PhD Program Frequently Asked Questions

Mays PhD Program Facts - 2009-10

Entering PhD Student Profile: Fall 2009

Admissions

Can I apply for the spring/summer semester?

No, Mays departments only accept applications for fall semesters.

Where can I find more information about the faculty at Mays?

Faculty information can be found at mays.tamu.edu/research/

What is the PhD Program application deadline?

Most departments accept applications year-round using our online application at mays.tamu.edu/graduateapplication/, early submissions are recommendations for priority review and funding opportunities.

A list of early submission recommendations is available here.

What procedures and application materials does Mays require?

Additional detailed information is listed at our online application site.  The submission process is totally electronic to include uploading transcripts, resumes, and essays.

For Mays consideration, applicants are required to:

• Complete a Mays graduate online application - mays.tamu.edu/graduateapplication/.
• Pay application fee online by credit card when submitting your completed application.
• Within the ApplyYourself PhD application, electronically upload transcripts from every senior-level institution of higher education attended (if you attend a non-U.S. institution, please send transcripts in English plus native language). Transcripts can be unofficial.
  • International transcripts are required to be uploaded in both the native language and English.
• Essay questions (upload)
• Three letters of recommendation (online)
• Professional resume (upload)
• Submit official GRE or GMAT scores taken within five years of date application are received. An official GMAT or GRE score is required. Either is acceptable by Mays Graduate Programs.
  • GRE code is 6003
  • GMAT code for Mays PhD Program is 7B7-K9-57
• Use Mays Business School forms and not Texas A&M University forms
• Submit your application and pay online at mays.tamu.edu/graduateapplication/.

NOTE: We stongly encourage electronic submission of transcripts, essays, resumes, recommendations, etc. within the online application to expedite application processing.

Documents can be mailed to the address below, but may cause processing delays:

Mays Business School
Graduate Admissions Office - PhD Program
440 Wehner
Texas A&M University
4113 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-4113

Test information is available at www.gmat.org for the GMAT and www.gre.org for the GRE. Registration will be blocked pending receipt of official/acceptable scores. We encourage submission of unofficial scores and transcripts with the application, with official copies to follow.

Information for international applicants

TOEFL Waiver (Texas A&M University criteria)

Applicants whose native language is not English must submit a valid TOEFL or IELTS score.  This requirement can be waived meeting one of three shown below:

• 400 or higher GRE verbal score,
• 22 GMAT verbal score, or
• by receiving a baccalaureate degree with all four years of attendance at a U.S. college or university

If admitted, international graduate student must also fulfill Texas A&M University English proficiency requirement, through either English Proficiency Verification or English Language Certification. 

International applicants must also submit the International Student Services Information Form.

• TOEFL and IELTS - Texas A&M requires that all applicants from non-English Speaking countries present an official TOEFL or IELTS score. To be official, scores must be current and within two years of the date of application. Texas A&M ’s Institution Code is 6003 for TOEFL. Send IELTS scores to: Measurement & Research Services, Texas A&M University, 4239 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-4239. The University’s minimum requirements are:
  • TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language):  Mays PhD Program requires a minimum TOEFL requirement of 600 for the paper, 250 for the computer, or 100 for the Internet based. Additional contact information can be found at www.ets.org/toefl/. Send official TOEFL score to Texas A&M University code 6003.
  • IELTS (International English Language Testing System): a minimum score of 7.0. Additional information can be found at www.ielts.org. NOTE: There is not an institutional code for use with the IELTS examination; please send official score to: Measurement & Research Services, Texas A&M University, 4239 TAMU, College Station, Texas 77843-4239.
  • NOTE: Individual graduate programs within Mays Business School may have a higher requirement.
• INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SERVICES INFORMATION FORM - International applicants must complete the International Student Services Information Section included within the online application.
• DEGREE EQUIVALENCIES - Degrees from foreign institutions are evaluated for equivalency to U.S. degrees NOTE: The Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Arts, and Bachelor of Science degrees from India and Pakistan are 3-year programs and are not considered equivalent to the U.S. bachelor’s degree. If you hold one of these 3-year degrees, you are not eligible for admission to graduate program. The master’s degree is the minimum qualification for admissions to graduate and professional degree programs. Exceptions are the 16-year bachelor’s degrees and postgraduate diploma programs.

Can I send additional documents for my application review?

Additional documents such as research, certificates, etc. will not be reviewed.

What kind of funding do PhD students receive?

All Mays PhD students generally receive a departmental graduate assistantship funded for five years based on good academic standing and progress in the program.  Some PhD students receive fellowships funded by the Dean’s Office, their department, or the university.

Where can I get a copy of the graduate catalog?

Graduate catalogs are accessible online at www.tamu.edu/admissions/catalogs/ or you may purchase a copy from our campus bookstore at tamu.bkstore.com/.

How can I get an application?

Apply online for Mays PhD Program: mays.tamu.edu/graduateapplication/.

To expedicate application processing, we strongly recommend that applicants utilize the electronic upload options within the ApplyYourself system. Documents can be mailed to the address below, but may cause processing delays.

Mays Business School
Graduate Admissions Office – PhD Program
440 Wehner
Texas A&M University
4113 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-4113

Program information

What majors or fields of study do you offer?

The major fields of study available are listed below and may offer specializations within each field of study:

• Accounting
• Finance
• Management
• Marketing
• Supply Chain Management

What are the prerequisites?

• A valid bachelor’s degree in a related field
• Competency in mathematics (at least through differential and integral calculus)
• Knowledge of computers and competency in a computer language
• Courses or equivalents to satisfy the American Assembly of Collegiate School of Business “common body of knowledge.” There may also be other prerequisites specific to your major field of study.

What are the program’s requirements?

The PhD program normally consists of major and minor fields plus supporting coursework. A minimum of 64 credit hours beyond the master’s degree (96 hours beyond the bachelor’s degree) is required. A typical PhD program would include 24 hours in your major field, 24 hours for dissertation research, and 6-12 hours in both your minor and supporting fields.

What are the minimum test scores are required for admission?

We do not have minimum requirements for GRE or GMAT test scores. Average scores for admitted students over the past five years have been:

• GMAT total: 707 (verbal 40, quantitative 47)
• GRE total: 1356 (verbal 583, quantitative 774)

The Mays PhD Program does require a minimum TOEFL requirement of 600 for the paper, 250 for the computer, or 100 for the Internet-based test.  7.0 is the minimum requirement for IELTS.

Do I have to take the TOEFL or IELTS?

Only international applicants have to take the TOEFL or IELTS exam, unless the applicant’s primary language of instruction is English. They are waived with a 400 GRE verbal, 22 GMAT verbal, or by receiving a baccalaureate degree with all four years of attendance at a U.S. college or university.

Do you offer a part-time, distance learning, or web-based program?

Mays PhD Program is set up for full-time enrollment only. On average, it takes students 3-5 years to complete coursework, preliminary exams and research. At this time, we do not offer web-based or distance learning courses. There is a five year limit to complete the program which includes graduate.

Who do I contact for more information on a specific program?

For specific information (including assistantships, tuition assistance, research, and program information), please contact the department and request the name of the PhD Advisor.

Can you send me more information?

We provide very comprehensive information on our PhD website, and therefore do not have information to mail.

Cost of attendance and financial aid

How much does your program cost?

Information on the cost of attendance at Texas A&M can be found at
ogs.tamu.edu/prospective/financial/.

Who do I contact for more information on available financial aid?

For specific information (including assistantships, tuition assistance, research, and program information), please contact the department and request the name of the PhD Advisor.

More information

Where can I get more information on Texas A&M graduate studies or the university?

The following Internet sites also provide useful Texas A&M information:

• Mays PhD Program and department links - mays.tamu.edu/degrees-and-majors/phd/
• Graduate catalogs are available on the Web in Adobe PDF format at www.tamu.edu/admissions/catalogs/ or you may purchase a copy from our campus bookstore at tamu.bkstore.com.
• Prospective Texas A&M graduate student information can be found at the Office of Graduate Studies website at ogs.tamu.edu.
• International Students Office website is international.tamu.edu/iss/.