Accelerated Graduate Program
With Virginia Tech’s accelerated graduate programs in engineering, you can cut up to a year off your journey to earning your M.S., M.Eng., or Ph.D.
Why choose an accelerated master’s?
- Save time. Finish your graduate degree sooner by double-counting eligible graduate credits.
- Reduce cost. Spend less money on tuition and living expenses when you spend fewer semesters studying for your graduate degree.
- Jump-start research and your future career. Begin graduate-level research, internships, and industry connections during your senior year.
- Opt for flexible pathways. Choose from multiple department tracks and degree options (M.S., thesis M.S., M.Eng., and direct Ph.D.).
How do I sign up for the accelerated master’s program?
- Explore eligible programs and check your department’s B.S.→M.S./M.Eng./Ph.D. listings and requirements.
- Talk with your advisor and confirm that your plan fits your major’s curriculum.
- Apply to the graduate program by following the Grad School accelerated application process.
- Take approved graduate courses as an undergraduate and, with department approval, select grad courses that may double-count.
- Finish your B.S., then complete the M.S./M.Eng./Ph.D. requirements.
Students are eligible for an accelerated degree regardless of the length of their undergraduate degree. Most programs accept applications in a student's second year if the student will finish undergraduate in three years, and in a student’s third year if the student will finish undergraduate in four years. Students may double-count up to 12 credits in their final year of their undergraduate studies; which courses can double-count varies across programs and is decided at the department level.
FAQs
A pathway that allows students to begin graduate coursework as undergraduates and count approved credits toward both degrees, shortening time to degree.
Most programs accept applications in a student’s second year if the student will finish their undergraduate program in three years, and in a student’s third year if the student will finish their undergraduate program in four years; confirm department deadlines and Grad School requirements. See Grad School application instructions. Students are eligible to apply for and complete an accelerated graduate degree, regardless of the length of their undergraduate degree.
No, admission to an accelerated graduate program is nonbinding. You are welcome to stop or leave the program at any time, but there may be funding implications if you are on an assistantship contract.
Many accelerated graduate programs accept students from any undergraduate engineering degree or any Virginia Tech undergraduate program, as long as prerequisite courses have been completed. The ability to switch between departments once enrolled in an accelerated graduate program is not guaranteed. Reach out to your prospective department's graduate team to learn more about their specific admission requirements.
All degree-granting undergraduate programs in the College of Engineering offer at least one accelerated graduate degree. See all approved accelerated programs.
Students can double-count classes in the last two semesters of undergraduate status (two semesters of senior status). Work with your undergraduate advisor to determine which courses can double-count.
All programs allow for double-counting up to 12 credit hours of appropriate courses. Work with your undergraduate advisor to determine which courses can double-count.
Assistantships and financial support are department-specific. Review departmental funding pages or contact your department’s graduate team for current opportunities.
No, terms in which a student completes a co-op do not count as the two semesters of senior status.
Accelerated master's students typically take two to three semesters to complete their graduate degree. Most master's degrees are around 30 credits, and with the accelerated program you can complete up to 12 credits before beginning your full-time graduate school enrollment.
When you are applying to the Virginia Tech Graduate School in Slate, choose the semester after your undergraduate graduation. This would be your first semester of graduate status.
Example:
Spring 2027 undergraduate degree awarded — apply to Graduate School for Fall 2027
Fall 2027 undergraduate degree awarded — apply to Graduate School for Spring 2028
Spring 2028 undergraduate degree awarded — apply to Graduate School for Fall 2028
All departments require a minimum GPA of 3.3 to be considered for the accelerated graduate program(s).
Student success stories and testimonials
Jacob Davis, aerospace engineering
“I like that the accelerated master's degree allowed me to onboard as a senior and take graduate-level work. The program has turned me into a researcher who can ask questions, run experiments, and analyze data — that’ll be very important for my future and my career.”
Reagan Fields, civil and environmental engineering
“Virginia Tech made it easy to continue my education through the accelerated master’s program. I’m able to earn both my undergraduate and graduate degrees in four years while gaining specialized knowledge in construction that will directly apply to my career. It’s a great opportunity to deepen your knowledge, work with new people, and opens the door to even more opportunities post-graduation.”
Casey Munk, computer science
“Coming into college, I was set on not getting a master's. But I think of the accelerated program as a 50% off coupon, because you get the same amount of knowledge, and you're doing it in one year. I decided to get a computer science degree on top of my biomedical bachelor’s degree to diversify my skill set. Especially with the tough job market now, it's really going to set me ahead of other people.
Catherine Caputo, construction engineering and management
Dual-counting some of my classes as a senior really helped me get ahead in my grad program. Also, the accelerated master’s program has given me time to study for my Fundamentals of Engineering exam, the first step toward becoming a licensed Professional Engineer, rather than trying to take time from a job to do that. I’m in the school mindset already—and I passed that first exam in January.