How to Apply?

• Master's degree
  
• Grade point average of 3. 0 or above in graduate work
• GRE Scores
• Three professional letters of recommendation, e.g. professors or relevant educational employers.
• Interview, including the following: - discussion of essay - questions regarding application folio - other schools applicant is applying to - VT faculty with whom they have consulted about admissions - whether or not the candidate has previously applied to VT etc.
• Relevant teaching experience: Three or more years of K - 12 teaching or other significant teaching experience
• An essay outlining and describing the experiences you bring to the doctoral program and your career goals
• A writing sample exemplifying scholarly work [a master's thesis or a sample of professional writing such as a published article or sample of an exemplary academic paper from previous graduate work.

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 Science Education (Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instructions). Please have the testing agency send official scores to Virginia Tech Graduate School, code 5859.

There is not a minimum score requirement for admission to the Counselor Education program.

Letters of Recommendation

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

Writing Sample

A writing sample exemplifying scholarly work [a master's thesis or a sample of professional writing such as a published article or sample of an exemplary academic paper from previous graduate work. 

Letter of Interest and Curriculum Vitae

A Letter of Interest outlining and describing the experiences you bring to the doctoral program and your career goals. Please address the following two 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 interests 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.

For the Curriculum Vitae, 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)

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

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

Interview with members of the Science Education program faculty

Applicants will be required to schedule an interview with members of Science Education faculty. The interview normally includes the following:

• questions regarding application folio
• other schools applicant is applying to
• VT faculty with whom they have consulted about admissions
• whether or not the candidate has previously applied to VT

Applying as an International Student

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.

To learn more, please visit the graduate school testing requirements page.

Any Additional Information/Supporting Material

Applicants are welcome to submit any additional information with application material that would be useful in evaluation of your application.

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 transcript(s) with your online application, and then arrange for an official copy to be sent to both Graduate Admissions and the School of Education 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 0325p 155 Otey Street NW
Blacksburg, Virginia 24061

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

Official GRE scores are required as part of your application. Please have the testing agency send official scores to the Virginia Tech Graduate School, using 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

You will be notified by the Graduate School about the action taken on your application for admission