How to Apply
GRADUATE PROGRAM: HOW TO APPLY
The Graduate School processes all applications for graduate admission at the University of Texas at Austin and requires that all applications be submitted online.
The items listed below are required by the Graduate School in order to complete your application:
1) Online application: www.applytexas.org
2) Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended
Only electronic versions of transcripts are accepted; please do not mail physical transcripts to accompany your application; we will only accept electronic versions. You must upload one copy of the official academic transcript from every college or university you have attended even if a degree was not obtained from the institution. See instructions for uploading the pdf(s) of your transcript(s) at http://www.utexas.edu/ogs/admissions/howtous.html
Please note: If you are admitted to the program, you will then be asked to send the physical copies of the official transcripts to UT’s Graduate and International Admissions Center (GIAC).
3) Official GRE test scores **Due to the ongoing situation with COVID-19, submitting GRE scores for admissions for the Fall 2024 class is optional**
4) Application fee
5) International Applicants–TOEFL requirements
More information here
The items listed below are required by the HDFS Department in order to complete your application:
1) Statement of purpose, uploaded through ApplyTexas, which should include:
- A description of your research interests
- The name(s) of HDFS faculty with whom you would be interested in working and why
- Your career goals and how an HDFS Ph.D. will help you reach these goals
2) A writing sample, such as an undergraduate thesis, a manuscript under review, or a research paper for a class. This statement can be uploaded through the My Status link.
3) Your curriculum vitae (i.e., your academic resume), also uploaded through the My Status link.
4) The names and email addresses of at least three academic references who have agreed to provide letters of recommendation for you. ApplyTexas will contact them so that they may enter their letters directly into the system.
You can find information about graduate admissions here.
All admissions inquiries can be sent to our Graduate Program Administrator, Abby Black
Admission to the HDFS Graduate Program
Admission to the Human Development and Family Sciences Program (HDFS) is based on academic merit; a personal statement outlining the applicant’s background, research interests, and career goals; letters of recommendation; and work samples or other evidence of academic promise. Past experience as a research assistant in a faculty research lab is highly valued. The Admissions Committee also examines the fit between applicants’ goals and the goals of the program. Applicants are encouraged to identify one or more HDFS faculty whom they would like to serve as their research mentor and to contact them before applying to ensure compatibility of research interests and space in the faculty mentor’s research lab. Applicants are required to have an undergraduate degree prior to beginning the graduate program. A master’s degree is not required for admission. HDFS only accepts applicants for the Ph.D. program and only for the Fall semester.
The application submission deadline is December 1st, for Fall Admission only.
A select group of applicants will be invited January 25th and 26th to participate in virtual interviews with faculty and to meet current graduate students. Admissions decisions will be made and admitted applicants will be invited to a campus visit February 29th.
Approximately 15% of applicants are accepted for admission. Admissions decisions are made by the Graduate Admissions Committee on the basis of review of each applicant’s particular profile of strengths. Admitted students have different profiles. Some, for example, have extremely high test scores or grade point averages, whereas others have unusually strong prior research experience. International students should first contact the Graduate School for information on application to the University of Texas at Austin.
Click here to learn specifics about applying to the HDFS graduate program.
Graduate Student Funding
HDFS provides funding to all graduate students in the program for 5 years, including some level of summer funding. Funding typically is in the form of teaching assistantships, although some students are funded as research assistants through faculty grants. A handful of advanced graduate students each year serve as Assistant Instructors (AIs) for undergraduate courses; AIs are responsible for developing the course syllabus, teaching, and designing and overseeing labs. Newly enrolled graduate students should check with the graduate coordinator as soon as possible to ascertain the department’s needs and academic position availability for the upcoming semester. Teaching Assistantship and Assistant Instructor position availability is dependent upon the department’s annual budget. Graduate student employees of the department are provided monthly compensation, full tuition, and complete medical benefits.
Graduate research Assistantship (GRA) paid positions are funded by faculty grants and are filled at the discretion of the faculty Principal Investigator. GRAs receive monthly compensation, full tuition, and complete medical benefits.
Important policies, deadlines, and forms pertaining to graduate student academic employment can be found at the Graduate School.
