Bachelor in Economics-Master of International Affairs Combination Degree
The Bush School of Government & Public Service and the Department of Economics offer a Combination degree program in which students can earn a Bachelor of Arts or Science in Economics and a Master of International Affairs (MIA) track in International Development and Economic Policy (IDEP) in only five years.
Students begin their studies at Texas A&M University in the Economics department taking classes toward their undergraduate degree. Throughout the course of the student’s first three years at Texas A&M, the student works with their undergraduate advisor to ensure they satisfy all eligibility requirements listed below prior to applying to the Master of International Affairs (MIA) International Development & Economic Policy (IDEP) track, in the fall of their junior year (when classified as a U3).
If admitted, students must ensure they fulfill the rest of the requirements listed below by the time they enter The Bush School in the fall of their senior year at Texas A&M University when classified as a U4. In the student’s fourth year, they take Bush School graduate level courses, 18 credit hours of which will double count toward their bachelor’s degree. In the student’s fifth year, they are re-classified as a G7 graduate student and take the remaining courses left to satisfy the requirements for the MIA degree.
After successful completion of both degrees, students receive both Texas A&M degrees, earning a B.A. or B.A. in Economics and a Master of International Affairs at the end of their second year in The Bush School. Although they earn both, students will only walk for their MIA graduation.
Students who choose not to finish the MIA degree after starting the 3+2 degree program may exit the program at any time. Completed Bush School courses will be applied to their bachelor’s degree in economics, as appropriate. Failure to complete the MIA program will in no way impede a student’s ability to attain a bachelor’s degree when the requirements for that degree are completed.