How to Apply

Prospective graduate students are required to apply via ApplyTexas. We strongly encourage you to start this process well in advance of the deadline to allow us enough time to process your information.

  • Deadlines

    Deadlines

    Admission to our graduate programs is highly competitive. Many decisions about financial assistance (fellowships, scholarships, teaching, and research assistant positions) are made well before the final application deadlines, therefore we strongly encourage Fall semester applications to submit all materials before the December 1st deadline. This will ensure that the Graduate School will have sufficient time to process your materials for our review. 

    You may apply for Fall admission after the December 1st deadline. All completed applications are considered for funding; however, fewer opportunities for obtaining departmental financial support will be available as the final deadline approaches.

    Deadline Program Program Starts
    December 1 Priority application due:
    Health Behavior and Health Education
    Exercise Physiology
    Physical Culture and Sport Studies
    Movement and Cognitive Rehabilitation Science
    Sport Management (On-Campus)
    Fall Semester
    May 1 Final application due:
    Health Behavior and Health Education
    Exercise Physiology
    Physical Culture and Sport Studies
    Movement and Cognitive Rehabilitation Science
    Sport Management (On-Campus and Online*)
    Fall Semester
    October 1 Final application due: 
    Exercise Physiology
    Movement and Cognitive Rehabilitation Science
    Sport Management (Online Master's only)*
    Spring Semester

    *Students in the Online Sport Management program are not eligible to receive funding.

    Be sure to read about funding opportunities below.

  • Basic Requirements

    Basic Requirements

    1. A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in the U.S. or proof of equivalent training at a foreign institution.
    2. A minimum required GPA (3.0) particularly during the last two years of college and in any graduate study previously undertaken.
    3. A completed application via Apply Texas. Be sure to review all requirements in the next section thoroughly. 
  • Application Steps

    Application Steps

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

    Requirements

    Specialization Health Behavior and Health Education Exercise Physiology
    Movement & Cognitive Rehabilitation Science
    Physical Culture and Sport Studies
    Sport Management (on-campus)
    Online Sport Management
    Application through ApplyTexas.org
    Application Fee
    Declaration of Intent
    Statement of Purpose
    Letters of Recommendation 3 letters required 3 letters required 2 letters required
    Prerequisite Form Yes Exercise Physiology and MCRS only No
    Writing Sample No PCSS only No
    Transcripts
    GRE Scores Waived through Fall 2023 Required for Fall 2023 Required for Fall 2023
    TOEFL or IELTS scores International Applicants only International Applicants only International Applicants only

    Prerequisite Form

    Health Behavior and Health Education, Exercise Physiology, and Movement & Cognitive Rehabilitation Science applicants must complete several prerequisite courses before starting the program.

    While working on your Texas Apply application, you will be directed to a "Departmental Questions" website. Once there, you will be able to download the "Application Prerequisite Form." Please complete the form to the best of your ability. Leave spaces blank if you have not taken a course that meets the competency course topic. Upload the form via the My Status web page.

    Physical Culture and Sport Studies Writing Sample Requirement

    Anyone applying to our Ph.D. program in Physical Culture and Sport Studies must submit a writing sample. We suggest submitting either a chapter of your Master's Thesis or an academic paper. You will receive an email directing you to a website where you will upload your sample after you complete the Apply Texas application.

    Pay the Application Fee

    The nonrefundable application fee is $65.00 for US applicants; $90.00 for International applicants.

    Have Your Transcripts Ready

    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 how to submit your transcripts from the Graduate School's site.

    The GRE

    GRE test scores must be sent from the testing agency to the University. The GRE is required for the following Kinesiology majors for the Fall 2023 semester:

    • Exercise Physiology
    • Movement & Cognitive Rehabilitation Science
    • Sport Management (on campus and online)
    • Physical Culture and Sport Studies 

    Applicants to the Online Sport Management (Option III) program can have the GRE requirement waived if they meet either of the following criteria:

    1. have a previous graduate degree or
    2. have three years of professional working experience.

    The GRE is NOT required for students applying to the Health Behavior & Health Education program for Fall 2023. Our applicant evaluation process is holistic and will consider all components of your application materials.  As such, you are welcome to submit the scores if you have them.

    The institution code for The University of Texas at Austin is 6882.

    Submit Your Letters of Recommendation

    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 for your application. We prefer letters from professors who are familiar with your academic performance, but we will accept letters from supervisors or colleagues who can attest to your ability to succeed in a graduate program.

    The Online Sports Management Master's requires two letters of recommendation.

    Provide a Statement of Purpose

    The Statement of Purpose essay describes your interests and commitment to the goals and curriculum of the program area they are applying to. It is recommended that you address not only your personal and academic background but also your academic and professional goals. You also can address a specific area of research interest or a member of the faculty with whom you wish to work.

    Your statement should be no longer than three (3) pages double-spaced. Submit it as you complete the Apply Texas application.

    Provide Curriculum Vitae or Resume

    Your CV or resume should be no more than two (2) pages and should include:

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

    Complete Your Declaration of Intent

    This form should be completed to indicate which program of study you intend to complete. You can choose from masters and doctoral programs. 

  • International Applicants

    International Applicants

    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

    Learn more information on the Graduate School's website.

    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.

    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.

  • Application Status

    Application Status

    The Graduate School will review your application first after you submit it. You will be sent an email confirming your submission within 1-2 days. This email will also contain the applicant’s login information (UT EID) for the My Status page. My Status will answer 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?

    Once all of your application materials are uploaded and completed, the Graduate School will refer your application to the department. This initial review process by the Graduate School will take about 1 – 2 weeks, so be sure to have everything turned in well in advance of the deadline. Applicants typically learn about the department’s decisions in April.

    Visit My Status (UT EID required) to monitor your application status. 

  • Financial Support

    Financial Support

    The department makes no guarantees that students who apply AFTER December 1 will be considered for funding opportunities such as fellowships and RA/TA positions.

    All applicants with completed applications will be considered for financial support.

    We offer recruitment scholarships and academic assistantship positions and give priority consideration to those who complete their application process by December 1.  Applicants who submit after December 1 will still be considered for any remaining financial support as the final deadline approaches.  Please review the following information regarding your eligibility and how selections are made for these funds.

    Recruitment Scholarships

    We have a limited number of recruitment scholarships to offer. Selections for these awards are competitive and will be made based on academic merit, research interests, and strong credentials; there is no separate application form to complete. You will be notified if you have been selected for a recruitment award.

    Teaching Assistant Positions

    We offer Teaching Assistant (TA) positions in our Physical Activity Education (PED) classes, as well as in our Academic Classes.

    To be considered for a TA position for our Physical Activity Education (PED) classes, please fill out and submit our Teaching Assistant Application.

    You will be notified if you have been selected for a TA Position for our Physical Activity Education classes.

    The faculty members make selections for TA positions to their Academic Classes. There is no application to submit. Priority is given to students already in the graduate program. Faculty may select applicants based on relevant experience and research interests. You will be notified if you have been selected for a TA Position for our Academic Classes.

    Graduate Research Assistant Positions

    Some faculty members have research funds available to hire students as Graduate Research Assistants (GRA) in their research labs. The faculty member will make his or her own selections for these positions.  There is no application to submit. Priority is given to students already in the graduate program. Faculty may select applicants for these positions based on relevant experience and research interests. You will be notified if you have been selected for a GRA position.

    Employment at The University of Texas at Austin

    Offers of employment are generally made separately from offers of admission. If you are offered employment, you must successfully pass a criminal background check. Learn how our Office of Human Resources reviews criminal history background checks.  

  • After the Decision

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

 

Apply Now!