The Freshman Research Initiative (FRI) engages first-year students in real-world research experiences with UT faculty and scientists. Each year, more than 1000 undergraduates explore unanswered questions in STEM fields to uncover new knowledge and develop innovative technologies in 30 faculty-led research groups. FRI has become a national model for science education, as students are more likely to complete STEM degrees and graduate better prepared to pursue advanced degrees or industry jobs.

The Game Development and Design (GDAD) Program exists to graduate career-ready designers, developers and leaders in the game, AR/VR, and creative media industries, both in Texas and around the world. The GDAD Program is one of the top undergraduate game development programs in the U.S. We are merging the intellectual and creative powers of The University of Texas at Austin’s Arts and Entertainment Technologies, Computer Science, and Radio-Television-Film departments.

Global Career Launch supports faculty with an established relationship at a university or an industry partner abroad to serve as faculty director to lead and supporting cohorts of up to 10 UT students as they intern or conduct research with said collaborator/institution. Interdisciplinarity is encouraged and the faculty’s research or teaching does not need to align with students’ internships. Research and internships focused on entrepreneurship and innovation are invited to apply.

Graduate students and postdoctoral fellows can meet confidentially with a graduate-specific career advisor from Texas Career Engagement to discuss navigating internships with startups. Receive personalized feedback and support on finding internships, developing application materials, preparing for interviews, and setting internship goals.

The Harkey Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies is the corner of Main and Main for all undergraduate entrepreneurs at the University of Texas. We support interdisciplinary education and enriched extra-curricular experiences for students at any stage in their entrepreneurial journey. From the Entrepreneurship Minor, to the Undergraduate Mentor Program, there is a resource to get you to your next step.

Home to Texas is a summer internship and workforce development program that facilitates UT undergraduates with well-paid internships and sociology research experiences designed to help them understand the underlying values of their home communities. The IC² Institute has partnered with UT Austin School of Undergraduate Studies and Texas Career Engagement for the program, matching early undergraduate students from all majors with employers in their hometowns as interns/researchers.

The Innovation, Creativity & Entrepreneurship Certificate helps students develop skills to bring creative thinking and an entrepreneurial mindset to their goals, whether they’re interested in turning their ideas into a new venture, being part of a startup team, or bringing new ideas to established organizations. Through interdisciplinary coursework and research or internships, students gain skills including idea generation, design/prototyping, problem-solving, pitching ideas, and collaboration.

The master of arts degree in Human Dimensions of Organizations is for mid-career professionals who are interested in learning about the application of the humanities and social/behavioral sciences to their work lives. We work with full and associate faculty to teach a variety of courses. Faculty are paid an overload for teaching in this program. UT staff are welcome additions to our cohort.

The Kendra Scott Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute (KS WELI) supports creatives, founders, leaders, and allies by redefining leadership and entrepreneurship. KS WELI equips and empowers students of all backgrounds through engaging programming and events, spotlighting women-led businesses through the FoundHER Program, and sponsoring interdisciplinary courses within the McCombs Entrepreneurship Minor. Since its founding, KS WELI has become a force on UT’s campus to grow and support the number of women-owned and women-led businesses.

One of the fastest growing minors in the Moody College of Communication, the Media and Entertainment Industries minor encourages students to critically assess and analyze the media and technology sectors from industrial and entrepreneurial perspectives. Our students are trained to think like entrepreneurs—to learn from the innovative thinking of historical media magnates and digital content creators alike—as well as apply those skills in a variety of experiential learning courses and assignments.