at
