Graduate Program Admission Information
Students must be accepted for admission by both the Department of Marine Science AND the Graduate School of The University of Texas at Austin before they may begin course work leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degree.
The minimum requirements for regular admission to graduate study in the Department of Marine Science are:
- a Bachelor's degree in an appropriate science discipline from an accredited United States Institution or proof of equivalent training at an institution outside the United States
- a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of not less than 3.0 in upper-division work (junior- and senior-level courses and in any graduate work already completed.
Our most successful students have Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (verbal and quantitative portions combined) of 1200 or more, however we consider the complete application package and no student is denied admission based solely on lower GRE scores.
You must complete the Department of Marine Science and The University of Texas at Austin Graduate Applications to be considered for admission.
Graduate Admissions Application Package
Graduate and International Admissions Center
Admission Materials Required
The following items must be mailed to the Graduate and International Admission Center, P.O. Box 7608, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78713-7608:
- Official Transcripts. One official transcript from each college or university attended must be received in Austin no later than the deadline date for the semester in which you seek admission.
- Graduate Record Examination Aptitude Scores. GRE aptitude verbal and quantitative scores must be received in Austin no later than the deadline date for the semester in which you seek admission. The GRE analytical score is not required.
The following items must be mailed to the Graduate Adviser, The University of Texas at Austin, Marine Science Institute, 750 Channel View Drive, Port Aransas, Texas 78373-5015:
- Official Transcripts. We require an additional copy of your official transcript from each college or university attended in order to review your file. It sometimes takes a month or more for us to receive a copy of your transcript from the Admissions Center.
- Statement of Objectives. The statement of objectives should briefly state your reasons for seeking an advanced degree in marine science, including your career goals and one or two areas of research that interest you. It should not be longer than two typewritten pages.
- Department of Marine Science Application. This includes the Supplemental Information form and Applicant's Academic Background - Course Work Summary.
Admission is not considered without the GRE score. In addition, all applicants who are not Citizens of the United States of America or who do not have permanent resident status must submit an official TOEFL score.
Dates and Deadlines
Deadlines: Admission
All application materials listed above must be received:
No Later Than
December 1, for admission in Fall Semester
Please mail your Official Transcripts and GRE Test Scores to:
Graduate and International Admissions Center
P.O. BOX 7608
The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, Texas 78713-7608
Please mail the Department of Marine Science Application (including the Supplemental Information form and Applicant's Academic Background - Course Work Summary), Statement of Objectives, and Supplemental Information sheets to:
Graduate Adviser
The University of Texas at Austin
Marine Science Institute
750 Channel View Drive
Port Aransas, Texas 78373-5015
Deadlines: Teaching Assistantships
To be considered for a teaching assistantship for the academic year, all of the above materials must be received by DECEMBER 1. Applications completed after that date will be considered for an alternate list.
You must register to take the GRE approximately five to six weeks before the specific examination date. For the exact registration deadlines, please contact:
Educational Testing Services
Graduate Records Examinations
CN 6000
Princeton, NJ 08541-6000
Please be aware that a minimum of six weeks will pass between the time you take the GRE test and the time your score will be sent to The University of Texas and it is not uncommon for the transcripts of your previous college course work to arrive four to eight weeks after you order them from your former school.
Because the application process is both expensive and time consuming, an early start is to your advantage.