Ph.D. in Advertising

You must submit the following to the Graduate and International Admissions Center (GIAC): 

1. Online Application: A completed and submitted Electronic Online Admissions application. This application should be submitted as soon as possible even if other data and documents are to follow.
2. Three Letters of Reference: Three letters of reference from academic or professional sources. Reference contact information will be submitted online as part of your online application. Once you submit your complete application, an online recommendation form will be sent to each recommender to fill out. You may confirm receipt of your letters, send reminders to your references, or add a new reference via the recommendation module on the online status check. 
3. Statement or Essay: A statement of purpose or short essay (no more than 2-3 pages double spaced) defining and discussing goals in pursuing graduate work in advertising, intended research areas, and previous training, education and preparation
4. Optional GRE Score: An optional report from Educational Testing Service of the required GRE. An official report from Educational Testing Service of the required TOEFL or EILTS Examination for non native English speakers.
5. Official Transcripts: Transcripts of undergraduate and graduate work at all schools previously attended. All transcripts must be uploaded electronically following Graduate School Directions.
6. Official Resume: A resume in PDF format describing work background or professional experience, if any. Your resume can be uploaded to your admissions record shortly after you submit your application. You will receive an acknowledgment email from the Graduate and International Admissions Center (GIAC) once your documents can be uploaded.

Details about the application procedure are available in the Graduate Brochure.  Our applicant evaluation process is holistic and will consider all components of your application materials. The code for The University of Texas at Austin is 6882. International applicants must submit the required, official TOEFL or IELTS score. View more information on TOEFL scores.

The admissions deadline for Ph.D. applicants for Fall 2025 is January 15, 2025.

We admit new students for the fall semester only. Please refer to the Graduate Handbook for detailed information on admission procedures. Apply Now using the Graduate School Application for Admission to begin your application. 

Fall 2025 Ph.D. admission decisions will be available before March 15, 2025.

GPA: UT Austin requires a minimum GPA of 3.0

GRE: Optional

TOEFL: Applicants whose first language is not English must submit scores from the TOEFL exam. https://gradschool.utexas.edu/admissions/how-to-apply/graduate-admission#TestScores

• Letters of Reference - contact information will be submitted online as part of your application for three references.
• Statement of Purpose - a short essay defining and discussing goals, intended research areas, and previous training/education/experience.
• Official Resume - once your application is uploaded and acknowledged by the Graduate and International Admissions, upload your resume.

The time needed to complete a Ph.D. is varied. Some or most of the coursework taken during the master's program may be counted toward the Ph.D., depending upon how applicable a course is to the student's area of study. On average, most students take about 4 years to complete their Ph.D. program.

All students must complete a basic marketing course and a basic statistics course prior to their first semester in the program.

To be eligible for graduate study at The University of Texas at Austin, you should satisfy the following requirements: 

1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or proof of equivalent training at a foreign institution.  
2. At least 3.0 grade-point average in all undergraduate upper-division work (junior & senior). 
3. OPTIONAL A satisfactory score on the Graduate Record Examinations General Test (GRE) is not required. We DO NOT accept the GMAT. 
4. Written and oral English skills must be sufficient, at the outset of the program, for participation and contribution in classes and all written work. Non-native English speaking applicants  must submit either a TOEFL or an IELTS exam score.  

Admission materials are important for identifying applicants who possess an appropriate level of English. The statement of purpose, for example, indicates not only the applicant’s goals and training, among other things, but also the applicant’s written communication ability. 

The Graduate School provides a limited number of university fellowships to graduate students. Fellowships are awarded competitively on the basis of three main criteria, as represented in records, letters of recommendation, and GRE scores. Financial need is considered where academic merit is equal. There is no formal application for fellowships; you will automatically be nominated if you meet the criteria.

The Graduate School offers Preemptive Fellowships to attract new top-quality graduate students to the University. A University-devised formula is used to determine eligibility. These fellowships are for recruitment only and all applicants with completed files are automatically considered.

The Moody College of Communication scholarship application is open each January to admitted and continuing students. Students do not need to apply for each scholarship individually. By completing the application, students are considered for any of the scholarships for which they are eligible. 

Visit the Moody College of Communication Scholarship Application website for application information.

If you present at a recognized conference, you may submit an application for support form. Two things will determine the amount of the support: the amount of money available and the number of students presenting. In the past, the amount has been $500 per student each year. Please attach the abstract and proof of conference acceptance to the application. Submit all paperwork to the Graduate Coordinator at least two weeks prior to the conference. 

The Stan Richards School of Advertising & Public Relations awards a very limited number of graduate teaching assistantships. Ph.D. students are given priority and are guaranteed funding for the first three years of study. 

If you have an interest in a Teaching Assistant position, please fill out a TA/AI electronic application. The deadline for the Fall and Summer semesters is March 27, with both applications opening on March 13. The Spring semester application will open on October 11 with the deadline being October 20.

For more information review the Teaching/Graduate Assistant/Assistant Instructor Hiring Policy.

Inquiries about other financial assistance, such as loans and work/study opportunities, should be directed to The Office of Student Financial Services.