Science and Technology Studies (M.S.)

About Our Program

Research in STS analyzes how society affects the development and implementation of scientific, technological, and medical knowledges and practices and how these pursuits affect society. The research and scholarly interests of STS faculty cross a wide range of disciplinary boundaries: some rely on fieldwork, others are immersed in historical or governmental archival research, while others develop social and conceptual analyses to answer theoretical or ethical questions.

Campuses:

Virginia Tech Blacksburg Campus, National Capital Region Campus

Type of Instruction:

Residential/On Campus, Some Online Courses

Department of Science, Technology, and Society

30 hrs
Total Credit Hours

12 hrs
Core Requirement

12 hrs
Field Requirement

6-10 hrs
Research and Thesis
(non-thesis option: 6 STS credit hours)

Curriculum

What You'll Study

You will complete 30 credit hours including core requirements, electives, and/or research.

Graduate students in STS come from a wide range of backgrounds including the natural and physical sciences, engineering, numerous professional disciplines, liberal arts and humanities, history, anthropology, sociology, political science, and philosophy. Graduates emerge with an ability to identify and examine the conceptual, social, cultural, historical, and policy dimensions of science and technology.

Courses leading to an M.S. in STS are available at two sites, Virginia Tech's main campus in Blacksburg and the National Capital Region (NCR) in the greater D.C. metro area.

Plan of Study

Course List (Blacksburg)

Course List (NCR)

Time Table of Classes

Meet Our Faculty

Meet Our Current Students

Meet Our Alumni

Students planning to pursue the Master’s Thesis Track will need to complete 4 required Core courses, 4 Elective Requirements, and 6 credit hours of Research and Thesis. Additionally, students will write and defend a thesis proposal; write the thesis; and defend the thesis.*

*We do not recommend writing a thesis if you plan to go on to the Ph.D., because unlike regular coursework, M.S. thesis credits will not count toward your Ph.D. course requirements.

Sample M.S. Thesis Track Plan of Study

STS 5024: Introduction to Science and Technology Studies

Choose three courses from the following:

STS 5104: Social and Cultural Studies of Science and Technology
STS 5204: History of Science and Technology
STS 5304: Philosophy of Science and Technology
STS 5514: Research Designs and Practice for STS
STS 5614: Science and Technology Policy and Politics
STS 6014: Contemporary STS

Atleast one additional elective must be an STS Course.

See the Course List for potential electives.

STS 5994: Research and Thesis (6 credit hours)

Students planning to continue their graduate education into the STS PhD program should pursue a non-thesis track.* The non-thesis MS consists of 4 required Core Courses and 6 Elective requirements.

* Credits taken for the M.S. program can also be counted towards the STS PhD requirements.

Sample M.S. Non-Thesis Track Plan of Study

STS 5024: Introduction to Science and Technology Studies

Choose three courses from the following:

STS 5104: Social and Cultural Studies of Science and Technology
STS 5204: History of Science and Technology
STS 5304: Philosophy of Science and Technology
STS 5514: Research Designs and Practice for STS
STS 5614: Science and Technology Policy and Politics
STS 6014: Contemporary STS

Student must take 6 additional courses, with an STS Course as atleast one of those additional electives.

See the Course List for potential electives.

Why choose this program?

We analyze how society affects the development and implementation of scientific, technological, and medical knowledges and practices and how these pursuits affect society.
The research and scholarly interests of our faculty cross a wide range of disciplinary boundaries.
Best fit for students interest in full-time graduate study on the campus of Virginia’s largest research university.
The graduate program in STS at Virginia Tech prepares students to be productive and publicly-engaged scholars, advancing research.

Our program offers two options to accommodate part-time or full-time enrollment.
All classes are taught in small seminars and offer personal interaction with faculty and peers.
Students conduct research that integrates science and technology with societal institutions, norms, and practices.
The part-time program and evening classes cater to working professionals. Convenient to the Washington DC Metro at West Falls Church.
All classes are taught in small seminars and offer personal interaction with faculty and peers. Students from all academic and professional backgrounds are welcome.

Admissions and Application Information

Students applying to the National Capital Region part-time program are admitted on a rolling basis, while students applying to the Blacksburg campus program are admitted on a full-time basis in the fall of each academic year. In addition to the admissions stantards set by the Graduate School, students applying for an advanced degree program in STS must also meet the following requirements:

A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
A minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
An academic writing sample
Three letters of recommendation, preferably from former professors
A letter of interest describing research goals, relevant experience, and motivations for pusuing graduate education in STS
Official GRE is optional for M.S. in Science and Technology in Society by the Department of Science, Technology, and Society. Please have the testing agency send official scores to Virginia Tech Graduate School, code 5859.
TOEFL/ IELTS score required of all non-US citizens or non-US permanent residents (see if you qualify for a waiver here)

Learn more about admissions requirements

To apply to the graduate program, students must submit the Virginia Tech Graduate School online application.

A $75 fee is required with the application for degree-seeking students, though you may be eligible for a fee waiver.

Applicants will need to include a scanned copy of their college transcripts with the online application and then arrange for an official copy to be sent to the Graduate School upon an offer of admission. Official transcripts should be sent directly from your institution(s) to Virginia Tech Graduate Admissions.

Click here to apply now!

Semester	Domestic Applicant	International Applicant
Fall*	August 1*	April 1*
Spring	January 1	September 1
Summer I	May 1	January 1
Summer II	June 1	February 1

* Deadline for admission with full consideration for funding: February 1

The STS department has a limited number of graduate assistantships and fellowships available for students applying for full-time study on the Blacksburg Campus. Entering students can apply for such funding as part of their admissions application. No separate application is required.

Learn more about the graduate assistantships at VT.

Find out more on the cost of attendance.