Principal Preparation Admissions Information

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.

Letters of Recommendation
Three letters of recommendation are required for Educational Leadership and Policy Studies M.A.Ed. / Ed.S. programs; at least one of which must come from your current superintendent, designee, or agency leader. You may send out electronic reference form requests from the online application.

Graduate School Testing Requirements

GRE is not required for application to the Educational Leadership and Policy Studies M.A.Ed or Ed.S. programs.

Writing Sample

A sample of your best-written work. We prefer academic writing samples, but if you have none available, we can accept a work-related sample of writing.

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 or 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?
• For Ed.S. applicants, explain why you would like to become a Principal Preparation student, state your philosophy of education, and describe the level of commitment you would be able to make to the program.

Some K-12 teaching experience

Proof of some K-12 teaching experience, with at least three years of experience preferred

Interview with members of the Educational Leadership program faculty

Qualified applicants will be asked to attend a candidate interview. Program faculty members, practicing school leaders, and sometimes teachers may serve on the interview committee. Members of the interview committee score each candidate on the above-mentioned criteria, and candidates with the highest scores are invited to join the program.

Evidence of English Proficiency 

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. 

Applying as an International Student

• 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.

Application Fee Waivers

Veterans and other applicants are eligible for waivers of the application fee. This form includes eligibility requirements.

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.

School of Education Scholarships

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,
Office of Academic Programs 
School of Education
402 Wallace Hall (0565)
295 West Campus Drive
Blacksburg, Virginia 24061}