FAQs - Texas A&M Galveston, TX

General Admissions Questions

No. If your program requires GRE or GMAT, you must take the exam to be admitted regardless of your educational record or professional credentials.

GMAT is waived for Fall 2022 applicants to the Master of Maritime Business Administration and Logistics program
GRE is not required for admission to the graduate program in Marine Biology
GRE is waived for Fall 2022 applicants to the Master of Marine Resources Management and Marine and Coastal Management and Science Ph.D. programs

We strongly recommend that applicants take the GRE or GMAT 4-6 weeks prior to the application deadline to ensure your scores arrive on time. Your application will not be considered complete or be reviewed by the admissions committee until TAMUG receives your official score report.
To be considered official, your GRE or GMAT scores must be sent directly from the testing service to TAMUG. For GRE, our institution code is 6835. For GMAT, the program code is 7B7-RV-76 for the onsite MBAA program and 7B7-RV-67 for the online MBAA program.

Marine Resources Management and Marine and Coastal Management and Science

What are the MARM/MCMS application deadlines for Fall or Spring semester entrance?: What are the MARM/MCMS application deadlines for Fall or Spring semester entrance?
The deadlines below refer to receiving the complete application (i.e. Letters of Recommendation, GRE Scores, etc.) and not just receiving the application.

Fall Entrance

May 1

Spring Entrance

October 1
What is the minimum GRE score that I need in order to apply to MARM/MCMS?: What is the minimum GRE score that I need in order to apply to MARM/MCMS?
MARM and MCMS are waiving the GRE requirement for Fall 2022.

The faculty admissions committee for MARM/MCMS does not have a set minimum GRE score. The admissions committee conducts a holistic review of an application.

The average GRE quantitative score for accepted MARM applicants was 152 for Fall 2017 entrance. The average GRE verbal score for accepted MARM applicants was 156 for Fall 2017 entrance.
What are the prerequisite courses for entering into MARM/MCMS?: What are the prerequisite courses for entering into MARM/MCMS?
Students applying to the MARM or MCMS program should have a broad base of both social and physical sciences with course work in the following areas: biology, chemistry, physics, advanced mathematics, geology, and oceanography.
What funding opportunities are available for MARM/MCMS applicants?: What funding opportunities are available for MARM/MCMS applicants?
Non-thesis master’s students are typically self-funded. Master’s thesis track and doctoral students are supported on assistantships by their faculty advisor and/or the department. For questions regarding available graduate teaching assistantships, please contact the Department of Marine and Coastal Environment and Science.

Marine Biology Graduate Program

What are the TAMUG MARB Graduate Program application deadlines for Fall or Spring semester entrance?: What are the TAMUG MARB Graduate Program application deadlines for Fall or Spring semester entrance?
Fall Entrance

For Ph.D. applicants interested in funding opportunities, the complete application must be received and processed by December 1^st (soft deadline) or by the hard, final deadline of February 15^th. Remember, funding is typically given to qualified applicants who apply earlier.

For all M.S. and Ph.D. applicants, please submit your application by May 1^st. Please note that the university requires international applicants to submit their complete application by May 1^st. The faculty admissions committee will conduct a review after each application deadline listed above.

Spring Entrance

For Spring entrance, the complete application must be submitted by October 1^st. For international applicants, please note that the university deadline to submit your complete application is October 1^st.
Are GRE tests required for the MARB Graduate Program?: Are GRE tests required for the MARB Graduate Program?
No. GRE tests are no longer required for applicants applying to the MARB Graduate Program
Can I apply to the M.S. non-thesis option and switch to the thesis option later?: Can I apply to the M.S. non-thesis option and switch to the thesis option later?
No. Students who are admitted under the non-thesis option in the M.S. program cannot switch to the thesis option later. If you intend to pursue research at our campus, you must have a faculty mentor agreement in place prior to applying and apply only under the thesis option. Thesis option applicants without a faculty mentor agreement will not be considered for admission.
I have a faculty advisor agreement. What do I do next?: I have a faculty advisor agreement. What do I do next?
For TAMUG MARB M.S. thesis-option and Ph.D. applicants who have a faculty advisor agreement:

Please proceed to the next step of the admissions process: complete an application. To learn more details about the TAMUG MARB Graduate Program admissions process, please visit Prospective Graduate Students.
What are the prerequisite courses for entering into the MARB Graduate Program?: What are the prerequisite courses for entering into the MARB Graduate Program?
In addition to a good grade point average in an related field of study, an applicant for the MARB Graduate Program should have a solid biology, chemistry and math/statistics course background. This background should include courses in general biology (2 courses), vertebrates, cell, invertebrates, genetics, general chemistry (2 courses), organic chemistry (2 courses) as well as calculus and statistics. Please look at the undergraduate Marine Biology curriculum listed on the tamu.edu website as an example.
What is the process of getting a faculty advisor agreement for the MARB Graduate Program?: What is the process of getting a faculty advisor agreement for the MARB Graduate Program?
For M.S. thesis-option and Ph.D. applicants applying to the MARB Graduate Program:
In the admissions process, the most critical and time consuming step is getting a faculty advisor agreement PRIOR to starting the application process. To get a faculty advisor agreement, 1) select a faculty member(s) whose area of interest aligns with your interest and 2) contact them to arrange a meeting to discuss your background and interests. For a list of faculty and their interests, please visit Participating Faculty.

MARB M.S. non-thesis applicants will be assigned a faculty advisor upon acceptance.
How early should I start searching for a faculty advisor in the MARB Graduate Program?: How early should I start searching for a faculty advisor in the MARB Graduate Program?
M.S. thesis-option and Ph.D. applicants should start searching for a faculty advisor 9 to 12 months before their anticipated entry semester. This will allow ample time to get a faculty mentor agreement in place prior to the February 15 application deadline.
If I submit my MARB Graduate Program application without an advisor, will I be considered for the program?: If I submit my MARB Graduate Program application without an advisor, will I be considered for the program?
Yes, if you are applying to the M.S. non-thesis track. However, keep in mind that you will not be allowed to change to the thesis option after admission. M.S. thesis-option and Ph.D. applicants without an approved faculty advisor agreement will not be considered. We advise getting a faculty advisor agreement before starting other steps in the admissions process.
What funding opportunities are available for MARB Graduate Program applicants?: What funding opportunities are available for MARB Graduate Program applicants?
Non-thesis master’s degree students are self-funded typically. Master’s thesis degree and doctoral students are supported on assistantships by their faculty advisor.
How many of your students get jobs after graduation?: How many of your students get jobs after graduation?
Typically, 90% of our students get a job in their field of expertise or continue their education within a year of graduating. Our students are employed at state and federal agencies like NOAA and TPWD or work in the private sector at consulting firms or corporations. Our students who continue in academia seek doctoral education and post-doctoral positions nationwide.

Maritime Business Administration & Logistics

What are the MBAA application deadlines for Fall and Spring entrance?: What are the MBAA application deadlines for Fall and Spring entrance?
The deadlines below refer to receiving the complete application (i.e. Letters of Recommendation, GMAT scores, etc.) and not just receiving the application.

Fall Entrance

May 1^stfor applications
June 15^th for additional materials

Spring Entrance

October 1^st
Can I get a waiver for the GMAT based on my GPA or past work experience?: Can I get a waiver for the GMAT based on my GPA or past work experience?
No. GMAT waivers are not available at this time. You must take the GMAT to be admitted to the program.
What is the minimum GMAT score that I need in order to apply to MBAA?: What is the minimum GMAT score that I need in order to apply to MBAA?
The faculty admissions committee for MBAA does not have a minimum GMAT score. The admissions committee conducts a holistic review of an application.

The average GMAT converted quantitative score for accepted MBAA applicants was 27 for Fall 2018 entrance. The average GMAT converted verbal score for accepted MBAA applicants was 29 for Fall 2018 entrance. The average converted total score for accepted applicants was 482 for Fall 2018 entrance.
What are the prerequisite courses for entering into MBAA?: What are the prerequisite courses for entering into MBAA?
Applicants to MBAA should have completed Statistical Methods (BUSN 203), Principles of Economics (ECON 202), Management Process (MARA 363), Financial/Managerial Accounting (ACCT 229 and 230), and Management Information Systems (ISTM 210). Course descriptions can be found in our current Undergraduate Catalog. Accepted applicants without these courses will be required to take undergraduate foundational classes as determined by the faculty admissions committee.
What funding opportunities are available for MBAA applicants?: What funding opportunities are available for MBAA applicants?
Non-thesis master’s degree students are self-funded typically. Master’s thesis degree students are supported on assistantships by their faculty advisor and/or Maritime Business Administration Department. For questions regarding available graduate teaching assistantships, please contact the Department of Maritime Business Administration.

License Option

What is License Option?: What is License Option?
License Option through the Texas A&M Maritime Academy provides students opportunities to learn how to operate and maintain an ocean-going vessel. Graduates of the Texas A&M Maritime Academy typically become licensed in the Merchant Marines.

License Option (or LO) students take an additional 50-60 SCHs above the required courses for their graduate program.
Can I add License Option as a Graduate Student?: Can I add License Option as a Graduate Student?
Yes! License option curricula is available for domestic, on-site students enrolled in a graduate program at Texas A&M University at Galveston. International students can not obtain a US 3rd mate license. Please note that there is a separate application process through the Texas A&M Maritime Academy.

Applications to the license option are only accepted for Fall admission each year and are due completed by May 1st. Students must have all graduate application materials and all Texas A&M Maritime Academy application materials in to their respective committees by May 1st for consideration.

TAMMA Application- If you don't have a UIN, you can use your T-number or Application number
Who can I contact to find out more about License Option?: Who can I contact to find out more about License Option?
Please visit the Texas A&M Maritime Academy to learn more about LO.