The Application Process for the MPA Program
Applications to the MPA Program are accepted for the fall semester only.
| Please note that 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.
In addition, students 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 usually begins in late May/early June. ACC 311 (or the equivalent) is a prerequisite to 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. |
The online application is available starting in the first week of September, and the application submission dates are as follows:
- U.S. Citizen/Permanent Resident Applicants: Early Preferred Deadline – December 1*
- International Applicants: Final Deadline — January 5
- U.S. Citizen/Permanent Resident Applicants: Final Deadline — March
1
*U.S. applicants with strong credentials are encouraged to submit their applications by the early preferred 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 you on a waitlist, depending on the strength of your entire application.
All application materials must be received by the final deadline. Admissions decisions on applications completed by the final deadline will be made no later than April 15. Applications completed after the submission deadlines will be considered on a space-available basis only.
The application fee for U.S. Citizens/Permanent Residents is $80. For international applicants, the fee is $100. An international applicant is defined as a person who is not a citizen or permanent resident alien of the United States of America.
Characteristics of a strong application
The admissions committee carefully considers each completed application, with particular attention to the statement of purpose essay, prior academic performance, letters of recommendation, extracurricular 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, family background, gender, multilingual skills, and socioeconomic history.
Statement of Purpose Essay: Because the admissions process does not allow for personal interviews, this essay is a crucial reflection of your communication and presentation skills. The essay will be submitted as part of the Texas Common Application. (Preview Statement of Purpose Essay now.)
Undergraduate and previous graduate achievements: The University of Texas requires a minimum 3.0 (B) grade point average (GPA) to be considered for admission into a graduate program. For admission purposes, The University calculates a GPA using undergraduate, upper-division coursework and any graduate work already completed. The ranking and reputation of the applicant's undergraduate institution may be taken into consideration, as will extracurricular involvement during the undergraduate experience.
Letters of recommendation (2): 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; travel experiences; extracurricular activities, hobbies, or 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: There is no work experience requirement for MPA applicants, although work experience is viewed positively.
GMAT: All applicants must submit official Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) scores. The MPA program does not require a minimum score, but GMAT scores are an extremely important component of each application. Candidates should address this application component aggressively. The MPA program does not accept the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) in lieu of the GMAT.
You are encouraged to take the GMAT in the fall. Applications are not considered complete — and will not be evaluated — until official GMAT scores have arrived at UT. You may take the GMAT as often as you wish. The MPA program will consider your highest valid score and does not average GMAT scores. GMAT scores over five years old will not be accepted.
GMAT website: http://www.mba.com/mba/TaketheGMAT. The MPA program code is 396-44-94.
TOEFL (for non-native English speakers): Applicants whose native language is not English 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 UT Austin. The minimum score for admission to The University is 79 on the internet-based TOEFL. However, the MPA program prefers a minimum score of 105 overall and a minimum of 24 on each individual section (reading, listening, speaking, writing). Applicants will receive a waiver of the TOEFL if they have earned an undergraduate degree in an English-speaking country. Please see GIAC's website for more information. IELTS (International English Language Testing System) scores may be submitted in lieu of the TOEFL. The MPA program prefers a minimum IELTS band score of 7.5. TOEFL and IELTS scores over two years old will not be accepted.
TOEFL website: http://www.toefl.org.
UT Austin's TOEFL code is 6882, and the department code is
99 (“department not listed”)
IELTS website: http://www.ielts.org/candidates/default.aspx.
There is no institutional code for the IELTS examination.
Test takers should provide the following address to have their
official score sent to UT Austin:
Graduate and
International Admissions Center
The University of Texas at Austin
P.O. Box 7608
Austin, Texas 78713-7608
Courier Address:
Graduate and
International Admissions Center
The University of Texas at Austin
2608 Whitis Avenue
Austin, Texas 78712-1534
Phone:
512-475-7391
How to apply
The MPA program prefers that applications be submitted online, as it allows us to receive your application and process it more quickly than any other method. Submission of your application to the MPA program affirms your desire to be part of the honorable community at the McCombs School of Business, and assures that all information contained in this 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 instructions for applying and the application checklist carefully before proceeding with the online application.
After you apply for admission, you may check your application status online. This service will list missing documents that are required by the Graduate and International Admissions Center (GIAC) before your file would be considered complete and will inform you if a decision has been made. Please note that we cannot begin to review an application until all parts have been received, processed, and declared official by GIAC. It is the applicant’s responsibility to monitor the progress of his/her application and notify GIAC of any errors or delays in processing.
Most application materials are kept for one year. Applicants who reapply will have to submit new university application forms, a university application-processing fee, and a new resume. Additional letters of recommendation and test scores are not required but may be submitted at your discretion. International students must submit an updated statement of financial support. If you have undertaken new coursework, you need to submit new transcripts to:
UT-GIAC
P.O. Box 7608
The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX 78713-7608
USA
E-mail: adgrd@utxdp.dp.utexas.eduCourier Address:
Graduate and International Admissions Center
The University of Texas at Austin
2608 Whitis Avenue
Austin, Texas 78712-1534
Phone: 512-475-7391
