Application Procedures

Please note:  Foreign Language Education (FLE) and Science and Mathematics Education (SME) are interdisciplinary graduate programs each with their own separate admissions procedures, criteria, deadlines and major codes. If you are seeking admission to one of these programs, you should NOT select Curriculum and Instruction as your major. Please consult the respective area's web page for more information.

Application

All applicants for graduate study at the University of Texas at Austin must complete one of the University’s standard application forms (online application preferred) and pay the required fee.  To determine which application to use, please visit the Graduate and International Admissions Center (GIAC) website. It is recommended you submit the application prior to submitting your supporting documentation.

Test Scores

All applicants for graduate study must take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) through the Educational Testing Service (ETS).  International applicants must also take the Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL). Scores must be officially reported by the testing agency using the University of Texas at Austin Institution Code—6882.  (Department code not required.) For more information and scheduling of these exams, please visit the Educational Testing Service website.

Old Test Scores

Most testing agencies such as ETS will not report scores beyond 5 years of the examination date.  If your scores are older than 5 years, you will need to retake the examination.  If you have applied previously for graduate study at the University of Texas at Austin, please check with GIAC to verify that your scores are still on file.  In the event that the scores on file are older than 5 years, the Department of Curriculum and Instruction reserves the right to require new scores.

Transcripts

In addition to the application form, application fee and test scores, all applicants must submit one official transcript from each senior college or university attended.  When possible, you should request that your institution send electronic transcripts directly to the University of Texas at Austin, Graduate and International Admissions Center.  Otherwise, official paper copies with watermark and/or certification stamp should be mailed to:

University of Texas at Austin
GIAC
P. O. Box 7608
Austin, TX 78713-7608

If using an overnight courrier service (e.g., United Parcel Service, Federal Express, DHL, etc.) please use the following physical address:

University of Texas at Austin
GIAC
2608 Whitis Avenue
Austin, TX 78712-1534

NOTE: Official transcripts should NOT be sent to the Department of Curriculum and Instruction as this can delay processing of your application by GIAC.

Departmental Supporting Materials

The following supporting materials are required by the Department of Curriculum and Instruction for all applicants to their graduate programs.

Statement of Purpose - approximately 1-3 pages in length, this essay should address your current situation, your intended area(s) of research/specialization, and your goals for achievement in graduate study and beyond.  There is a module in the Texas Common Application to enter this text, but for purposes of review, please also submit a copy directly to the Department.

Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV) - this document should summarize and chronicle your academic and professional positions and achievements, including any awards and/or publications for which you are credited.

Three (3) Letters of Reference - these are often from former professors and instructors who can attest to your academic achievements and potential as a graduate student.  We will also accept professional recommendations from employers, principals, district supervisors, etc., however, academic letters are preferred.  Beginning Fall 2008, recommenders may submit electronic references.  When filling out the online application, you will be asked for reference names, titles and email addresses.  Be sure the email address is current and accurate. Your recommendor will then be sent a link to the online reference form.  This link will expire after 45 days.  If you make a mistake on the email address, or if you need to replace one recommender with another, please contact Marla Boye at marla.boye@austin.utexas.edu. Recommenders who do not access the link within 45 days, or those who prefer to submit paper references, should submit letters directly to the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. You may view and print a paper Request for Reference form and send it to your recommender.

Supplemental Non-English Writing Sample - this is required only for applicants to the Bilingual/Bicultural Education program area.  The writing sample should describe the applicant's cross-cultural and/or cross-linguistic experiences.  The purpose is to demonstrate both with the language and the content of the essay, that the applicant has made efforts to cross borders and have worked, travelled, and/or been in situations that required a multiplicity of cultural competencies.

All supporting material should speak to your ability to succeed in a graduate program.  Documents should be addressed to Graduate Admissions Coordinator, and may be submitted by mail, email or fax.

Mail:
The University of Texas at Austin
Department of Curriculum and Instruction
1 University Station D5700
Austin, TX  78712-0379

Fax:
(512) 471-8460

Email:
cigrad@uts.cc.utexas.edu

Whenever possible, please include your name, intended area of specialization, and assigned UT Electronic Identifier (EID) on all correspondence with the Department.

Please consult the online application status check to determine the status of your application, test scores, and transcripts.  Please allow 2-4 weeks for receipt of supporting materials to be reflected in the online application status check.

Preferred Admissions Criteria

Admission decisions are rendered based on consideration of the entire applicant file, including GPA, test scores, references, experience, and stated goals. No single component carries any more significance than another. However, priority may be given to applicants who meet the following preferred criteria:

All C&I programs
GPA 3.0 or above
GRE 1100 or above (verbal + quantitative, with at least 400 verbal)
TOEFL 213 or above (computer) / 550 or above (paper-based) / 79 or 80 (Internet-based) TOEFL

Please note: Meeting or surpassing the criteria for priority status does not ensure admission to a C&I program, just as falling below a preferred criterion does not automatically disqualify applicants. All applications completed by the deadline will be considered for either conditional or unconditional admission. Applicants who do not secure priority admission status may elect to submit an additional statement (Request for Special Consideration) explaining why GPA or standardized test scores do not adequately reflect his/her potential as a successful graduate student.

Deadlines

Application and all Supporting Materials should be received by the following deadlines:
Spring - October 1
Summer - December 15
Fall - December 15

Please note: the C&I Instructional Technology program considers only applications for Fall admission.

November 15 - Deadline for consideration of financial award

Each year, the Department of Curriculum and Instruction is given a limited number of University Pre-emptive Fellowships to award.  These recruitment fellowships are offered as incentive packages to attract the best and brightest scholars to our program.  All applicants whose files are completed by November 15th will be automatically considered for one of these award packages based on merit. 

Notification

Those who do not receive an award package will be notified after the general deadline.  We try to have all applicants notified by April 1 (Summer and Fall) or December 1 (Spring).