A Degree Plan, also called a Program of Work, is a list of courses and requirements you need to complete your degree. There are two versions available:

Blank Degree Plan PDFs: Available in UT Box, these are user-friendly planning tools that you can download and use to track your progress. IMPORTANT: The year on the Degree Plan refers to your cohort year - the year you entered the program (e.g. “2025 Degree Plan” is for students who started in 2025).

Graduate Degree Planner: This is your official Degree Plan in the University system. It tracks completed and pending requirements, and is used to certify your degree at graduation.

For New Students

Before or during Orientation, new students should review their Degree Plan to see what courses are required for the degree, and submit any Course Waiver Requests. Course descriptions are in the UT Catalog, and syllabi in the UT Syllabi Search. Your Graduate Degree Planner will become available during Orientation.

Degree Plan Updates

Follow the Program of Work for your cohort year, unless your Area Chair approves otherwise. If a course is no longer offered, your Area Chair will help you choose a substitute.

Sometimes, Programs of Work differ between cohort years due to course changes, accreditation requirements, etc. Switching to a newer version of your program’s Degree Plan is possible only with approval from your Area Chair. Contact the Graduate Program Coordinator to request a change.

Note: students may be permitted to switch forward to a newer version - but not to one from before your cohort year.

Questions?

Your Area Chair, or Graduate Adviser can help clarify requirements.