Join us for an evening of insight and connection at the MPA Panel Night! This event offers a unique opportunity to hear from Texas McCombs faculty, current students, and alumni. Learn about the program’s academic strengths, explore student experiences, and discover how an MPA can shape your career.
Thursday, November 14, 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Zoom Webinar
The MPA Admissions Committee is beginning to review all completed* applications. We anticipate releasing early decisions for U.S. applications in mid-December. Early decisions for international applications will be released in mid- to late January. Your admissions decision will be posted on the Office of Graduate Admissions MyStatus portal, and you will receive a separate message from the Texas McCombs MPA program if you are accepted.
U.S. applicants: If you are still working on submitting your materials, you can expect to receive a decision approximately four to six weeks after your application is complete.*
International applicants: Aim to complete* your application no later than January 14 (final application deadline). Decisions will be released by late March/early April.
*All required materials must be received before an application will be reviewed for a decision. Be sure to check the status of your application in the McCombs application portal and in the Office of Graduate Admission’s MyStatus portal on a regular basis.
If you reported (optional) GMAT or GRE test scores or a future test date in the admissions application, we will hold on a decision until the official test scores are received from the testing agency. Please notify the MPA admissions team if your testing plans change after you submit your application.
If you receive an admission offer from another university and need to respond to the offer before you receive a decision from us, please send us an email with the name of the university and the admission response deadline. Although we cannot guarantee an earlier admission decision, we will do our best to accommodate your request.
If you are a Texas resident, you will be required to submit Residency Core Questions so that UT Austin can verify your residency. You are eligible to complete the questionnaire after submitting your online application. You do not need to wait for an admissions decision first. Additional information regarding Texas residency is available on the UT admissions website. Feel free to contact UT’s residency officer if you have questions regarding Texas residency.
Tip for tMPA U.S. applicants: Complete the residency questionnaire soon after submitting the admissions application so that your UT record is updated before the MPA program determines scholarship awards.
Note to MPA Bridge applicants: Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis. Apply at any time until the May 6 application deadline!
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.
The early November 1 deadline for U.S. and international traditional MPA applicants is just around the corner. If you are working on completing your application by this deadline… great! Early U.S. applicants should receive an admissions decision in mid-December, and your application will be first in line for consideration for potential scholarships. Early international applicants will receive a decision in January.
However, do not be concerned if you are still working on your application. Why?
Your application will not be considered complete and reviewed for a decision until all application materials have been received. If you reported GMAT or GRE test scores or a future test date in the admissions application, we will hold on a decision until the official test scores are received from the testing agency.* Please notify the MPA admissions team if your testing plans change after you submit your application.
*Plan ahead: it takes about 3-4 weeks for the score report to be sent and added to an applicant’s record.
Do you have any concerns about your application? Contact the MPA admissions team or schedule an appointment for an application consultation.
Note to MPA Bridge applicants: Admissions are rolling all year. Apply for summer 2025 anytime before 11:59 pm CT on May 6, 2025.
Your resume provides an important opportunity to showcase your accomplishments and skills. Be sure to highlight 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 skills.
You may have noticed on the MPA admissions website that we provide MPA application resume guidelines (See tMPA resume guidelines or MPA Bridge resume guidelines) and an MPA application resume template (See tMPA resume template or MPA Bridge resume template). Although this resume format is not required, we highly recommend using the MPA template if you are in the process of reconstructing your resume. If admitted, you will be required to use this format during the recruiting process, and our MPA career coaches will work with you to fine-tune your resume.
The MPA application resume guidelines include:
If you need to submit an updated version of your resume after you submit your application, you can do so in the McCombs application portal (Submitted Applications tab > Submit an Update). Be sure to submit any updates as soon as possible. We cannot guarantee that updates will be included in your application review, as it will depend on when you submit the updated resume and where your application is in the review process with the admissions committee.
What exactly are the steps for submitting your transcript(s) for your MPA application? Read on for the details!
You will provide a copy of a (free) UT Academic Summary in the admissions application.
Steps: (See the MPA Bridge admissions packet for additional details.)
You will provide your transcripts in two locations: 1) in the McCombs application portal (for the MPA admissions committee application review) and 2) in the MyStatus portal (for UT’s Office of Graduate Admissions). The Office of Graduate Admissions is responsible for verifying the validity of transcripts and degrees and calculating an upper-division GPA (based on junior- and senior-level courses and graduate courses, if applicable).
Steps: (See the tMPA admissions packet for additional details.)
Tip: Store any official paper transcripts safely. If you are offered admission and intend to enroll, you will then send your official paper copy transcripts to the Office of Graduate Admissions.
Tip: If you attended a university outside the U.S., a foreign credential evaluation from WES or another organization is not required. However, if a transcript is written in a language other than English, a complete and official English translation must be uploaded together with the original transcript.
If you are a traditional MPA U.S. applicant or MPA Bridge applicant, we recommend submitting a transcript (or UT Academic Summary) without your fall grades if you are aiming to apply early and your fall grades are net yet posted. We will reach out to you if we need your fall grades before making a decision. That said, we recommend waiting to submit your transcript with your fall grades if:
If you are a traditional MPA international applicant (not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident), you should submit your application with transcript before either the early November 1 or final January 14 application deadline, even if the fall grades are not posted. After your fall grades are available, you can provide a copy of an updated transcript in the McCombs application portal.
Please contact the MPA admissions team if you have additional questions!
The Texas McCombs traditional MPA and MPA Bridge admissions applications require at least two letters of recommendation. Keep reading for answers to frequently asked questions about recommendations.
Through the recommendation letters (and admissions essays), we aim to learn about your strengths, personal qualities, skills, and the potential for success in the classroom and as a business professional. Choose references who know you in an academic or professional context and are familiar with your abilities, achievements, and career aspirations. Also consider references who can provide unique and diverse viewpoints. If you are currently in school, we prefer recommendations from faculty members, although feel free to supplement with a third recommendation from a professional work or extracurricular experience. Although only two recommendation letters are required, the MPA admissions committee will review all that are submitted.
Letters are received directly from the recommender via a secure portal. You will be asked to provide the names and email addresses of at least two recommenders in the “Letters of Recommendation” section of the application. When you select “Continue,” your recommenders will be sent an email notification with a link to a secure portal where they will be asked to complete an online questionnaire and upload a recommendation letter.
Tips:
After you submit your application, you will have the option in the McCombs application portal to add recommenders and send them an email request.
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 2025 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.
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!
MPA admissions decisions are made on a continuous, rolling basis until the final application deadline. Applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM Central Time on the final deadline date.
TRADITIONAL MPA DEADLINES:
Early – U.S. and international applicants: November 1, 2024
Final – International applicants: January 14, 2025
Final – US applicants: May 6, 2025
MPA BRIDGE DEADLINE:
Final – All applicants: May 6, 2025
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 admissions packet
MPA BRIDGE
Connect with our admissions team. We’re here to support you every step of the way!
On Saturday, May 11, 2024, the MPA Commencement Ceremony took place at Gregory Gym, transforming the well-known student fitness hub into a symbol of new beginnings. Professors, family, and friends gathered to celebrate the graduates.
The 2024 MPA graduating class includes those from diverse backgrounds who worked tirelessly to earn their degrees. Among the graduates, Peter Gutierrez’s journey stands out as a testament to perseverance and reinvention. Formerly a high school math teacher, Peter decided to make a bold career transition and pursue his MPA. As he eagerly anticipates his next steps, including a summer study abroad in Prague and a financial analyst role for Dell upon his return to Austin, Peter embodies the spirit of transformation and ambition that defines the MPA graduates.
Hong Nguyen has a similarly inspiring graduation story. As a first-generation graduate, Hong’s MPA degree holds deep significance not just for her, but for her family. With her family by her side and the support of her peers in the Asian Business Student Association, Hong’s achievement symbolizes the fulfillment of a dream and the promise of a bright future.
The MPA commencement speakers further highlighted the potential of the MPA graduating class. Professor Steven Kachelmeier noted that the program’s excellence echoes in every graduate’s journey and reflects their commitment to success and innovation. Dean Lillian Mills emphasized the graduates’ role as agents of change and progress while distinguished speaker Paul Knopp (BBA Accounting ‘81, MBA ’83) shared his journey from accounting student to CEO. Paul highlighted the pivotal role of accounting as well as mentorship and resilience in shaping his success. Through his heartfelt message, he encouraged graduates to embrace uncertainty, celebrate their achievements, and envision a future defined by purpose and impact.
During the ceremony, MPA Program Faculty Director Kristina Zvinakis recognized students who demonstrated exceptional dedication and achievement while in the MPA program. Gracelynn Keener received the CPA Accounting Education Award in recognition of her mastery of accounting knowledge, while Zachary Sly and Krishan Gupta were honored as the outstanding integrated and traditional MPA students, respectively, in their graduating class.
Prior to the graduates walking across the stage to have their names read and be recognized, Ally Rosmiller stepped forward as the student speaker. Her words conveyed a sense of camaraderie and shared triumph, and she urged her fellow graduates to embrace every victory, big or small.
As the ceremony ended, the air was filled with a sense of accomplishment and anticipation. Each graduate stands at the threshold of a new chapter, armed with knowledge, resilience, and boundless potential. Today, they not only celebrate their achievements but also their capacity to shape the future and change the world.
Congratulations to the MPA graduating class of 2024!
Are you interested in earning your master’s degree in accounting from The University of Texas at Austin? Join us virtually at the Texas McCombs Master in Professional Accounting (MPA) virtual info session on Wednesday, November 29 from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. CT!
Our one-year traditional MPA is open to both UT and non-UT students who will have earned a bachelor’s degree (in any academic discipline) before starting the MPA program. At the MPA info session, you will meet Jasmin Blas-Mendieta, the Senior Admissions and Recruiting Officer for the MPA program. She will detail the curriculum you will learn in the program, career outcomes and opportunities, how to apply, and answer any questions you have.
Master in Professional Accounting Info Session
Wednesday, November 29, 2023
5:00 – 6:00 p.m. CT
Virtual – Zoom
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