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.


Upload dissertation and required paperwork by designated deadline