Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

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Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Degree Programs

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University appears in our ranking of 50 Great Affordable Colleges in the South.

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, better known as Virginia Tech (VT), occupies several campuses with its main campus of 2,600-acres located in Blacksburg, VA. VT operates schools in six other locations throughout Virginia as well as a “study abroad” location in Riva San Vitale, Switzerland. The university opened its door to its first students in 1872 to a few students that hiked their way to the school to take advantage of the offered education. Today, the main campus at Blacksburg is the educational center for 34,400 students on and off the campus. Known as a progressive university, VT operates on the belief that education and technology intersect to form a firm foundation that encourages exploration into the depth of personal and professional knowledge while pursuing an ethical path to success. With one associate program, 110 undergraduate majors, and 170 master’s and doctoral degrees, along with over 100 certification programs, VT offers one of the most diverse educational experiences in the world.

To accommodate and streamline its incredible array of educational programs, VT is divided into nine colleges and a graduate school. Those colleges that handle undergraduate programs are:

  • College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
  • College of Architecture and Urban Studies
  • Pamplin College of Business
  • College of Engineering
  • College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences
  • College of Natural Resources and Environment
  • College of Science
  • Corps of Cadets
  • Honors College
  • Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine
  • Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Fralin Biomedical Research Institute

As an added feature, the VT Corporate Research Center (VTCRC) lies adjacent to the university. The VTCRC houses almost 200 research, tech support, and technology companies that work with VT on promising projects for the advancement of technological innovations developed by VT students and staff. The partnership provides an opportunity for students to work in a technology development environment while experimenting with the products of their dreams.

In recognition of the continued importance of agriculture and its impact on society, VT offers only one associate program in its entire repertoire of degrees—an Associate in Agricultural Technology. The program consists of two years of study for students preparing for careers in agriculture and green industries. Participants can opt to track in Applied Agricultural Management or Landscape and Turf Management.

Undergraduates at VT can seek a major and a minor, a dual major, or even a double major with a minor field of study, depending on their choice in areas and their ability to absorb information. The university encourages students to explore various fields of study. A Bachelor of Arts in Aerospace and Ocean Engineering would find a compatible, yet challenging, minor in Environmental Policy & Planning. Such combinations in undergraduate degrees are attractive to employers seeking well-rounded and energetic performers.

For students who wish to continue their education without pursuing a masters-level degree, VT currently offers 53 post-bachelor’s degree certifications. These programs generally involve 12 credit hours of study. These certifications are generally pursued by students already working in a field who wish to focus on a given aspect of their work. A brief demonstration of the variable fields involved in the list of programs includes:

  • Air Transportation Systems
  • Collaborative Community Leadership
  • Gerontology
  • Human-Computer Interaction
  • Watershed Management

Master-level degrees require a minimum of 35 credit hours of curriculum and additional practical work. A Master of Science in Economics, as with all other masters-level degrees at VT, requires the completion of a capstone project that involves the integration of economic theory and practical application of the argument in real-life scenarios. A successful capstone demonstrates the advantages of applying twists or tweaks to existing economic theory or addresses the flaws inherent in current economic plans.

VT offers students who hold a masters-level degree, five post-master’s certification opportunities in the fields of leadership and education. These certifications require 12-credit hours of study in an area. Those certifications include:

  • Career and Technical Education
  • Counselor Education
  • Curriculum and Instruction
  • Education Leadership & Policy Studies
  • Public Administration/Public Affairs

VT currently offers 55 diverse doctoral programs. Doctoral candidates at VT must attend courses totaling a minimum of 60 credit hours of graduate-level studies. The degree prepares the graduate to work in upper-management positions, perform research into new technologies, or work in academia. A publishable dissertation is required to finish the degree with an intense defense of the arguments the candidate presents. A smattering of doctoral programs available are:

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Business
  • Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences
  • Horticulture
  • Mining and Minerals Engineering
  • Veterinary Medicine

About Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

VT is a tradition-rich university that concentrates on instruction on current and new theories in every aspect of the human experience. The incredible number of degrees offered at the university is a testimony to the expansion of ideas that fuel the vision of the institution. The campuses reflect the traditional approach of a school that chooses to advance the pursuit and understanding of critical thought. In recognition of the university’s role in the American experiment, it has received attention from several factors.

In its list of the 2020 Best Colleges, US News and World Report ranks VT as 74th. The publication goes on to rank VT 42nd in national universities for Most Innovative and 34th among public universities. Kiplinger’s Personal Finance ranks VT as the 20th Best Value among colleges and universities across the country. Several of VTs graduate programs have earned high rankings from various publications and organizations.

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Accreditation Details

VY is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral degrees. Individual programs have found specialized accreditations through:

  • American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
  • Accreditation Association of Marriage and Family Therapist (AAMFT
  • Accrediting Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET)
  • American Chemical Society (ACS)
  • American Psychology Association (APA)
  • American Council for Construction Education (ACCE)
  • American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA)
  • American Society of Planners (ASP)
  • American Veterinary Medical Associations Council on Education (AVMACE)
  • Commission on Accreditation for Dietetic Education (CADE)
  • Council on Accreditation for Public Health (CAPH)
  • Foundation for Interior Design Education and Research (FIDER)
  • National Association of Schools of Theater (NAST)
  • National Architectural Accreditation Board (NAAB)
  • National Council for Accreditation of Colleges of Teacher Education (NCACTE)
  • Society of American Foresters (SAF)
  • Society of Wood Science and Technology (SWST)
  • Virginia State Department of Education (VSDE)

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Application Requirements

Students seeking to enter VT for a four-year degree must apply through the “Coalition for College” process. Students do not need to complete the essays other schools using the Coalition for College process require. They must complete the “Virginia Tech Ut Prosim Essays” instead. Applicants must complete the “Self-Reported Academic record” form and send an unopened official high school transcript along with their SAT or ACT scores.

Students applying to enter the graduate school should fill out the application form that is available online. Scanned transcripts of all post-secondary courses attended must be sent in with the application. The graduate school does not require a GRE or GMAT score to apply, but individual departments may make that requirement. Applicants should check with the graduate level departments for the field they intend to study for further information.

Tuition and Financial Aid

The tuition and required fees for a year of schooling at VT for undergraduates who are Virginia residents are currently $6,885. For out-of-state applicants, the yearly tuition comes to $16,417. Graduate-level tuition and required fees come to $7,745 per year for Virginia residents and $15,243 for non-residents.

VT grants financial aid for students in need of help through scholarships, grants, loans, and employment. Grants are the first items considered. These are available from several sources, including community, state, and federal grants such as Pell Grants. Scholarships from the school and other sources are available for those who qualify. Federal Student Loans are considered the final backstop to finance a student’s education.

At VT, students form lasting relationships while building for their future. Students discover exceptional education opportunities that help to ensure a life-sustaining income at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.