Human Ecology
Within the School of Human Ecology are programs in public health, textiles and apparel, nutrition and human development and family sciences.
Science-Based, Human-Focused
Researchers and educators in UT Austin’s School of Human Ecology focus on improving people’s quality of life. They do so by investigating and probing topics that lie at the heart of basic and enduring human experiences across time, place and life circumstances. From the food we eat, to the relationships we nurture, from the textiles that protect and clothe us to the health practices our communities adopt, our modern world demands new understanding of age-old human experiences.
I learned at UT that, whatever you want to do in life, do it—and you don't have to do it alone. There are so many people and avenues in and outside of the classroom to learn from.”
Alex Cao
Textiles and Apparel
Experiences & Careers
At the heart of the experience of learning in the School of Human Ecology is hands-on discovery. Students take unique internships and participate in specialized programs for their majors, like UT in NYC for fashion-design learners studying textiles and apparel or going abroad and doing research related to public health for majors in that discipline. Depending on their major, students go on to careers in business, education, healthcare or industry, and some enter professional school or graduate school. Recent grads have jobs like:
- Medical doctor
- Creative services coordinator
- Health community outreach coordinator
- Health policy associate
- Fashion designer
- Clinical data specialist
Explore Stories
Students in the School of Human Ecology make research presentations, do video-making, conduct lab research, participate in community initiatives and secure internships. Our students frequently get to apply what they learn from textbooks or in class to real-world situations and problems.
Internship experiences that count
Technology, textiles and Student ambassadorS
Study & Learn
In the School of Human Ecology, students may pursue a major in the Department of Nutritional Sciences, the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences (HDFS) or the Public Health program or Division of Textiles and Apparel. Below is information about the public health and textiles and apparel degrees available to undergraduates. Navigate to the preceding links for nutrition and HDFS majors.
Find Public Health information and examples of courses
Find Textile and Apparel information and examples of courses
Evidence and Inquiry
Evidence and Inquiry
Pre-Health Professions
Non-Science Major Track. Students outside of the College of Natural Sciences only.
Pre-Health Professions
Science Major Track
Public Health: Option 1
Public Health: Option 2
Public Health: Option 3
Robotics Minor
Robotics Minor
Statistics and Data Science Minor
Statistics and Data Science Minor
Textiles & Apparel
Human Ecology News
UT News
Ready to Change the World: Dat Duong
Dat Duong, a 2025 graduate from the College of Natural Sciences, made key contributions while studying in the UT School of Human Ecology.
