Admissions & Registration
Applying to Graduate School
Students are strongly encouraged to apply on-line at http://www.grads.vt.edu/homeapply.html. Applying on-line streamlines the application process and reduces processing time. Applicants must pay a $45 nonrefundable fee. Teachers and other school administrators in Virginia qualify for a special reduced tuition rate and can obtain the needed form. . Test scores and transcripts should be sent directly to the Graduate School at Sandy Hall, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg , VA. 24061. Reference letters and another official transcript should be sent directly to the academic department. Applicants should work closely with departments to ensure that they meet specific department deadlines and financial aid deadlines if applicable.
International students are subject to the same review process required of all graduate students. In the near future, the GRE will not be required for all international students, just for those applying to departments that require it.
For applicants to the Pamplin College of Business, the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) is required instead of the GRE. The results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) are required for applicants who did not receive their bachelor's degree from an anglophone university and whose first language is not English. A TOEFL score of 550 is required, and some departments require higher TOEFL results.
Once an applicant submits an application, a file is created which will contain support materials such as reference letters, test scores, transcripts and other information. We request that you have your references fill out our Reference Form when writing your letters. When the package is complete, information is sent to the prospective department. The head of the department and a departmental graduate committee will make a recommendation. With the department's recommendation, the Graduate School will make the final decision, and a letter from the Dean of the Graduate School is sent to inform the student of the decision. Please allow 6-8 weeks for a decision to be made.
Commonwealth Campus Students:
Interested in Just Taking a Class?
Virginia Tech created the Commonwealth Campus program for individuals who want to take graduate level courses and not necessarily complete a degree. Most graduate degree programs allow individuals to take up to twelve credit hours (typically four classes) as a non-degree Commonwealth Campus student.
For more information, contact the Center at (804) 662-7288.
Current course offerings can be found on the following website:Timetable of Classes
Select "Western" as the campus and then select the "term" you are interested in taking a course. Fall semester begins in late August and runs through early December. Spring semester begins in January and runs through the beginning of May. The University also has a number of summer opportunities, which run May through August.
Online Classes
With Virginia Tech Online you can learn from home, your office, or anywhere you have access to the Internet. Courses are offered in a variety of topics. Check out the website for a complete list of courses: http://www.vto.vt.edu. None of these degree programs require attendance on campus. If you are interested in something that is not listed above, please let us know. New programs are frequently being added.
Basic Requirements
Requirements for each degree are different. Prior to applying, verify that you meet all the requirements and have taken all required tests. A list of degrees and their requirements are available for Virginia Tech Richmond campus is listed below:
Basic Deadlines
The application deadline to be considered for financial aid is January 15th of each year. International students must meet an early deadline of May 15 for Fall admission and October 15 for Spring admission. Each department may have their own deadline. It is recommended that you contact the department directly or contact the Richmond Center for more information.