Admissions Requirements

Master’s degree with grade point average of 3.0 or above in graduate work is required.

Official Transcripts

Include a scanned copy of your transcripts with your online application, then arrange for an official copy to be sent to both Graduate Admissions and School of Education after you receive an offer of admission.

Department Graduate Testing Requirements

Official GRE is required for History and Social Science Education (Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction). Please have the testing agency send official scores to Virginia Tech Graduate School, code 5859.

Letters of Recommendation

Three letters of recommendation are required for History and Social Science Education (Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction). You can include references/recommedations email addresses in your online application, or have them send paper copies directly to department.

Relevant Teaching Experience

Three or more years of K-12 teaching OR other significant teaching experience

Essay and Curriculum Vitae

An essay outlining and describing the experiences you bring to the doctoral program and your career goals.

Please address the following 2 questions in the essay:

1. What is motivating your decision to enroll in a doctoral program at this time? What are your professional goals related to this desire? How are your aspirations compatible with the program to which you are applying? What are the special characteristics and/or skills you would bring to your program of interest?

2. What is your personal philosophy of teaching and learning in your content area? How has your philosophy manifested itself in your practice over the years? What issues have you encountered in your content area that interest you? As a part of your response, please share the following: a) example(s) of a particularly difficult or challenging teaching scenario that you have experienced in your career, how you handled the situation, and what you learned from it; b) example(s) and explanation of what you would consider your greatest success(es) in your career as a teacher; and c) a description of your teaching "self" based on what you would imagine your students' perceptions of you to be.

A current resume or vita that includes these points:

• Record of Professional Experience including teaching, counseling, publications, or other related professional activities
• Teaching and/or Professional Certificates held
• List of Academic Honors, Awards, Prizes, or other Recognition received
• Co-Curricular or Community Service Activities (in order of importance to candidate)

Interview with members of program faculty

Applicants should also schedule an Interview to discuss application folio.

Applying as an International Student

International students might be required to submit TOEFL scores, immigration documents, and other additional materials with their application.

We require a minimum TOEFL score of 90 (IBT) or IELTS score of 6.5 for admission. Test scores should be sent to us using ETS institution code 5859.

Any Additional Information/Supporting Material

Applicants are welcome to submit any additional information including academic or practioner-based writing samples with application material that would be useful in evaluation of your application.

Applying for Graduate Assistantships and Fellowships

A question on the application for graduate admission asks whether you want to be considered for a teaching assistantship. Check yes. Please note that Indicating that you wish to be considered for an assistantship does not mean that you will be offered one, only that you wish to be considered for one, if available.

Learn more about other available funding opportunities

Application Fees

Degree-seeking students must include a $75 fee with their application, though check to see if you qualify for a waiver or reduced fee.

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

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}

 Send official scores to Virginia Tech Graduate School, code 5859.

A question on the application for graduate admission asks whether you want to be considered for a teaching assistantship. Check yes. Please note that Indicating that you wish to be considered for an assistantship does not mean that you will be offered one, only that you wish to be considered for one, if available.

Learn more about other available funding opportunities

The Graduate School sends an official offer of admission to applicants upon the recommendation of the department faculty. Admitted applicants who are offered graduate assistantships at Virginia Tech are not required to make a decision to commit to the assistantship offer until April 15. See the assistantships page for more details.