Master's Program Admissions FAQ
Q. How can I learn more about the LBJ School and/or arrange a campus visit?
We invite prospective students to learn more about the LBJ School through our faculty, staff, students, and alumni, and by making a visit to our campus. So that we can make arrangements for you to sit in on a class and meet with faculty, students and staff, we encourage you to contact us a week prior of your visit. To get the most out of your introduction to the LBJ School, we recommend that you attend one of our scheduled campus visits. We will be hosting campus visits through the fall on the following dates: Monday, September 28th, 2009; Monday, October 19th, 2009 and Monday, November 16th, 2009.
For more information about our campus visits or to arrange a visit at another time, contact Steve Alvarez, steve.alvarez@austin.utexas.edu, 512.471.3620, to set up an appointment.
Q. How can I check the status of my online application? How long does it take for the application materials I have submitted to show up as received on my application status page? What office should I contact if my application status page does not accurately reflect all the materials I have submitted?
You can check your application status at any time at the GIAC (Graduate and International Admissions Center) website http://utdirect.utexas.edu/nr/appstat.html. Please note: If you submit application materials during the 4 weeks prior to the application deadline you should anticipate a lag time of a week or more between the time your documents are received and processed, and the time your status page is updated. You can avoid the last minute rush by applying early.
If after allowing for processing time you still have concerns about the status of your application materials, you should contact the appropriate receiving office. For inquiries about your essays, letters of recommendation, and resume, which were submitted to the LBJ School, please email our Admissions Coordinator at lbjadmit@uts.cc.utexas.edu. For inquiries about your online application and fee, transcripts, and required test scores, which were submitted to GIAC, please call or email the GIAC staff at the contact numbers provided on their admissions page: http://www.utexas.edu/student/admissions/about/contact.html.
Q. If I am undecided about whether I want to pursue the Master of Public Affairs (MPAff) degree or the Master of Global Policy Studies (MGPS) degree, may I apply to both? How will I know which degree program is right for me?
You may only apply to one degree program and you must make that decision when you submit your electronic application for admission. There is a significant difference between the curriculum and focus of the MPAff and the MGPS. Applicants should thoroughly read the descriptions of the two programs, which are available on the LBJ School website, to make their decision. If you are still unsure about which program you should choose, you are strongly encouraged to discuss your educational and career objectives in relationship with your degree choice with our faculty advisors, Dr. Ken Matwiczak (MPAff program; kmat@austin.utexas.edu) or Dr. Eugene Gholz (MGPS program; egholz@alum.mit.edu).
Q. Are there any admissions requirements for the LBJ School's masters programs?
Any person who has or will have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university is eligible to apply for admission to either masters program. While there are no course requirements for admission, the faculty strongly recommends that an entering student have six hours of American government, six hours of economics, and a course each in statistics and calculus.
Q. After being admitted, are there any enrollment prerequisites that I should know about?
The quantitative sequence in the masters programs do have enrollment prerequisites. Students who have not completed formal undergraduate coursework in calculus and statistics are required to pass validation exams given at the LBJ School during orientation. Two separate exams are offered, one on calculus and the other on statistics. Students have to take only the one for which they have not taken an undergraduate course. For more information on quantitative sequence visit: http://www.utexas.edu/lbj/advising/quantitative_sequence.php.
Q. How do I apply for admission?
The application process includes applying for admission to both the University of Texas at Austin Graduate School through the Graduate and International Admissions Center (GIAC) and the LBJ School of Public Affairs using the State of Texas Common Application. For detailed instructions about admissions, visit our admissions webpage http://www.utexas.edu/lbj/degreeprograms/mpaff_admissions.php.
Q. What is the application deadline?
The application deadline for fall admission is January 5. Your online application and all related materials must be received or postmarked on or before that date. Early application is advised.
Q. How much does it cost to attend the LBJ School?
Fall 08 and Spring 2010 tuition only for students in the regular program are:
Resident, 12 hour, per semester - $4,706
Non-Resident, 12 hour, per semester - $9106
This figures do not include books, optional fees or living expenses. Students in dual degrees
pay a flat rate. For Business and Law dual students the amounts will be higher.
Q. How many applications to the master's program do you receive, and how many applicants are accepted to the program?
The LBJ School typically receives approximately 600 applications for fall 09, offers admission to between 200-250 students, and enrolls a class ranging in size from 120 – 150.
Q. Does the LBJ School have published GRE/GPA minimums for admission?
The LBJ School takes a holistic approach to the application review process. Each applicant’s file is reviewed individually with equal consideration given to the quantitative and qualitative aspects of the student’s records. The process is competitive and applicants are encouraged to give special consideration to the preparation of their essay, which gives the admissions committee personal insight into their unique qualifications.
The incoming class of 2009 has the following quantitative averages:
GPA: 3.53
GRE Verbal: 589
GRE Quantitative: 662
GRE Writing: 5.4
Q. Are any students admitted for the spring semester?
Part-time and mid-career MPAff students are the only students invited to apply for spring admission. The deadline for spring applicants is October 1. For more information about the mid-career program, see http://www.utexas.edu/lbj/degreeprograms/midcareer.php.
Q. May I substitute the GMAT or LSAT for the GRE? What is your GRE code?
You must take the GRE. No substitutions are accepted. The University of Texas institution code for submitting your score is 6882.
Q. When should I take the GRE? How can I be sure you receive my GRE scores on time?
It takes approximately two weeks for the computer-based GRE scores to arrive at the University's Graduate and International Admissions Center. To meet the January 5 deadline, you should take the computer-based GRE before December 15.
Q. Can I submit GRE and/or TOEFL scores that are several years old?
GRE scores can be no more than five years old at the time of submission. TOEFL scores can be no more than two years old at the time of submission. If your scores do not meet this required timeline, you must retest and submit current scores.
Q. What is the best way to submit my letters of recommendation? Do you accept electronic letters of recommendation?
To ensure that all three of your letters of recommendation arrive in a timely manner and are added to your file, it is best to contact your recommenders early. Keep in mind that faculty may be busy or unavailable as it gets closer to the holiday break. Once you have identified who will write your letters, you should contact each recommender and ask for a letter of recommendation on letterhead. The letter should be sent as an e-mail attachment with your name in the subject line to the Admissions Coordinator at lbjadmit@uts.cc.utexas.edu.
If you plan to waive your right of access to a letter, please send an email to the Admissions Coordinator stating the name(s) of your recommenders and the fact that you are waiving your access rights.
GIAC will introduce a pilot program for the electronic submissions of letters of recommendation. The LBJ School is not part of the pilot program. Students apply for dual degrees where one of our partner departments is participating need to inform the recommender that their letter must still be submitted directly to the LBJ School.
Q. Will I get reviewed for admission if my application is incomplete?
Files are not normally reviewed unless complete. Please make arrangements with the Admissions Coordinator if you think an item or document will be late.
Q. When will I receive notification of the admissions decision?
The LBJ School begins sending conditional offers of acceptance by email in mid-March. Your formal offer of admission from the University of Texas Gradate School and your formal letter of admission from the LBJ School, which will be the document that announces your fellowship if you have been selected to receive an award, will follow shortly thereafter.
Q. Is there an application for LBJ School scholarships or fellowships?
All full-time LBJ School applicants are automatically reviewed on a competitive basis for merit-based fellowships during the admissions review process. No additional application is required. Those receiving competitive fellowships will be notified of their award in their official LBJ School admissions letter. Fellowship recipients and non-fellowship recipients are strongly encouraged to explore their eligibility for need-based financial assistance.
Q. Are international students eligible for merit-based fellowships an/or need-based financial aid?
International students are eligible and will be automatically reviewed for merit-based fellowships during the admissions process. Typically, international students are not eligible for need-based federal assistance. See the international student website for more information www.utexas.edu/international/isss/students/financialaid.
Q. How do I apply for other financial aid?
For need-based aid, you should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Contact the UT Austin Office of Student Financial Services for more information. The LBJ School's financial aid counselor in that office is Christine Gauger, cm.gauger@austin.utexas.edu, 512-475-6296.
Q. What is your school's FAFSA code? What are the priority deadlines?
The UT Austin FAFSA code is 003658. The priority deadline for applying for aid for fall admission is March 31.
