Application Process

The nonrefundable Graduate School application fee is $65.00 for U.S. applicants, $90.00 for International applicants. Fee waivers are available for those who are eligible. Please note that some programs may require an application fee in addition to the Graduate School’s fee. Confirm that you have applied to the correct program to avoid additional charges. 

Transcripts are required for each senior college attended. A PDF of the official transcript can be uploaded, but an official transcript from that college will be required after acceptance to a 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 transcripts at the Graduate School’s website. 

The GRE is no longer required for those applying for admission to the following programs:

• Education Policy and Planning M.Ed. and Ph.D.
• Program in Higher Education Leadership and Policy M.Ed. and Ph.D.
• Executive Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership

If applicants choose to submit GRE scores, they will not be reviewed or considered by the admissions committee.

GRE scores are still required for applicants to the following programs:

• Cooperative Superintendency Program (CSP) Ed.D.
• Texas Principal Leadership Academy (TPLA) M.Ed.

GRE scores should be submitted directly through ETS. On test day, you will be able to designate which universities you would like your scores to be sent to. If you need additional scores sent, you should do so through the ETS website.

While there is no minimum score requirement per se, the CSP and TPLA admissions teams look carefully at the overall score and the individual test scores. Writing and verbal scores are important indicators of your ability to write academic papers and a coherent dissertation. The analytical score is an important indicator of your ability to do doctoral-level research. If your scores are low, you may want to explain specifically in your statement of purpose why you believe the scores do not accurately reflect your abilities.

Our department requires three letters of recommendation. Recommenders will be notified by email with instructions on how to upload their letters once you have submitted and paid your application fee. Letters should come from professors who are familiar with your academic performance and those who know you professionally. Several of our programs have additional requirements for your letters of recommendation. Please visit the appropriate page via the links provided below.

You can help your recommenders develop more informed letters by giving them information about your program of interest by indicating what you plan to do after graduation. The more information your reference includes about the “fit” between you, The University of Texas at Austin, and the program to which you are applying, the stronger your application will be. Be mindful to give your recommenders plenty of lead time so that their letters arrive by the deadline.

This essay describes your interests and commitment to the goals and curriculum of the program area you wish to join. We recommend that you address your personal and academic background and your academic and professional goals. You also could address a specific area of research interest or a faculty member with whom you want to work. Please pay careful attention to your statement of purpose as it is the only piece you control completely.

This statement should be no longer than 3 pages double-spaced. It should be submitted online as a part of the application form. Please check your program for additional information.

A recommended length of no more than two pages for resumes. The resume or CV should include:

• post-high school education
• relevant work or volunteer experience (indicate the amount of time)
• honors received
• research experience
• conference presentations
• publications

Your CV or résumé should be proofread carefully. Ask a friend or a professional résumé reader to be another pair of eyes to look it over.

Note: the Texas Education Agency requires principalship (TPLA ) and superintendency program (CSP) applicants to use a specific résumé format available with the programs’ application checklists. Please reference the TPLA or CSP application requirements pages for these checklists. 

Several of the degree programs we offer have additional requirements to be considered for admission. Please refer to the specific graduate program for more detailed information about admission requirements and procedures.

• Ed.D. – Cooperative Superintendency Program
• Executive Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership
• M.Ed. in Educational Policy and Planning
• M.Ed. – Texas Principal Leadership Academy
• M.Ed. in Higher Education Leadership and Policy
• Ph.D. in Educational Policy and Planning
• Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership and Policy