Overview

An En-Route Master's degree is earned by doctoral (Ph.D.) students at the same time that they are working on their doctoral degree. The Quantitative Methods (QM) en-route Master's program requires an application (see Application section below). Admitted students remain in their home/primary department and continue there as planned, with the added step of meeting with the QM Area Chair before course registration each semester for course advising.

How to Apply

The Quantitative Methods En-Route Master's is available for current University of Texas at Austin Ph.D. students only. An application is required for all students not currently in the QM Ph.D. program. Applications are typically reviewed within 2-4 weeks of submission. Decisions will be sent via email to the email address used for the application.

Required Materials for Application:

Statement of Purpose: Typically 2 to 3 pages, single-spaced. The statement should address past experiences, including research experience, why the applicant is applying to the program, and what their future goals are. The statement should also exemplify evidence of a good fit between the interests and experiences of the applicant and those of the program.
CV or Resume

Required Courses

See the Quantitative Methods Master’s Degree Plan (aka Program of Work) for a list of courses required for the degree. Degree Plans may vary between cohort years depending on course availability and institutional guideline changes. Students should refer to the Degree Plan for their official QM admission year.

After Admission

Course Planning & Registration

Note: Your EDP faculty advisor during your EDP program will be the Quantitative Methods Area Chair.

EDP Degree Plan: be sure to download a copy of your EDP QM En-Route Master’s Degree Plan for reference. You should fill it out and update it each semester to help you track your courses through the program.

Course Waivers: a Course Waiver is permission to skip specific required courses on your Degree Plan. If you have taken the direct equivalent of any of the courses on the EDP Degree Plan for the QM En-Route Master’s, within the last 6 years, with a grade of B or above, we recommend submitting an EDP Course Waiver Request. Note: due to Graduate School credit hour requirements, a limited number of waivers are permitted.

Course Planning and Advising:

Before the advising period for each semester, update your EDP Degree Plan as it is helpful for determining which courses to take.
After reviewing the UT Course Schedule, submit an EDP Advising Form. It will route to the QM Area Chair for approval.
You'll get an automatic email stating whether your Advising Form was approved or denied. Hang on to your approval email as it is a handy reference for registration. If you need to make any changes, submit a new EDP Advising Form.
Your approved EDP Advising Form holds a seat in the EDP classes on the form, so you should be able to enroll in those once registration opens. If you have any issues doing so, contact EDP@austin.utexas.edu

Finishing the Master's

Before or at the start of the semester in which you will be finishing the QM Master's coursework, email EDP@austin.utexas.edu to let us know. We'll then work with you to submit the paperwork needed for you to earn the degree:

A Change of Major form: this form temporarily switches you into the QM Master's major code for the semester you're graduating, so that the Graduate School can certify and post the degree. We'll submit a second form to switch you back into your usual PhD major code at the start of the following semester.
Graduation Application: after your Change of Major to the QM En-Route is processed at the start of the semester, you'll need to apply to graduate online via the Graduate School. Note: you should do this near the start of the semester in which you're graduating, to ensure adequate time for approvals.

IMPORTANT: you will need to be sure to complete the QM Master’s BEFORE the semester in which you are graduating with your Ph.D., as they cannot award both degrees at the same time. If you are planning to enter doctoral candidacy in the same semester you are finishing the QM Master’s degree, you must let us know in advance, as this affects the timing of your paperwork.

Diploma: before the end of the semester in which you're graduating, verify your mailing information with Diploma Services: https://onestop.utexas.edu/student-records/degrees-and-diplomas/

Commencement: Once your graduation is confirmed, you should also receive an invitation (usually in March/April) from the College of Education to attend the May commencement ceremony for the Master's degree.

QM En-Route Master's