Applying for the LEAD Stackable Graduate Certificate – Non-Degree Seeking Students

As a prospective student, you are required to apply to the Graduate School at UT Austin.

You should choose 632370  C&I -LEAD Stackable Graduate Certificate (Nondegree) for your major.

Here, you will input your biographical information, your previous education, and your essays. We strongly encourage you to start this process well in advance of the deadline to allow us enough time to process your information.

You will write a professional essay (see below for instructions).

Please note: the LEAD Stackable Graduate Certificate accepts rolling admissions, up to the deadline noted above. If you want to apply early and hear from us, you may. We will review applications as they are submitted.

Please contact Stephen Flynn if you have any questions about these deadlines. 

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in the U.S.; or proof of equivalent training at a foreign institution.

Admission requirements include a 3.0 cumulative GPA for degree-seeking students, or a 3.0 application GPA for non-degree-seeking applicants, and a demonstrated interest in issues of digital literacy, technology integration, K-12 education, and equity. The program will consider applications with lower GPAs. If you feel that your grade point averages or test scores are not valid indicators of your ability, please wait till you have submitted your application and upload a miscellaneous document explaining your concerns.

Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) scores are not required for these non-degree-seeking applicants.  Students admitted to earn a stackable graduate certificate while enrolled in non-degree-seeking status will not be eligible for university financial aid, except federal guaranteed loans and some private sector loans.  In addition, they will not be eligible to serve as teaching assistants, assistant instructors, graduate research assistants, academic assistants, assistants (graduate), or tutors (graduate).

You are required to apply first using the state application system, ApplyTexas. You should choose 632370  C&I -LEAD Stackable Graduate Certificate (Nondegree) for your major.

After you submit the ApplyTexas application, the Graduate School will review your application. You will be sent an email confirming your application submission within 1-2 days. This email will also contain your login information (UT EID) for the MyStatus page. MyStatus answers questions like:

• Is my application complete?
• What’s missing?
• Do I need to submit a CV? Another essay? A transcript?
• Did you receive my test scores?
• Did I upload this document successfully?
• Can I delete and re-upload this document?
• Have you received my letters of recommendation?
• How can I change my recommenders? Why was my transcript declined?

You will need to do the following in order complete their Application Form on ApplyTexas:

Pay the Application Fee

The nonrefundable application fee is $65.00 for US applicants; $90.00 for International applicants. Fee waivers are available for those who are eligible.

Have Your Transcripts Ready

Transcripts are required for each senior college attended. A PDF of the official transcript can be uploaded, but you must provide an official transcript from that college after acceptance to our program. Each transcript can be uploaded only once, so please make sure you have the correct and full version of each transcript before uploading.  Learn more about how to submit your transcripts from the Graduate School’s site.

GRE Scores (not required)

The GRE requirement is not required for non-degree applicants for the LEAD Stackable Graduate Certificate. Even if completed and submitted, they will not be reviewed as part of the application process.

Prepare Your Professional Statement

Your statement should focus on your experience with K-12, college-level, or community education in which you have worked or plan to work with learners aged 4-18 and your interests in digital literacy, technology integration, K-12 education, humanizing pedagogy and design of equitable classroom spaces that have drawn you to apply for the LEAD Stackable Certificate.

Update Your Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)

This document should summarize and chronicle your academic and professional positions and achievements, including any awards and/or publications for which you are credited.

International students must fulfill some additional requirements.

Official TOEFL/IELTS Scores 

Students applying from other countries should submit either their Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Scores. The recommended minimum scores provided by the Graduate School are:

TOEFL: 79 on the Internet-based test (iBT) IELTS: An overall band of 6.5 on the Academic Examination

Texas Global will conduct the English language evaluation during International Student Orientation. This evaluation is done at no cost to you. If you do not pass one of the two evaluations, you will be required to take an English Second Language course during your first semester at UT. If you are required to take two English Second Language courses, you must take one course in the first semester and the second course the next semester.

English Language Evaluation

All new international students with undergraduate degrees from non-English-speaking universities are required to undergo a brief evaluation for speaking and writing English (English Second Language evaluation). This helps us better serve the needs of our international students and the faculty who work with them.

Applicants may be admitted, admitted with conditions, or denied admission. Learn more on the Graduate School website.

Students admitted to earn a stackable graduate certificate while enrolled in non-degree-seeking status are not eligible for university financial aid, except federal guaranteed loans and some private sector loans. In addition, they are not eligible to serve as teaching assistants, assistant instructors, graduate research assistants, academic assistants, assistants (graduate), or tutors (graduate).

Contact Stephen Flynn, our departmental Graduate Admissions Coordinator, with any questions regarding C&I or STEM Education admissions. 

Please also see General Guidelines from the Graduate School.