FAQs - Texas A&M Galveston, TX

General Admissions Questions

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

M.S. thesis option and Ph.D. students interested in funding opportunities, including assistantships, must submit their application by January 15*. All other applicants must submit the application by April 15* to be considered for admission.

Spring Entrance

All applicants must complete the application by October 1*.

*Applications are not reviewed until after the deadline has passed.
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?
Please proceed to the next step of the admissions process: begin an application in GraduateCAS. In the Program Materials section, enter the name and email address of your prospective faculty advisor in the Recommendations tab to request that they provide a letter of support for your application.

To learn more details about the MARB graduate program admissions process, please Marine Biology: Future 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 (including letters of recommendation and any English proficiency test scores) and not just receiving the application.

Fall Entrance

May 1^st

Spring Entrance

October 1^st
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.

Marine Resources Management and Marine and Coastal Management and Science

What are the MARM application deadlines for Fall or Spring semester entrance?: What are the MARM 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

April 15

Spring Entrance

October 1
What are the MCMS application deadlines for Fall or Spring semester entrance?: What are the 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

January 15

Spring Entrance

October 1
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.

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 the License Option as a Graduate Student?: Can I add the 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 cannot obtain a US 3rd mate license. Please note that admission to the license option requires an additional admissions application to the Texas A&M Maritime Academy. Please visit the Online Application to get started.

Applications to the license option are only accepted for fall admission each year and are due completed by July 15th. Students must first be admitted to a degree-seeking program at TAMUG before their completed Texas A&M Maritime Academy application will be considered. Contact tamma@tamug.edu with questions about the requirements and application process.
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.