Beginning this Fall, the first cohort of UT students will head to New York City as part of the new UT in New York (UTNY) Program!

Come to one of three remaining information sessions to learn more about UTNY and applying to the program. The application is now open and closes on May 31.

Upcoming Info Sessions
Thursday, May 9  |  5:00 p.m.  |  DFA 1.104
Monday, May 13  |  12:00 p.m.  |  CBA 3.202
Tuesday, May 14  |  5:00 p.m.  |  BMC 5.102

UTNY_FAQs

 

 

 

 

 

 

Q: What is UTNY?
A: UTNY is an internship-first experiential learning program that provides registered UT Austin students
the opportunity to live, work and learn in one of the most dynamic metropolitan cities in the world.
Students will intern in a field related to their interests and study online with UT Austin based faculty
in courses tailored to the New York urban environment. In addition, students will also be provided
opportunities to network with New York tri-state alumni and industry leaders, as well as take part in
numerous self-led activities that will enrich their understanding of New York City throughout the term.
Supported financially by the College of Fine Arts, the McCombs Business School, the Moody College of
Communication and the Provost’s office, the program is open to any major on campus.

Q: How often is the program offered?
A: There will be three sessions offered each academic year: Spring and Fall semesters, as well as a summer
session. The sessions will generally follow the UT Austin academic calendar.

Q: Where is the application found?
A: For the Spring 2020 application period, apply using this link:
https://utdirect.utexas.edu/apps/comm/utny/

Q: How many students will be admitted to UTNY in any one semester?
A: Approximately 50 students are planned to participate in Spring 2020 program. The program is planned
to grow in future sessions.

Q: What is involved in the application process?
A: An online application for Spring 2020 will be available May 1, 2019 through May 31, 2019. A Statement
of Purpose and resume will be required as part of the application. To be eligible, students must have
completed 60 hours by the beginning of the Spring 2020 semester. This may include hours taken at
another institution that have transferred to UT Austin.

Q: When will students who apply for the Spring 2020 session and out if they have
been accepted to the program?
A: Students will be notified of the committee’s decision no later than August, 2019.

Q: What happens next for students who are accepted?
A: Admitted students must accept the offer of admission and pay a non-refundable deposit of $1,000
to secure their spot in the program. The remainder of the program fee (and UT-provided housing fee,
if applicable) will be due early in the Fall 2019 semester.

Q: How much will the UTNY program cost?
A: Participation costs will be similar to those of UT study abroad programs. Students should be prepared
to pay normal UT tuition for their academic credits/coursework, a fixed UTNY program fee, and a housing
fee should they choose to live in UTNY-contracted housing. In addition, students should budget for
necessary living expenses such as food, transportation, etc.

Q: What does the program fee cover?
A: The UTNY program fee covers operational costs of UTNY including program creation, curriculum
oversight, student support services, and experiential learning opportunities that will be available
exclusively to UTNY students throughout the semester.

Program fee (total amount): $6,000
Deposit of program fee (due upon acceptance, applied to program fee): $1,000
Housing costs (UT-contracted housing, varies depending on semester, you may opt to find your own housing): $6,000 – $9,000 (depending on the semester of participation)
Tuition (same as full-time tuition in Austin, amount varies by college, billed directly by University): Approximately $5,500 for Texas residents
Books, personal expenses, transportation (including travel to/from New York): Estimated $3,250
Food (some meals included in program fee): Estimated $1,400
Total for program (UT-provided housing): Estimated $22,150 – $25,150

Q: How do students seek financial assistance?
A: Students may apply to the Office of Financial Aid for assistance; similar to study abroad programs,
a student’s financial aid package may be adjusted to cover the additional cost of attending UTNY.
Scholarship support for UTNY may also be available.
The UTNY contact in Financial Aid is Christine Gauger: (CM.GAUGER@austin.utexas.edu).

Q: Are scholarships available?
A: Yes, there are scholarships available for studying in New York. UTNY students may be able to apply
for many of the scholarships offered by each college each semester as if they were studying in Austin.
Some colleges also have scholarship money available specifically dedicated to UTNY students. Scholarship
questions should be directed to the scholarship administration personnel in the student’s home college.

Q: Can I withdraw from the program if I change my mind?
A: Students can withdraw from the program at any time, but will be held financially responsible for all
fees incurred per the semester timeline.

Q: Where do students live?
A: UTNY has contracted with Education Housing Services (EHS) for fully-furnished, double occupancy
dormitory-style rooms located in Brooklyn Heights, a short subway ride from Manhattan. The facility,
which serves nearly 85 universities and colleges across the country, offers high-speed internet, TV, cable
and phone service in each room. In addition, the facility has a common kitchen, meeting rooms, workout
facilities, laundry and 24-hour security. Students can opt out of EHS housing and acquire alternative living
arrangements on their own. Students who opt out of EHS housing will be required to provide proof of area
residency, their phone number and emergency contact information.

Q: What courses/credits will be offered?
A: The UTNY experience will consist of a cross-college seminar titled “Leadership & Urban Engagement”
taken by all UTNY program students, an elective course and a 3- or 6-hour internship course that will be
offered by the student’s home college/department (or another college, by special arrangement). UTNY designated
elective courses will be available to all students enrolled in the UTNY program, regardless of
major or prerequisites. The elective courses that will most likely be offered in the Spring 2019 term are CMS 327 – Urban
Communication and MKT 320F – Principles of Marketing, although course offerings are subject to change.

Q: Who teaches the classes?
A: For Spring 2020, classes are planned to be taught online by UT Austin faculty, providing students
ultimate schedule flexibility. UTNY has applied to the New York State Education Department to provide
classroom instruction in New York City. The application is in review and once approved, classes will be
scheduled to be held in Manhattan. Once approved, industry professionals, sector experts and academic
scholars will be selected to assist in teaching classes based on curriculum and under the supervision of UT
academic leadership. Instructors will emphasize theory and practice based on their respective professional
experience.

Q: What will the classes/course schedule look like while participating in the program?
A: In most cases, students will take six hours of internship credit within their respective major, COM
340/F A 345/MAN 340 – Leadership and Urban Engagement, aka the common course, and three additional
hours of UTNY-approved elective coursework.

Q: Can students register for UT online courses while participating in the program?
A: Yes, so long as the course is accessible from NYC and the student is enrolled in the required amount
of UTNY-specific credits. For Spring 2020, students must register for an internship course for credit and
Leadership and Urban Engagement (aka the common course) at minimum.
For questions pertaining to the application process, admissions, housing and program costs
please contact Jeffrey Marsh (jmarsh@austin.utexas.edu), UTNY Senior Program Coordinator,
for more information.

Q: Will the coursework and internship credits count toward a student’s degree?
A: While degree applicability varies based on major, most UTNY program courses and internships will
earn credit towards their degree. Students should discuss details with their academic advisor in advance
of enrollment in the program.

Q: How do students secure an internship?
A: Students will secure their own internship with the assistance of UTNY staff based in Austin and in
New York, as well as their college’s career services office. Students will be required to upload a resume
and cover letter after they are accepted into the program. They will develop an outreach plan with the
assistance of an Austin-based UTNY internship coordinator. Utilizing public job boards, personal contacts
and the UTNY internship database, students will secure an internship via the standard procedure for
arranging internships in their home college or school. Students may locate internship opportunities
on their own; however, they must discuss the internship with their academic advisor prior to attending
UTNY in order to ensure that the internship credits count towards their degree requirements.
Additionally, it is the student’s responsibility to confirm that they meet the prerequisites for the
internship course in order to register and earn credit. Students enrolling in a 6-hour internship will
work approximately 300 – 350 hours at their internship over the course of the time they are working
in New York.

Q: Can a student enroll in a 3-hour internship course?
A: While students are encouraged to enroll in a 6-hour internship credit, 3-hour internships are
acceptable if the proper number of work/contact hours cannot be arranged.

Q: What happens if a student cannot find an internship?
A: Students will have the support of the UTNY Senior Program Coordinator in Austin, the UTNY
Program Manager in New York City and their academic department internship coordinators in
securing an internship, but ultimately it is up to the student to secure the internship required to
participate in the program.
For questions UTNY internships please contact Rosemary Lara, Senior Program Coordinator at
rosemary.lara@austin.utexas.edu.

Q: What kind of experiential activities can be expected?
A: Activities vary by semester and by course requirement. All activities are designed to maximize
New York City as a virtual classroom and may include scheduled visits to art museums, notable
landmarks, entertainment venues, businesses, historical areas, sports venues and the like. Students
will also participate in forums, professional events and seminars deemed appropriate by academic
and program leaders.

Q: Why is there currently no website for the program?
A: The University of Texas has applied to the New York State Board of Education for approval to teach
in a traditional classroom environment. Upon approval, the program will reactivate the website.

Q: Who do I talk to about this program?
A: Questions about how UTNY classes apply toward your degree should be directed to the academic
advisor in your major/college.
General questions about UTNY program rules, policy, etc. should be directed to utny@austin.utexas.edu.