Frequently Asked Questions

If you have earned an undergraduate degree but did not earn a 3.0 or higher, we encourage you to apply to take courses through our Commonwealth Campus program, which allows graduate students to take up to 12 credits of graduate courses that may apply toward their master's degree. This option allows graduate students to begin taking coursework and was designed for students who have professional experience but may not yet meet admissions requirements based on their undergraduate academic performance. This is also a great option for students who have not decided if they want to pursue a degree but want to try a course or two before making their decision.

After successfully completing courses through the Commonwealth Campus program, you may choose to apply for full admission to a graduate program.

Students interested in starting their studies through pathways including Commonwealth Campus should work closely with your intended program before enrolling to ensure you are taking appropriate courses.

Most professionally oriented graduate programs do not require GRE scores for admission. Each program has unique admissions requirements, so we encourage you to check out the website for the specific program you are interested in to learn more about that program’s requirements.

Yes, these programs are designed with flexible course plans to accommodate working professionals! Some of the programs are completely online, some are in-person, and some programs offer the opportunity to take classes either online or in-person (hybrid programs).

No! These programs are open to anyone looking for a masters degree! While these programs offer flexible options for students who are working full-time, they are also open to students who have just graduated or who are looking to go to school full-time. 

That depends on your program, but we have many flexible options. As you will see, some of our programs have in-person options in Blacksburg, Richmond or northern Virginia, some are online, and some offer a mix of both in-person and online options (hybrid programs). Check your program page for specifics and reach out if you have any questions!

We are here to support you as a student and understand that life happens. This is common as many graduate students experience things that cause them to take a semester off. Depending on your program and your circumstances, there are different options available to allow you to do what you need to do and return to school once you are ready.

Additionally, our Dean of Students office serves all graduate and undergraduate students at Virginia Tech, whether or not they are in Blacksburg, online, or on one of our other campuses. If you have a life emergency, crisis, or just need to talk, the Dean of Students office can be the best place to start.

For additional assistance, please email pgp@vt.edu, and we will be glad to help connect you to the right resources to help you navigate your options.

All veterans and active military personnel are eligible to receive an application fee waiver for the $75 graduate school application fee. To receive the waiver, after you begin your graduate school application, please upload the requested information on the Application Fee Waiver Tab.

Virginia Tech is proud to support veterans, active-duty military, and military families. For more information about how we serve veterans and military members and families, please visit the Office of Veteran Services.

These professionally oriented master's programs are all coursework-only programs, meaning you will not need to write a thesis. Some programs may have smaller research projects as part of their curriculum and may offer opportunities to conduct research if that is what you are interested in, but research is not the focus of these programs.

The Office of University Scholarships and Financial Aid provides information about the cost of education for graduate students, applying for scholarships, loans, and other aid available.

There are several options based on what you prefer and what your employer benefits are. Some students prefer to pay their tuition and fees directly and then submit their receipts to their employers for reimbursement. Alternatively, we can send an invoice for your tuition bill directly to your employer on your behalf. If you wish to request an invoice, please email pgp@vt.edu and we will be glad to assist you.

Each program has its own admissions decision process so the timeline for your decision can vary based on the program itself. You can monitor the status of your application through the online application portal.

There are many more graduate programs at Virginia Tech. Visit the Graduate School’s Listing of all Degrees and Programs to learn more about all of the programs available.