The University of Texas at Austin Reviews

"The support and consideration shown by faculty, staff, and fellow students is excellent and the research conducted within the department is conscientious, rigorous, and innovative. One aspect of the program that leaves something to be desired is the Psychology department's overall cohesiveness, as it is a very large department."

"I feel that while the program is not particularly competitive from the inside, the quality of work produced and quality the faculty are generally excellent. I feel that the department is also more supportive of non-academic career objectives which is unusual in a phd focused program."

"It's a strong research program, perhaps a little light on clinical training. Not a ton of support for career planning either, but still a very strong program that's highly respected."

"While the program provides a wide variety of exposure to various statistical topics, some of the courses that I was interested in taking we either restricted or cancelled. In addition, there was not a well defined focus towards computation and theory which left both a little under-explained. With that being said, I loved the small school feel as such a large prestigious university. I am not at all disappointed with the education I received; really I'd just like to stay for another year with the same cohort to learn more methods. I feel like I made the best possible choice in schools, and I am confident that I have been well prepared for business life."

"The English department and its corollary, the Department of Rhetoric and Writing, do a great job of providing professional development through teaching, service, etc. without feeling too pressure-driven on "professionalization." By and large, the faculty is very supportive of research, writing, and all related scholarly endeavors, particularly in new media. The UT-Austin campus has really great resources, from libraries and archives to teaching seminars and professional support. The negatives: Since the College of Liberal Arts is cutting funding, there's a current concern that some students may get ejected from the program before finishing their dissertations. The size of the graduate cohort is thus being decreased. However, at least the admins of the English department are really working hard to stand behind their students' needs. Another negative factor is that the pool of professors from earlier than the Victorian period is shrinking, which is not great if, like me, you study earlier literature."

"One of the best programs for computational science, engineering and mathematics"

"Austin is a wonderful, dynamic, fun place to live as young person. Compared to other major cities it is still very affordable (but that is rapidly changing with it's growth). If you are from a place with excellent public transportation and don't own a car, you will find it challenging to get around and I recommend living as close to campus as possible. If you are interested in local politics, local or state government and policy development, or just a general public policy program, this is academically a good fit. If you are interested in international programs, or even more federal government level studies, you are probably better off at a comparable program in Washington, D.C. or New York areas. That said, the tuition cannot be beat for any program in public policy or public affairs, and UT gives a lot of fellowship/scholarship funding. If money is a big factor in your decision, definitely consider LBJ. Career resources and diversity are severely lacking and are on the administration's short list of priorities but will take time to improve. Faculty are a good balance of practitioners and academics and you can select courses accordingly. I have enjoyed having a mix. Those who are academics are much more accessible of course, but practitioners are also eager to help students. The social environment is what you make of it; many graduate students definitely lead their own lives, but there is an active social scene within the school and generally a sense of camaraderie compared to many other similar programs, and definitely relative to other disciplines like business or law. The opportunities for joint degrees are also very appealing. Overall, LBJ is a great value for those looking to get a masters degree in public administration or public policy and particularly for those interested in working and living in Texas or other state governments in the long-term."

"This is an excellent program and I would recommend it to anyone interested in the field of higher education administration or research."

"Overall, I am really enjoying my time in grad school at UT Austin. My faculty adviser, lab mates, and peers area all smart, supportive, and engaged. I am learning a lot in my coursework and through interactions with faculty and students. The one down side is that the stipend is fairly low. Despite the stipend level, I am still saving money which I think speaks to the affordability of living in Austin."

"Great graduate program in Classics, with a large and diverse group of students and faculty for support. New requirements in the College of Liberal Arts is forcing change in the particular graduate requirements of the program, but mostly for the better. The faculty are fiercely dedicated to preparing the graduate students for a career in academia, which lends only more benefits if we decide to take an alternative path (rather than academia) after our degree."

"The Program in Higher Education Leadership is a fantastic environment for scholar-practitioners to learn about the higher education landscape. As a master's student, I feel challenged, supported, and prepared for my career in higher education and appreciate the flexibility of the program curriculum."

"I have really enjoyed my time at UT thus far. I feel like there is a sense of comradery among the students. Everyone is very smart, friendly, and willing to help out. I have found the faculty to be both approachable and extremely knowledgeable. My adviser has been great. I love Austin. Generally I'm learning so much and feel that UT is setting me up to have a great career."

"The Department of Psychology at UT Austin is full of great faculty and staff that are always very supportive. My peers are encouraging and challenge me to grow in my studies, and Austin is an overall fantastic city!"

"Great support system, but needs more financial aid."

"I think the program is really supportive when it comes to accesibility of students to faculty and also the collaboration with other students. The cons is that the diversity of courses offer is low."

"Our program is small with a lot of very knowledgeable PIs ,but there is little support in terms of life after graduation and career placement, especially outside of academia."

"Pros- Faculty support and availability. Graduate assistant positions. Location, Austin is really amazing. Low cost especially compared to peer programs. Cons- Limited career support"

"I have been thoroughly enjoying my first semester as an MBA candidate in the UT Austin Working Professionals MBA program in DFW. Some of the Pros: - Convenient schedule (Lectures every other weekend) - MBA+ Program with optional mentors and miniature consulting projects that allow indidivuals to experience different industries during a time in which they otherwise wouldn't be able to complete an internship. - Excellent, engaging faculty. Cons: - Financial Aid: There basically is none set aside for Working Professional students. Understandable but many of us still have loans from undergrad, which is likely why we couldn't put our careers on hold to pursue a full-time MBA."

"The cost of education and living is relatively low compared to many parts of the country. Austin is a growing, vibrant city and an excellent place to study successes and failures in transportation and housing equity. The faculty are accessible and have varied research interests. The curriculum considers many schools of thought, and it consists of a mix of academic and theoretical studies and practical skills. The computer and software labs available have some but not all of the professional and academic software required for study. The diversity of the program is excellent in terms of professional background and goals, however lacking in ethnic and racial terms. Finally, the career center has professionals dedicated to the school of architecture and regularly sends out internship and job opportunities both in Austin and around the country. These are often spurred by the numerous successful alumni of the program. Overall, I have thoroughly enjoyed studying in the UT Community and Regional Planning program and would recommend it."

"Intense and work-heavy program with amazingly accomplished professors and excellent facilities. Expect to stay busy 60+ hours/week."