Frequently Asked Questions for Prospective STEM Students

Admissions

Cost

Degrees

Teacher Certification

I want to teach pre-college math or science, but am not certified, do you have a master's degree that will get me certified?

Other questions

What job opportunities are available to STEM Education graduates?
Can I get the 18 hours of graduate coursework in a discipline area needed to satisfy dual enrollment and community college teaching requirements?

Where can I get instructions for applying to the STEM program at the University of Texas at Austin?

The application process is explained in detail on the STEM website's application guidelines page.

What do we look for in an application to STEM Education?

We require evidence of teaching experience, preferably in organized classrooms. Additional preference is given to experience with under-served populations.
We ask for three letters of reference. These should be from professionals familiar with your teaching and research experience.
We ask for a statement of purpose, indicating what you plan to accomplish with your degree. Ph.D. applicants should speak to their proposed research agendas and how they align with those of the program.
We require GRE scores and, for applicants who first language is not English, TOEFL or other demonstration of English speaking and writing ability.

How important are standardized test scores and GPA?

The department reviews every applicant's materials on a holistic basis, considering all of the materials before making an admission decision.

I haven’t taken my standardized tests yet—can I be admitted conditionally without my scores?

No. The department will not make an admissions decision for applications without GRE scores, and in the case of international students, a TOEFL score.

How long should my statement of purpose be?

1-3 pages is sufficient. Keep in mind that our essay should show familiarity with the literature and the specific issues you might want to explore. The Admissions Committee also looks for professional accomplishments such as presentations and publications and other indications of leadership.

Who should I speak to if I have further questions about admissions?

Contact the graduate admissions coordinator, Stephen Flynn or by telephone: 512-471-3747

How much will the program cost?

Current tuition and fee rates are available online.

What financial assistance is available?

Although some GRA positions are available, they are typically reserved for students who have already participated in pilot studies or faculty research support.
For information about scholarships, contact Stephen Flynn, sflynn@austin.utexas.edu
TAships are available on a limited, competitive basis, depending on prior experience and expertise. Students who wish to TA are advised to take EDC 398T.
Housing support stipends may be available for out of town students pursuing the summer master’s degree option.
The university offers many resources for funding your graduate studies. Visit the Office of Student Financial Services for details.

Can I get a Ph.D. so that I can teach at the college level?

The STEM Education Ph.D. is designed for students who are preparing for research careers.

How much work is required for a Ph.D. and how long does it take?

72 hours of coursework (including dissertation) are required for the degree, 15 of which are graduate coursework in a discipline area (science, mathematics, engineering). The discipline content hours may be waived for students who already have a masters degree in a content area (e.g., mathematics, not mathematics education).
Although it is technically possible for full time students (i.e., those not otherwise employed) to complete the degree in three years (6 semesters), 4-5 years is much more common, particularly for students without a master's degree.

Can I get a Ph.D. commuting from outside Austin or working full time?

The Ph.D. degree requires active engagement with faculty and a research group on campus, and therefore it is not usually recommended for students who are working full time or not in residence at UT Austin.

Can I get a master's degree while I am still teaching or working full time? How long does it take?

The Master of STEM Education with Report and with No Thesis/No Report are intended to be terminal degrees for students who want to develop themselves as teachers or move into leadership positions in teaching or curriculum development.
These degrees are designed with working teachers in mind and coursework is scheduled so that it can typically be completed in the evening or during summers.
Students taking courses during the academic year can complete the NTNR master's degree in 2 years. Those taking courses in the summer can complete either degree in three summers with 1 online course during each long semester in the intervening years.

Is there a master's degree that involves research? How long does it take?

The Master of STEM Education with Thesis is intended for students who want to develop their potential as researchers and move into leadership positions in education.
It requires 12 hours of graduate coursework in a discipline content area, which may be waived for students who already have a master's degree in a STEM discipline (e.g., physics or chemistry, not science education).
Students completing a masters with thesis typically take 3 years to complete the degree.

Do you offer online courses or degrees?

We do not offer online degrees.
The only online courses we offer are SME 180 and SME 280, academic year courses for students enrolled in the summer master’s program. They are not intended for other degree plans.

I want to teach pre-college math or science, but am not certified, do you have a master's degree that will get me certified?

None of our master's degrees result in certification. They are designed for individuals who are already certified or already have teaching or educational experience.
Individuals seeking pre-college STEM teacher certification should contact the UTeach certification program (uteach.utexas.edu) post-baccalaureate advisor, Brett Westbrook, bwestbrook@austin.utexas.edu.

What job opportunities are available to STEM Education graduates?

Our PhD graduates have gone on to research and teaching positions at colleges and universities across the US and around the world. Many are now tenured at R1 institutions. Recent graduates have obtained prestigious post doctoral positions at the University of California, Berkeley, Harvard, and the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Others with a desire to teach locally or in a certain geographic region due to family or other constraints, have typically been able to find tenure or non-tenure track teaching positions in the area of their choice.

Master's graduates have in some cases gone on to research careers but typically return to leadership positions at schools, education agencies, and other education and outreach organizations.

Can I get the 18 hours of graduate coursework in a discipline area needed to satisfy dual enrollment and community college teaching requirements?

Under the no thesis-no report option, it is possible to accrue the 18 hours of graduate coursework in a discipline area needed to satisfy dual enrollment and community college teaching requirements.
For mathematics, three graduate courses specifically designed with the needs of teachers in mind, with minimal prerequisites, are typically scheduled every summer. These courses typically meet three hours a day for a limited time block (typically over a 3-4 week period).