Master in Professional Accounting Admissions News

Insider Information for Prospective Texas McCombs MPA Students

Tag: master degree accounting

Apply Now to Join the Master in Professional Accounting Program in 2026!

Are you ready to take the next step in your educational and career journey? The McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin is excited to announce that the Fall 2026 Master in Professional Accounting application is now open! Whether you will have a bachelor’s degree and are interested in pursuing the one-year traditional MPA (tMPA) program, or you are a current UT undergraduate (non-accounting major) and would like to get an early start via MPA Bridge, Texas McCombs offers a top-quality learning experience that will provide you with a solid background in the language of business and prepare you for a variety of careers.   

APPLICATION CHECKLIST

Our admissions committee takes a holistic approach to evaluating MPA applications, taking all of your application materials into account. Your essays, previous academic performance, letters of recommendation, and non-academic achievements all play an important role in your acceptance into the MPA program. Find tips on enhancing your application in this admissions blog!

  1. Online admissions application
  2. Application Fee (traditional MPA applicants)
  3. Academic Transcripts: Traditional MPA applicants: provide copies of official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. MPA Bridge applicants: provide copy of UT academic summary.
  4. Resume: Highlight your accomplishments and skills, such as honors, awards, language or computer skills, extracurriculars, volunteer and leadership experiences, internships, full-time work experience (if applicable), and other experiences outside of the classroom that developed your professional skills.
  5. Two Recommendations: Preferably from faculty if you are currently in school, or if you already graduated with your bachelor’s degree, individuals who can speak to your professional capabilities and leadership potential. 
  6. Two Written Essays and One Video Essay: These essays provide additional insights into your strengths, skillsets, and goals. 
  7. English Proficiency Test (international applicants): Traditional MPA: All international applicants must submit either a TOEFL or IELTS official score report for the MPA application unless exempt (view exemptions for qualifying countries). MPA Bridge: MPA Admissions will review the official TOEFL or IELTS scores on your UT record; you are exempt if you were allowed to waive the test requirement for admission to UT Austin. 
  8. Optional Test Scores (traditional MPA applicants): GMAT and GRE test scores are optional for the Texas McCombs MPA admissions application. Applicants will not be disadvantaged in the admissions process if they do not submit test scores, and applicants who feel that their test scores reflect their potential for success in graduate school may submit scores for consideration. See this blog post for tips on whether you should consider submitting test scores.

 APPLICATION DEADLINES

MPA Bridge (all applicants) and traditional MPA (U.S. applicants) admissions decisions are made on a continuous, rolling basis throughout the admissions cycle. Traditional MPA (international applicants) decisions are released in two rounds: after the early and final deadlines. Online applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM Central Time on the final deadline date, and all application steps must be completed by the final completion date. 

TRADITIONAL MPA DEADLINES

Early – U.S. and international applicants

Deadline to submit online application: November 1, 2025

Deadline to complete application: November 8, 2025

Final – International applicants

Deadline to submit online application: January 13, 2026 

Deadline to complete applicati0n: January 20, 2026

Final – U.S. summer starts*:

Deadline to submit online application: March 15, 2026

Deadline to complete application: March 22, 2026

Final – U.S. applicants:

Deadline to submit online application: May 5, 2026

Deadline to complete application: May 12, 2026

*Students who are unable to waive ACC 381 ideally should start in the summer (see tMPA core course waivers), and U.S. applicants are highly encouraged to apply by the summer start final deadline. We cannot guarantee a summer start date for applications received after this deadline. Depending on your academic background, starting in the fall may result in a delayed graduation date.

 

MPA BRIDGE DEADLINE

Final – All applicants:

Deadline to submit online application & all recommendation letters received: May 5, 2026

 


READY TO BEGIN?

Start by attending an upcoming information session to explore our program and admissions process in depth. Then thoroughly review the following resources before applying:

TRADITIONAL MPA 

Traditional MPA website

Traditional MPA admissions packet

MPA BRIDGE 

MPA Bridge admissions website 

MPA Bridge admissions packet

QUESTIONS?

Connect with our admissions team. We’re here to support you every step of the way!

Submit Your MPA Application – Final Deadline is Approaching!

The final deadline for traditional MPA (U.S.) and MPA Bridge applications is just around the corner! Submit your application no later than 11:59 p.m. on May 6 to be considered for the 2025 incoming class. Additionally, all supplemental materials (traditional MPA / MPA Bridge) must be received no later than May 13. Applications will not be reviewed for a decision until all required materials have been received.

You can expect to receive an admissions decision approximately two weeks after application completion. Submit your application today!


Questions? Contact the MPA admissions team

 

Texas McCombs Master in Professional Accounting Degree is Now STEM Certified!

As of this fall, the Texas McCombs Master in Professional Accounting (MPA) degree is now STEM certified by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

The STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) designation acknowledges the MPA program’s heavy emphasis on quantitative methods, statistical analysis, and technological applications. Students in the program receive a traditional accounting education along with an abundance of wide-ranging opportunities to apply technology and data analysis skills in nearly every course.

The certification benefits international students, as graduates with STEM designated degrees can stay in the U.S. to work for three years, instead of just one year, through the Optional Practical Training program.

Read more…