Frequently Asked Questions

The deadlines below refer to receiving the complete application (i.e. Letters of Recommendation, GRE Scores, etc.) and not just receiving the ApplyTexas application.

Fall Entrance

May 1

Spring Entrance

October 1

The faculty admissions committee for MARM 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.

In addition to a good grade point average and GRE test scores, an applicant for the MARM program should have a solid science background.

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 the Marine Sciences Department.  For questions regarding available graduate teaching assistantships, please contact the Department of Marine Sciences.

Applicants are urged to submit their GRE scores prior to the application deadlines (depending on what campus you are submitting your application). 

For those applying to Texas A&M University at Galveston, use 6835 for the GRE code.

For those applying to Texas A&M University (College Station), use 6003 for the GRE code.

For those applying to Texas A&M University at Corpus Christi, use 6849 for the GRE code.

For the Galveston campus only:

Fall Entrance

For Ph.D. applicants interested in funding opportunities, the complete application must be received and processed by December 1 (soft deadline) or by the hard, final deadline of March 15.  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.  Please note that the university requires international applicants to submit their complete application by May 1.  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.  For international applicants, please note that the university deadline to submit your complete application is October 1.  

The faculty admissions committee for the MARB IDP 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 TAMUG MARB IDP applicants was 151 for Fall 2018 entrance.  The average GRE verbal score for accepted TAMUG MARB IDP applicants was 154 for Fall 2018 entrance.

For TAMUG MARB IDP 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 a ApplyTexas application.  To learn more details about the TAMUG MARB IDP admissions process, please visit Prospective Graduate Students.

In addition to a good grade point average and GRE test scores, an applicant for the MARB IDP 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.

For M.S. thesis-option and Ph.D. applicants applying to the MARB IDP:
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.

Based on where the faculty member resides will determine which campus an applicant submits their application.  For example, a M.S. thesis-option applicant receives an agreement from a faculty member at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (TAMU-CC).  Then the applicant applies to the MARB IDP at TAMU-CC rather than the Galveston (TAMUG) or College Station (TAMU) campus. 

MARB IDP M.S. non-thesis applicants can only apply to the Galveston campus, and will be assigned a faculty advisor upon acceptance.

M.S. thesis-option and Ph.D. applicants should start searching for a faculty advisor 9 to 12 months before applying.

Yes, if you are applying to the TAMUG MARB IDP M.S. non-thesis track.  For M.S. thesis-option and Ph.D. applicants, applications 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.

For M.S. thesis-option and Ph.D. applicants, the location of your faculty advisor determines where you will apply.  Every student in the MARB IDP has a home campus that is defined by the location of their faculty advisor.  For example if a student is working with a faculty advisor in Galveston, then the student’s home campus is Galveston even though the student can take classes at either the College Station and/or Corpus Christi campus. 

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.

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.

The deadlines below refer to receiving the complete application (i.e. Letters of Recommendation, GMAT scores, etc.) and not just receiving the ApplyTexas application.

Fall Entrance

May 1 for ApplyTexas applications
June 15 for additional materials

Spring Entrance

October 15

The faculty admissions committee for MAAL 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 MAAL applicants was 27 for Fall 2018 entrance.  The average GMAT converted verbal score for accepted MAAL applicants was 29 for Fall 2018 entrance. The average converted total score for accepted applicants was 482 for Fall 2018 entrance.

Applicants applying to MAAL should have coursework background in Statistical Methods (SMCT 303), Principles of Economics (ECON 202), Management Process (MARA 363), Financial/Managerial Accounting (ACCT 229 and 230), and Management Information Systems (MARA 250).  Accepted applicants without these courses will be required to take undergraduate foundational courses as determined by the faculty admissions committee.

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 Administration Department. For questions regarding available graduate teaching assistantships, please contact the Department of Maritime Administration.

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.

Yes! License option curricula is available for all students enrolled in a graduate program at Texas A&M University at Galveston.  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 February 15th. Students must have all graduate application materials and all Texas A&M Maritime Academy application materials in to their respective committees by February 15th for consideration.

Please visit the Texas A&M Maritime Academy to learn more about LO.