Sociology | College of Liberal Arts
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Instructions

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the minimum eligibility requirements set by the Graduate School and OGA, namely:

  • 3.0 GPA or higher on all upper-division and graduate coursework.
  • GRE. This requirement is waived for Fall 2025. However, students may want to submit a score with their application. If submitting GRE scores: Take ONLY the verbal and quantitative portions of the GRE. The GRE writing portion is NOT considered. The GRE subject test in Sociology is NOT required.
  • International applicants - Take the TOEFL/IELTS. 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 and the Sociology program. There are no individual section minimums for Sociology.

These eligibility requirements cannot be waived. More information can be found at gradschool.utexas.edu/how-to-apply, which also gives information about exceptions, fee waivers, etc.

Application - Please read all of the following information carefully

The Department only accepts applications for the fall semester. We do NOT defer admission.

Applications are completely online through OGA at gradschool.utexas.edu/admissions and must be completed and submitted by DECEMBER 1. All paper applications and materials (including recommendation letters) sent to OGA or the Sociology Department will be unread and disposed of. Mailed, faxed, emailed, or hand-delivered applications and materials will not be considered. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit and pay for their application early (at least 3 business days) so as to allow time to upload their supplementary materials, and to allow their recommenders time to submit their letters, all by DECEMBER 1 (see below about the supplementary materials and letters). Late and/or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Within 1–2 business day(s) after submitting and paying for an application, applicants will receive an email message from OGA acknowledging that the application has been received. The applicant's UT EID and temporary password will be included in this correspondence, as well as a link to the Online Admissions Status Check page. From that site applicants will be given the opportunity to upload a PDF copy of their OFFICIAL transcript, as well as Writing Sample, Statement of Purpose, and CV - see below for more information. (If applicants are offered admission, they will be asked to mail an official paper transcript for the institutions attended prior to enrolling.)

Application materials consist of:

  • Application form. gradschool.utexas.edu/admissions. On the form, applicants MUST choose 1 of the 10 areas of specialization listed. (Note this can change after they are in the program.)
  • Application fee (nonrefundable). $65 for US applicants, $90 for international applicants. Waiver information can be found here.
  • OFFICIAL transcripts for each senior college attended. To be submitted online on the Online Admissions Status Check page, after submitting and paying for the application. Note: each transcript can be uploaded ONLY ONCE, so please make sure the correct and full version of each transcript is being uploaded. Junior and community college transcripts are NOT necessary.
  • Official GRE scores. Five years old or less (through Dec 1 and when OGA receives them from ETS). To be submitted by ETS directly to OGA. School code: 6882. No major code. This requirement is waived for Fall 2025. However, students may want to submit a score with their application.
  • Official TOEFL/IELTS scores (international applicants only). Two years old or less (through Dec 1 and when OGA receives them from ETS). To be submitted by ETS directly to OGA. School code: 6882. No major code. For IELTS, refer to here.
  • Three letters of recommendation. Recommenders will be automatically notified by email with instructions on how to upload their letters once applicants have submitted and paid for their application. Letters and materials sent through folio services (such as Interfolio) WILL NOT be accepted.
  • Statement of purpose. You will be required to submit two (2) essays. Please prepare statements for both prompts below.

    • PROMPT 1: In no longer than three pages double-spaced (approximately 750 words), describe your reasons for pursuing graduate study and your academic and professional interests and goals. Your statement should clearly and succinctly address questions such as: a) Why do you want to pursue a career in sociology? b) What sociological questions or problems interest you? c) How have you prepared yourself for graduate study in sociology? and d) Why do you want to pursue your graduate degree at The University of Texas at Austin?

    • PROMPT 2: In no longer than three pages double-spaced (approximately 750 words), please address any information that you believe your application would be incomplete without and that sheds more light on your unique potential to succeed in the Sociology program and contribute to the University community and the field or profession.

  • Writing sample. One 10-20 page double-spaced academic, sociological writing sample written in English. Please do not submit anything over the page limit, including entire theses. To be submitted online on the Online Admissions Status Check page, after submitting and paying for the application.
  • Curriculum vitae or resume. To be submitted online on the Online Admissions Status Check page, after submitting and paying for the application.

Please follow the instructions above and on gradschool.utexas.edu/admissions very carefully. It is the applicant's responsibility to make sure the appropriate materials are completed, properly uploaded, and submitted online through the OGA website. Failure to do so will significantly delay the review of the application and chances for admission to the Sociology graduate program. To check the status of an application, refer to the contacts and information on the Admissions homepage or go to utdirect.utexas.edu/apps/adm/mystatus.

For general questions about the application process, visit the Admissions website. For specific questions about the Sociology program, visit the FAQ or email the graduate program administrator.

Change-of-Major Applications

For change-of-major applicants (applicants already admitted to the UT Austin Graduate School) ONLY: Please follow the instructions here. The December 1 deadline and supporting document requirements still apply.

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