Accelerated B.S./M.S. Program
The Accelerated B.S./M.S. Degree program allows advanced undergraduate students the opportunity to earn both a B.S. degree from their home department and a BSE M.S. degree.
Benefits of the program
The advantage of the program is that it allows enrolled students to double-count up to 12 course credit hours (with the restrictions listed below) toward both degrees. Virginia Tech undergraduate students who have a minimum GPA of 3.40 or better on all undergraduate work, may apply for admission to the Accelerated B.S./M.S. Degree program. A student may enter the program within the 12 month time period prior to the expected completion date of their B.S. degree.
Important Note
The restrictions on these double-counted courses are that a maximum of 6 credit hours can be at the 4000 level. The remainder of the double-counted courses must be at the 5000-level or higher. To count these courses toward the graduate degree, the courses must be taken for an A-F grade, and the student must obtain a B or higher in each course.
How to apply
Before the student can apply for the Accelerated B.S./M.S. program, a BSE graduate faculty member must have agreed to serve as faculty advisor for the student’s graduate degree. The student should work with their advisor to develop a Research Statement to be submitted as their Statement of Purpose with their graduate application. Students must submit at least two letters of recommendation with their graduate application. Students applying for this program are not required to take the GRE for admission.
Students admitted to the program must pursue the M.S. (thesis) degree. To apply for this program, students must use the electronic Graduate School Application Form and request admission into the Master of Science program for the semester (including summer) in which they will begin graduate studies.
The application to the Graduate School includes the following documents:
- A scanned copy or pdf version of college transcripts (an official copy to be sent to the Graduate School after the issuance of an offer of admission in late April of the Junior year)
- The names, affiliations, and email addresses of three references (the applicant to request the letters to be submitted directly by the references online)
- A statement of motivation and career objectives
- A résumé that includes experience and qualifications
- Completion of the Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Degree and Course Designation Form, which is to be submitted to the BSE Graduate Program Coordinator, Liza Spradlin (lizaas14@vt.edu, 208 Seitz).
The recommended dates for submitting these forms are January 5 for students applying for summer or fall admissions. Any updates to this form must be submitted by the end of the semester prior to when the student will begin the graduate program.
Do you have any questions about the Accelerated B.S./M.S. Program? Email Liza Spradlin.