How do I apply for admissions to Texas A&M University?
If I am seeking a graduate degree, do I have to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)?
Do you offer a preparatory course for the GRE exam?
What is a TAMU e-mail account?
How long do I have to complete my degree?
What is the residency requirement?
Where can I find out what courses will be offered for a given semester?
How do I register for courses?
How do I pay my tuition?
Where can I find out information about my degree standing?
Does this department offer a student organization to get involved in?
What are the doctorate preliminary examinations?
What is the Proposal hearing and when may I schedule it?
When should I contact the Thesis Office in preparation for submission of my Thesis/Dissertation/Record of Study?

Q. How do I apply for admissions to Texas A&M University?
A. All students must submit a Texas Common Application along with official transcripts, required test scores and the appropriate application fee. This application can be submitted online at the Office of Admissions or you may visit the office location at:

General Services Complex
Office of Admissions and Records
750 Agronomy Rd., Suite 1610
College Station, TX 77843

Q. If I am seeking a graduate degree, do I have to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)?
A. This examination is not required by the university for admission into graduate school, however, it is required by the department. It is one of the many factors reviewed for admission. The GRE must be taken within 5 years of submitting application for full admission.

Q. Do you offer a preparatory course for the GRE exam?
A. A GRE Exam Review is offered through Texas A&M University 's Office of Continuing Education and Public Outreach, College of Education & Human Development. The 15-hour course will equip participants with the tools to attain the score required to gain access to grad school and costs $495. For more information, future review dates, and to register visit the TAMU Office of Continuing Education Web page.

Q. What is a TAMU e-mail account?
A. All admitted students are required to set up a TAMU e-mail account through the Texas A&M University server. Students will need to activate the account by using the assigned University Identification Number (UIN). Once activated, you will be able to receive valuable information, such as tuition billing, deadlines dates, and instructor contact with class information. This TAMU ID will also be your login for course registration, tuition payments and checking degree status. As this email account will be the only email communication from the Department, it is very important that students make a habit of checking this e-mail account daily.

Q. How long do I have to complete my degree?
A. Graduate students must complete a master's degree within seven years and a doctoral degree within ten years.

Q. What is the residency requirement?
A. Texas A&M University requires all graduate students to complete a residence requirement during their degree program, including the masters online program. This requirement can be waived if appropriate documentation is submitted indicating the student works full-time. The major purpose of this requirement is to ensure that the student has an opportunity to benefit from the advantages of a university environment. Equally important to the graduate student are the advantages of becoming acquainted with the faculty and other students on a personal and a professional basis. For more information, please refer to the Residence Requirement information link. Only doctoral students are required to fill out a residency form and submit it to the department.

Q. Where can I find out what courses will be offered for a given semester?
A. Class schedules can be viewed online at http://courses.tamu.edu. Summer and Fall schedules are usually available by mid-March; spring schedules are usually available by mid-October.

Q. How do I register for courses?
A. Students should first go to the online class schedules as mentioned above, as specific dates and location of courses (distance) are indicated here. The registration system will not lists this information. Students can then register for courses by accessing the TAMU online registration system at http://register.tamu.edu. Pre-registration will usually open mid-April for Summer and Fall and mid-November for Spring.

Q. How do I pay my tuition?
A. Student Business Services accepts the following forms of payment: Cash, Personal Check, Cashier's Check, Western Union Quick Collect, money order, and wire transfer. Payments using E-Checks, American Express, Discover Card and MasterCard can be made online at https://aggie-pay.tamu.edu/sfs-payments. Payments made with credit cards or E-checks will incur a convenience fee charged at the time of payment. Payments made with credit cards will incur a 2.25% convenience fee (minimum charge of $3.00) and E-checks will incur a $.50 convenience fee. When mailing payment, please include the student's name and UIN number on the check to ensure accurate posting of payments. Please allow at least two additional business days for delivery to student financial service office if using any US Postal Services. Remember that the payment must be posted to your account by the late after date regardless of the postmarked date.

Q. Where can I find out information about my degree standing?
A. Students can access a degree audit online at http://myrecord.tamu.edu. You will need to use the TAMU e-mail account you set up to access this page.

Q. Does this department offer a student organization to get involved in?
A. Yes, HLKN has a graduate student organization committee called the Graduate Student Organization. For more information, visit the GSO Website.

Q. What are the doctorate preliminary examinations?
A. All doctoral students are required to take written and oral preliminary examinations. The examination is given no earlier than a date at which the student is within approximately six hours of completion of formal course work on the degree plan or no later that the end of the semester following the completion of the formal course work on the degree plan. The written part of the examination will cover all fields of study included in the student's degree plan and is administered about three weeks prior to the oral date of the preliminary examination. Each member of the student's committee is responsible for administering a written examination in his or her particular field, unless otherwise waived. The oral portion of the preliminary examination is a scheduled meeting with all the committee members for discussion of what the student has learned from the program. The committee chair should contact the academic advising office at least two weeks prior to the confirmed oral date of the preliminary examination for room scheduling purposes.

Q. What is the Proposal hearing and when may I schedule it?
A. This is a another stage in doctoral students' career. Students are required to present a research proposal before their committee for approval to continue with research for the Thesis/Dissertation/Record of Study. The usual process is for the doctoral student to have the Preliminary Examination then the Proposal Hearing. The committee chair, however, may allow the Proposal hearing to take place before the Preliminary examination. In rare cases, the Proposal hearing is held simultaneously with the Preliminary Exam. Once date has been secured for the proposal hearing, the student must contact the academic advising office for room scheduling.

Q. When should I contact the Thesis Office in preparation for submission of my Thesis/Dissertation/Record of Study?
A. All candidates for graduation should schedule an appointment with the Thesis Office (979-845-2225) prior to the scheduled exam/defense and again after the exam/defense. The Thesis Office requires specific paperwork and forms that must be submitted for signatures that will be required to bring to the scheduled defense. Please refer to the Thesis Office Web page.