FAQs - Texas A&M Galveston, TX

General Admissions Questions

Letters of recommendation can be submitted by your recommenders through the Letter of Recommendation System. Applicants will fill in all recommender information in AIS (Applicant Information System) after completing their application and receiving confirmation from Texas A&M University at Galveston. Letters of recommendation may also be mailed to:

Texas A&M University at Galveston
Attn: Graduate Studies Office
PO Box 1675
Galveston, TX 77553

Or emailed to gradstudies@tamug.edu.

Letters from the academic community are preferred.

Applicants are urged to submit their GRE or GMAT scores 6-8 weeks prior to the application deadline.

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

MARM and MCMS have waived the GRE requirement for both Spring and Fall 2021 semester applications.

MARB-IDP MS and PhD are waiving the GRE requirement for the Spring 2021, Fall 2021, and Spring 2022 applications.

MBAA is waiving the GMAT requiremnt for the Spring 2021 semester application.

Marine Resources Management

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

May 1

Spring Entrance

October 1
What is the minimum GRE score that I need in order to apply to MARM?: What is the minimum GRE score that I need in order to apply to MARM?
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.

MARM and MCMS are waiving the GRE requirement for Spring 2021 and Fall 2021.
What are the prerequisite courses for entering into MARM?: What are the prerequisite courses for entering into MARM?
In addition to a good grade point average and GRE test scores, an applicant for the MARM program should have a solid science background.
What funding opportunities are available for MARM applicants?: What funding opportunities are available for MARM 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 the Department of Marine and Coastal Management and Science. For questions regarding available graduate teaching assistantships, please contact the Department of Marine and Coastal Management and Science.

Marine Biology IDP

What are the TAMUG MARB IDP application deadlines for Fall or Spring semester entrance?: What are the TAMUG MARB IDP application deadlines for Fall or Spring semester entrance?
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.
Are GRE tests required for the MARB IDP?: Are GRE tests required for the MARB IDP?
GRE tests are no longer required for applicants applying for the Spring 2021, Fall 2021, or Spring 2022 entrance.
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 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 an application. To learn more details about the TAMUG MARB IDP admissions process, please visit Prospective Graduate Students.
What are the prerequisite courses for entering into the MARB IDP?: What are the prerequisite courses for entering into the MARB IDP?
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.
What is the process of getting a faculty advisor agreement for the MARB IDP?: What is the process of getting a faculty advisor agreement for the MARB IDP?
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.
How early should I start searching for a faculty advisor in the MARB IDP?: How early should I start searching for a faculty advisor in the MARB IDP?
M.S. thesis-option and Ph.D. applicants should start searching for a faculty advisor 9 to 12 months before applying.
If I submit my MARB IDP application without an advisor, will I be considered for the program?: If I submit my MARB IDP application without an advisor, will I be considered for the program?
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.
Do I have to apply to the same campus as my faculty advisor in the MARB IDP?: Do I have to apply to the same campus as my faculty advisor in the MARB IDP?
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.
What funding opportunities are available for TAMUG MARB IDP applicants?: What funding opportunities are available for TAMUG MARB IDP 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 for applications
June 15 for additional materials

Spring Entrance

October 15
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.

The GMAT requirement has been waived for the Spring 2021.
What are the prerequisite courses for entering into MBAA?: What are the prerequisite courses for entering into MBAA?
Applicants applying to MBAA 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.
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 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.
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.