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FAQs-Prospective Students

COVID-19

How are you taking into consideration the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on applicants?

We understand that the COVID-19 pandemic has been disruptive to all and that student experiences in the wake of this have not been equitable. In response to these events, we recognize that some applicants will have concerns about the impacts these events could have on admissions. The graduate programs at the University of Texas-Austin are dedicated to recruiting and supporting diverse, talented students, employing holistic application review processes and supporting students when they arrive on campus. We want to be clear that we understand,

  • students have been facing and will face unprecedented challenges during this time.
  • testing centers have suspended operations, or moved to remote testing.
  • many students and institutions have chosen to adopt the Pass/Fail (or Credit/No Credit) option due to these events.
  • due to this disruption students may not have performed to their usual abilities during times of remote study or challenging classroom adjustments.
  • some research projects will have been interrupted or will be incomplete as a result of university and facility closures.
  • many students will be unable to take on internships and summer research programs or other professional development initiatives.
  • there are myriad other challenging circumstances that have arisen in individuals’ experiences.

We will take this all into consideration as we review applications holistically, understanding that our goal continues to be a graduate student cohort of future leaders, full of diverse life experiences and perspectives that will add new dimensions to our existing graduate community.

Application Questions

  • How many letters of recommendation are required?

    A minimum of three (3) letters of recommendation should be submitted.  You will be given the opportunity to list the name, position, organization and email address for your recommenders when you complete the application. After you submit your application, emails will be sent to your recommenders directing them to a website where they may upload their letters.

  • One of my recommenders didn’t receive the recommendation link. What do I do?

    MyStatus offers a self-service feature you can use to resend the request email to your recommenders, if necessary. Use it to supply an alternate email address if your recommender’s spam filter blocks the original request or has removed the link. You can also add a new recommender or revise your right-to-view status from “retained” to “waived".

  • Is the GRE required?

    Yes, the GRE is required for all applicants for Fall 2026 Admissions.

  • I am an international applicant. Is the TOEFL/IELTS required?

    International students (non-U.S. citizens or green card holders) applying to UT Austin must submit either an official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score report demonstrating an adequate knowledge of English. The Institutional TOEFL (ITP) is not accepted. TOEFL/IELTS scores must be 2 years old or newer.

    International applicants who are from a qualifying country are exempt from this requirement. Additionally, applicants are exempt from the requirement if they possess a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. institution or a qualifying country. The requirement is not waived for applicants who have earned a master’s—but not a bachelor’s—degree from a similar institution.

  • What are the minimum required GRE and TOEFL/IELTS scores?

    There is no minimum GRE score required. An overall score of 550 (paper test), 213 (computer-based test), or 79 (internet-based test) on the TOEFL OR an overall band of 6.5 on the IELTS is considered the minimum acceptable for admission to UT Austin. There are no minimums for AADS.

Transfer of Credits

I have taken graduate level courses from another college. Are any of these courses transferable?

Once a student has been admitted and has matriculated at UT, they may wish to transfer graduate level coursework completed at another university to meet degree requirements.

Students working toward master’s degrees. A master’s student seeking to use coursework completed at another institution must provide the AADS Graduate Studies Committee with an official transcript, the official explanation of the institution’s course numbering system and grading system, and the course description from the catalog of the institution.

Along with these documents, the Petition to Transfer a Graduate Course From Another Institution form should be submitted by the AADS graduate adviser for approval by the graduate dean. This form must be submitted before 12 hours of graduate coursework are completed at UT Austin.

  • A maximum of six semester hours of work from other institutions may be approved for use on the program of work.
  • The grade must be either A or B.
  • The course must be graduate level. 
  • Courses may not have been used toward another degree.
  • Coursework earned on the quarter system is normally calculated at two-thirds of the credit for courses offered on a semesterly basis. Thus, a three credit-hour course taken on the quarter system may be transferred as no more than two credit hours.
  • Coursework taken abroad or on other credit-hour systems will be recalculated for semester-hour credit and the amount of credit approved will be determined by an evaluation of the content of the course as compared to an equivalent UT Austin course.
  • If approved for use on the program of work, the course must be used within the six-year time limit. Courses older than six years may not be transferred.
  • The course may not be taken at another institution during the semester of intended graduation at UT Austin, because the grades may not be received in time to certify the student’s program of work.

Students wishing to transfer credits should contact the AADS Graduate Coordinator for assistance with the process.

Students working toward Ph.D. degrees. There is no official Graduate School process for transferring graduate level credits into the Ph.D. Program. PhD students should contact the Graduate Coordinator for assistance with the transfer of credit process for AADS Ph.D. students.

Visit the Department

How do I schedule a visit to the African and African Diaspora Department?

We invite our top PhD applicants to visit the department each spring; however, visitors are welcome year-round. If you are going to be in the Austin area, you should feel free to reach out to the professors who are working and researching in your area/s of interest and plan a visit on your own.

Establishing Texas Residency

Financial Aid for Graduate Students