Business and Information Technology Teacher Preparation Program Admissions Information
MINIMUM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE
- Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university and completed 39 semester hours of coursework in business and information technology, including:
- Accounting: 6 semester hours
- Economics: 3 semester hours
- Business law, Business principles, Management, Marketing, or Finance: 9 semester hours
- Communications: 3 semester hours
- Information systems and technology to include computer software applications (word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation) information technology fundamentals, database management, programming, and networking: 12 semester hours
- Input technologies to include touch keyboarding (required), speech recognition, handwriting recognition, Personal Data Assistants (PDAs) and other hand-held devices, touch screen or mouse, scanning, and other emerging input technologies: 3 semester hours
- Supervised occupational experience (3 semester hours) or one year of successful full-time or the equivalent relevant occupational experience (a minimum of 2,000 cumulative hours) within the past five years.
- Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0
- Applicants must submit passing scores for the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA). The testing information is on http://www.va.nesinc.com. Non-VT graduates must submit their scores as part of their application. VT graduates must pass this assessment before they begin student teaching.
- If an individual is seeking an initial license in the Commonwealth of Virginia with an endorsement in the area of Career and Technical education, an industry certification credential as defined in 8VAC20-23-10 in the area in which the teacher seeks endorsement is required
GRE Scores are NOT required for application to this program.
APPLICATION DEADLINES
| Starting Term | Due Date |
| Summer 1 | May 1 |
| Summer 2 | June 1 |
| Fall | August 1 |
| Spring | January 1 |
Note: Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. For inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies, contact the executive director for Equity and Access at (540) 231-8771 or Virginia Tech, North End Center, Suite 2300 (0318), 300 Turner St. NW, Blacksburg, VA 24061.
Undergraudate students in their senior year, with a 3.0 or better GPA, may enroll in 5000-level courses satisfying undergraduate degree requirements within their department with the permission of the course instructor and the Department Head. Should the student become a graduate student, these courses may not be used on the Plan of Study for a graduate degree.
Seniors in a bachelor's degree, who have a GPA of 3.0 or better may be eligible for Dual Status during the final semester of their undergraduate degree. To obtain this status, students must file an application for the master's degree and the Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Degree and Course Designation Form (for obtaining Dual Status).
The department reviews the student for master's acceptance and, if this is recommended, indicates on the Admission Analysis form that the student will be accepted for Dual Status for the final semester of the undergraduate degree. This acceptance must occur prior to the final semester of the undergraduate degree. Graduate coursework taken during the semester of dual registration may only be designated for use in the graduate degree when it is not used to meet bachelor's degree requirements (i.e., each course taken during the final semester is specified as being for either the bachelor's or the master's degree).
In accordance with the CGS&P policy for the accelerated undergraduate/graduate degree programs, "each graduate degree program wishing to offer one or more accelerated undergraduate/graduate degree programs must submit a written description of their program to the Graduate School for review and approval before students may be admitted hereto."
Consistent with Graduate School policy, we certify that the standards for each program meet or exceed the minimum requirements (e.g., GPA, fewer courses to be double counted). These regulations include the following:
- Students must be accepted into the program prior to the beginning of the semester in which they would enroll in courses to be used on the accelerated program. Students qualifying for the program must be in the last 12 months of their undergraduate degree. Once completion of the undergraduate degree has been verified, students accepted into this accelerated program will be classified as regular graduate students.
- A maximum of 12 credits of graded coursework may be used in the program.
- No more than 6 of the double-counted credits may be at the 4000 level; all others must be offered for graduate credit.
- A grade of B or higher must be earned in each course to be double counted.
- Courses must not be taken pass-fail if a graded option is available.
Application Checklist
Transcripts
Please provide a scanned copy of your college transcripts with your online application. Please arrange for an official copy to be sent to us after you receive an offer of admission.
CTE Teacher Licensure Content Area Checklist
Please complete this document and submit with your application to the Graduate School.
Graduate School Testing Requirements
GRE Scores are NOT required for application to the Career and Technical Education (M.S.Ed.)
Letter of Interest and Curriculum Vitae/Resume
A letter of interest (3-5 pages) is required by the program along with your latest Curriculum Vitae/Resume.
Letter of Interest Guidelines:
- Why do you want to undertake graduate work?
- Why do you qualify to pursue a graduate degree at Virginia Tech?
- What do you expect to derive from your program of study?
- If you have a concentration or area of interest in mind, briefly outline your interests in this area.
- What do you expect to contribute as a student and subsequently as a member of the profession?
Applying as an International Student
International students might be required to submit TOEFL scores, immigration documents, and other additional materials with their application.
The Graduate School requires that all non-U.S. citizens or non-U.S. permanent residents demonstrate English proficiency to ensure they enter the university with sufficient English skills necessary to function in a graduate program.
A TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) test score is the most common way international applicants demonstrate English proficiency. We require a minimum TOEFL score of 90 (IBT) or an IELTS score of 6.5 for admission. Test scores should be sent to us using ETS institution code 5859. See this page if you qualify for an English language proficiency test waiver.
- Blacksburg Campus: Prospective residential on-campus international students might be required to submit immigration documents and other additional materials with their application. Please consult with Graduate Student Immigration Services.
Additional Information/Supporting Material
Applicants are welcome to submit any additional information with application material that would be useful in the evaluation of your application.
Application Fees
Degree-seeking students must include a $75 fee with their application. If this poses a financial hardship, check with the Graduate School to see if you qualify for a waiver or reduced fee. All application fees are non-refundable.
To apply to the graduate program, students must submit the Virginia Tech Graduate School online application.
Send official scores to Virginia Tech Graduate School, code 5859.
In-state K-12 teachers are eligible for a 25% discount! Use this application form in order to receive the reduced costs. Otherwise, as with on-campus students, we refer you to the VT Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid for information on financial assistance. Generally, distance learners may qualify for federal loans if they take 5 or more credit hours per semester.
Find out what loans are available as a graduate student and other opportunities.
The Graduate School sends an official offer of admission to applicants upon the recommendation of the department faculty.
Include a scanned copy of your college transcripts with your online application, then arrange for an official copy to be sent to us after you receive an offer of admission.
The official transcripts showing degree conferral should be sent directly from your institution(s) to Graduate Admissions and School of Education:
To:
Virginia Tech Graduate Admissions
120 Graduate Life Center at Donaldson Brown (Mail Code 0325)
155 Otey Street NW
Blacksburg, Virginia 24061
and to:
Virginia Tech School of Education
Office of Academic Programs
1750 Kraft Drive (0302)
Suite 2000
Blacksburg, Virginia 24061
Contact the Office of Academic Programs for Admissions Support:
Casey Walker
Enrollment Services Specialist
1750 Kraft Drive (0302), #2003
540-231-5494
caseywalker@vt.edu
For Further Information, Contact the Program Leader
Dr. Natalie Ferand
Program Leader
1750 Kraft Drive (0302), #2025
Blacksburg, VA 24061
540-231-4658 | nferand@vt.edu