Graduate FAQs

The best resource to learn about the graduate program is the CAEE Graduate Program Handbook. The handbook covers all program requirements, including detailed information about coursework, milestones, supervisor selection and general departmental information. All questions about the program should be directed first to the CAEE Graduate Coordinator.

Due to the overwhelming number of requests to visit our department, we do not conduct individual visits. Applicants who are offered admission may have the opportunity to visit during recruitment events. To meet with a faculty member outside of a recruitment event, contact them directly.

Change of major applications are not accepted. You must apply to the program even if you are currently a UT graduate student.

The department accepts students from a variety of backgrounds, including engineering, natural sciences, geology, math, physics, computer science and more. We recommend that students complete a number of college-level prerequisites at the time of application.

Our students participate in national and departmental engineering organizations and serve in leadership roles in the CAEE Graduate Advisory Board, Graduate Student Assembly, Graduate Engineering Council and other student organizations. Our department hosts graduate student symposia and students are encouraged to attend seminars in any areas related to their work. A number of students attend and present at national and international conferences each year and the department offers travel awards to assist with costs.

Learn more about UT Austin’s graduate program requirements.

The time to completion varies but averages five to six years for the Ph.D. degree and two to three years for the MSE degree while studying full-time.

Our faculty teaches, researches and travels often. Follow up with them. If you still cannot get in touch, you may contact the graduate coordinator.

Learn more by exploring our full faculty directory.

The University of Texas at Austin compiles and maintains application statistics for each department and college.

Students seeking a Ph.D. in environmental and water resources engineering should apply for the Ph.D. in civil engineering. At UT Austin, the civil engineering Ph.D. is the umbrella program for all Ph.D. research areas, including environmental and water resources engineering.

Contact the CAEE graduate coordinator.

UT Austin permits the transfer of up to six hours of coursework towards an M.S., as long as those courses do not count toward another conferred degree. Ph.D. students who earned an M.S. or completed graduate-level coursework prior to admittance at UT Austin are eligible to receive credit for up to six hours of coursework toward the Ph.D. program of work.

Applications for fall admission are due December 1 each year. After submitting the initial application and paying the application fee, it takes up to 48 hours to receive the link to upload the required documents. Submit your application well in advance of the deadline to ensure all materials are received on time.

Yes, you may submit materials after the priority deadline of December 1, but we strongly recommend that you submit all materials ahead of the deadline for admissions purposes.

International applicants are required to take the TOEFL or IELTS and submit official, valid, unexpired scores as part of the application process. The score must be valid at the application deadline. Some international applicants may be exempt from the TOEFL.

Some U.S. students are eligible for a fee waiver.

All application materials must be submitted online. If you must submit paper documents, send all materials to Graduate and International Admissions.

Applicants may check their application and materials submission on the MyStatus page.

The department cannot confirm that application materials have been received. You may check the MyStatus page for updates related to any application materials.

While it’s always best to have recommendation letters submitted on time, a delay won’t close your application. We understand and will still consider the application even if letters arrive after the deadline. However, it’s crucial to be proactive and reach out to your recommenders and the CAEE graduate office if you suspect a delay. You have the option of asking a different recommender or an additional recommender to write a letter through your MyStatus page document and recommendation section.

You will typically receive notification by the end of March for fall admission or October for spring admission.

Review our admissions page to learn more about the required application materials. You should also review the International Student and Scholar Services page. Applicants who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents must apply using the domestic application. Students who are permanent residents of the U.S. are not required to submit TOEFL scores.

Your scores must be valid at the application deadline.

We receive a large number of competitive applications each year and are not able to provide individualized feedback. Know that every applicant’s materials are reviewed. Coursework, GPAs, scores, references, personal statements and CVs are all heavily considered in the admissions process.

UT Austin provides information and instructions on how to submit transcripts. Official transcripts must be uploaded through MyStatus. No unofficial documents will be accepted.

The Cockrell School of Engineering uses a separate application and does not accept the ApplyTexas application.

No, we do not use cut-off scores or exclude applications based on GRE scores. All applications received are reviewed using a holistic process.

Yes, you may apply to multiple graduate programs at UT Austin.

Many admitted students will not receive an offer of funding prior to starting the program, particularly in the M.S. degree plan. If the faculty extends an offer of funding, it is typically sent after the initial letter of admission.

If admitted, the department may nominate you for institutional fellowships. You will be contacted if we need additional information or materials from you; there is no additional form to complete. Students who are not funded by a fellowship may be offered a teaching assistantship (TA) or graduate research assistantship (GRA) after admission, as recommended by the faculty.

Although not guaranteed, MSE students may apply for TA or GRA positions in CAEE and related departments to earn a stipend, funding toward tuition and fees and health insurance coverage. The Graduate School provides more information about student employment policies. Faculty will make all decisions regarding hiring in these positions; the CAEE department does not centralize the hiring process.

Students are not required to work, but the Graduate School Office provides certain conditions for employment.

The TA and GRA stipend rate for incoming CAEE Ph.D. students is competitive and reviewed and updated each year. The stipend may be supplemented with fellowships from the Cockrell School of Engineering. Cost-of-living increases are planned for future cohorts.

Student academic employees (TAs and GRAs) receive a tuition reduction benefit and are eligible for UT’s employee health insurance.

Master’s students are not guaranteed support, but may work as a TA or GRA.

It depends on your circumstances since funding is often not offered before admission. U.S. students may apply through the FAFSA.

The department nominates students for travel awards to attend major professional meetings in the fall, spring and summer sessions. Depending on the funding available, supervisors may also provide support for their students.

Departmental staff cannot provide tax guidance to students, but the Graduate School Offices offer tax consideration resources.