The Cockrell School is aware that some graduate students start families while enrolled in our graduate programs. To aid these graduate students in balancing their scholarly and parenting responsibilities, the Cockrell School provides accommodation for childbirth, new-born care and adoption to qualifying graduate students.
We offer five types of accommodations for graduate students with growing families. These accommodations are available to full-time, enrolled Cockrell School graduate students (enrolled for at least nine credit hours each long semester and three hours in summer) who are in good academic standing. The accommodations are available to students who experience a childbirth (either who give birth or whose spouse or partner gives birth) or who adopt a child. It is the responsibility of a graduate student anticipating a birth or adoption to inform his or her graduate advisor and research supervisor of any anticipated accommodation needs as early as possible.
1. Academic Accommodations
Eligible students are allowed a one-semester extension of the academic milestones required to fulfill the requirements of their degree. The extension includes coursework, qualifying exams, committee meetings, presentations and any other required academic responsibilities. The extension may be taken either during or immediately following the semester in which the student’s child is born or adopted. After an accommodation period, students are expected to resume progress toward degree completion, and faculty are encouraged to remain flexible in their expectations so that students can meet the demands of graduate study while adjusting to new demands in their parental roles.
2. Teaching Assistant (TA) Accommodations
The Cockrell School strongly encourages departments to provide non-TA/AI support for graduate students during the semester in which a child is born or adopted. If this cannot be done, new parents may request to be appointed to TA positions whose duties can be done in flexible environments and on flexible schedules. Flexibility regarding the distribution of specific TA duties within a semester is strongly encouraged for supervisors of students anticipating the birth or adoption of a child. The student and graduate advisor (or other supervisor) should agree to review these TA duties on a periodic schedule to ensure that work is being completed in a timely and satisfactory manner. A TA whose accommodations include performing at least some duties away from campus should review University guidelines regarding telecommuting and may be asked to sign a Telecommuting Agreement.
3. Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) Accommodations
Some graduate students may be able to carry out modified research duties following the birth or adoption of a child – thereby continuing progress towards the goals of their research, meeting the requirements of the external funding agency and remaining in compliance for reporting efforts on federal grants, if appropriate. (Modified duties may include: scholarly research and literature compilations, data processing and analysis, scientific writing, or preparation of other scientific communication materials). Students should check with their program’s graduate advisor and graduate coordinator for information and discuss the feasibility of an accommodation with their supervising professor.
4. Cockrell School of Engineering Alternative Duty Accommodations
If graduate students appointed as TAs or GRAs cannot be accommodated by departments or research projects as outlined in Provisions 2 and 3 above, they may apply to the Cockrell School's Academic Affairs Office for a funded six-week alternative duties accommodation during the semester in which a child is born or adopted. The nature of the alternative duties will be determined in collaboration with the student’s supervising professor.
5. Parental Leave
In some cases, a complete break from all employment responsibilities may be most appropriate for new graduate student parents (Authorization for Leave of Absence). Benefits-eligible graduate student employees who continue to meet eligibility requirements for employment are entitled to Parental Leave of up to twelve weeks following the birth of a child or an adoption or foster-care placement of a child under age three. This leave is unpaid, and – unless the student qualifies for leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) – employee health insurance premium sharing is unavailable for any full month of leave (see the Human Resources Parental Leave webpage. Please see your department’s graduate advisor or graduate coordinator for assistance.
Application Requirements
After consulting with their supervising professor, students must apply in writing to their graduate advisor for a parental accommodation. If the graduate advisor determines that a Cockrell School of Engineering Alternative Duty Accommodation (Provision 4) is needed, a written request must route through the department chair to the associate dean of academic affairs.
Notes
As with all academic employee appointments, future financial support is contingent upon satisfactory academic progress as defined by the student's GSC and satisfactory job performance as defined by the employing unit.
International students may have to satisfy additional obligations in provisions 2–5 above and are strongly encouraged to consult in advance with the International Office about possible visa implications.
In the event that a student’s request for accommodation is denied, the student may appeal to the dean of engineering, who will consider the appeal in coordination with the Cockrell School's Human Resources staff.
If medical conditions indicate that additional accommodations may be necessary, students should contact Services for Disabilities and Access and the Center for Access and Restorative Engagement to determine what additional accommodations are reasonable.
The Cockrell School of Engineering currently offers the following certificate program for graduate students:
Graduate Certificate in Engineering Education
The Graduate Certificate in Engineering Education is designed for graduate students interested in pursuing engineering faculty positions upon graduation. This certificate program will prepare students for the instructional aspects of a faculty career and increase their competitiveness for faculty jobs. Courses are active, discussion-based and focused on applying research on learning to the engineering pedagogy.
Learn More
Mechanical Engineering Controls Graduate Certificate
The Mechanical Engineering Controls Graduate Certificate is designed for working mechanical and petroleum engineers who want to boost their skills in the control and optimization of processes and systems and feature courses in statistical methods; modeling, simulation and control; and automatic control.
Learn More
Semiconductor Processes and Devices Graduate Certificate
The Semiconductor Processes and Devices Graduate Certificate is designed for professionals working in the semiconductor industry wanting to increase their knowledge and skills. It is also a strategic option for those seeking to transition from other technology fields into the semiconductor industry.
Learn More
Our M.S. and Ph.D. programs are multidisciplinary and wide-ranging. We encourage prospective graduate students to explore options based on their research and academic interests and connect with program faculty advisors and coordinators as well as individual faculty members in your area of interest.
Aerospace Engineering
In aerospace engineering, students have the opportunity to work in the following areas of study: aerothermodynamics and fluid dynamics; solids, structures and materials; controls, autonomy and robotics; and orbital mechanics. Our graduates go on to pursue careers as engineers, scientists, inventors, astronauts, administrators and leaders in the field of aerospace engineering.
Programs offered:
Biomedical Engineering
Students in the biomedical engineering graduate program grow and build interdisciplinary knowledge in areas of regenerative medicine, cellular and biomolecular biomechanics, computational simulation, imaging technologies and more, including cross-disciplinary collaborations with medical practitioners in UT's Dell Medical School.
Programs offered:
Chemical Engineering
In chemical engineering, students work alongside world-renowned faculty in a wide array of areas such as energy, process engineering, biotechnology, nanotechnology and advanced materials, helping to develop groundbreaking technologies such as glucose monitoring devices, step-and-flash imprint lithography and antibody therapies for cancer.
Program offered:
Civil Engineering
The complex problems surrounding the nexus of cities, water and energy demand that engineers have increased breadth and depth of knowledge. The civil engineering program provides students with the educational background and teamwork needed to innovate future solutions, technologies and sustainable systems.
Programs offered:
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Electrical and computer engineering students can choose from nine academic tracks tailored to their research area of interest, including architecture, computer systems and embedded systems; electromagnetics and acoustics; solid-state electronics; and decision, information and communications engineering.
Programs offered:
Engineering Management
The engineering management M.S. degree is designed for working professionals. It prepares engineers to move into management, better manage large engineering projects and adapt to business challenges with innovative problem-solving skills. The hybrid program (online and in-person) combines a core management curriculum with engineering technical courses to address the growing demand for highly-skilled engineers with strong business acumen.
Program offered:
Engineering Mechanics
Students in the engineering mechanics work with faculty who have a range of expertise in experimental, theoretical and computational mechanics. Graduates of this program are equipped to solve technical problems in a variety of fields including aerospace, automotive, petroleum, manufacturing and computer engineering.
Programs offered:
Environmental and Water Resources Engineering
In environmental and water resources engineering, a broad discipline dedicated to addressing environmental issues in air, water and soil, students work in various sub-disciplines, such as water quality engineering, water resources engineering, outdoor and indoor air quality engineering, ocean engineering and hazardous waste management.
Programs offered:
Materials Science and Engineering
Students in the materials science and engineering program study core materials subjects while also developing depth within a specific area that cuts across multiple areas of science and engineering. Research areas include nanomaterials, clean energy materials and general materials.
Programs offered:
Mechanical Engineering
The mechanical engineering program educates and advances the next generation of mechanical engineering leaders, innovators who will transform energy, materials and information to meet the needs of society. Students work in areas such as manufacturing and design, acoustics, biomechanical engineering and dynamic systems and control.
Programs offered:
Operations Research and Industrial Engineering
Through coursework and research, students in operations research and industrial engineering will develop the technical, analytical and managerial skills in modeling, risk-assessment, data analytics, computational methods and many other areas necessary to succeed in a variety of fields.
Petroleum Engineering
Students in the petroleum engineering program join from a variety of undergraduate degrees and training that can be applied in 12 research areas spanning enhanced oil recovery, drilling and completions, geologic carbon storage, natural gas engineering and unconventional resources.
Programs offered:
Semiconductor Science and Engineering
The semiconductor science and engineering graduate program prepares students to enter the semiconductor workforce by teaching marketable skills in semiconductor cleanrooms, familiarity with standard semiconductor fabrication and metrology equipment, understanding of how common semiconductor devices work, experience performing independent research and writing technical reports.
Programs offered:
Software Engineering
The software engineering executive M.S. degree equips software engineers with the knowledge and skills to take on engineering leadership positions. The curriculum focuses on current and emerging software systems and project management techniques. Classes take place on-site one weekend per month.
Programs offered:
The Graduate Certificate in Engineering Education is designed for graduate students interested in pursuing engineering faculty positions upon graduation. This certificate program will prepare students for the instructional aspects of a faculty career and increase their competitiveness for faculty jobs. Courses are active, discussion-based and focused on applying research on learning to the engineering pedagogy.
Graduate students seeking this certificate will gain experience in teaching undergraduate engineering courses, learn more about research on teaching and learning, develop their own ideas and philosophy on teaching and create materials that will help in their faculty job search.
Certificate Requirements
- 3 credits: Teaching Engineering (ME/CE 398T)1 or Knowing and Learning in STEM Education (STM 385)2
- 3 credits: Curriculum Design and Assessment in Engineering (ME 398S)3
- 3 credits: Elective in education or engineering education
- 6 credits: Teaching Practicum (ME 698P)
- 1 credit: Teaching Portfolio Prep (ME 198P)
16 credits total
Certificate credits may also be counted toward your degree, with permission from your graduate advisor.
1Offered every spring
2Offered every fall
3Offered every fall
Process
Students must complete the Graduate Certificate in Engineering Education Reporting Form and turn it into the Graduate School in MAI 101 in the semester in which they are completing the requirements and graduating.
Center for Engineering Education
The Center for Engineering Education in the Cockrell School of Engineering conducts research on learning and retention and puts the results into practice for UT Austin students. The center focuses on developing high school engineering curricula, improving undergraduate education, preparing graduate students for faculty positions and training faculty to be change leaders. Learn more
Each of the Cockrell School's graduate engineering programs has a faculty advisor and administrative coordinator who are available to answer questions about a program and provide more information about what we're looking for in prospective graduate students. Learn more by contacting the following people:
Aerospace Engineering
Advisor:
Coordinator:
Biomedical Engineering
Advisor:
Coordinator:
Chemical Engineering
Advisor (new/incoming students): Adrianne Rosales
Advisor (current students): Thomas Truskett
Coordinator:
Civil Engineering
Advisor:
Coordinator:
Computational Science, Engineering and Mathematics (Affiliated Program)
Coordinator:
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Advisor:
Assistant Advisor:
Coordinator (new/prospective students):
Coordinator (current students):
Engineering Management (Weekend/Hybrid Program)
Advisor:
Coordinator:
Engineering Mechanics
Advisor:
Coordinator:
Environmental and Water Resources Engineering
Advisor:
Coordinator:
Materials Science and Engineering
Advisor:
Coordinator:
Mechanical Engineering
Advisor:
Assistant Advisor:
Coordinator (prospective students):
Coordinator (current students): Kelly Frazer
Mechanical Engineering (Online Program)
Advisor:
Coordinator:
Operations Research and Industrial Engineering
Advisor:
Coordinator (prospective students):
Coordinator (current students): Kelly Frazer
Petroleum Engineering
Advisor:
Coordinator:
Semiconductor Science and Engineering
Advisor:
Coordinator:
Software Engineering (Weekend Program)
Advisor:
Coordinator:
