Application Requirements

To be considered for admission to our program, you must meet all of the following requirements.

Graduate and International Admissions Center requirements

  • A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in the U.S. or proof of equivalent education at a foreign institution.
  • A satisfactory grade-point average (GPA) particularly during the last two years of college and in any graduate study previously undertaken. Although the minimum required GPA for the Graduate and International Admissions Center is 3.0, the Department will consider applications with lower GPAs.
  • Taken the GRE (Graduate Records Examination) General Aptitude Test--The General Test is composed of verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing sections. Please visit the Educational Testing Service (ETS) site for more information on taking the GRE.
  • Complete the Apply Texas Application and submit the following items: 
    • Pay application fee or, if you qualify, submit fee waiver request to GIAC
    • Submit three letters of recommendation, especially from professors who are familiar with the applicant's academic performance and potential.
    • Submit Resume or Vita, with a recommended length of no more than 3 pages. The resume or vita should include: post-high school education; relevant work or volunteer experience (indicate amount of time); honors received; research experience; conference presentations; publications.
    • Submit Statement of Purpose Essay describing the applicant's interests and commitment to the goals and curriculum of the area of specialization to which admission is sought. It is recommended that the Essay address not only the applicant’s personal and academic background but also his/her academic and professional goals. 

Department of Educational Administration requirements

  • A minimum GPA of 3.00 for all upper-division and graduate coursework.                                             

Program in Higher Education Leadership (PHEL) requirements
   - Higher Education Administration Program (HEAP) concentration

  • The application deadline date for all GIAC, Department, and Program requirements is Janurary 2nd.  For an application to be considered "complete", all materials and documents must be received by this date. 
  • Master's degree from an accredited institution in the U.S. or proof of equivalent training at a foreign institution in education, the social sciences, or related field.
  • A statement of purpose that describes: why you are interested in a doctoral degree in higher education administration at UT-Austin; what life experiences have contributed to you applying to our doctoral program; what personal experiences, achievements and accomplishments allow the department to evaluate your contributions to the University’s diversity mission; what type of research you would be interested in conducting and which faculty member(s) you would like to work with; and what career aspirations you have once you complete your degree.
  • A 4-6 page writing sample (e.g., master’s thesis, published article, paper prepared for a professional conference, etc.).  You may submit the writing sample only after receiving the acknowledgment email from GIAC that contains your UT EID.  Please upload your writing sample to the “Miscellaneous Admissions Document” section using the following URL: 
    https://utdirect.utexas.edu/ogs/forms/supp_docs.WBX

Review Process

Program in Higher Education Leadership (PHEL) has a unified admisisons procress for both doctoral concentrations (Community College Leadership Program and Higher Education Administration Program).  All applicants will be reviewed by a PHEL Faculty Admissions Committee. 

The Graduate Advisor refers the applicant's materials to the PHEL doctoral admissions committee for review. The PHEL faculty will vote to recommend admissions of its respective applicants. In addition to the minimum requirements of the Graduate School and Department, the Graduate Advisor shall consider the availability and willingness of at least one Program member to serve as advisor.

When the PHEL faculty recommends admission of an applicant who does not meet the minimum requirements, the Graduate Advisor will review the Program's basis for concluding that the applicant's aptitude is high enough for doctoral study. A written rationale for admission, supported by the PHEL Program Head of such applicants despite their failure to meet the guidelines, shall be submitted to the Graduate Advisor.

When a review of the PHEL faculty's recommendation leads the Graduate Advisor to conclude that an applicant has sufficient aptitude and that an eligible advisor is available and willing, the Graduate Advisor will recommend to the Graduate School that the applicant be admitted for doctoral study. When the Graduate Advisor concludes that a recommendation for admission may not be justified, the Graduate Advisor will consult with the PHEL Program Head. Agreement of the PHEL Program Head and the Graduate Advisor will result in a recommendation to the Graduate School about the applicant's admission.

PHEL admissions decisions will be made mid to late February. 

Last updated on January 9, 2013