Frequently Asked Questions
about Admission, Re-Admission, and Registration

I'm getting ready to submit my application materials to UTA; what should I remember to do so as not to delay the processing of my application?

First of all, you should check the Graduate School's "Admission Center" for information: http://grad.uta.edu/leftMenuPages/admissions.asp. The most frequent problems that will delay your application are:

Applying late. Check deadlines! If you submit your application after the published deadline, we can't guarantee that you'll be accepted in enough time to take classes.
No Application Fee. Even if you have submitted an application, it won't be processed until you have submitted the required application fee. (Many students are forgetting to do this, especially those who apply on-line.)
Unofficial transcripts. All transcripts sent as part of your application file must be sent directly to the UTA Graduate School from the institution issuing the transcript. A transcript that arrives at UTA indirectly (e.g. from you) – even if it's in a sealed envelope – will likely be rejected by the Graduate School.
Invalid transcripts. All transcripts must be in English or accompanied by a certified translation.

I've already applied to UTA but haven't received a reply yet. Is my application being processed?

Once you have submitted the application, application fee, transcripts and departmental requirements (recommendation letters, GRE scores, statement of academic and career goals) it will take several weeks for the applicaton materials to be processed. After your application has been assessed, you will receive a letter and email from the Graduate School stating the admisison decision .

Are there time limits to completing my degree at UTA? If so, how long do I have?

Yes, there are limits.

If you're an MA student, you have six academic years from the time you begin. This time limit includes any time that you might have interrupted your studies. (For example, if you began in the fall semester of 1998, you have until May 2004 to finish your MA.)
If you're a PhD student, the situation is a bit more complicated. There is no limit on completing your coursework and preparing your dissertation proposal. Once you have passed your dissertation proposal defense (which, at the Graduate School, is officially called your "Doctoral Comprehensive Exam and Advancement to Candidacy"), you have four years to complete your dissertation.

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FAQs about Re-admission

I have already been accepted into the UTA Graduate School, but I didn't take any courses for at least one long semester (fall or spring). Having been out of school for at least one semester, I'm ready to come back. Is there anything I need to do?

YES! You must complete an application for readmission. This form. which is available from the UTA Graduate School, should be submitted to the Grad School Office at least 60 days before you plan to return. Failure to submit an application for readmission in a timely manner may mean that you won't be able to register for classes.

Are there time limits to completing my degree at UTA? If so, how long do I have?

Yes, there are limits.

If you're an MA student, you have six academic years from the time you begin. This time limit includes any time that you might have interrupted your studies. (For example, if you began in the fall semester of 1998, you have until May 2004 to finish your MA.)
If you're a PhD student, the situation is a bit more complicated. There is no limit on completing your coursework and preparing your dissertation proposal. Once you have passed your dissertation proposal defense (which, at the Graduate School, is officially called your "Doctoral Comprehensive Exam and Advancement to Candidacy"), you have four years to complete your dissertation.

I've been away from school for a while and it appears that I am going to exceed the official time limits. Can I get an extension?

Perhaps. You can file a petition to the Linguistics Graduate Faculty to request an extension. Consult with the appropriate graduate advisor before proceeding.

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FAQs about Registration

I've tried to register for classes but I can't. MyMav is telling me that I need advising. Is there a problem?

No, there's no problem. Each semester, every graduate student must be "cleared for registration" by the appropriate graduate advisor. By requiring you to contact the graduate advisor before you sign up for courses, the university helps to ensure that you progress through your program of study in an appropriate manner. You can be cleared for registration by contacting your graduate advisor by e-mail or by telephone. Linguistics MA students should contact Professor Laurel Stvan; TESOL students should contact Professor Laurel Stvanr; and Ph.D. Students should contact Professor Jerold Edmonson. (Note that during the summer months, advisors may be different – if you're not sure, contact the person listed above and your request will be forwarded appropriately.) To telephone the advisors, call metro 817-272-3133.

I'm a thesis/dissertation student and I need to register for LING 5398, LING 6391, or LING 6991. I don't see the course on the schedule, though. What do I do?

All one-on-one courses (e.g. dissertation proposal, MA thesis, etc.) are not pre-loaded into the schedule; rather, they are added individually as needed. You must first get the approval of the person who will oversee the course (your dissertation/thesis advisor). Then write a short memo to Sharleston in the LING Office (showells@uta.edu) and ask her to add a section of LING XXXX for the YYYYY semester with Professor So-and-So as the instructor. Your request will then be forwarded to the UTA Registration Center for processing. Once processed (about 24 hours later), the course will appear on the inventory with a unique number. Now you're ready to register (provided that you've been cleared – see the previous question).

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THIS IS A NEW PAGE AND WILL BE UPDATED AS MORE QUESTIONS ARISE.

IF YOU HAVE QUESTION TO ADD, E-MAIL Laurel Stvan.

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