Doctoral Checklist
- Jeffrey Grimes
- Amy Always
Discuss coursework in consultation with your Program Area Adviser
Bilingual/Bicultural Education.............................................................................................Dr. Maria Franquiz
Cultural Studies in Education.............................................................................................Dr. Keffrelyn Brown
Early Childhood Education..................................................................................................Dr. Jennifer Adair
Learning Technologies........................................................................................................Dr. Min Liu
Language and Literacy Studies..........................................................................................Dr. Denise Davila
Physical Education Teacher Education..............................................................................Dr. Xiaofen Hamilton
Social Studies Education ..................................................................................................Dr. Katie Payne
Begin coursework
All students must meet the following requirements prior to graduating:
a) Maintain a minimum 3.0 (B) cumulative GPA
b) Take at least 18 hours of coursework in the major area (EDC courses)
c) Take at least 6 hours of out-of-department coursework
d) Take the core curriculum courses: Foundation and Research Sequence
* Note: All courses required for the Doctorate must be completed within a six-year period.
Additional course options:
a) You may take 20% of your coursework (2 courses) on a CREDIT/NO CREDIT basis. These will not factor into your GPA.
b) 50% of your course work must be taken at UT Austin
c) EDC 396V Independent Study constitutes less than 25% of your coursework
d) You may transfer a maximum of 6 graduate hours from another institution with approval from the Graduate Adviser, Graduate Studies Committee.
Schedule First-Year Review
For more information, see your program area's "Program Area Review and Qualifying Exam Guide" on the Doctoral Program Forms & Documents page
Participate in research projects
Complete a preliminary copy of the Program of Work (POW)
The POW form for your program area can be found on the Doctoral Program Forms & Documents page
Schedule Mid-Program Review
For more information, see your program area's "Program Area Review and Qualifying Exam Guide" on the Doctoral Program Forms & Documents page
Begin thinking about your dissertation
a) Think about a possible dissertation topic.
b) Decide which faculty you might want to serve on your qualifying exam and dissertation committees.
c) Talk to faculty; solicit feedback and foster relationships.
Professional Development
Consider attending, and possibly presenting, at annual meetings of professional associations and learned societies.
Schedule and take your Qualifying Exams
For more information, see your program area's Program Area Review and Qualifying Exam Guide on the Doctoral Program Forms & Documents page
Apply for Doctoral Candidacy
For more information, See the Doctoral Candidacy page
Defend dissertation proposal
• Find a date/time when your committee members may attend.
• Schedule a room online
• Return signed Approval of Dissertation Proposal form to Graduate Coordinator
Secure approval to conduct research with human subjects (if necessary)
See the UT Human Subjects/IRB website to determine what forms are needed and to submit your proposal electronically
Conduct research, complete the dissertation and any remaining coursework
Prepare for graduation
a) Review the graduation deadlines and submission information on the Graduate School (OGS) Deadlines & Submission Instructions page.
b) File Doctoral Graduation Application Form with Graduate School at the beginning of semester you plan to finish.
Schedule Final OralExam/Dissertation Defense
This process is explained in detail on the Form Submission via DocuSign page
Conduct Final Oral Defense
After the defense, your dissertation committee members will need to sign the “Report of Dissertation Committee” form. This form certifies both that the doctoral candidate has passed their Final Oral Examination and that their dissertation is approved for final submission. Contact the Graduate Program Administrator for the link to this Docusign form.