Overview

The Department of Human Development and Family Sciences has a long-standing tradition of offering undergraduate students experiential learning opportunities in research labs, through community partnerships, and at the Priscilla Pond Flawn Child and Family Laboratory (UT Lab School). 

Students earning a Bachelor of Science degree or a Bachelor of Science and Arts degree under the 18-20 catalog or later requires 6-credit hours of Research or Field Practicum coursework in order to graduate. Students can meet this requirement with:

• 2 consecutive semesters of the Research Practicum through HDF 355R (carries an Independent Inquiry Flag) or 359 (does not carry an independent inquiry flag) in the fall, spring, or summer of their junior or senior year

• 1 semester of Field Practicum through HDF 652F or 652P (if placed at the UT Lab School) in only the fall or spring of their senior year

Please contact your academic advisor in the SoHE Advising Center, call 512-471-7219, or go to GEA 37 if you are uncertain of your requirements.

Admission is by application only and filed with the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences. Advising will send an email to HDFS students early each semester with more information on the application process, which takes 3 steps:

1) you attend a mandatory information session

2) you indicate an interest in applying to either the field or research practicum

3) you gain access to a Canvas course with the application

The entire application process takes approximately 1 month. Here is a general timeline:

• Research Practicum enrollment occurs 1 semester in advance.
  • The application process starts in September for spring students and the deadline is in September.
  • The application process starts in late January to early February for summer and fall students and the deadline is in February.

• Field Practicum enrollment occurs 2 semesters in advance.
  • The application process for fall the following year starts in early to mid September with an application deadline in November.
  • The application process for spring the following year starts in late January to early February with an application deadline in April.

Please read the webpages in the tab to the left that are specifically related to the Field Practicum, Research Practicum, and Application Process. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Natalie Ammon, Practicum Coordinator, at hdfs.practicum@utexas.edu with your UTEID, your year in school, the type of practicum you are interested in (field or research), and the semester you would like to take the course.