Admission

General Information

A formal application is required of all persons seeking admission or readmission to graduate studies. A statewide Texas Common Application can be used to apply to any public university in the state of Texas and can be accessed at www.applytexas.org. The application can also be accessed through the Texas A&M University website www.tamu.edu/admissions by following the link entitled "State of Texas Common Application". Paper applications can be obtained by contacting the Graduate Advisor of the desired Major Field of Study at Texas A&M University.

An application fee of $50 for U.S. citizens and permanent residents or $75 for international applicants is required to process an application for admission. Application fees are nonrefundable. Checks or money orders (U.S. currency) should be made payable to Texas A&M University. All financial dealings with Texas A&M University may be done by check or money order provided it displays an agency bank in the U.S. and has magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) routing numbers at the bottom of the check. The $50 fee required of U.S. citizens or permanent residents may be waived, but only in exceptional cases, for low-income applicants. In such cases, applicants should include with the application for admission a letter from their financial aid officer or other knowledgeable officer verifying the need for a waiver. Waiver of the $75 international application fee is not available.

With the approval from the degree granting unit providing admission, admission to graduate studies normally remains valid for one year from the date of acceptance with one $50 or $75 (as appropriate) application fee. An extension to the one-year time limit may be granted, if requested by the applicant in writing and approved by the degree granting unit.

Departments may have admission requirements in addition to those of the University. In such cases, higher departmental requirements supersede those of the University.

The normal requirement for admission to graduate studies is a scholastic record which, over at least the last two years of full-time academic study in a degree program, gives evidence of the applicant's ability to do successful graduate level work.

An applicant whose academic record is not satisfactory, or who is changing fields of study, may be required to take additional work in preparation for graduate study. Such work will normally be arranged in conference with the graduate advisor or the head of the student's major department. Before accepting a student for graduate study, a department may require that the student pass a comprehensive examination covering the basic undergraduate work in that field.

To allow time for processing, application forms should be filed at least six weeks prior to the opening of the semester (international applicants should refer to the deadlines under that heading). Admission to graduate studies cannot be completed until all the credentials requested in the application form have been received and evaluated.

In addition to the records sent to the Office of Admissions and Records, students should have in their possession a copy of their record for use in conferences with the graduate advisor or graduate faculty in their department. Applicants otherwise qualified for admission to graduate studies may not be approved in instances where the facilities and staff available in the particular field are not adequate to take care of the needs of the student.

Regular Admission Status

Admission to graduate programs at Texas A&M University is evaluated by individual degree programs. The overall admission criteria for the University are based on the entire record of the applicant and availability of departmental resources. The items considered include:

In addition to the above University admission requirements, some colleges, departments and programs require indicators of success, such as a portfolio or personal interview. Each applicant is directed to check the specific program admission requirements.

During 2004-2005, the GRE and GMAT will be given at various centers, including Texas A&M University, throughout the United States and in other countries. The GRE is also offered by computer at Texas A&M University which allows a more rapid score reporting. To determine the most convenient locations to take either the GRE or GMAT, prospective applicants should write to either the appropriate division of the Educational Testing Service, Princeton, NJ, or to Measurement and Research Services, Texas A&M University, at the address, or call the telephone number, given in the front of this catalog.

NOTE: An exception may be made under extraordinary circumstances when mastery of an equivalent education has been demonstrated to a subcommittee of the Graduate Council.

Readmission to Graduate Studies

(Students who have previously enrolled in Graduate Studies at Texas A&M University.)

International Admission Status

An applicant from another country seeking admission to graduate studies must meet the same requirements for admission as applicants from the United States; namely, 1-4 above. In addition, he or she must demonstrate the ability to read, write, speak and understand the English language. Prospective students whose native language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), which is administered by the Educational Testing Service in over 200 centers around the world. A registration form and a "Bulletin of Information for Candidates" may be obtained by writing the appropriate division of the Educational Testing Service. All applicants from non-English speaking countries must present a score of at least 213 computer-based on the TOEFL to be admitted to graduate studies.

Application deadlines established for all international applications follow.

Postbaccalaureate Non-degree Status (G6)

Application for postbaccalaureate non-degree classification requires a completed application form, a statement as to the applicant's need for the proposed course work at Texas A&M University and his or her ability to successfully complete that course work, the required application processing fee and a complete, official transcript showing completion of a baccalaureate degree. Applicants for postbaccalaureate non-degree classification must indicate a department of affiliation when they apply. Admission to postbaccalaureate non-degree classification requires departmental approval along with approval of the Office of Admissions and Records.

Enrollment of postbaccalaureate non-degree students may be limited by college or departmental policies.

Postbaccalaureate non-degree classification is intended for students with a baccalaureate degree from an institution of higher education.

If at a later date, a postbaccalaureate non-degree student decides to pursue a graduate degree, the student must understand that limitations may be placed on course work taken while in G6 status. Specifically, the student must understand that a college or a department may decide whether or not to accept any G6 work toward the student's graduate degree; however, with the approval of the student's graduate advisory committee, the department head, the college dean and the Office of Graduate Studies, a maximum of 12 credit hours taken in postbaccalaureate non-degree status may be used on a student's degree plan. Admission to postbaccalaureate non-degree status does not establish eligibility for admission to degree-seeking status.

Postbaccalaureate non-degree classification applications are handled on a first come, first served basis. Applications submitted within one month of registration may not be processed in time to begin that semester or term.

Enrollment of G6 students in courses may be limited by college and departmental policies. Each postbaccalaureate non-degree student must be reviewed by his or her department of affiliation for continuation at the end of each semester.

A postbaccalaureate non-degree student must maintain at least a 3.000 GPR on all course work attempted to remain eligible to register. University departments and colleges may have additional and higher requirements.

Postbaccalaureate non-degree status normally is not available to international students.

Senior Citizens

Senior citizens, 65 years old or older, may audit courses with the permission of the instructor, if space is available in the assigned classroom. It is not necessary for these individuals to be admitted to the University and academic records of their attendance will not be maintained.

English Language Proficiency Requirements

All international graduate students whose native language is not English must fulfill an English proficiency requirement, through either English Proficiency Verification or English Language Certification. This proficiency requirement should be met early in a student's program, and it must be completed before scheduling either the final examination for the master's degree or the preliminary examination for the doctoral degree.

There are two levels of English Proficiency Status for graduate students: English Proficiency Verified and English Proficiency Certified. English Proficiency Certification is required, by the State of Texas, before a graduate student is eligible to serve as a Graduate Assistant-Teaching, or any other position considered to be a teaching position (e.g., instructor, lecturer, etc.). All other students must be either English Proficiency Verified or English Proficiency Certified.

English Proficiency Verification can be achieved by presenting:

Individual colleges may choose to establish minimum TOEFL standards that exceed the University minimum for English Proficiency Verification. Scores from TOEFL examinations administered more than two years before submission of the application for admission shall not be eligible for English Proficiency Verification.

English Proficiency Certification can be achieved by:

Graduate students who have completed an equivalent English training program at an institution other than Texas A&M may request English Proficiency Verification or Certification. Verification or certification on this basis is requested through the Departmental Graduate Advisor. The student should provide the Departmental Graduate Advisor with documentation to support Verification or Certification. If the department concurs with the request, the Departmental Graduate Advisor will submit a letter recommending and requesting Verification or Certification (with documentation attached) to the Office of Graduate Studies. The Office of Graduate Studies will determine on a case-by-case basis whether Verification or Certification is granted.

English Language Proficiency Examination

Graduate students who score below 213 computer-based on the TOEFL (or have not submitted official TOEFL scores to Texas A&M) and have not obtained English Proficiency Verification or Certification by other means (GRE/GMAT scores, U.S. baccalaureate or Office of Graduate Studies waiver) must take the English Language Proficiency Examination (ELPE) prior to registering for Texas A&M courses in their first semester. The ELPE evaluates English skills in the areas of grammar, vocabulary, reading, listening, written composition and oral communication. English Language Institute (ELI) course placements for graduate students will be made by the Departmental Graduate Advisor in consultation with personnel from the Office of Graduate Studies, English Language Institute and Measurement and Research Services. The English Language Institute, in the College of Liberal Arts, offers a comprehensive program of courses designed to help international students improve their English language ability in order to enter and participate in academic programs at Texas A&M University. Graduate students who have not had their English Proficiency Verified through the TOEFL and take the ELPE may be allowed to postpone some or all remaining English Proficiency requirements the first semester of enrollment. Graduate students who wish to appeal their placement in ELI courses should make the appeal through their Departmental Graduate Advisor. The Departmental Advisor will present the appeal to the Office of Graduate Studies. They must begin to take ELI courses (in at least one of the areas not yet passed) no later than their second semester enrolled at Texas A&M. Graduate students will be allowed to take a combination of Texas A&M and ELI courses up to a total of 15 hours in fall or spring semesters and up to a total of 12 hours for a 10-week summer semester.

English Proficiency Counseling

Graduate students who score 213 and higher on the TOEFL (and do not intend to become Graduate Assistants-Teaching at any point during their graduate programs) may be asked to go through English Proficiency Counseling prior to registration for Texas A&M courses. The counseling sessions will be conducted by English Language Institute (ELI) instructors during the time period in which the ELPE is administered. In the interviews, the counselors will discuss any concerns the students may have regarding their language ability and then make recommendations about whether further language training is advisable for the students to be successful in their Texas A&M University courses. These recommendations will not require the students to take ELI courses. Instead, the students will discuss the recommendations with their Departmental Graduate Advisors, who will make further recommendations regarding the need for additional language training.

Non-degree Status International Students

Postbaccalaureate non-degree status students (G6 classification) must meet the graduate English Language Proficiency requirements unless they are included in one of the following categories: