Texas Honors Electrical and Computer Engineering & Business is an integrated degree program at The University of Texas at Austin that allows you to earn degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering and Business in a shorter time. Texas ECB provides a world class education, countless opportunities and a tight-knit student community.
Application Instructions
UT Austin accepts the Common Application.
To apply to Texas ECB, you must:
- Complete the requirements to apply for admission to UT Austin. Select Unspecified Business and ECE as your first and second choice majors (first choice major should be the one you are most interested in). Students must select a combination of Unspecified Business (McCombs School of Business) and ECE (Cockrell School of Engineering) for their major choices to be considered for Texas ECB. Test scores (SAT or ACT) are required.
- After you select in your application Unspecified Business and ECE for you majors to UT Austin, you will be able to access the honors essay prompts later in the application.
- Designate Texas ECB as one of your honors choices by replying to the provided prompt. Students may also apply to either Canfield Business Honors or ECE Honors, depending on which major is their first choice. Students must select Unspecified Business as their first choice major to be reviewed for Canfield BHP in addition to Texas ECB. Students must select ECE as their first choice major to be reviewed for ECE Honors in addition to Texas ECB.
- All students admitted to Texas ECB are members of both Canfield Business Honors and ECE Honors.
- Once your application is complete, you will have access to your MyStatus page after ~24-48 hours. Use this page to upload your expanded resume, required for Texas ECB consideration. Students may also upload their documents via the CommonApp.
- Submit a letter of recommendation from an academic source (teacher, professor, etc.), required for Texas ECB consideration.
- Please note that you must use the Document Upload System in MyStatus, which will email your recommender to submit their recommendation to us directly or provide a letter via the CommonApp recommender portal.
- Students entering Texas ECB MUST be ready for M 408D and have M 408C credit. This link can provide test information for M 408C credit or credit for M 408K + M 408L (Calc I and II) at a community college/university. Proof of M 408C completion/enrollment equivalency can be provided in the UT Austin application or honors materials. Current enrollment in AP Calculus AB/BC, IB HL, or dual credit courses satisfy the requirement for application consideration. Students must have M 408C credit on their academic record before the start of their first fall term.
Applications are open from August 1 - December 1. Students are encouraged to apply by October 15th.
Want to learn more?
Texas ECB staff provide virtual information sessions to review the program, discuss how to apply, and answer any questions prospective students may have regarding the program.
Monthly information sessions can be found here, "Technology + Business at Texas", under McCombs School of Business or the Cockrell School of Engineering.
Contact: TexasECB@ece.utexas.edu
Admissions FAQ
How does the application process work?
Applicants are evaluated holistically. This means there are no cut-offs or minimums. We look at all aspects of the application. We are looking for students who are not only strong academically, but are engaged and have taken on leadership roles. We look for students that have demonstrated a passion for computer science and technology outside of the classroom. We will also review the essay and short-answer questions they submitted for their application, as well as letters of recommendation, and an expanded resume.
To begin, students must APPLY for admission to UT Austin.
Select Unspecified Business and Electrical and Computer Engineering as your majors—the first choice major should be the one that you are most interested in. Indicate your interest in an honors program and complete the prompts for Texas ECB. Once your application is complete you will have access to MyStatus where you can upload your required expanded resume and letter of recommendation from a teacher. We accept documents via CommonApp.
What type of student are you looking for?
Are you a leader at your high school? Have you challenged yourself by taking the most difficult classes available in your community and mastering them? Do you go above and beyond to succeed inside and outside of the classroom? Have you demonstrated a passion for entrepreneurship and innovation? These are some of the questions we ask our high achieving future students. Grades and standardized test scores are extremely important to the process, as is leadership and extracurricular activities. Students should report all test scores available in their application and expanded resume. Students do not need to have extensive knowledge in a particular field of engineering, programming or business to be well qualified.
What makes Texas ECB unique?
Texas ECB offers small classes that focus on discussion and presentation, group collaboration, and analytical exercises. The program combines two top ranked programs—the McCombs School of Business, and The Chandra Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. The Texas ECB curriculum challenges students to develop deep knowledge in both disciplines for business and ECE. The program’s integrated curriculum allows students to complete their degrees in four years while providing robust programming and networking with fellow students. Dedicated advisors and career coaches provide students with personalized attention and unique opportunities. Students learn from not only esteemed professors and industry leaders, but also from each other.
Will I be considered for admission to other honors programs if I am not admitted to Texas ECB?
Applicants who list “Unspecified Business” as their first choice major have the opportunity to apply for admission to the Canfield Business Honors Program. Applicants who list “Electrical and Computer Engineering” as their first choice major have the opportunity to apply for admission to the ECE Honors program.
Applicants must also submit prompt responses to these honors programs to be considered.
Students who are denied to honors at UT Austin are at NO DISADVANTAGE for regular admission and are still fully reviewed for Business and ECE majors.
Is UT affordable compared to other top universities?
Cost is a big factor for most students. When comparing scholarship and financial aid awards, it is important to look carefully at the net cost of each school and think about what you are getting for that amount. UT Austin is consistently recognized as one of the best value universities for the money invested. In addition, McCombs has one of the top career services offices in the nation. This means that students aren’t just getting an education; they are also getting the resources they need to land the jobs they want.
What does the October 15 Early Action deadline mean?
This optional deadline will require UT Austin application submission by October 15, with a guaranteed decision regarding their university admission communicated to applicants by January 15. The regular deadline for applications will remain December 1, with a guaranteed decision communicated by February 15.
Texas ECB will notify students of their program decision by March 1.
Students applying for Texas ECB and other honors programs at UT Austin are strongly encouraged to complete their application by October 15.
Students who are not admitted to UT Austin are no longer under consideration for Texas ECB.
If I don’t get into Texas ECB for my freshmen year, can I reapply?
Due to the program’s course load and small size of its cohort, admission to Texas ECB is limited to students applying for freshman admission.
Can I visit the McCombs School of Business or the Chandra Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, or talk to a current student about the Texas ECB?
Students wanting to learn more about Texas ECB, the McCombs School of Business, or the Chandra Department of ECE can attend a Canfield Business Honors Program or Cockrell School of Engineering information session held regularly on the UT campus. Those students who are admitted can schedule a campus visit with one of our student recruiters, where they will have a custom itinerary designed for them which would include things like sitting in on a class and meeting with a Texas ECB advisor. Texas ECB also hosts monthly joint information sessions, please see the UT Admissions website for virtual session details on "Technology + Business at Texas". Sessions for the fall are posted in late August and for the Spring in late December.
Are SAT and ACT test scores optional?
NO. UT Austin is no longer test optional. For students applying for admission for Fall 2025 and later, you do need to submit a standardized test score (an ACT and/or SAT score) as part of your undergraduate admission application.