Why you should consider this program

The Bush School at Texas A&M University is a graduate school only that focuses on preparing students for meaningful and challenging careers in public and international affairs. Our degrees offer nearly two dozen specialties and enroll about 90 students in each of our Master of International Affairs and Master of Public Service and Administration. Students learn from a mix of academic and practitioner-based faculty consisting of former policy makers, diplomats, intelligence agents, nonprofit managers, and federal administrators.

Over 75% of our graduates work in the public sector--locally, nationally, and globally. Our students are leaders and managers in government and nonprofits; directors of public agencies; analysts of intelligence, policy, and budgets; specialists in international development, economics, and diplomacy; and advocates for policy issues affecting education, energy, environment, health, emergency management, cyber and homeland security, and more.

As a Coverdell partner school, we provide application fee waivers, a competitive scholarship and in-state tuition for two years, a flexible curriculum that collaborates with a tier-one research university, a meaningful domestic-focused internship, professional networking with academic and expert practitioners, and career assistance to find jobs that matter to you.

Benefits for Coverdell Fellows

	Tuition/fees for Complete Program	Value of Coverdell Fellowship	Net cost *
In state	$ 26,366	$ 10,089	$ 16,277
Out of state	$ 50,912	$ 34,635	$ 16,277

* Net cost is equal to tuition/fees minus fellowship value. For some universities, the fellowship value includes non-tuition/fee benefits such as health insurance or housing—see the first point below for more details.

Where the cost savings value of the Coverdell Fellowship comes from

Merit scholarship and out-of-state tuition waivers for non-residents. More competitive Fellows can receive even higher funding than the $5,000 per year minimum we offer, including some of our $15,000-$30,000 awards.

Fellowships awarded per year (average)

2

Other benefits or opportunities

Students are automatically considered for merit scholarships when admitted, so while $5K is the minimum, some competitive students earn $10K-$30K awards. In their second year, Fellows can compete for Graduate Assistantship positions to replace their original scholarship. These are worth about $14K per year with waivers and pay.

Fellows will have a number of leadership and development opportunities, a client-based capstone project in lieu of a thesis, speaking engagements, community outreach events, comradery with service-minded classmates, and a Coverdell faculty advisor to mentor and assist you.

Annual cost of living (estimated)

$ 21,000

Application fee waived?

Yes

Internship

Coverdell Fellows complete an internship that supports a socially-disadvantaged American community. The Bush School has identified local organizations, to include the Brazos Interfaith Immigration Network, but Fellows can also look for state and national options through the support of our career staff and Coverdell faculty advisor.

The Coverdell program is new to us, but we support 175 students a year in fulfilling their internship requirements. This includes relevant internship options with Habitat for Humanity, Children at Risk, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Scotty’s House, YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, Clean Water Action Texas, Greater Texas Foundation, Leadership for Educational Equality, National Immigration Forum, RAICES (Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services), People Fund, Samaritan’s Purse, USAID, and many more.

Jobs for program alumni

Our students have a high employment rate after graduation because they search for demanding and fulfilling jobs and are well prepared for their fields.

For the past two years, relevant employment has averaged 92% within six months of graduation. Most of our students head to the public sector, with 37% in federal government or contracting positions, 19% with state/local government, 19% in private industry, and 16% at nonprofits. Our faculty and career services staff work closely with students to prepare them for the jobs they desire. Recent agency employment:

• Big Brothers Big Sisters
• Brookings Institution
• Center for Gender and Refugee Studies
• CIA, DIA, DEA, FBI
• Foundation Communities
• Good Governance Initiative
• The International Foundation for Electoral Systems
• Middle Rio Grande Development Council
• NAACP
• National Renewable Energy Lab
• Polaris (human trafficking hotline)
• Samaritan’s Purse
• Teach for America
• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
• Texas A&M Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture
• Texas Health and Human Services
• United Way
• US Customs and Immigration Services
• US Department of Homeland Security
• US Trade Representative
• USAID
• Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality
• ZemiTek (USAID contractor)

Other details

Program length

2 years, full-time

Application requirements

Online application through UniCAS (we pay the fee), statement of purpose, resume, three letters of recommendation, college transcripts, international experience essay (for MIA), and optional GRE scores (unless for MIA, required if overall GPA is below a 3.2).

Admissions process

• When filling out the application, indicate you are part of a service organization
• Email us at bushsc[email protected] with your Description of Service (DOS)
• One we confirm, we’ll send you a coupon code to apply before you submit your application. Do NOT submit without it, as we cannot reimburse you after.
• Submit the application and indicate in your Statement of Purpose if you are interested in the Coverdell Fellowship.
• We review files in January, interview in February, and make admissions and aid decisions in March.

Program begins

late-August start

Year Coverdell Fellows partnership started

2018

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Contact

Kathryn Meyer or Ashlee Treadway, Bush School Admissions Office,