All about… Colleges, Schools & Majors

Whether you want to pursue a lifelong passion, explore the unfamiliar or investigate your own ideas in greater depth, you’re likely to find what you’re looking for among the university’s more than 170 undergraduate fields of study and 100 majors.
Pre-Med and Pre-Law
UT Austin students don’t major in pre-med or pre-law. Instead, students interested in attending a professional school (like a law, medical, dental or veterinary school) after earning their bachelor’s degree take advantage of specialized advising through Pre-Law Services or the Health Professions Office.
Colleges, Schools and Majors
School of Architecture
School’s undergraduate architecture program ranks No. 6 on the DesignIntelligence (2008) list of the nation’s best architecture and design schools.
- Architectural Studies
- Architectural Studies (architecture history emphasis)
- Architecture
- Architecture/Architectural Engineering (dual degree plan)
- Interior Design
Learn more about the School of Architecture.
Admission available in the fall semester only.
McCombs School of Business
One of the largest and most distinguished business schools in the country, the McCombs School of Business is ranked No. 6 on U.S. News & World Report’s (2008) list of top undergraduate programs.
Business students initially enroll without specifying a major field of study and declare a major after completing 30 hours of coursework or completing certain prerequisites.
- Freshman applicants to business select from two major options: Unspecified Business/Freshman and Unspecified Business/Business Honors Program.
- Transfer applicants select from Unspecified Business/Transfer, Degree Holder/Nondegree Seeker, and Transitional Students (international exchange).
When enrolled students are ready to declare a major, they select from the following:
- Accounting
- Business Honors Program
- Engineering Route to Business
- Finance
- Integrated MPA (leads to a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and a Master’s in Professional Accounting)
- International Business
- Management
- Management Information Systems
- Marketing
- Supply Chain Management
Learn more about the McCombs School of Business.
Admission available in fall semester only.
College of Communication
Largest and most comprehensive communication college in the country. Each of the college’s five departments features nationally-recognized researchers and alumni—including 19 Pulitzer Prize winners.
- Advertising*
- Communication Studies*
- Corporate Communication
- Human Relations
- Political Communication - Communication Sciences & Disorders*
- Audiology
- Education of the Deaf/Hearing Impaired
- Speech/Language Pathology - Pre-Journalism (freshman and transfer applicants interested in journalism apply to pre-journalism and later select from the following options)
- Broadcast
- Multimedia
- Photojournalism
- Print Journalism
- Sports Journalism - Public Relations
- Radio-Television-Film
Learn more about the College of Communication.
* When applying for transfer admission into these majors in the College of Communication, applicants apply based on whether they have fewer than or at least 60 hours of coursework.
Admission available in fall semester only.
College of Education
Trains future educators to bring vision and leadership to the teaching and learning processes in a creative and diverse environment. Has the highest teacher certification test pass rate of any Texas public institution of higher education. Kinesiology and health programs are consistently ranked among the top in the nation.
- Applied Learning & Development
- Early Childhood to Grade 6 Generalist Certification
- Early Childhood to Grade 6 Bilingual Generalist Certification
- Generic All-Level Special Education Certification - Pre-Athletic Training (freshman and transfer applicants select the pre-athletic training major)
- Kinesiology & Health
- Applied Movement Science
- Exercise Science
- Health Promotion
- Physical Culture & Sports
- Pre-Sport Management (freshman and transfer applicants select the pre-sport management major)
Other Options for Future Educators
- Middle and Secondary Level Teaching: Students interested in teaching at the middle grades or secondary level must enroll in the college that houses the subject they plan to teach and pursue a program called UTeach Liberal Arts or UTeach Natural Sciences.
- Degree Holders: Some transfer applicants seek entry into the College of Education after earning a degree. In such cases the applicants select from the following majors: Degree Holder, Nondegree Seeker; Degree Holder, Secondary Certificate Seeker; Degree Holder, Elementary Certificate Seeker; Degree Holder, Endorsement Seeker; and Degree Holder, All-level Certificate Seeker.
Learn more about the College of Education.
Cockrell School of Engineering
One of the most well-respected and highly-ranked engineering schools in the country. Ranked ninth-best undergraduate engineering program by U.S. News & World Report (2008).
- Aerospace Engineering
- Architectural Engineering
- Biomedical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Electrical & Computer Engineering
- Geosystems Engineering & Hydrogeology (Entering freshmen begin this program in the Jackson School of Geosciences.)
- Mechanical Engineering
- Petroleum Engineering
Transfer applicants who are not interested in working towards an undergraduate engineering degree may also select Degree Holder/Nondegree Seeker when applying to the Cockrell School of Engineering.
Learn more about the Cockrell School of Engineering.
College of Fine Arts
Emphasizes cultural diversity, community engagement and technological innovation. Home to world-class facilities including Bass Concert Hall and the Blanton Museum of Art—the largest university art museum in the country.
- Art History (BA)
- Dance (BFA)
- Design (BFA)
- Music
- Studio Art (BFA)
- Theatre & Dance (BA)
- Theatre Studies (BFA, all-level teacher certification)
- Visual Art Studies (BFA, all-level teacher certification)
- Art Teacher Certification
- Community Art Programs and Administration
Learn more about the College of Fine Arts.
Special admission requirements may apply. Admission to all majors (except Music) is available in fall semester only. Music offers spring admission on a space available basis in all areas except voice.
Jackson School of Geosciences
One of the oldest, largest and most prestigious geosciences programs in the world with leadership in all major areas, from the environment to energy. Ranked a top ten program by U.S. News & World Report—the only program in Texas with this distinction.
- Geological Sciences
- General
- Geophysics
- Hydrogeology
- Environmental Science & Sustainability
- Teaching - Geosystems Engineering & Hydrogeology (offered jointly with the Cockrell School of Engineering)
Learn more about the Jackson School of Geosciences.
Admission available in fall semester only. Geosciences students enter as Undeclared Geological Sciences majors and remain so until prepared to enroll in college-level calculus.
College of Liberal Arts
Home to the largest community on campus with more than 14,000 students and 600 faculty members. Serves as the intellectual core of the university by embracing the humanities and social sciences with an emphasis on ethics, integrity, citizenship and awareness of global issues.
- Undeclared
- American Studies
- Ancient History & Classical Civilization
- Anthropology
- Arabic Language & Literature
- Asian Cultures & Languages
- Asian Studies
- Classical Archaeology
- Classics
- Czech Language & Culture
- Economics
- English
- Ethnic Studies
- African & African American
- Asian American
- Mexican American - European Studies
- French
- Geography
- German
- Government
- Greek
- Hebrew Language & Literature
- History
- International Relations and Global Studies
- Islamic Studies
- Italian
- Jewish Studies
- Latin
- Latin American Studies
- Linguistics
- Middle Eastern Studies
- Persian Language & Literature
- Philosophy
- Plan II Honors Program (Admission available in fall semester only.)
- Portuguese
- Psychology (BA)
- Psychology (BS)
- Religious Studies
- Rhetoric & Writing
- Russian Language & Culture
- Russian, East European, & Eurasian Studies
- Scandinavian Studies
- Sociology
- Spanish
- Turkish Language & Literature
- Urban Studies
- Women’s and Gender Studies
Transfer applicants who are not interested in earning an undergraduate degree in the College of Liberal Arts may also apply as a Degree Holder, Nondegree Seeker.
Learn more about the College of Liberal Arts.
College of Natural Sciences
Home to nine departments and schools and 33 research units. Committed to providing a high-quality, research-based science education and creating an intellectually and scientifically enriched environment that fosters economic and technological development.
- Undeclared
- Astronomy (BA or BS)
- Biochemistry (BA or BS); Biochemistry (BS, option: Computation)
- Biology (BA)
- Biology (BS)
- Cell & Molecular Biology
- Computational Biology
- Ecology, Evolution, & Behavior
- Human Biology
- Marine & Freshwater Biology
- Microbiology
- Neurobiology
- Plant Biology
- Teaching (Specialization in Life or Specialization in Composite Science) - Chemistry
- Clinical Laboratory Science
- Computer Sciences
- Human Development & Family Sciences
- Early Childhood
- Families & Society
- General Human Development & Family Sciences
- Human Development - Human Ecology
- Mathematics
- Actuarial Science
- Applied Mathematics
- Mathematical Sciences
- Pure Mathematics
- Secondary Teaching - Nutrition
- Pre-Pharmacy
- Physics
- Computation
- Radiation Physics
- Space Sciences
- Teaching - Textiles & Apparel (Students initially enroll under Human Ecology.)
- Apparel Design & Conservation
- Retail Merchandising
Transfer applicants who are not interested in earning an undergraduate degree in the College of Natural Sciences may also apply as a Degree Holder, Nondegree Seeker or as a Degree Holder, Nondegree Seeker (pre-Pharmacy).
Learn more about the College of Natural Sciences.
Natural Sciences students initially enroll in an entry-level major. After completing some of the courses required for the degree, each student selects the major and the option he or she plans to pursue. For example, all applicants interested in a career in physics apply to the entry-level Physics major. After completing entry-level courses, the student chooses to pursue either the Bachelor of Arts in physics or the Bachelor of Science in Physics with an option in physics, computation, radiation physics, space sciences, or teaching.
School of Nursing
Major center of nursing education and research in Texas. Energized by top-quality programs, students, faculty, alumni and community support. Ranked in the top ten by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and ranked the top nursing school in the country that is not located in a health science center or medical school.
- Nursing (Pre-professional)
Learn more about the School of Nursing.
College of Pharmacy
One of the premier institutions of pharmaceutical education and research in the country. Students receive instruction in basic biomedical sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacy administration and pharmacy practice.
- Pre-Pharmacy
Transfer applicants who are not interested in earning a degree in the College of Pharmacy may also apply as a Degree Holder, Nondegree Seeker.
Learn more about the College of Pharmacy.
Entering freshmen begin the pre-pharmacy program in the College of Natural Sciences.
School of Social Work
Focuses on the education of individuals who will lead the profession in the alleviation of critical social problems, promotion of social justice and the enhancement of human well-being.
- Social Work (pre-major sequence)
Learn more about the School of Social Work.
Undergraduate Studies
Offers incoming students the opportunity to explore available programs before selecting a major. Undergraduate studies does not offer degrees. Instead, students choose core courses and electives while working with experienced advisors to prepare for transfer into undergraduate majors in the university’s other colleges and schools.
- Undeclared
Applicants undecided on a major may apply to Undeclared in Undergraduate Studies. Students will be required to declare a major outside of Undergraduate Studies before earning 60 semester hours of coursework or before completing four long semesters (fall and/or spring) in residence, whichever comes firs.
Learn more about the School of Undergraduate Studies.
Special Application and Program Requirements
Be sure to review the information about special requirements for both freshman and transfer applicants in each of the colleges and schools to make certain that you complete everything needed for an admission decision to be made.
Advising for Selected Majors
Some students pursue interests in special aspects of the major they select. Such students are able to obtain special academic advising to help them pursue their particular interests. Examples include “Prelaw” (code19), “Premedical, Predental, Preveterinary” (code14), and “Prepharmacy” (code 18).
Lists of special advising areas for each college and school are located in the “Advising and major codes” section of each semester’s Course Schedule on the Registrar’s web site.
If you are interested in special advising, fax (512-475-7478) or mail a request identifying your interest to the Office of Admissions, Attention: Special Advising. The Office of Admissions will note the request on your admissions application record. If you’re admitted, contact the special advising area to request assistance.