Academic PoliciesAcademic Common Market ProgramsCertain majors at Virginia Tech are included in the Academic Common Market (ACM) inventory. Students from participating states who are enrolled in an ACM major may be eligible for the in-state tuition rate, provided the student has applied for, and received, certification through his/her state Academic Common Market coordinator. Students should be aware that eligibility to participate in the ACM program is contingent on continued full-time enrollment and progress toward their approved ACM program. Students who do not maintain full-time enrollment and are not making progress toward their approved ACM program will not receive the in-state tuition rate and may be subject to retroactive charges. For additional information on ACM majors and eligibility, students may contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, the Office of the University Registrar, or visit http://www.registrar.vt.edu/records/common_market.php. Academic Eligibility PolicyContinued enrollment at Virginia Tech is a privilege that is granted as long as the student is making satisfactory progress toward a degree, maintenance of the required minimum grade point average, and compliance with all regulations stipulated in the University Policies on Student Life. The minimum standard for good standing is eligibility to enroll. The required minimum grade point average is 2.00. Academic probation is imposed when the cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) is less than 2.00; academic probation is lifted when cumulative GPA is at least 2.00. Academic performance will be reviewed at the end of each regular semester (fall and spring).
A student on probation: First suspension will be imposed whenever one of the following occurs: First Suspension (Fall): A student who is placed on first academic suspension at the end of fall semester will be suspended from continued enrollment through the end of the following spring semester. Note: Students placed on first academic suspension at the end of fall semester are eligible to return the subsequent first summer, second summer, or fall semester. First Suspension (Spring): A student who is placed on first academic suspension at the end of spring semester will be suspended from continued enrollment through the end of the following fall semester. Note: students placed on first academic suspension at the end of spring semester may NOT enroll in the immediately following summer session. A student must earn a minimum 2.00 semester GPA the first semester back and raise the cumulative GPA to at least 2.00 by the end of the second semester back or earn a 2.50 GPA for every semester following the suspension until cumulative GPA is 2.00 or greater. A student will be placed on second academic suspension for failure to meet returning performance requirements. Second Suspension (Fall): A student who is placed on second academic suspension at the end of fall semester will be suspended from continued enrollment through the end of the following fall semester. Note: students placed on second academic suspension at the end of fall semester may NOT enroll in the immediately following summer session. Second Suspension (Spring): A student who is placed on second academic suspension at the end of spring semester will be suspended from continued enrollment through the end of the following spring semester. Note: students placed on second academic suspension at the end of spring semester may NOT enroll in the immediately following summer session. The same returning performance requirements apply for second suspension as for first suspension. Final Suspension: A student will be permanently dismissed for failure to meet returning performance requirements after a second academic suspension. Accreditation
Virginia Tech is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award doctorate, masters, baccalaureate and associate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Virginia Tech.
Applying for Your DegreeUndergraduate students who satisfy graduation requirements for two curricula concurrently may request recognition of the second major on their transcripts; however, only the primary major will appear on the diploma. Students may earn a second bachelor's degree (and diploma) by earning a minimum of 30 additional credit hours in residence with a minimum 2.0 GPA on all work attempted. All specific requirements must be met for each degree program, including attainment of the 2.0 GPA for all courses in the major. Note: threshold for total number of pass/fail hours allowed is based on minimum hours required for first degree. All students must apply for a degree during the first semester of their junior year. The application for degree can be found on Hokie SPA under the Degree Menu. Once students have completed the application, they should generate a Degree Audit Report (DARS). This report can be generated through the Hokie Spa. The DARS report will help students to be fully aware of all degree requirements which remain to be completed. Traditionally, degrees are conferred upon candidates who are present to receive them at the Commencement ceremony in May. Candidates may have their degrees conferred in absentia if they cannot be present at Commencement. To arrange for this, a candidate must indicate to the University Registrar either via Hokie SPA or in writing to be excused from the Commencement ceremony. In addition to the traditional Commencement, other "Degree Conferral Dates" have been established for each May to May year. The degree conferral dates for fall, first summer, and second summer appear on the diplomas of qualified graduates. The degree conferral dates fall on the last day of final examinations (last day of term) for first summer session, second summer session and fall semester. Names of Graduates of Summer and Fall terms will appear in the Fall Commencement Ceremony Program only. No commencement ceremonies are conducted at the end of the summer sessions, but graduates may attend the fall ceremony after completion of degree requirements. They may also request permission from the department to "walk through" the spring Commencement ceremony based on established departmental or college guidelines. Diplomas are not distributed. Completion of degree requirements is determined after the final grade reports are available. Degrees are regarded as having been conferred on the appropriate conferral date upon determination by the University Registrar that degree requirements have been met. All course enrollments and attendance obligations must have been completed on or before the degree conferral date. With the exception of spring, diplomas for all other "Degree Conferral Dates" are ordered after course work completions are established. Diplomas are distributed either by mail or in person to graduates who appear in the Office of the University Registrar, or at the next Commencement ceremony, if available. Center for Academic Enrichment and Excellence
www.caee.vt.edu The Center for Academic Enrichment and Excellence supports Virginia Tech’s mission to expand students’ personal growth and opportunities, advance social and community development, provide outreach and support services to under-served populations, and improve the quality of life by providing holistic support to our undergraduate students through a network of programs and services that includes: Combination DegreesThe bachelor's degree will be awarded to a student who has satisfactorily completed three years of undergraduate work in an appropriate curriculum and the first year of work in an accredited medical, dental, veterinary, or law school, or medical technology program (biology majors only), or physical therapy program (biology majors only), provided the student fulfills the requirements for the three-year program as follows:
Degree ProgramsVirginia Tech offers four-year degree programs leading to a bachelor of arts, science, or fine arts degree. Also offered are five-year bachelor of architecture and bachelor of landscape architecture programs. Virginia Tech also offers graduate work in 63 fields of study leading to master's degrees and in 51 fields leading to the doctorate. The professional doctor of veterinary medicine is offered through the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, located at Virginia Tech. Education AbroadVirginia Tech sponsors education abroad programs in many countries around the world. These programs provide opportunities for students in almost every discipline. Field Study, Independent Study, Special Study, and Undergraduate ResearchVirginia Tech offers several types of courses that can be tailored to the needs of individual students or specific groups of students. Students develop a plan of work to reach particular objectives, obtain approval of both the department and a faculty member who will supervise the work, and work with them to arrange hours and credits. By allowing students to pursue topics in which formal courses are not available, these programs provide greater academic flexibility for undergraduate students at Virginia Tech. They also provide students an opportunity to assume a greater share of the responsibility for their own education, outside the traditional classroom environment. Students must submit an official approval form prior to registration. In most cases, the student's first contact for an independent study, field study, or undergraduate research course is the department offering the course. Registration is through the student's dean's office. Special study courses are set up by the department, and the student registers through web course request. Some colleges and departments have restrictions on eligibility to register for these courses, and limit the number of hours that can be used toward graduation. Field Study (X964) courses are work experiences approved by some departments and are selected to augment traditional classroom activities. The student is evaluated on the knowledge and skills acquired as a result of the experience. Emphasis is placed on the academic and practical value of the work. Independent Study (X974) courses generally involve extensive reading and tutorial sessions with the faculty supervisor and also may involve written papers. The subject of Independent Study usually is a continuation in greater depth of a topic covered in a regular course, allowing students to study topics of particular individual interest. Special Study (X984) courses are designed for a group of students, rather than for a single individual. This type of course may be used to study a timely topic, one in which there is current, but not necessarily lasting, interest. It also may be used to launch an experimental course before the course is incorporated into the regular curriculum. Undergraduate Research (X994) courses are individual research projects carried out by students under faculty supervision. The student defines the research topic, proposes a methodology, carries out the research, and writes a report. Graduation Requirements and Degree ConferralsA student must complete all courses with at least a minimum 2.0 GPA for all hours attempted. In addition, a student must present an equally satisfactory record in courses attempted in the major and/or any minor. The number of credit hours required varies from one major curriculum to another. Virginia Tech reserves the right to modify requirements in the student's program if necessary. The approved requirements in effect for a student's graduation in a given calendar year apply. Said requirements must be approved two years prior to their effective graduation date. All students earning degrees from Virginia Tech must have earned a minimum of one-fourth of the credit for their respective degrees from this institution. The senior year, with a minimum of 27 hours, must be completed in residence, or 27 of the last 45 hours must be completed in residence, provided that only approved courses taken in absentia are transferred to complete requirements. Language Study RequirementBy the time they graduate from the university, students must meet a language study requirement. The minimum requirement may be met in high school by completing 2 units of a single foreign or classical language. Some majors in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences may require 3 units. The requirement also may be met after admission by one of the following:
Honor Code and Honor SystemThe Virginia Tech Honor Code is the university policy that defines the expected standards of conduct in academic affairs. The Honor System is the university student body charged with disseminating information about the Honor Code to the university community and enforcing the Honor Code. Violations of the Honor Code in academic affairs include, but are not limited to, the following:
A student who has doubts about how the Honor Code applies to any graded assignment is responsible for obtaining specific guidance from the instructor before submitting the assignment for evaluation. Any student accused of an alleged violation of the Honor Code is guaranteed certain basic rights, including being considered innocent until proven guilty. The complete "Constitution of the Honor System" is available from the Honor System Office (207 West Roanoke St.) and is posted on the Virginia Tech home page at www.honorsystem.vt.edu. Pre-Professional PreparationPre-Health AdvisingThe university maintains an office for pre-professional health advising which has been relocated from Hillcrest Hall to the Smith Career Center. The Pre-Health Advising Program is open to all undergraduate students considering a career in the health profession. The new Office for Pre-Health Advising (OPHA) will coordinate all pre-professional health advising which includes students with an interest in dentistry, genetic counseling, health administration, medicine (allopathic and osteopathic), naturopathic medicine, nursing, occupation therapy, optometry, pharmacy, public health, and veterinary medicine. Although the vast majority of pre-health students major in a science program, any major is acceptable to health professional schools so long as certain specific admission requirements are satisfied. Thus the Pre-Health Advising Program provides advice and helps students to prepare for admission to the professional school; it is not a degree program. Students interested in a health career are encouraged to pursue a broad undergraduate study in the humanities, social sciences as well as biology and the natural sciences. There are national standardized tests for each health profession which are used to help identify qualified students. These tests include the Dental Admission Test (DAT), Graduate Record Examinations (GRE), Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), Optometry Admission Test (OAT), and the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT). Although each test varies slightly, they all measure general academic ability, comprehension of scientific information, critical thinking and analytical writing skills. Additional admission requirements include significant participation in volunteer health care activities, letters of recommendation/evaluation, and an interview at the professional school. Successful candidates exhibit high levels of scholastic achievement and intellectual potential as well as motivation and concern for one’s fellow human being. The OPHA provides individual advising and assistance about careers in the health profession, preparation for application to professional schools, and the admission process. This office works collaboratively with students to assist them tp gain practical experience in the health professions through volunteering and/or working at local or regional hospitals and clinics. A limited number of students may be placed with local physicians for a one-semester two-credit preceptorship. The Health Professions Committee which is made up of faculty advisors from across campus, provides on-campus mock interviews and upon request, furnishes letters of evaluation from the committee. Core course requirements vary among the accredited health profession schools but most require two semesters each of Mathematics, English, Biology (with labs), General Chemistry (with lab), Organic Chemistry (with lab), and General Physics (with lab). Other courses which may be required or recommended by some schools include Cell and Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Communication, Ethics, Microbiology, and Human Anatomy and Physiology. Resources are available at the OPHA for students to investigate the specific entrance requirements for each school, and students are strongly encouraged to make use of these services. Pre-Law AdvisingLaw students and lawyers come from many undergraduate backgrounds, and the skills necessary to succeed in law school and as an attorney can be developed in a variety of courses across a range of disciplines. Law schools do not treat any specific course or major as a prerequisite for admission, nor do they look with special favor on applicants who have graduated from a formal "pre-law" program. Accordingly, Virginia Tech does not offer a formal pre-law major. The university does offer a top-quality education in a large number of fields, as well as counseling about law as a career, preparing for and applying to law schools, and the law school admission process. Students are encouraged to maintain contact with the University pre-law advisors, the Office of Career Services, and others on campus with information about legal careers. For further information on pre-law studies at Virginia Tech, including how to contact the University pre-law advisors, see the following website: http://www.psci.vt.edu/prelaw/index.html. Restricted Majors and ProgramsStudents should be aware that there are some academic majors and programs within the university that have strict entrance requirements or are in such high demand that they cannot accommodate all who wish to enter them. Administrators of these restricted programs must be selective in allowing students to transfer in from other majors within the university and in permitting second majors or minors. Students seeking entrance into such restricted programs should consult the appropriate department. Restricted programs for internal transfers are as follows:
Selecting or Changing a Major, Double Major, or MinorUndergraduate students must be enrolled in their major(s) [and minor(s)] of choice prior to the beginning of their senior year, or by the time they have 30 semester hours to complete before their graduation. Students seeking double majors must be accepted into the second major by the academic department before the university can award the second major. Changes from one degree program to another (i.e., changes in major) or the addition of a second major or a minor usually can be accomplished at any time prior to the senior year, simply by working with one's academic advisor and informing the head(s) of the department(s) and the dean(s) of the college(s) in question. A major (or second major) cannot be selected after the beginning of the senior year. (See section above on Selecting a Major.) Minors are offered by many academic departments. Refer to the section on Graduation Requirements and Degrees and to the appropriate academic department in the college chapters of this catalog to review the requirements for a minor. Students should be aware that changes in their, such as changing or adding majors or minors, sometimes imply extra course work, which can delay graduation. Twenty-five percent of the student's total hours must be taken at Virginia Tech. Procedures to Follow When Changing or Adding a Major or MinorStudents should submit their applications for changing majors or adding minors two weeks prior to the start of each semester's registration period. This will allow students adequate time to assess their situations before deciding to transfer and registering for the following term. The procedure for changing majors or adding a minor is as follows:
Selection of StudiesThe regular academic year at Virginia Tech is divided into two semesters, fall and spring. Virginia Tech also offers two summer sessions. Most courses of study require eight (8) terms (i.e., semesters and/or summer sessions) for completion of the bachelor's degree requirements. Completion of the degree requirements for those students who enroll in the Cooperative Education Program, Bachelor of Architecture Program, or Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Program requires five years. Elective courses are chosen through consultation with the student's advisor. The dean of the college in which a student is registered has authority in such matters as substitution of courses, dropping and adding courses after deadlines, or permission to take an overload. Students have the assistance of faculty guidance, introductory courses, and special counseling to help them choose wisely which course of study they should take. Every effort is made to assure that all courses listed under the various department of instruction will be offered. Virginia Tech reserves the right, however, to withdraw any course for which an adequate number of students do not enroll. Student Responsibilities Regarding Satisfactory Progress Towards DegreeIt is the student's responsibility to satisfy all course requirements as established by the faculty teaching the courses in which s/he is enrolled. It is also the student's responsibility to be aware of all major, degree, college, and graduation requirements necessary to complete his or her degree. Students are also responsible for satisfying all university, college, and departmental requirements for progress towards degree. (See this chapter for university requirements; consult the departmental listings in this catalog for major requirements.) Student Responsibilities Regarding Official Student RecordsStudents are responsible for keeping and being familiar with their own records and for the accuracy of these records. A student's failure to keep his/her address updated does not absolve the student of responsibility for matters which require notification by the university. Changes to your local address, permanent address, or parent/guardian address should be promptly updated by accessing Hokie SPA. Correct dorm addresses are established through the Student Housing Office in Eggleston Hall. If you are not sure what addresses are on file, you may check Hokie SPA for verification. It is the student's responsibility to check his/her current schedule of classes by accessing Hokie SPA. Errors must be corrected by the established deadline stated in the Timetable of Classes. Request for course(s) will result in a responsibility for payment of tuition and fees. It is the student’s responsibility to complete and return the Withdrawal/Resignation form by established term deadlines if choosing to disenroll for a given term. Students are responsible for seeing their advisors during course request week so as to assure appropriate curricula planning. Teacher Education at Virginia Tech
Website: http://www.soe.vt.edu Virginia Tech’s School of Education offers programs leading to licensure in 23 fields of study. All educator preparation programs are at the graduate level. Students seeking a teaching or other educational license should consult the School of Education Office of Academic Programs website (http://www.soe.vt.edu/oap/index.html) for details on specific programs of interest. The School of Education is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, and all programs are recognized by their national specialized professional associations and approved by the Virginia Board of Education. Graduates may qualify, through reciprocity agreements with Virginia, for an educational license or endorsement in many other states. Undergraduate students who anticipate applying for a master’s degree in teacher education should consult an advisor in the Office of Academic Programs (edinfo@vt.edu) or the academic advisor in their undergraduate major. Decisions about entering graduate programs in education should be made early in the undergraduate years so that an appropriate major can be selected and required courses can be taken prior to applying for the graduate program. Seniors with a GPA of 3.0 or better may apply to be admitted to the Dual Student Status for their last semester to take graduate-level education courses. Juniors with a GPA of 3.3 or better may apply for admission in the Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Degree Program to take graduate courses during the senior year. Information about these programs is available on the Graduate School website (http://www.grads.vt.edu/) Applicants for teacher education programs must submit passing scores on Praxis I: Academic Skills Assessments or acceptable scores on the SAT or ACT prior to acceptance into the School of Education. Passing scores on relevant Praxis II: Specialty Area Tests, the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment, and the Virginia Reading Assessment (for reading specialists and elementary education teachers) are required prior to receiving a teaching license and prior to admission for some programs. A criminal record check is required by school divisions in Virginia prior to employment. Notable features of the teacher education program at Virginia Tech are: Undergraduate Courses of StudyUndergraduate courses of study leading to bachelor's degrees at Virginia Tech are listed below. In addition, many options and specialties pertaining to each academic college are described in the individual college chapters in this catalog.
University Enrollment and Academic ProgressRegistration Procedures
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