Handbook

26-27 Graduate Student Handbook

The Graduate Student Handbook is a crucial resource designed to assist current graduate students. It provides important information regarding program requirements and department policies. It includes a year-by-year narrative guide through the doctoral program and a table presenting the timeline, copied below. 

Student Responsibility

While University faculty and staff members give students academic advice and assistance, each student is expected to take responsibility for his or her education and professional and personal development. The student must know and abide by all applicable academic and disciplinary policies, including rules governing quantity of work, the standard of work required to continue in the University, warning status and scholastic dismissal, and enforced withdrawal. The student must also know and meet the requirements and expectations of his or her degree program; must enroll in courses appropriate to the program; must meet prerequisites and take courses in the proper sequence to ensure orderly and timely progress; and must seek advice about degree requirements and other University policies when necessary.

Graduate Program Timeline

Year 1	Fall Semester	First-Year Seminar (PHL 384F) - ProSem Begin to fulfill area requirements (= at least one graduate course in each of (1) history of philosophy, (2) ethics, and (3) metaphysics and epistemology) and other course requirements
	Spring Semester	Logic (PHL 389) Fulfill area requirements (listed above) or other course requirements
	Summer	With advisors, develop a plan to fill knowledge gaps, read deeply in a specific area, or revise a course paper for conference/journal submission.
Year 2	Fall Semester	Continue to fulfill course requirements (usually 3 philosophy seminars)
	Spring Semester	Continue to fulfill course requirements (usually 3 philosophy seminars) Identify and meet with a prospectus supervisor
	Summer	With advisors, develop a plan of reading relevant to the prospectus; fill knowledge gaps and/or revise a course paper for submission.
Year 3	Fall Semester	Assemble a prospectus committee (supervisor plus four other faculty members) Prospectus hours (PHL 388C): work with advisors to complete prospectus draft Presentation and Publication Seminar, or ‘PPS’ (PHL 388) Teaching (PHL 398T)
	Spring Semester	Prospectus hours (PHL 388C):  revise prospectus draft Enroll in one graduate course for CR/NC Prospectus defense (just before or after spring break): send prospectus to committee 2 weeks in advance End of semester: assemble dissertation committee (supervisor, four other faculty members, external reader); apply for candidacy
	Summer	With dissertation supervisor, identify dissertation “cornerstone” and construct a plan for completing remaining work. Use the summer to make progress.
Year 4	Fall Semester	Dissertation work (PHL 399W) Enroll in dissertation seminar, if offered (PHL 396W) Enroll in one graduate course for CR/NC Revise “cornerstone” paper and submit to journals
	Spring Semester	Dissertation work (PHL 399W): Complete two-thirds by end of semester Enroll in dissertation seminar, if offered (PHL 396W) Enroll in one graduate course for CR/NC Attend Job Market Preparation meeting
	Summer	Dissertation work (complete two-thirds, draft remainder) Begin job market prep in consultation with supervisor and placement advisers
Year 5	Fall Semester	Dissertation work (PHL 399W): Complete full draft by end of semester Dissertation seminar, if offered (PHL 396W) Enroll in one graduate course for CR/NC Job market preparation and job applications
	Spring Semester	Dissertation work (PHL 399W): Complete dissertation revisions Dissertation seminar, if offered (PHL 396W) Enroll in one graduate course for CR/NC Dissertation defense: send dissertation to committee at least 4 weeks in advance

Graduate Student Employment

The Role of the Teaching Assistant (TA), Reader, and Assistant Instructor (AI)

There are many reasons why you have become a TA, Reader, or AI, not the least of which is financial support for your graduate studies. But because your work directly impacts the lives of undergraduates and their learning, doing your job well is essential to fulfilling the university's mission. Through teaching and advising undergraduates effectively, we can support students' success, impact their retention, promote institutional loyalty, and build a sense of community.

TAs, Readers, and AIs at UT have a wide range of responsibilities depending on their department and their assignment. TA and AI duties range from the traditional ones of grading, leading review sessions and holding office hours, to leading field trips, writing exams and generating course web sites.

More additional information on the responsibilites involved, please refer to:

• The Graduate School's website
• Training for Student Employees (required and elective)
• The UT Austin Handbook of Operating Procedures
• The Center for Teaching and Learning Services 
• Conditions for Student Employment*

*Note that The Department's policy is that graduate students may not be appointed if they have more than one incomplete, whether X (temporary incomplete) or I (permanent incomplete). Additional information is provided in the Graduate Handbook.

Student Employee Excellence Development (SEED Program)

Services for Students with Disabilities

SSD determines eligibility and approves reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities at the University of Texas at Austin. We also engage in outreach across campus in order to make campus a more inclusive, accessible and welcoming environment for people with disabilities.

SSD is part of the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement and our office is located on the fourth floor of the Student Services Building.

Learning Disabilities

The Graduate School – Scholarships, Fellowships, Professional Development

Graduate students at The University of Texas at Austin generally support themselves in one of the following ways: departmental aid in the form of scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships; fellowships administered by the Office of Graduate Studies; need-based financial aid administered by the Office of Student Financial Services (OSFS); and outside funding or employment.

Funding information

Leaves of Absence

Health and Wellness Resources

Office of the Dean of Students