University of Texas at Austin

International Office

UT Family and Community Programs

Education
 

There are many study options available to meet your particular schedule and financial situation, satisfy your short- and long-term goals, as well as meet your professional and personal interests.

English as a Second Language

Intensive and Part-Time Programs

Academic English as well as conversational English courses are offered by the following institutions. Study may be intensive or part-time.

1. University of Texas at Austin, International Office
Relatives of students, scholars, or staff of UT Austin, enjoy a fifteen percent discount on fees for non-intensive courses, full or part-time.
http://www.utexas.edu/student/esl/

2. Austin Community College
http://www.austin.cc.tx.us/

3. Texas State University - San Marcos
http://www.txstate.edu/ie
This school offers a standard ESL program. However, the ESL University Bridge Program offers an unusual opportunity for undergraduates and graduates.

4. Other ESL programs may be found in the Yellow Pages telephone directory under "Language Schools."

Informal English Classes

Basic-level English classes are usually available at low prices or free from the following programs.

1. Informal Classes at the University of Texas at Austin Texas Union
http://www.informalclasses.org
Classes range from ESL Beginning 1 to Written English. The cost for each is $60-68.

2. Programs run by churches (go to "English Courses" on this web site)

3. Austin Independent School District
AISD Office of Community Education
http://www.austin.isd.tenet.edu/community/

Private Tutors

For the names of teachers who offer individual tutoring in English, check with the UT Austin ESL coordinator and look for advertisements at other ESL programs sites and around the UT Austin campus. Also, check bulletin boards at international grocery stores. The LEA: Learning English in Austin website will enable you to carry on an electronic search for a tutor.

PALS Program
http://studentorgs.utexas.edu/iopals/
Apply for a partner to advance your language study and exchange cultural information. This program is provided by the International Office.

Degree and Non-Degree Programs

Below are institutions of higher education in Austin that offer one or more of the following degrees: associate, bachelor's, master's, doctorate. Whether you wish to seek a degree or be enrolled as a non-degree student, you must apply for admission to be enrolled at any of these institutions. If you do not wish to apply for admission, you may be able to audit classes on a non-credit basis.

A. The University of Texas at Austin

To be enrolled at The University of Texas at Austin, you must apply for admission, either as a degree-seeking or a non-degree student. Only enrolled students earn credit which are recorded on an official University transcript.

International students at the University, as all non-Texans, are charged out-of-state tuition rates. Some employment positions offer the benefit of in-state tuition. International students and scholars holding those positions enjoy the in-state rate under certain conditions, as do their dependents.

To access more detailed contact: http://www.utexas.edu/student/giac/

1. Degree-seeking students
If you are considering formal study at UT Austin, it is advisable to apply as a degree-seeking student and NOT as a non-degree student. Admission preference at UT Austin is given to degree-seeking students. This preference exists not only at the University, college and (for graduate students) departmental level, but also carries through to course/class access. (Some courses are only open to degree-seeking students.) Being admitted as a regular degree-seeking student, enables you to earn credits and to receive transcripts. However, because of your F-2/J-2 visa status, you do not have to take a full course load. Furthermore, there is no penalty for not completing a degree program. Please keep in mind, you do have to pay full tuition and fees, pass the TOEFL and either the SAT (for undergraduate admission) or the GRE tests (for graduate admission), as well as meet all application requirements for international students. (Admissions information is available as indicated above.)

2. Non-Degree students
When applying at UT as a non-degree student, you can either apply at the undergraduate level as a degree holder non-degree seeker or to the graduate level as a non-degree seeker in the department of your choice. There is no tuition advantage when applying to UT Austin as a non-degree student. Furthermore, admission preference is given to degree-seeking applicants (see degree-seeking section). If you are accepted as a non-degree seeker, you will be able to earn credits and obtain transcripts. These may be submitted for credit in a degree program later. Please also keep in mind that the enrollment as a non-degree student will not necessarily qualify you to reside in the U.S. on a student visa.

If you consider applying as a non-degree student given all the limitations explained above, it is advisable to contact the department you will be applying to first and outline your special situation to an advisor. For example, you may want to study or do graduate research for a program that you will be completing in your home country because as a dependent, you will only be staying for a limited time. A department might be very interested in accepting you as a non-degree student, but they have to understand your situation before receiving your application papers. Some departments do not accept non-degree students at all, while others may, only at specific times. Many academic advisors and faculty have e-mail addresses, which you can obtain, from the UT web site, enabling you to learn more about your options long before you arrive. All international students applying as a non-degree student have to meet TOEFL requirements but do not have to pass the GRE tests.

Non-degree seekers at the graduate level may initially bypass the GRE tests only with departmental intervention. Continuation at the graduate level requires GRE scores.

B. Austin Community College (ACC)
http://www.austin.cc.tx.us/
An extensive two-year academic program is offered at the Austin Community College (ACC) at many different locations in the city. ACC offers courses leading to an associate degree, as well as non-credit continuing education courses. (See III below.) The Associate Degree program is a two-year program. However, international students usually apply to bachelor-degree granting institutions after attending one year at the ACC. International students must apply for admission through the International Admission Office before registering for credit courses.

Courses are offered during the day and evening. The course schedule can be found on the Internet.

1. Credit courses
Admission to regular undergraduate courses requires a 500 TOEFL score. Also, either SAT scores or the Texas Academic Skills Program (TASP) test are required. Students who already have a bachelor's degree from another institution (an accredited U.S. or overseas university) may be waived from these tests.
Many international students find it convenient to initiate their undergraduate studies, explore options for further study or for changing fields of study, or improve their English skills at the ACC.

2. Local application deadlines and reduced fee opportunities
Application deadlines for international students living in Austin are one month later than for applicants overseas.

International dependents may apply for in-state rates at ACC, if their spouse is working twenty hours a week and benefits from in-state tuition at the University of Texas at Austin. There are two levels of in-state rates at ACC. Students living within the Austin or Leander Independent School District (AISD or LISD) are charged in-district, in-state rates. Students living outside the AISD or LISD are charged out-of-district, in-state rates. In-district rates are about one-fifth international/out-of-state rates and less than one-half out-of-district rates.

C. Southwest Texas State University
http://www.gradcollege.swt.edu/internationalinfo.html
This undergraduate and graduate degree-granting institution located thirty miles south of Austin in San Marcos is part of the Texas State Higher Education System. Therefore, applicants may apply for in-state tuition rates, if their spouse is working twenty hours a week and benefits from in-state tuition at the University of Texas at Austin.

Admission to a degree program at SWT requires a 550 TOEFL score. However, the ESL University Bridge Program allows students to take one university credit class while completing English proficiency requirements. Academically eligible international students who meet all the university's requirements EXCEPT the minimum 550 TOEFL may qualify for the Bridge Program with a TOEFL score between 500 and 549.

D. Other institutions of higher learning in the Austin
* Concordia College
* Huston-Tillotson College
* St. Edward's University
* Southwestern University (located thirty miles north of Austin in Georgetown).

Correspondence and Distance Education

It may be possible to continue your studies in a less traditional ways than a regular college or university program while staying in the United States. Since it is not always be possible to complete a degree during your stay, the following sources are provided as an alternative. Please note that all courses listed in these catalogs are only offered in the United States in the English language.

Tip: You may want to investigate the correspondence or distance learning possibilities offered in your own home country before leaving to find out what alternatives may be available to you.

You will need to contact the individual institutions offering the courses you are interested in to obtain more details about the fees, course requirements and degree possibilities.

Tip: You should pay particular attention to course requirements; such as the administration of exams (where do these take place), submission of assignments (how are they submitted), and whether or not you would be able to complete the course requirements even if you move back to your home country while you're completing the course.

There may be some advantages to pursuing your studies in this way for the following reasons:
1. The requirements for admission to these courses or programs is more flexible.
2. The cost for these courses is usually less than traditional classes.
3. Courses can be completed at your own pace and you may never need to visit the credit-granting or degree-granting institution; and
4. This can allow you the opportunity to earn credits while you are waiting for admission to a college or university program.

There may, however, be some limitations to pursuing your studies in this way:
1. Your access to an instructor may be more limited than regular day classes;
2. The course requirements for individual courses may not allow the flexibility you might be looking for (i.e. you might have to write exams at a specified facility or you might have to meet with the instructor at the institution, etc.); and
3. You may have limited access to resource or reference materials if you complete the course requirements in your home country.

Short-Term Study Options

A. Enrollment in the University of Texas at Austin Extension Program and Independent and Distance Learning Program

Alternatives to matriculation at UT Austin which provide University level instruction are the UT Austin Extension Program and the UT Austin Independent and Distance Learning Program. Costs for these programs are uniform to all participants. In-state and out-of-state tuition differences do not apply.

1. The University of Texas Extension Program
http://www.utexas.edu/cee/
The University Extension Program is a non-degree evening program offering a variety of credit courses. These credits may be applied to degree programs. (TIP: Check first whether the credits can be applied to your degree.) To register for these courses, no admission to UT Austin is required. You can earn credits or obtain transcripts. The fees vary, but can be considered pretty low per credit hour compared to UT Austin tuition and fees. Instructors are highly specialized professionals and experienced to teach in their fields, and are often regular UT faculty.

(TIP: This is an opportunity to network with professionals and working people connected to Austin who are continuing with their professional development, career changes, or working towards degrees.)

2. Independent and Distance Learning
The University of Texas at Austin offers undergraduate courses by correspondence, e-mail, and the World Wide Web. There are no admission requirements for these college and high school credits. These credits can be applied towards a degree. You may enroll anytime and take up to nine months to complete the course requirements. There are no classes to attend. However, the Texas Academic Skills Program (TASP) must be successfully completed before the end of the semester in which nine college-level credit hours are accumulated. This exam tests a proficiency in basic math and English skills.

* TASP Office (512-471-8277)
Although the TOEFL is not required, students are advised to visit the Distance Learning Offices to preview course material before registering. You must evaluate the English difficulty of the material yourself. Once registered, only a partial refund is possible for up to 60 days if the course proves to be too difficult. For more information on Independent and Distance Learning you may contact Independent Learning.

B. Continuing Education at ACC
ACC offers a variety of courses, which do not result in university academic credit but may lead to certification. TOEFL, TASP, and SAT scores are not required for admission to Continuing Education classes. Anyone, including international students may register directly for these courses, some of which have prerequisites relating to the particular area of study. In addition to an opportunity for pursuing a non-academic personal interest or hobby, these inexpensive classes provide a structured alternative to standard ESL programs for improving one’s English.

C. Adult Basic Education (ABE) at the Austin Community College
Only permanent residents and U.S. citizens seeking to complete their secondary education are eligible for the free ESL program and other ABE courses.

D. Certification classes
You may earn certification following courses in aviation, bartending, cosmetology, computer training, driving, culinary arts, dental assistance, electronics, massage therapy, etc.
For more information, see the Yellow Pages telephone directory listings under Schools-Industrial & Technical & Trade.

E. Short special-interests courses
You can take short special-interest courses in languages (including English as a Second Language), cooking, ceramics, photography, sports or games, arts and crafts, dance, music, gardening, sewing, religious study, and other such enterprises.

1. Informal Classes at UT Austin
https://informalclasses.org/index2.html
The courses offered by Informal Classes, a community education program at UT Austin, cover a wide variety of interests, including sports and outdoor activities. Classes are usually held on weeknights or during the weekends. Instructors come from the community and are specialists in their area, but are not necessarily licensed. Fees are pretty reasonable, and are split into two categories: 1. UT students and general public.2. Other short special-interest and “How-to...” classes

Austin newspapers (Austin Chronicle, available weekly, Thursdays), community bulletins, specialty stores, galleries, grocery stores, religious institutions, community organizations (YMCA and others) and clubs (to name just a few) often advertise short courses to the public. Topics range widely from understanding wines or how to cook certain foods to bible study or belly or ballroom dancing. There’s always something somewhere to interest you.

Auditing Classes
If you want to attend lectures in your field of interest and do not need formal evidence of taking a class, you may ask a professor for permission to audit his/her class. Auditing is an informal way of participating in university classes at UT Austin. Keep in mind, however, this approach to class participation does not enable you to earn credits or receive transcripts.

Entrance and Other Examinations

A. TOEFL, SAT, GRE, GMAT, LSAT
Test preparation information and materials are available in most large bookstores and at the Educational Testing Service (ETS) websites:
www.ets.org
www.toefl.org
www.sat.org
www.gre.org
www.gmat.org
www.lsat.org
tp://www.LSAC.org
Several private testing preparation centers are listed in the Yellow Pages of the Telephone Directory under Test Preparation. Private listings may also be found in the Business Pages of the telephone directory.

The test bulletin necessary for registration is available at the UT Austin Graduate and International Admissions Center as well as other test preparation sites, and the ETS website. Registration can be completed by paper or e-mail on the web.

Computer-adaptive tests by the Educational Testing Service of Princeton, New Jersey may be taken at the Sylvan Technology Center:
4021 South Capital of Texas Highway (512-441-1978)

Standardized exams are scheduled several times a year. Consult the test bulletin for information about testing dates.

B. TASP
http://www.utexas.edu/academic/tasp
The Texas Academic Skills Program (TASP) is a state-legislated program designed to improve student success in college. There are two components of the program, one is the TASP Test, to diagnose students’ basic skills in reading, mathematics, and writing. All non-exempt students entering Texas public colleges and universities are required by law to take the TASP Test.

The TASP Test is offered every semester at over 100 locations in Texas, including UT Austin. A computer-administered TASP is offered several times a week at twelve test centers.

C. College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)
A national program of credit by examination, known as CLEP, allows you to obtain recognition for college-level achievement. Your personal reading, professional training, adult schooling, or televised or taped courses may have prepared you to earn college credit. Each university has its own CLEP policy.

Immigration Status Considerations

If you are currently in F-2 status, and wish to begin an academic progrgram, you must file for a change to F-1 status before beginning classes. You can not seek a degree in F-2 status.