education phd programs in texas

Texas A&M University Catalogs

Doctor of education in educational administration.

The School and Department's vision is “We transform lives.” Specifically, the K-12 EAP’s mission is (a) to prepare leaders for public, charter, and private schools in Texas and the nation and (b) to prepare individuals to conduct research and/or teaching at a university, college, institute, or educational agency. As a result of these dramatic changes, the K12 EAP faculty is dedicated to attracting, mentoring, and preparing the "best, brightest, and culturally aware young leaders for key roles as superintendents, principals and university professors." To reach these goals, the faculty must prepare change agents to focus on improving schools and addressing inequities in schools. The EdD meets the challenges of preparing leaders to integrate theory and research to solve complex problems of administrative practice. The faculty members believe that both the school practitioner and the university professor must prepared to integrate reliable formal knowledge with clinical knowledge, i.e., theoretical with craft knowledge.

If you want to work at the district level, we offer a K-12 Doctor of Education (EdD) in Educational Administration degree. This allows you to be an administrator at the district and school level. The program’s format is a cohort model where students in lock step take classes together. The rationale behind having a cohort model is to create a network of peers across the state of Texas. The Record of Study (ROS) is the culminating research problem of practice for candidates in the program. As the student progresses through the program the ROS is woven into the course of study. A student’s Record of Study should address some aspect of school leadership, management, and areas inequities in schools. The ROS will have a context of addressing social justice in public education. Candidates will choose from three ROS options: a comprehensive district analysis/redesign; journal-ready articles; or research following traditional dissertation guidelines.

Upon successful completion of all required coursework for superintendent certification, the student must complete the following in order to be recommended for Superintendent Certification in the State of Texas, if they choose to pursue this route:

• Complete all components of the required practicum experience;
• Complete all preparation work recommended by faculty and provide a passing score on the superintendent certification practice exam;
• Complete the SBEC online certification application;
• Submit copy of passing 195 Exam scores and
• Complete the School of Education and Human Development Certification and Department of Educational Administration and Human Resource Developments Requirements.

Program Requirements

Student’s advisory committee, degree plan, transfer of credit.

• Preliminary Examination

Preliminary Examination Format

Preliminary examination scheduling, report of preliminary examination, retake of failed preliminary examination.

• Final Examination

Report of Final Examination

Record of study.

After receiving admission to graduate studies and enrolling, the student will consult with the head of his or her major or administrative department (or chair of the intercollegiate faculty) concerning appointment of the chair of the advisory committee. The student’s advisory committee will consist of no fewer than four members of the graduate faculty representative of the student’s several fields of study and research, where the chair or co-chair must be from the student’s department (or intercollegiate faculty, if applicable), and at least one or more of the members must have an appointment to a department other than the student’s major department. The outside member for a student in an interdisciplinary degree program must be from a department different from the chair of the student’s committee.

The chair, in consultation with the student, will select the remainder of the advisory committee. Only graduate faculty members located on Texas A&M University campuses may serve as chair of a student’s advisory committee. Other Texas A&M University graduate faculty members located off-campus may serve as a member or co-chair (but not chair), with a member as the chair.

If the chair of a student’s advisory committee voluntarily leaves the University and the student is near completion of the degree and wants the chair to continue to serve in this role, the student is responsible for securing a current member of the University Graduate Faculty, from the student’s academic program and located near the Texas A&M University campus site, to serve as the co-chair of the committee. The Department Head or Chair of Intercollegiate faculty may request in writing to the Associate Provost and Dean of the Graduate and Professional School that a faculty member who is on an approved leave of absence or has voluntarily separated from the university, be allowed to continue to serve in the role of chair of a student’s advisory committee without a co-chair for us to one year. The students should be near completion of the degree. Extensions beyond the one year period can be granted with additional approval of the Dean.

The committee members’ signatures on the degree plan indicate their willingness to accept the responsibility for guiding and directing the entire academic program of the student and for initiating all academic actions concerning the student. Although individual committee members may be replaced by petition for valid reasons, a committee cannot resign en masse. The chair of the committee, who usually has immediate supervision of the student’s research and dissertation or record of study, has the responsibility for calling all meetings of the committee. The duties of the committee include responsibility for the proposed degree plan, the research proposal, the preliminary examination, the dissertation or record of study and the final examination. In addition, the committee, as a group and as individual members, is responsible for counseling the student on academic matters and, in the case of academic deficiency, initiating recommendations to the Graduate and Professional School.

Each student’s proposed degree plan will be individually designed on the basis of the student’s career objectives and the competencies associated with the professional role to which the student aspires. It will contain a minimum of 69 semester hours, including the following components:

• At least 6 semester hours of proseminars stressing the foundation concepts with which every EdD student should be familiar;
• A set of courses selected to prepare the candidate for a specific professional role within a field of specialization;
• One or more courses that develop basic understanding of the procedures and applications of research;
• At least one supporting field of 12 or more semester hours or two supporting fields of 9 or more semester hours each;
• A professional internship of at least 6 semester hours related to the professional role to which the student aspires;
• A record of study involving at least 12 semester hours of credit.

A maximum of 9 hours of 400-level undergraduate courses may be used toward meeting credit-hour requirements for the Doctor of Education.

No changes can be made to the degree plan once the student’s Request for Final Examination or Request for Final Examination Exemption is approved by the Graduate and Professional School.

No credit may be obtained by correspondence study, by extension or for any course of fewer than three weeks duration.

For non-distance degree programs, no more than four courses may be taken by distance education without approval of GPS and no more than 50 percent of the non-research credit hours required for the program may be completed through distance education courses.

To receive a graduate degree from Texas A&M University, students must earn one-third or more of the credits through the institution’s own direct instruction. This limitation also applies to joint degree programs. 

The degree plan must be filed with the Graduate and Professional School prior to the deadline imposed by the student’s college, and no later than 90 days prior to the preliminary examination.

Courses for which transfer credits are sought must have been completed with a grade of B or greater and must be approved by the student’s advisory committee and the Graduate and Professional School. These courses must not have been used previously for another degree. Except for officially approved joint degree programs with other Texas A&M University System institutions, credit for theses or dissertation research or the equivalent is not transferable. Credit for “internship” coursework in any form is not transferable. Courses taken in residence at an accredited U.S. institution or approved international institution with a final grade of B or greater will be considered for transfer credit if, at the time the courses were completed, the courses would be accepted for credit toward a similar degree for a student in degree-seeking status at the host institution. Credit for coursework taken by extension is not transferable coursework  in which no formal grades are given or in which grades other than letter grades (A or B) are earned (for example, CR, P, S, U, H, etc.) is not accepted for transfer credit . Credit for coursework submitted for transfer from any college or university must be shown in semester credit hours, or equated to semester credit hours.

Courses used toward a degree at another institution may not be applied for graduate credit. If the course to be transferred was taken prior to the conferral of a degree at the transfer institution, a letter from the registrar at that institution stating that the course was not applied for credit toward the degree must be submitted to the Graduate and Professional School.

Grades for courses completed at other institutions are not included in computing the GPA. An official transcript from the university at which transfer courses are taken must be sent directly to the Office of Admissions.

Examinations

Preliminary examination for doctoral students.

The student’s major department (or chair of the interdisciplinary degree program faculty, if applicable) and his or her advisory committee may require qualifying, cumulative or other types of examinations at any time deemed desirable. These examinations are entirely at the discretion of the department and the student’s advisory committee.

The preliminary examination is required. The preliminary examination for a doctoral student shall be given no earlier than a date at which the student is within 6 credit hours of completion of the formal coursework on the degree plan (i.e., all coursework on the degree plan except 681, 684, 690, 691, 692, 693, 695, 697, 791, or other graduate courses specifically designated as S/U in the course catalog). The student should complete the Preliminary Examination no later than the end of the semester following the completion of the formal coursework on the degree plan.

The objective of preliminary examination is to evaluate whether the student has demonstrated the following qualifications:

a.     a mastery of the subject matter of all fields in the program;

b.     an adequate knowledge of the literature in these fields and an ability to carry out bibliographical research;

c.     an understanding of the research problem and the appropriate methodological approaches.

The format of the preliminary examination shall be determined by the student’s department (or interdisciplinary degree program, if applicable) and advisory committee, and communicated to the student in advance of the examination. The exam may consist of a written component, oral component, or combination of written and oral components.

The preliminary exam may be administered by the advisory committee or a departmental committee; herein referred to as the examination committee.

Regardless of exam format, a student will receive an overall preliminary exam result of pass or fail. The department (or interdisciplinary degree program, if applicable) will determine how the overall pass or fail result is determined based on the exam structure and internal department procedures. If the exam is administered by the advisory committee, each advisory committee member will provide a pass or fail evaluation decision.

Only one advisory committee substitution is allowed to provide an evaluation decision for a student’s preliminary exam, and it cannot be the committee chair.

If a student is required to take, as a part of the preliminary examination, a written component administered by a department or interdisciplinary degree program, the department or interdisciplinary degree program faculty must:

a.     offer the examination at least once every six months. The departmental or interdisciplinary degree program examination should be announced at least 30 days prior to the scheduled examination date.

b.     assume the responsibility for marking the examination satisfactory or unsatisfactory, or otherwise graded, and in the case of unsatisfactory, stating specifically the reasons for such a mark.

c.     forward the marked examination to the chair of the student’s advisory committee within one week after the examination.

Prior to commencing any component of the preliminary examination, a departmental representative or the advisory committee chair will review the eligibility criteria with the student, using the Preliminary Examination Checklist to ensure the student is eligible for the preliminary examination. The following list of eligibility requirements applies.

Student is registered at Texas A&M University for a minimum of one semester credit hour in the long semester or summer term during which any component of the preliminary examination is held. If the entire examination is held between semesters, then the student must be registered for the term immediately preceding the examination.

An approved degree plan is on file with the Graduate and Professional School prior to commencing the first component of the examination.

Student’s cumulative GPA is at least 3.000.

Student’s degree plan GPA is at least 3.000.

At the end of the semester in which at least the first component of the exam is given, there are no more than 6 hours of coursework remaining on the degree plan (except 681, 684, 690, 691, 692, 693, 695, 697, 791, or other graduate courses specifically designated as S/U in the course catalog). The head of the student’s department (or Chair of the Interdisciplinary Degree Program, if applicable) has the authority to approve a waiver of this criterion.

Credit for the preliminary examination is not transferable in cases where a student changes degree programs after passing a preliminary exam.

If a written component precedes an oral component of the preliminary exam, the chair of the student’s examination committee is responsible for making all written examinations available to all members of the committee.  A positive evaluation of the preliminary exam by all members of a student’s examination committee with at most one dissension is required to pass a student on his or her preliminary exam.

The student’s department will promptly report the results of the Preliminary Examination to the Graduate and Professional School via the Report of Doctoral Preliminary Examination form. The Preliminary Examination checklist form must also be submitted. These forms should be submitted to the Graduate and Professional School within 10 working days of completion of the preliminary examination.

The Report of the Preliminary Examination form must be submitted with original signatures of the approved examination committee members. If an approved examination committee member substitution (one only) has been made, that signature must also be included, in place of the committee member, on the form submitted to the Graduate and Professional School. The original signature of the department head is also required on the form.

After passing the required preliminary oral and written examinations for a doctoral degree, the student must complete the final examination within four years of the semester in which the preliminary exam is taken. Exams taken in between terms will expire at the end of the term that ended prior to the exam. For example, a preliminary exam taken and passed during the fall 2019 semester will expire at the end of the fall 2023 semester. A preliminary exam  taken in the time between the summer and fall 2019 semesters will expire at the end of the summer 2023 semester.

Upon approval of the student’s examination committee, with no more than one member dissenting, and approval of the Graduate and Professional School, a student who has failed the preliminary examination may be given one re-examination. Adequate time must be given to permit the student to address the inadequacies emerging from the first preliminary examination. The examination committee must agree upon and communicate in writing to the student, an adequate time-frame from the first examination (normally six months) to retest, as well as a detailed explanation of the inadequacies emerging from the examination. The student and the committee should jointly negotiate a mutually acceptable date for this retest.  When providing feedback on inadequacies, the committee should clearly document expected improvements that the student must be able to exhibit in order to retake the exam.  The examination committee will document and communicate the time-frame and feedback within 10 working days of the exam that was not passed.

Final Examination for Doctoral Students

The candidate for the doctoral degree must pass a final examination by deadline dates announced in the “Graduate and Professional School Calendar” each semester. The doctoral student is allowed only one opportunity to take the final examination.

No unabsolved grades of D, F, or U for any course can be listed on the degree plan. The student must be registered for any remaining hours of 681, 684, 690, 691, 692, 791 or other graduate courses specifically designated as S/U in the course catalog during the semester of the final exam. No student may be given a final examination until they have been admitted to candidacy and their current official cumulative and degree plan GPAs are 3.00 or better.

To be admitted to candidacy for a doctoral degree, a student must have:

1.       completed all formal coursework on the degree plan with the exception of any remaining 681, 684, 690 and 691, 692 (Professional Study), or 791 hours,

2.       a 3.0 Graduate GPA and a Degree Plan GPA of at least 3.0 with no grade lower than C in any course on the degree plan,

3.       passed the preliminary examination,

4.       submitted an approved dissertation proposal,

5.       met the residence requirements.

The request to hold and announce the final examination must be submitted to the Graduate and Professional School a minimum of 10 working days in advance of the scheduled date. Any changes to the degree plan must be approved by the Graduate and Professional School prior to the submission of the request for final examination.

 The student’s advisory committee will conduct this examination. The final examination is not to be administered until the dissertation or record of study is available in substantially final form to the student’s advisory committee, and all concerned have had adequate time to review the document. Whereas the final examination may cover the broad field of the candidate’s training, it is presumed that the major portion of the time will be devoted to the dissertation and closely allied topics. Persons other than members of the graduate faculty may, with mutual consent of the candidate and the chair of the advisory committee, be invited to attend a final examination for an advanced degree. A positive vote by all members of the graduate committee with at most one dissension is required to pass a student on his or her exam. A department can have a stricter requirement provided there is consistency within all degree programs within a department. Upon completion of the questioning of the candidate, all visitors must excuse themselves from the proceedings.

The student’s department will promptly report the results of the Final Examination to the Graduate and Professional School via the Report of Doctoral Final Examination form. These forms should be submitted to the Graduate and Professional School within 10 working days of completion of the final examination. The Graduate and Professional School​ must be notified in writing of any cancellations.

A positive evaluation of the final exam by all members of a student’s advisory committee with at most one dissension is required to pass a student on his or her final exam. The Report of the Final Examination Form must be submitted with original signatures of only the committee members approved by the Graduate and Professional School. If necessary, multiple copies of the form may be submitted with different committee member original signatures. If an approved committee member substitution (1 only) has been made, his/her signature must be included on the form submitted to the Graduate and Professional School.

The EdD student will produce a major research document called a record of study. The research project may involve such topics as

• a field study on a problem of major proportions in time or extent;
• a curriculum development project validated through pilot and field testing; or
• action research on a curricular, instructional, supervisory or administrative problem based on empirical data.

The EdD student must have primary responsibility for the design and development of the research, and the record of study must be the sole and original work of the candidate.

Whatever the nature of the research project undertaken by the candidate, he or she will be required to prepare a record of study that explains and supports the activities undertaken in the project and supports its conclusions with adequate investigations, empirical data and a comprehensive bibliography. Procedures used in the student’s research will be described in sufficient detail for educators in other locations to apply or extend the procedures. All records of study should be characterized by accuracy of observation and measurements, thoroughness of analysis and synthesis, and accuracy and completeness of presentation.

Guidelines for the preparation of the record of study are available in the  Thesis Manual  which is available online at  https://grad.tamu.edu/ . After successful defense and approval by the student’s advisory committee and the head of the student’s major department, a student must submit his/her record of study in electronic format as a single PDF file. The PDF file must be uploaded to the website  https://grad.tamu.edu/ . Additionally, a signed approval form must be brought or mailed to the Graduate and Professional School. Both the PDF file and the signed approval form are required by the deadline.

Deadline dates for submitting are announced each semester or summer term in the Graduate and Professional School Calendar (see Time Limit statement). These dates also can be accessed via the website  https://grad.tamu.edu/ .

Before a student can be “cleared” by Thesis and Dissertation Services, a processing fee must be paid through Student Business Services. This processing fee is for the thesis/dissertation services provided. After commencement, dissertations are digitally stored and made available through the Texas A&M Libraries.

A record of study that is deemed unacceptable by the Graduate and Professional School because of excessive corrections will be returned to the student’s department head. The manuscript must be resubmitted as a new document, and the entire review process must begin anew. All original submittal deadlines must be met during the resubmittal process to graduate.

Additional Requirements

Continuous registration, internship or practicum.

• 99-Hour Cap on Doctoral Degrees

Application for Degree

The residence requirement for the EdD degree is 30 semester credit hours in resident study at Texas A&M University. Of these 30 semester hours, at least 18 must be taken as a full-time student. The residence requirement must be fulfilled within five consecutive calendar years. This requirement may be satisfied by a student who presents any combination of full-time study during summer sessions of at least five weeks duration and/or work as a full-time student during regular sessions which totals in the aggregate at least 18 semester hours, accomplished within a five-year period beginning with the first course proposed to apply to this requirement.

Students who are employed full-time while completing their degree may fulfill total residence requirements by completion of less-than-full time course loads each semester. In order to be considered for this, the student is required to submit a Petition for Waivers and Exceptions along with verification of his/her employment to the Graduate and Professional School.

A student in a program leading to the EdD who has completed all coursework on his/her degree plan other than 692 (Professional Study) is required to be in continuous registration until all requirements for the degree have been completed. See  Continuous Registration Requirements .

Each EdD degree candidate will complete a university-directed internship in a professional employment setting with a minimum duration of 300 clock hours accrued at the rate of 10–40 hours per week. The internship will require of the student full participation and responsibility in experiences directly related to the student’s career specialization. Credit for the internship will not be given for a continuation of regular employment activities (e.g., continuing to serve as a junior college teacher or as an elementary school principal), but only for completing an entirely new work experience. The internship may be on a paid or unpaid basis, must be undertaken after the student has a degree plan on file, and must be supported by prior or concurrent coursework (usually toward the end of the degree program). Prior to its beginning, the internship must be approved in writing as to details by all members of the student’s doctoral committee. At the conclusion of the internship, a formal written summary of its nature and results must be approved by the student’s advisory committee.

 99-Hour Cap on Doctoral Degrees

In Texas, public colleges and universities are funded by the state according to the number of students enrolled. In accordance with legislation passed by the Texas Legislature, the number of hours for which state universities may receive subvention funding at the doctoral rate for any individual is limited to 99 hours. Texas A&M and other universities will not receive subvention for hours in excess of the limit.

Institutions of higher education are allowed to charge the equivalent of non-resident tuition to a resident doctoral student who has enrolled in 100 or more semester credit hours of doctoral coursework.

Doctoral students at Texas A&M have seven years to complete their degree before being charged out-of-state tuition. A doctoral student who, after seven years of study, has accumulated 100 or more doctoral hours will be charged tuition at a rate equivalent to out-of-state tuition. Please note that the tuition increases will apply to Texas residents as well as students from other states and countries who are currently charged tuition at the resident rate. This includes those doctoral students who hold GAT, GANT, and GAR appointments or recipients of competitive fellowships who receive more than $1,000 per semester. Doctoral students who have not accumulated 100 hours after seven years of study are eligible to pay in-state tuition if otherwise eligible.

Doctoral students who exceed the credit limit will receive notification from the Graduate and Professional School during the semester in which they are enrolled and exceeding the limit in their current degree program. The notification will explain that the State of Texas does not provide funding for any additional hours in which a student is enrolled in excess of 99 hours. Texas A&M University will recover the lost funds by requiring students in excess of 99 hours to pay tuition at the non-funded, non-resident rate. This non-funded, non-resident tuition rate status will be updated for the following semester and in all subsequent semesters until receipt of a doctoral degree. Please see the  Tuition Calculator  at the non-resident rate for an example of potential charges.

The following majors are exempt from the 99-Hour Cap on Doctoral Degrees and have a limit of 130 doctoral hours:

• Biochemistry
• Biomedical Sciences
• Clinical Psychology
• Counseling Psychology
• Epidemiology and Environmental Health
• Genetics and Genomics
• Health Services Research
• Medical Sciences
• Microbiology
• Neurosciences (School of Medicine)
• Oral and Craniofacial Biomedical Sciences
• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Public Health Sciences
• School Psychology

For information on applying for your degree, please visit the  Graduation  section.

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Higher Education Ph.D.

Want more info.

We're so glad you're interested in UNT! Let us know if you'd like more information and we'll get you everything you need.

Why Earn a Higher Education Ph.D.?

If you are interested in scholarly research, exploration and teaching higher education, the Doctor of Philosophy degree is for you. This degree will provide you with a career as a professor or an applied researcher and prepare you for senior leadership positions in higher learning institutions, statewide higher education coordinating agencies, medical centers and government agencies.

Our faculty members have published more than two dozen books, monographs and book chapters and more than 100 refereed journal articles. Their research areas include leadership in higher education, higher education policy and finance, access and equity, institutional effectiveness, professoriate, student affairs and student development. Our faculty have:

• Served as editors or editorial board members for various academic journals
• Presented numerous papers at national and international professional meetings and conferences
• Generated more than $2 million in grants from federal, state and private foundations

The program is a member of the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED). CPED is a consortium of colleges and schools that aims to improve the quality of the doctorate in education.

• Assess, develop, implement, and evaluate strategies
• Advanced oral and written communication
• Resource management of people, physical/financial assets
• Produce and use theory-driven research/practices
• Multi-cultural/diversity competencies

Higher Education Ph.D. Highlights

What can you do with a higher education ph.d..

The Higher Education Ph.D can prepare your for roles in:

• Academic and research positions in graduate instructional programs of higher education, higher education institutes and centers for the study of higher education
• Applied and management research positions in institutions of higher learning, government agencies, consortia of higher education institutions and higher education professional associations
• Senior administrative positions in four-year colleges and universities where in-depth knowledge and understanding of the conceptual bases of higher education administration are required

Higher Education Ph.D. Courses You Could Take

Learn More About UNT

Explore more options.

It’s easy to apply online. Join us and discover why we’re the choice of nearly 47,000 students.

Education & Human Development

Teaching, learning & culture, how to apply.

The Department of Teaching, Learning & Culture

Teaching, Learning and Culture (TLAC) encompasses students, faculty and staff whose efforts and interests center on the many different aspects of academics, teaching and classroom education. TLAC’s mission is to create experiences that advance teaching, research and service through the application of knowledge in the preparation and development of quality educators; placing high value on collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, democratic governance and global leadership.

• Undergraduate Programs in Education
• Graduate Programs in Curriculum & Instruction
• Online Graduate Programs in Curriculum & Instruction

Having two highly-ranked graduate programs within one department serves as an index of the world-class academic programs and faculty who are committed to a culture of excellence in research and discovery, and the scholarship of teaching.

-Dr. Michael de Miranda, Dean of The School of Education and Human Development 

Former Student Highlight

Merrari boffil.

First-generation student Merari Boffill ’18 hopes to become a teacher and share the importance of education.

Master’s →

Bachelor’s →

Certificates →

From Our Former Students

“One of the things that set this program apart is that it is located within the Teaching, Learning & Culture Department at Texas A&M. There’s more to teaching than just delivering a curriculum or instructional strategy; we have to consider the influence that culture has one what we do.”

Dr. Byron William

Online Ed.D in Curriculum & Instruction

TLAC PROGRAMS

UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES

TLAC offers a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Education, with one of three focuses.

Undergraduate Studies

Graduate Programs

The Culture and Curriculum program offers students the opportunity to learn and grow in many areas.

GLOBAL ONLINE EDUCATION

Providing greater opportunities and flexibility for students, TLAC offers online degree programs, in addition to many individual Web-based classes.

Online Education

Certificates

TLAC offers several types of certificates for students as well as Texas Teacher Certifications

Doctoral Admissions

Doctoral admissions deadlines, 1. start your application.

• To apply to Texas A&M’s School of Education graduate degree program you must first apply online . The name on your application must match your name as it appears in your passport.
• The major is Curriculum and Instruction.
• A non-refundable $89 application fee for domestic applicants and $114 application fee for international applicants. The application fee may be paid by check, money order or approved credit card. Applicants who wish to pay by credit card may do so as part of the online application. If you are unable to pay the fee online, you may call the Graduate Admissions Office at 979-845-1060.

2. Submit Official Transcripts and Records

Submit official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended. NOTE: You do not need to submit an official transcript from Texas A&M University. For more information on submitting official transcripts to Texas A&M University, visit the Office of Admissions website and view the section titled ‘How to Submit Your Documents.’

International transcripts must be uploaded with a certified translation and converted to a 4.0 grade point scale to be considered for review. Some of the services the Office of Admissions will accept are: WES, Global Credential Evaluators, SpanTran, SDR Educational Consultants, International Academics Evaluators, and INC (IACE).

3. Submit Your Test Scores

Ed.d. / ph.d. test score requirements.

• Ed.D. applicants must submit GRE scores for the 2023-2024 application cycle.
• For international applicants only : TOEFL scores must be sent directly from the testing agency to be considered official. The institutional code for Texas A&M University for the TOEFL is 6003 (no department codes needed).

4. Submit Other Required Documents

Ed.d requirements, online ed.d. in curriculum and instruction.

Please note, to be considered for the Online Ed.D. program in Curriculum and Instruction you need to complete both the Texas A&M University graduate admissions requirements and the TLAC departmental requirements below.

Texas A&M University Graduate Admissions

If you are currently a graduate student at Texas A&M University, contact our office at (979) 862-8122 for information on applying to the Department of Teaching, Learning and Culture (TLAC).

• Completed UniCas Application: Apply online. The name on your application must match your name as it appears in your passport.
• Application Fee: A non-refundable $89 application fee for domestic applicants and $114 application fee for international applicants. The application fee may be paid by check, money order or approved credit card. Applicants who wish to pay by credit card may do so as part of the online application. If you are unable to pay the fee online, you may call the Texas A&M University Graduate Admissions Office at 979-845-1060.
• Official Transcripts and Records: Submit official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended. You do not need to submit an official transcript from Texas A&M University. For information on submitting official transcripts to Texas A&M University, please visit the Registrar’s Office .
• GRE Scores: The GRE is required for the 2023-2024 application cycle.
• Departmental Essays : Responses to all essays, prompts included below under “TLAC Required Essays” must be uploaded as one document with appropriate essay headings into Texas A&M University’s UniCAS application portal .
• Resume/vita: Upload your resume/vita, which includes employment, professional presentations, publications, grants, professional certifications/ licenses held and participation in professional organization to the  UniCAS application portal as a document.
• Writing Sample: Writing sample of 10-15 pages that demonstrates your writing abilities and potential for success in the program should be uploaded into Texas A&M University’s UniCAS application portal . Examples include, but are not limited to a journal article, a paper written for class or a graduate capstone project. Examples do not include lesson plans, school handbooks, intervention plans or other informal pieces of school writing.
• Reference Surveys/ Letters: Submit information for at least three professional or academic references (no friends or colleagues) to the electronic reference system in the UniCas application portal . Reference letters can be uploaded in addition to, but not in place of, these surveys.
• TOEFL Scores (international applicants only): Test scores must be sent directly from the  testing agency  to be considered official. The institutional code for Texas A&M University for the TOEFL is 6003. Department code not needed.

For questions regarding the Ed.D. application, contact the  Graduate Advising Office  at (979) 862-8032 or  [email protected]

TLAC Required Essay

Please submit this essay with appropriate headings to Texas A&M University’s UniCAS application portal . Your response will be evaluated holistically by rubric using these four criteria:

• Style and Organization
• Mechanics and Format

Employ your best writing skills and include in-text citations to attribute specific ideas to experts. APA format is required .

Each student in the online Ed.D. program designs and executes a problem-based dissertation (known at Texas A&M as a record of study) that is intended to focus on a specific problem of practice and to offer concrete solutions for these problems. Our Ed.D. Prospectus outlines the differences between the Ed.D. and Ph.D.

Describe an idea for a possible dissertation in practice that you might be able to carry out. Justify your choice of problem using the existing literature on this topic (cite at least three sources) and formulate at least one possible research question.

Ph.D. In Curriculum & Instruction

Ph.d. in curriculum and instruction.

Please note, to be considered for the Ph.D. program in Curriculum and Instruction you need to complete both the Texas A&M University graduate admissions requirements and the TLAC departmental requirements below.

If you are currently a graduate student at Texas A&M University, contact our office at (979) 862-8032 for information on applying to the Department of Teaching, Learning and Culture (TLAC).

• UniCAS Application: Apply online at the UniCAS application portal . The name on your application must match your name as it appears in your passport. (Applications for Fall admission will be available August 1st)
• Official Transcripts and Records: Submit official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended. NOTE: You do not need to submit an official transcript from Texas A&M University. For information on submitting official transcripts to Texas A&M University, please visit the Registrar’s Office .
• GRE Scores: GRE scores are not required to apply to the Ph.D. program.
• Departmental Essays: Responses to all essays, prompts included below under “TLAC Required Essays” must be uploaded as one document with appropriate essay headings into UniCAS application portal .
• Resume/vita: Upload your resume/vita, which includes employment, professional presentations, publications, grants, professional certifications/ licenses held and participation in professional organization to the UniCAS application portal as a document.
• Reference Surveys/Letters: Submit information for at least three references to the electronic reference system in the UniCAS application portal . Reference letters can be uploaded in addition to, but not in place of, these surveys.
• Statement of Purpose: Response should include why you are interested in this program; one page or less explaining your interest, goals, and plans for this degree.

For questions regarding the Ph.D. application, contact the  Graduate Advising Office  at (979) 862-8032 or  [email protected]

TLAC Required Essays

Please submit these essays as one document with appropriate headings to Texas A&M University’s UniCAS application portal . Your responses will be evaluated holistically by rubric using these four criteria:

Successful applicants to this program indicate a match between their professional goals and the research-extensive Ph.D. offered in this department. Explain your views regarding the match you see between (1) what a specialty area in this department has to offer and (2) your desire to advance your education and experience to meet your professional research goals. Please use the information provided on the TLAC website about faculty and specialty areas to identify at least one faculty member from an area of specialization whose interests match your own. Discuss the match that you see between that person’s qualifications and your professional research goals. (1000 word limit)

One of the critical skills for a doctoral student is to be able to develop a research-based argument. Pick an issue in education and write a paper where you present different sides of your chosen topic. You should use, and properly cite, the ideas of others to support your argument. (1500 words maximum, not including references)

Doctoral Programs

Students applying to a program must follow all department admissions. Program faculty will determine the admission of an applicant to the specific program.

Can't find what you are looking for?

College of Education

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Graduate Programs

Grow or change your career path with a graduate degree or certificate from the College of Education. Work with award-winning faculty in our numerous research programs and centers . Many of our programs are available partially or fully online and students who live outside of Texas pay tuition at in-state rates when they enroll solely in online courses at Texas Tech University.

Learn more about Texas Tech Graduate School on their website or View Book .

Search all our Graduate Degrees ❯

Master's Degrees

Doctoral degrees.

• Certificates

Educator Preparation

Department of curriculum & instruction.

• M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction
• M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction for Dual Credit Credential
• M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction for RAIDER Teach
• M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction with a Concentration in Curriculum Studies/Teacher Education (CSTE)
• M.Ed. in Language & Literacy
• M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction with a Concentration in STEM
• M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction with a Concentration in Blended Learning/Personalized Learning
• M.Ed. in Bilingual Education and English as a Second Language (ESL)
• M.Ed. in Instructional Technology

Department of Educational Psychology, Leadership, and Counseling

• M.Ed. in Counselor Education
• M.Ed. in Counselor Education with a Concentration in Clinical Mental Health
• M.Ed. in Counselor Education with a Concentration in School Counseling
• M.Ed. in Educational Leadership
• M.Ed. in Educational Psychology
• M.Ed. in Educational Psychology with a Concentration in School Psychology
• M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration (on-campus)
• M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration (online)
• M.Ed. in Educational Leadership with an emphasis in Educational Policy

Department of Special Education

• M.Ed. in Special Education with a Concentration in Educational Diagnostician
• M.Ed. in Special Education with a Concentration in Deaf and Hard of Hearing
• M.Ed. in Special Education with a Concentration in Autism
• M.Ed. in Special Education with a Concentration in Deafblindness
• M.Ed. in Special Education with a Concentration in Generic Special Education-Supervision
• M.Ed. in Special Education with a Concentration in Orientation and Mobility
• M.Ed. in Special Education with a Concentration in Visual Impairment
• M.Ed. in Special Education with a Concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis - Online
• Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction
• Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with a Track in Curriculum Studies/Teacher Education
• Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with a Track in Language, Diversity & Literacy Studies
• Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with a Track in STEM Education
• Ed.D. in Instructional Technology
• Ph.D. in Educational Leadership Policy
• Ed.D. in Educational Leadership
• Ph.D. in Higher Education
• Ph.D. in Counselor Education
• Ph.D. in Educational Psychology
• Ph.D. in Educational Psychology With a Track in School Psychology
• Ph.D. in Special Education

Certificates & Certifications

The College of Education offers two types of non-degree programs: professional certification , necessary to be licensed and/or practice at an advanced level in your chosen career and Graduate Certificates , which provide an additional credential in your field of study but do not necessarily lead to licensure. Graduate Certificates can also be used as an introduction into your chosen master's degree program.

• Advancing K-12 STEM Master Teacher Leadership (Basic)
• Blended Learning/Personalized Learning
• Deafblindness
• Developmental Literacy
• E-Learning and Online Teaching
• Fundamentals of Teaching and Learning
• Higher Education Administration
• K-12 STEM Education Advocacy Research (Advanced)
• Mental Health Counseling
• Mixed Methods Research
• Multidisciplinary Science
• Program Evaluation and Assessment
• School Psychology
• Sensory Impairment and Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Master Mentoring

In addition to its undergraduate teacher preparation program, TechTeach , the College of Education offers a number of graduate Educator Preparation Programs related to Advanced Certifications, Principal/Superintendent Certification, and Out of Country Credential Review.

• Learn more about Admission to Graduate Educator Preparation programs

Graduate Departments

Advanced degrees in Curriculum and Instruction prepare curriculum leaders, researchers, and professors with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to analyze, construct, and evaluate curricula in ways that create optimal learning conditions for all learners.

Learn more about the Department of Curriculum & Instruction

Department of Educational Psychology, Leadership, & Counseling

Educational Psychology, Leadership, & Counseling is a diverse group of academic programs that equip students with a comprehensive knowledge of learning, motivation, development, and educational foundations. 

Learn more about the Department of Educational Psychology, Leadership, & Counseling

The Department of Special Education prepares special education leaders who ensure individuals with disabilities and their families are provided equal access to services and education.

Learn more about the Department of Special Education

Need help choosing a graduate program, or have questions for our staff? Contact our graduate support staff.

Military & Veterans Programs

Information about credit for military can be found on the Military & Veterans Programs website .

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• College Of Education

Become a Thoughtful Leader in Education through Empowerment

The Concordia University Texas Doctorate of Education (EdD) program will help you advance your career and become a leader in education in traditional learning settings and corporate organizations, empowering students and staff to go forth and change their world.

The EdD at Concordia is a three-year online program with two weeklong summer residencies and locked-in, competitive tuition rates. 

Request Info   APPLY

2 residencies

Locked-In Tuition

60 Credit Hours

Become a leader in Education

Two Unique Specializations

Concordia offers two unique specializations that cater your education to your future aspirations. The Educational Leadership specialization focuses on leadership at the district/central office level, while the Curriculum & Instruction specialization focuses on leadership and curriculum development with a focus on strategy for teaching mastery.

Collaborative Cohort Model

Students in the Concordia EdD work through their program in a cohort model of 10-12 students. This model facilitates collaboration, support, and peer learning communities through a shared experience.

No GRE or Admissions Test Required

Concordia requires no GRE or admissions test for entry to the program. Our focus is on increasing access for all students to a high-quality advanced degree and we know that testing does not always accurately measure the skill and knowledge of prospective students.

Concordia University Texas empowers students of all backgrounds to lead lives of critical thought, compassionate action and courageous leadership. As a liberal arts university rooted in the Lutheran tradition and aligned with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, Concordia develops the mind, heart, soul, and body, preparing leaders for lives of service.

We are the premier university where the adventure of faith, learning, and life-changing experiences leads to meaningful work.

Educational Leadership

Advance your leadership knowledge in the K-16 environment with this unique concentration. Classes include Advanced School Law and Conflict Resolution and prepare students for the optional Texas Superintendent certification exam.

Curriculum & Instruction

Ideal for educators who want to pursue curriculum leadership, higher education, or educational policy. This concentration includes courses such as Curriculum Theory and Program Evaluation.

• School District Leadership and Administration
• Superintendent
• Higher Education Professor
• Chief Learning Officer (organizational)
• Leadership Opportunities in K-12 School Admin
• Educational Consultant
• Director of Curriculum
• Educational Policy Advocate
• HR Training & Development Specialist
• Non-profit Administration
• University Administrator/Instructor

Students also learn strategies for teaching mastery.

What I understand about being an administrator is what I learned from Concordia. There are still things that I’m learning and growing in, but Concordia taught me how to ask the right type of questions, how to re-examine what I’m doing, and how to improve my work.

EdD students spend the first two years of the program completing practical coursework and the final year working on a CRIP project or dissertation.

The program begins with the first residency session on the Concordia University Texas campus in Austin, Texas. Students complete a one-week orientation on campus that includes course activities (8 a.m.–5 p.m.) that are an integral part of their 8-week EDU 6310 Christian Ethics course.  

The second residency session occurs during the following summer, at which time students return to campus for a week to complete additional course activities in a hands-on manner for another 8-week core course (8 a.m.–5 p.m.). After taking and passing the qualifying exam at the end of the first year, students are formally entered into candidacy for the Doctor of Education and complete 24 credit hours of specialization courses.

The foundational coursework is completed online, aside from the two required weeklong residencies.

During the third year, students shift their focus to the required practicum (six credit hours) and their CRIP project or dissertation (nine credit hours). Students can complete the entire program in just over three years following this plan.

Students choose to complete either the CRIP project or a doctoral dissertation.

The CRIP is an alternative to the theoretical doctoral dissertation. This option allows students more flexibility to identify research, curriculum, or leadership initiative needs within their school districts or organizations and develop research-based solutions and evaluations. The creative aspect of this option provides a more accommodating modality for student research while upholding the expectations of a doctoral program.

The CRIP may appeal to students looking to become active problem-solvers within their districts, impress district leadership with research-based solutions, and become valued contributors within their current environments.

The theoretical dissertation is also an option. A dissertation focuses on evaluating or constructing theory based on research methods focused on this end. Dissertations use the standard five-chapter format allowing students to develop more generalizable conclusions and recommendations.

The dissertation may appeal to students looking to excel in careers within higher education or the educational research community.

Dissertation Handbook (PDF)

Students in both specializations have the choice of completing either a CRIP project or a dissertation throughout the third year of the EdD program.

Before students start their dissertation (3rd year of the program) a committee will be assigned to them. The committee chair is assigned during the Spring of year 2 and the other two committee members are assigned before they start dissertation coursework in the Fall of their 3rd year.  

Admission to the optional Texas Superintendent Certification program is completed toward the end of the first year of the EdD program for students pursuing the Educational Leadership (EDL) specialization.

Superintendent certification courses are part of the EDL specialization program and are subject to the regulations of the Texas Education Agency. At this time, the candidate seeking Texas Superintendent Certification must:

• Submit a written application for admission.
• Complete a faculty interview (rubric with faculty recommendation).
• Be admitted to EdD Candidacy (Qualifying Exam report).
• Provide service record showing at least three credible years of managerial experience in a public school district.
• Provide a certificate demonstrating a valid, unexpired mid-management/principal certification from Texas.   To be accepted and remain in the Texas Superintendent Certification program at Concordia University Texas, the candidate must:
• Meet all admission requirements to the Educational Leadership specialization, including a minimum GPA of 3.0 either cumulatively or in the last 60 credit hours from the most recently earned master's degree or higher
• Earn passing scores on both the interview and qualifying exam
• Accept the admissions offer within the required time frame
• Remain in good standing with the University
• Pass all the necessary coursework
• Pass a Superintendent Certification Practice Exam after completing specialization courses.
• Complete EDL 6335 Practicum I and EDL 6336 Practicum II at a TEA-approved district in Texas under the guidance of a state-certified mentor (Texas Superintendent Certification) with at least three years of experience.
• Pass the TExES Superintendent Exam after completing EDL 6335 Practicum I or EDL 6336 Practicum II. 

EdD Handbook (PDF) Library 

Curriculum & Instruction Practicum Resources

EdD C&I Practicum Handbook (PDF)

C&I Practicum Proposal Form (PDF)

Educational Leadership Practicum Resources

EdD EDL Practicum Handbook (PDF)

EDL Practicum Proposal Form (PDF)

Admission Requirements

• Complete application
• Master's degree from an accredited university with a graduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Combined five years of credited teaching experience and/or administrative/leadership experience (mid-management or principal certification for those seeking Texas Superintendent Certification)
• Employer Support Form (PDF) or a letter from the applicant's employer indicating support for the candidate's pursuit of the EdD, willingness to allow the candidate to conduct fieldwork in the organization (if a school district), and flexibility in work schedule so candidate can attend class and conduct approved fieldwork
• Present supervisor
• Academic/Professor
• Co-worker/Professional peer
• Official transcripts from accredited master's degree-conferring institution
• Resume or CV that summarizes educational and professional career (applicant should be able to explain any gaps in service)
• Letter of intent that introduces the applicant to the EdD Review Committee and answers the question, "Given the mission of Concordia, what can this program do for me?" (two typed pages, double-spaced)
• Sample of scholarly writing (research from graduate school, published article, or paper that demonstrates the ability to conduct cited scholarly research)
• For Texas Superintendent Certification only — a copy of service record and Social Security number
• Evidence of English language fluency (if applicable)
• Although no formal testing is required for entry, scores from the recent (five years or less) Graduate Record Exam (GRE) will be accepted and may be used if space is limited
• Space in the program is limited, so the quality of items submitted will be taken into account. Various point values may be assigned to the above items in cases where there are more qualified applicants than program space. In all cases, Concordia will select students who present the most competitive applications and who we consider most likely to be successful, contributing members of the Concordia community who will graduate.

NOTE: Only fully complete admissions packets will be forwarded to the EdD Review Committee. Applications with incomplete materials will be held until all materials are received.

Application Process

The admissions process begins with submitting an application to the Office of Admissions. Decisions regarding acceptance are made at the completion of the application file. All applicants will be considered on an individual basis.

1. Online Application and Application Fee

Complete the online application and pay the $50 non-refundable application fee. On your application, please use your legal name and fill in any maiden names.

If you have a promo code, do not enter your credit card information.

2. Transcripts

Submit official transcripts from the college or university where you earned your master's degree.

The Office of Admissions requires that you have the official transcript from your degree-granting institution sent directly to the University (see official address below). Please request your transcript immediately, as it may take up to six weeks for transcripts to arrive in our office.

If any transcripts are from a foreign institution, an official WES Foreign Education Credential Service evaluation must be completed and sent to the Office of Admissions. For more information please visit the WES websites. Please note: This process could take several weeks.

You have three ways to get your transcripts to Concordia:

Student Delivered A student-delivered transcript will be accepted as an official transcript only if it is received in the original sealed envelope and stamped by the institution of records as "Issued to Student in a Sealed Envelope."

Electronically

National Transcript Center

Mailed Concordia University Texas Office of Admissions Processing 11400 Concordia University Drive Austin, TX 78726

3. Professional Work Experience

Submit a copy of your resume that shows at least five combined years of credited teaching experience and/or administrative/leadership experience (mid-management or principal certification for those seeking Texas Superintendent Certification). Leadership experience should be starred on your resume if it's not obvious.

Students seeking Texas Superintendent Certification must submit a copy of their service record and Social Security number.

4. Other Materials

EdD applicants must also submit the following:

• Employer Support Form (PDF) or a letter of support from your employer
• Three letters of reference
• Letter of intent
• Sample of scholarly writing
• Evidence of English-language fluency (if applicable)
• Optional GRE scores

5. Apply for Financial Aid

Complete the online federal application at studentaid.gov for the school year. The Concordia University Texas school code is 003557 .

For those eligible, financial aid is available in the form of unsubsidized loans.

6. Payment Options

The Concordia EdD features locked-in tuition, meaning that you will pay the same rate of tuition throughout the entire program.

Please send all admissions documents to the address below. Office of Admissions Processing Concordia University Texas 11400 Concordia University Drive Austin, TX 78726

FAX: 512-313-4639

[email protected]

The Concordia EdD program offers locked-in tuition, meaning that you will pay the same tuition rate throughout the duration of the program.

View Program Costs

Financial Aid Opportunities

Please visit our Financial Aid page to learn about payment options, deadlines, FAFSA and how to get help paying for your education.

If you have any questions, please contact your admissions counselor .

Financial Aid Info

Payment Types

Concordia accepts three methods of payment:

• Online through your MyInfo account
• Check or money order sent by mail to: Concordia University Texas, Attn: Student Accounts, 11400 Concordia University Dr., Austin, TX 78726
• Cash, check, credit or debit card at the Student Central office, which is located on campus at C-256 in Cedel Hall

Payment plans are available and can be set up through your MyInfo account.

Service Members Information

Concordia University Texas is grateful, proud and supportive of those who have or continue to serve through the military.

For those looking to start or continue their education, we have a variety of options to assist. CTX is a Yellow-Ribbon Institution and accepts most VA-funded students, including Montgomery and Post 9/11. Note that the Hazelwood Act is only valid for public institutions.

View Service Members Information

Frequently Asked Questions

An EdD will allow you to gain advanced knowledge and skills related to the field of education. Individuals who want to demonstrate their dedication to the field and their pursuit of understanding will benefit from earning an EdD. The passion to optimize student performance drives individuals to further their education to further their abilities.

Many school districts (primarily mid-size to larger) require their superintendents and executive team (e.g., regional superintendents, curriculum director, finance director, etc.) to possess a terminal degree and often seek those individuals who have completed their Superintendent Certification.

Additionally, an EdD will help you stand out in the marketplace, giving you access to opportunities for advancement and larger salaries that would otherwise be unavailable.

By further developing your instructional knowledge and leadership skills, you will be better prepared to empower your students, trainees, and coworkers to succeed.

Concordia's EdD program is designed for busy adults with full schedules. You'll complete most of the coursework online, and the CRIP/dissertation is built into the three-year timeline.

With the Concordia EdD, you can access new advancement opportunities, better pay, and higher leadership roles. Students will also gain skills to better assist students of all backgrounds, lead districts to better educational outcomes, and help learners reach their highest potential.

Educators with an EdD can become school district executives, faculty at the university level, training supervisors in businesses, school-level curriculum leaders, or chief learning officers in corporations.

I adore having the opportunity to assist students in developing research projects that not only help their immediate context, but that may also work to aid students across districts and regions. That is one commonality that I have seen with the CTX EdD students. They all want to make a difference.

Learn more about Darnell Horton's journey of grit and perseverance to earning a Doctor of Education (EdD) degree from Concordia.

• Graduate Programs
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Adult, Professional, and Community Education Doctoral Program

• What is APCE?
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Welcome to APCE

Congratulations to Dr. Larrotta and the Texas State University Education Institute for another successful global conference!

Dr. Larrotta Receives Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Quindio, Armenia, Columbia!

Dr. Bohonos won the Academy of Human Resource Development Early Career Scholar Award!

Dr. Joellen Coryell was selected as a Fulbright Scholar Alumni Ambassador!

Congratulations to Cindy Peña, Dr. Jessica Quintero, Elizabeth Castañeda, and Tess Pantoja Perez on receiving the Best Poster and Best Conceptual/Methodological Framework award at the AAACE conference!

Congratulations to Dr. Baumgartner on receiving the AAACE Cyril O. Houle Award for Outstanding Literature in Adult Education!

Congratulations to our recent graduates!

2023 AAACE Conference was held on September 19(virtual) and October 3-6(in person)!

Dr. Jeong has been elected to the Academy of Human Resource Development Board!

Cohort 23 Orientation

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COE Graduate Programs Application Information

Additional application requirements for graduate programs.

The College of Education offers a wide variety of masters, doctoral and certification programs across all five departments and STEM Education. Through research-driven experiences that pair theory and applied practice, our collaborative, innovative programs are led by expert faculty and industry leaders who are dedicated to advancing fields such as policy and leadership, special education, prevention science, sport management and health behaviors.

General Application Requirements

• Completed ApplyTexas online application.
• Admission to UT’s Graduate School.
• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in the U.S. or proof of equivalent training at a foreign institution.
• A minimum required GPA (3.0), particularly during the last two years of college and in any graduate study previously undertaken.

Graduate Students FAQs

C&I Graduate Program Contact

Stephen Flynn

(512) 471-3747

ELP Graduate Program Contact

Kelsey Samsel

(512) 475-8570

EDP Graduate Program Contact

Pam Larick 

(512) 471-4155

EDP Application Process

KHE Graduate Program Contact

Phillip Salazar

(512) 232-6015

SPED Graduate Program Contact

Alicia Zapata

(512) 471-9857

SPED Application Process

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Geographic Education (Ph.D.)

Ph.d. geographic education.

• Apply Today
• Review Admission Requirements

Program Overview

Working closely with a dedicated faculty that is recognized nationally and internationally for its research, mentoring and teaching accomplishments, students embark on a journey of professional development that includes research and teaching opportunities. The department also hosts or plays key roles in several international, national and university-wide research centers.

Course Work

The Ph.D. in Geographic Education is designed to provide depth and breadth of knowledge in the field's theoretical foundations and research methods. The degree is offered 100% online, and requires students to complete 31 credit hours of graduate course work, and 15 credit hours of dissertation research and writing. Course work is required during all three semesters (fall, spring, and summer). Graduate courses include learning about geographic education theories and research methods; geography curriculum, standards, and assessment; and educational aspects of geospatial technologies. Faculty advisors work individually with each student to develop a tailored course plan that meets the student's educational and career goals.

Online Availability

This program is offered completely online. If you are not a Texas resident and will not relocate, please visit the  Office of Distance and Extended Learning . International applicants will not be eligible to receive a Form I-20 or DS-2019 for an F-1 or J-1 visa from Texas State and may review the  eligibility requirements  of enrolling in online programs and contact the  International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS)  with questions.

What Our Students Say

"The Ph.D. program in Geographic Education offers students direct access to many of the most accomplished scholars in the field, and works as a hub of geographic education communities connecting school teachers, educators, and researchers. This unique access has allowed me to quickly build my own professional network with local, state, national, and international geography educators."

— Sojung Huh, Class of 2023

Program Details

Geography Ph.D. alumni successfully pursue careers in academia, public and private research centers, and the professional sector with private companies, nonprofit organizations and government agencies.

Program Mission

The mission of the Department of Geography is to offer students educational experiences of the highest quality and to conduct meaningful and vital research. The department is committed to outstanding teaching and scholarly activities within the framework of academic freedom and the diversity of ideas and is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge and to public service. The department stresses the theoretical and applied realms of geography in all of its curriculum, leads the discipline with innovative applied work, and actively seeks to recruit top students nationally and internationally.

Related Programs:  Ph.D. in Geography  |  Ph.D. in Geographic Information Science

Career Options

Geographic education doctoral students actively participate in professional conferences, meetings and workshops, and publish in top-tier journals in the field, including the Journal of Geography , Research in Geographic Education , Social Studies and the Journal of Geography in Higher Education . Geographic education Ph.D. alumni hold positions in university and community colleges, government agencies and in the private sector.

Program Faculty

Thirty-four full-time faculty members conduct research in physical, human, and environmental geography, geographic education, and geographic information sciences, and publish in top-tier journals, including the  Annals of the American Association of Geographers, The Professional Geographer, the Journal of Geography , and the  Journal of Geography in Higher Education . Faculty research has been supported by the National Science Foundation, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Justice, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, among other funding agencies.

Contact  The Graduate College  for general questions about getting started with your application, funding your degree, and more. If you have program-specific questions after reviewing the program details, we encourage you to contact the following individuals.

Graduate Advisor Dr. Ronald Hagelman, III [email protected] 512.245.8847 Evans Liberal Arts (ELA) , Room 335

Advisor Support Allison Glass [email protected] 512.245.2618 Evans Liberal Arts (ELA) , Room 127

Apply Now Already know that Texas State is right for you?

• Start Your Application

Application Process

Review requirements, submit application, upload documents, check status, application deadlines.

This program's deadline is firm. This type of deadline means the application and other application requirements must be submitted by the program's specified deadline day.

Admission Requirements

The items required for admission consideration are listed below.  Additional information for applicants with international credentials can be found on our  international web pages .

Application

• Completed  online application

Review  important information  about the online application.

Application Fee

• $55 nonrefundable application fee OR
• $90 nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials

Review  important information  about application fees.

Transcripts & GPA

• baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university (Non-U.S. degrees must be equivalent to a four-year U.S. Bachelor’s degree. In most cases, three-year degrees are not considered. Visit our International FAQs for more information.)
• master's degree in geography or a related field from a regionally accredited university (Non-U.S. degrees must be equivalent to a U.S. Master’s degree. Master’s degrees following a three-year Bachelor’s degrees may not be equivalent; please contact [email protected] if you are unsure.)
• a copy of an official transcript from  each institution  where course credit was granted
• minimum 3.5 GPA in all completed graduate course work
• completion of a master's thesis or demonstrated evidence of scholarly research and writing

Review important information about transcripts. Official transcripts, sent directly from your institution, will be required if admission is granted.

Test Scores

• GRE not required

Approved English Proficiency Exam Scores

Applicants are required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score that meets the minimum program requirements below unless they have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a country on our  exempt countries list .

• official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 78 overall
• official PTE scores required with a 52 overall
• minimum individual module scores of 6.0
• official Duolingo Scores required with a 110 overall
• official TOEFL Essentials scores required with an 8.5 overall

This program does not offer admission if the scores above are not met.

Review important information about official test scores.

• statement of purpose explaining your reasons for pursuing doctoral study and your academic professional interests and goals
• three letters of recommendation demonstrating adequate subject preparation in content and quality as reflected in your transcripts

Review important information about documents.

Additional Information

• Application Decisions
• International Applicants
• Reapplication Process

What Our Alumni Say

“I always knew I would enter a doctoral program but had been struggling to find the perfect fit.  I chose Texas State as I have been looking for a Ph.D. program that would not only fit into my lifestyle and be offered online but also was credible and well respected; this program came highly recommended especially from other teachers within the field.”

— Licia Paulus, current student

Ready to Apply?

Need more info.

• Request Program Information

English Ph.D.

The Ph.D. program in English at the University of Texas at Austin is one of the largest and best doctoral programs of its kind. Ranked in the top 20 English Graduate Programs by U.S. News & World Report , our program offers students intensive research mentoring and pedagogical training in the vibrant setting that is Austin, Texas. In addition, all admitted English PhD students receive six years of full funding .

Drawing on the resources of two units, the Department of English and the Department of Rhetoric and Writing, our program has at its center a dynamic and dedicated faculty of over 60 .

While the Ph.D. program is housed in and administered by the Department of English , the Department of Rhetoric and Writing is a crucial partner in helping to educate our shared students. The make-up of each cohort of students mirrors our unusual interdepartmental collaboration: each year we accept 10-12 students in literature and 4 in rhetoric and digital literacies.

One of the distinguishing features of our program is its collegiality and sense of shared purpose. Students and faculty work collaboratively on a number of departmental and university-wide committees, participate actively in reading and writing groups, and treat one another with respect.

Our program is engaged not only in meeting the challenges of a complex, rapidly changing academic discipline but also in helping to shape it. Our graduate courses examine relationships between writing and other cultural practices and explore the social, historical, rhetorical, and technological processes by which literature and other discourses are constituted. While we take seriously our responsibility to help train the next generation of the professoriate—that is, to cultivate scholarship, effective teaching, and collegiality—we also encourage our students to think of their training and their futures in the broadest terms possible.

Requirements

• Foreign Language Requirement
• Tab Option 4
• Tab Option 5

All students, regardless of whether they enter with a BA or MA, are required to complete 39 hours of formal graduate coursework taken for a grade before the end of their third year. These 39 hours must include:

• E384K Disciplinary Inquiries, which is taken in the first semester. It may not include other courses under the E384 course number.
• At least one 3-hour seminar on pre-1800 material
• At least one 3-hour seminar on post-1800 material
• At least 3 hours, but no more than 9 hours, taken out of department. Out-of-department courses include: undergraduate English courses taken for graduate credit, creative writing workshops or Literature for Writers courses with the New Writers Project, and supervised study conference courses arranged with individual faculty members.

These curricular requirements ensure that students encounter a wide range of courses, faculty, and texts during their time at UT, extending well beyond their specialized area of interest. Students choose coursework in consultation with the Associate Graduate Advisor, who may allow substitutions for English courses in cases where alternate coursework is needed to supplement departmental offerings. This alternate coursework could take the form of the out-of-department courses listed above. Such substitutions may be warranted in cases where a student is pursuing a portfolio in an interdisciplinary unit such as CWGS, MALS, or AADS; where the English department offers few courses in the student’s area of interest; or where the student needs to pursue a foreign language for research purposes. We encourage students to investigate portfolio options early in their career so they can integrate those courses as soon as possible. Some portfolios require 12 hours of coursework; in those cases, the Associate Graduate Advisor will grant an exception to the 9-hour limit on out-of-department courses.

Students who hold the position of AI are also required to take RHE398T, which is usually taken during the fall semester of their third year, or when a graduate student teaches RHE306 for the first time. RHE398T does not count toward the required 39 hours of formal graduate coursework.

Beginning in their third year of the program, students have the option of enrolling in additional seminars inside or outside the department, choosing whether to take these courses for a grade or for Credit/No Credit.  They can also enroll in E384L Scholarly Publication (usually taken in or after the third year) and E384M Professional Outcomes (usually taken in or after the fourth year). Students take these two courses for Credit/No Credit. The graduate program encourages students to continue enrolling in optional courses throughout their years as a PhD student, while they are reading for exams and planning and writing a dissertation.

In the spring of year three, students must pass the  Third-Year Examination , which tests their knowledge of and engagement with chosen fields of specialization. Students will be examined on either a fixed reading list or a reading list developed by three faculty members in collaboration with the student. The list will contain 60-80 primary and/or secondary texts. The Third-Year Examination consists of a written and an oral component. The written component consists of: 1) a 1000- to 2000-word intellectual rationale for the list; 2) an annotated version of the list (at least 1/3 of the texts with an annotation of 100 words or more each); and 3) two syllabi based on the list—the first for a survey course, the second for an upper-division seminar. Students will then sit for a two-hour oral examination during which the committee will ask questions about both the written materials and the students’ comprehension of the reading list.

The  Prospectus Examination  grants students an opportunity to receive formal feedback from three faculty members on their proposed dissertation project. Students work closely with faculty to write and revise a 15- to 20-page prospectus. Once the faculty members are ready to sign off on the document, an oral Prospectus Examination is scheduled. Students are encouraged to pass the Prospectus Examination by the end of the fall semester of their fourth year in the program.

Doctoral Candidacy  is achieved when students have successfully completed the Third-Year and Prospectus Examinations; fulfilled the foreign language requirement (see below); and identified a dissertation committee of at least four faculty members, one of whom needs to be from another graduate program or institution. All students must spend at least two long semesters, or one long semester and one summer, in candidacy before earning their degree.

The last milestone for the Ph.D. is the  Final Oral Defense , otherwise known as the dissertation defense.  In general, faculty will not schedule a defense until the dissertation is completed and ready for critical engagement.

Students working toward a Ph.D. in English at UT Austin are expected to pursue courses of language study relevant to their individual professional trajectories, as determined in consultation between students themselves; their faculty mentors; and graduate program advisor(s).

Student progress toward appropriate levels of competence will be assessed by means of a four-part  Foreign Language Audit  according to the following schedule:

Fall semester of the first year: Foreign Language Interview with the associate graduate advisor to review prior training, assess current levels of expertise, and, if necessary, begin developing an appropriate language study agenda.

Spring semester of the second year: as part of the Second-Year Reflection, students complete a first Language Study Check-in with the graduate advisor(s) and their faculty sponsor, to ensure that appropriate progress has been made toward execution of the agenda with alteration or addition in light of subfield expectations and project directions.

Spring semester of the third year (in most cases): as part of the Third-Year Exam, students will complete a second Language Study Check-in, this time with their exam committee, to determine whether satisfactory progress has been achieved on their language study agenda, again with alteration or addition in light of subfield expectations and project directions.

Fourth year (in most cases): as part of the Prospectus Exam, students will finalize their Foreign Language Audit. This will involve discussion with the exam committee, along with presentation of all necessary evidence to demonstrate that the language study agenda has been fulfilled. If, in the judgment of the committee, requisite levels of language competence have not been achieved, student and committee will agree upon a binding plan for fulfillment, during which period the student shall remain on probationary status with regard to the Foreign Language Requirement. Successful fulfillment of the Foreign Language Audit must be achieved before the student advances to Ph.D. candidacy.

Notes: Some students will enter the program with sufficient foreign language skills for their course of study (e.g. either compelling evidence of literate knowledge of a language other than English, such as a high school degree from a school in a non-English speaking country, or four or more semesters at the college level of a language other than English with a grade of B or better in the last semester, or its equivalent). These students will not need to complete the final three steps of the FLA.

Program Administration

Associate Chair & Graduate Adviser: Gretchen Murphy

Associate Graduate Adviser (Literature):  Julie Minich

Associate Graduate Adviser (Rhetoric): Scott Graham

Graduate Studies Chair: Tanya Clement

Graduate Program Administrator:  Patricia Schaub

UT’s Excellence and Impact On Display in Latest Graduate School Rankings

AUSTIN, Texas — The University of Texas at Austin continues to be one of the premier schools for graduate studies, according to U.S. News & World Report’s partial release of its most recent “Best Graduate Schools.” UT made gains in several disciplines, including the College of Education’s jump into the top 10.

U.S. News has delayed release of its engineering, medicine and clinical psychology rankings, areas in which the University has historically achieved No. 1 and top 10 rankings.

Even with the partial release of the graduate rankings, UT maintained its top 10 spot for five colleges and schools: the College of Education (No. 8); the School of Information (No. 5); the Steve Hicks School of Social Work (No. 8); the College of Pharmacy (No. 6); and the Jackson School of Geosciences (No. 7), ranked under Earth Sciences. Three specialties ranked No. 1 in the country: Accounting, Latin American History and Sociology of Population. Overall, the University has 42 graduate schools and specialty programs ranked in the top 10 when combined with previous years.

“These rankings are striking and reflect our ability to continue to attract exceptional faculty and students. Our excellence is evident in our set of more than 40 schools, programs and specialties ranked in the top-10 in this partial release alone, including several that are the best in the country, if not the world,” said President Jay Hartzell. “Our talent is what puts UT at the leading edge of discovery in AI and robotics, life sciences, population research, and many other disciplines that are at the forefront of solving many of the world’s most pressing problems and bettering society.”

Among the highlights in this year’s rankings:

• The College of Education is now ranked in the top 10, moving up eight spots to No. 8.
• The McCombs School of Business moved up four ranks to No. 16 overall.
• The Information Systems MBA program in the McCombs School of Business is ranked No. 4 this year, marking 31 years that it has ranked in the top 5. Accounting has been ranked No. 1 for 18 years.
• The College of Pharmacy moved up one spot to No. 6. Computer Science moved up one rank to No. 7.
• The Nursing master’s program rose six spots to No. 14.

U.S. News & World Report’s graduate rankings, which are published separately from the yearly ranking of undergraduate programs, are considered the gold standard of graduate and professional rankings. They are based on surveys of academic leaders and, for select programs, additional quantitative measures including placement test scores, student/faculty ratios, research expenditures, salary by profession and job placement success.

The publication updates some of its specialty rankings each year and republishes the most recent rankings in other areas. The rankings for engineering, medicine and psychology will be released at a later date, according to U.S. News.

Graduate schools, programs and specialties that U.S. News ranked in the top 25 are listed below.

Business – 16

• Accounting – 1
• Business Analytics – 8
• Entrepreneurship – 10
• Finance – 13
• Information Systems – 4
• Management – 11
• Marketing – 11
• Production/Operations – 15
• Project Management – 4
• Real Estate – 8
• Supply Chain/Logistics – 16
• Executive MBA – 15
• Part-Time MBA – 7

Education – 8

• Counseling – 15
• Curriculum/Instruction – 12
• Education Policy – 9
• Educational Administration/Supervision – 5
• Educational Psychology – 6
• Elementary Teacher Education – 10
• Higher Education Administration – 14
• Secondary Teacher Education – 10
• Special Education – 7

Health Disciplines (other than Nursing)

• Audiology – 12
• Pharmacy (College of Pharmacy) – 6
• Social Work (Steve Hicks School of Social Work) – 8
• Speech-Language Pathology – 14
• Business/Corporate Law – 17
• Constitutional Law – 11
• Contracts/Commercial Law – 15
• Criminal Law – 20
• Intellectual Property Law – 15
• International Law – 25
• Tax Law – 13

Library and Information Studies Schools (School of Information) – 5*

• Archives and Preservation – 4*
• Digital Librarianship – 7*
• Information Systems – 8*
• Master’s – 14

Public Affairs – 13

• Public Policy Analysis – 15

The Sciences

Biological Sciences – 25*

• Ecology/Evolutionary Biology – 8*

Chemistry – 16*

• Analytical – 4*
• Inorganic – 14*
• Organic – 20*
• Physical – 14*

Computer Science – 7

• Artificial Intelligence – 9
• Programming Language – 7
• Systems – 10

Earth Sciences (Jackson School of Geosciences) – 7*

• Geochemistry – 13*
• Geology – 2*
• Geophysics and Seismology – 5*
• Paleontology – 3*

Mathematics – 13*

• Algebra – 19*
• Analysis – 8*
• Applied Math – 7*
• Topology – 8*

Physics – 13*

• Cosmology/Relativity/Gravity – 10*
• Condensed Matter – 22*

Statistics – 27* 

Social Sciences and Humanities

Economics – 22*

English – 17*

• American Literature After 1865 – 18*

History – 11*

• African American History – 10*
• Latin American History – 1*
• Modern U.S. History – 16*

Political Science – 19*

• American Politics – 20*
• Comparative Politics – 18*

Psychology – 23*

• Behavioral Neuroscience – 8*
• Social Psychology – 9*

Sociology – 11*

• Sociology of Population – 1*
• Sex and Gender – 6*
• Social Stratification – 13*

Fine Arts – 23*

• Sculpture – 6*

*Ranking not revised for 2024-25. Based on latest available ranking.

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US News & World Report Releases 2024 Rankings Of America’s Best Grad Schools

Texas A&M University is one of the nation’s leaders in graduate education, according to the latest rankings from U.S. News & World Report.

The university has 33 programs in the Top 50 spanning across agriculture, business, computer science, education, health, law, political science, public affairs, psychology, science, and veterinary medicine. U.S. News announced this week that the release of rankings for engineering, medical and clinical psychology will be delayed.

In its Best Graduate Schools ranking, the publication placed 10 of Texas A&M’s graduate programs in the Top 20; among those, six are Top 10:

College of Arts and Sciences

• Industrial and organizational psychology, No. 7 (No. 6 public)
• Inorganic chemistry, No. 5 (No. 2 public, No. 1 in Texas)
• Nuclear physics, No. 7 (No. 6 public, No. 1 in Texas)

School of Law, overall No. 26

• Dispute resolution, No. 5 (No. 3 public, No. 1 in Texas)
• Intellectual property, No. 6 (No. 2 public, No. 1 in Texas)

School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, overall No. 10 (No. 9 public, No. 1 in Texas)

According to U.S. News , the rankings are based on expert opinion on program excellence and statistical indicators that measure the quality of a school’s faculty, research and students. Texas A&M currently enrolls 16,762 graduate and professional students (fall 2023), in more than 170 master’s, 94 doctoral and five professional degree programs.

“I’m so proud of our graduate students, the world-class faculty who mentor them and the outstanding programs that set them on a path to success in their chosen fields,” said Gen. (Ret.) Mark A. Welsh III, president of Texas A&M University. “Post-graduate education at Texas A&M contributes immeasurably to our research enterprise and our teaching and service missions. Congratulations to the students, faculty and staff whose work is reflected not just in rankings, but each and every day on our campuses and in the world at large.”

Texas A&M School of Law in Fort Worth, which has seen a remarkable rise in the U.S. News rankings, this year rose three spots overall, an increase of 57 spots in five years.

The Bush School of Government and Public Service, which ranks No. 26 overall in public affairs, has seen gains this round in non-profit management, up six places to No. 21. “The Bush School continues to make strides as a world-class Public Affairs school,” said Frank B. Ashley III, interim dean. “Employers know that graduates of our Public Service and Administration program are career-ready leaders with a passion for public service.”

Other notable rankings include:

• Analytical chemistry, No. 11 (No. 10 public)
• Applied mathematics, No. 13 (No. 6 public)
• Legal writing, No. 11 (No. 7 public, No. 1 in Texas)
• Marketing, No. 29 (No. 9 public)
• Management, No. 27 (No. 11 public)
• Statistics, No. 13 (No. 7 public, No. 1 in Texas)

View the full rankings for Texas A&M here and review the U.S. News methodology here .

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U.S. News & World Report Ranks UH Graduate Programs Among Nation’s Best in 2024

Four UH Graduate Programs Rank in Top 10, 17 in Top 50

By Shawn Lindsey — 713-743-5725

• Student, Faculty and Staff Success
• University and Campus

The University of Houston is once again proving that it is a powerhouse in graduate education, with 13 of its programs securing spots among the top 50 nationwide in the 2024 U.S. News & World Report graduate program rankings, released today. Three engineering programs maintain their top 50 rank pending the release of 2024 engineering rankings, which have been delayed. In total, UH has 17 programs in the top 50.

A total of four UH graduate programs rank in the top 10 nationwide, including three from the UH Law Center: Health Care Law (No. 7), Part-Time Law (No. 8) and Intellectual Property Law (No. 8). The Petroleum Engineering program in the Cullen College of Engineering maintains its No. 9 ranking pending forthcoming rankings in the discipline. Since 2020, UH has seen a 70% increase in the number of graduate programs earning a top 50 ranking.

“Being acknowledged among the nation's top performers in these vital fields is truly gratifying and affirms the national prestige of these programs and the caliber of faculty, staff and students,” said Diane Z. Chase, UH senior vice president for academic affairs and provost.  “Delivering top-tier professional and graduate programs and positioning students for success in their respective fields of graduate study is integral to our vision of ascending as a top 50 public university.”

This year, nine UH Law Center specialty programs are ranked among the Top 50 in the country, with three ranked No. 1 in the state of Texas.

Top 50 Ranked UH Graduate Programs Nationwide:

• Health Care Law (No. 7)
• Part-Time Law (No. 8)
• Intellectual Property Law (No. 8)
• Petroleum Engineering (No. 9)*
• Trial Advocacy (No. 13)
• Online Overall Graduate Education Program (No. 14)
• Legal Writing (No. 16)
• Environmental Law (No. 30)
• Tax Law (No. 32)
• Chemical Engineering (No. 34)*
• International Law (No. 38)
• Pharmacy (No. 41)
• Dispute Resolution Law (No. 42)
• Business Part-Time MBA (No. 45)
• Speech-Language Pathology (No. 44)
• Industrial Manufacturing (No. 50)*
• Political Science (No. 50)**

*2023 ranking; U.S. News has delayed 2024 engineering program rankings

**discipline not ranked in 2024 but maintains a previous top 50 ranking

Each year, U.S. News ranks professional school programs in business, education, engineering, law, medicine, and nursing, including specialties in each area. The rankings are based on enrollment numbers, job placement rates, faculty statistics, and other essential quality indicators designed to help prospective students make informed decisions.

“Deciding where to attend graduate school can be formidable, considering the wealth of schools with distinctive and quality programs,” said LaMont Jones, Ed.D., managing editor for Education at U.S. News. “The Best Graduate Schools rankings and related content empower prospective students to choose the best fi t for their educational needs and ultimately achieve career success.”

The top programs in the nation earn “best of” recognition by U.S. News. UH made the following 2024 graduate program lists:

• Best Business Schools
• Best Health Schools
• Best Public Affairs Schools
• Best Science Schools
• Best Law Schools
• Best Education Schools

To see all of the graduate program rankings, or to learn more about the ranking methodology, visit the  U.S. News & World Report website .

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Degrees & Programs

Ut austin graduate programs .

Explore our graduate programs below to learn about application deadlines, program contacts and links to more information. 

Note: You may need to scroll to the right to review all the information, depending on your browser.

School of Architecture Website

McCombs School of Business Website

Moody College of Communication Website

College of Education Website

Cockrell School of Engineering Website

College of Fine Arts Website

Jackson School of Geosciences Website

School of Information Website

College of Liberal Arts Website

College of Natural Sciences Website

School of Nursing Website

College of Pharmacy Website

LBJ School of Public Affairs Website

Steve Hicks School of Social Work Website

** If no deadline is offered for a term of admission, the program does not accept applicants to that term.

View the Graduate School Brochure

Why UT Austin?

Learn why students choose UT Austin for their graduate education.

Special Programs

Dual degree programs.

Dual degree programs are structured so that a student can pursue graduate work in two fields and fulfill the requirements of two degrees.

Ad Hoc Interdisciplinary Programs

Students admitted to established doctoral degree programs may propose to construct an ad hoc interdisciplinary doctoral program.

Portfolio Programs

Graduate portfolio programs provide opportunities for enrolled graduate students to obtain transcriptable credentials in cross-disciplinary academic areas of inquiry.

Stackable Graduate Certificate Programs

Stackable graduate certificate programs provide students with the opportunity to earn a transcript-recognized, non-degree credential for completing a structured sequence of courses.

Option III (Non-Formula-Funded) Graduate Programs

Colleges and schools may propose the development of non-formula-funded degrees and certificates called Option III programs.