2024-2025 Academic Catalog
Welcome to Virginia Tech! We are excited that you are here planning your time as a Hokie.
Welcome to Virginia Tech! We are excited that you are here planning your time as a Hokie.
Phone: 540-231-8440
University Studies under Academic Advising Initiatives serves the university community in several ways. The office administers the University Studies program for new undergraduate students who want to explore a variety of degree programs before they commit to one particular major. University Studies is a non-degree granting major for students to explore options before choosing their major. With the guidance of a professional academic advisor, students research the full range of degree programs related to their interests and design programs of study that meet graduation requirements while providing the academic flexibility to pursue whichever degree program they ultimately choose. University Studies serves as both the college and department for University Studies students, providing administrative services, dean's office services, and academic advising until the students enter a specific major.
University Studies advisors along with other professional advisors in Academic Advising Initiatives assists new and current students who intend to change majors due to personal decisions or academic difficulty. This service is called Transitional Advising. Advisors work with students in developing programs of study in pursuit of their new major. Any student can make an appointment with Transitional Advising here: https://student.advising.vt.edu/major-exploration/transitional-advising.html.
Beyond advising, the office also supports students on Pell Grants and certain scholarships to meet financial aid and academic requirements to annually renew their grant or scholarship. This program is called Scholarship Support. Student mentors provide support and assistance by educating students of the grant and scholarship requirements needed to renew each year and how to be academically successful to meet those requirements. Students receiving this scholarship support service also have an academic advisors specific to their major.
More information about University Studies is available here: https://www.universitystudies.vt.edu.
University Studies is a major but it is not a degree-granting program. University Studies offers a structured advising program that provides students with the necessary support and strategies to investigate and compare academic disciplines so that they can make informed decisions about the degree programs they will pursue. Students can explore any major available at the university while completing course requirements toward a baccalaureate degree. To ensure that students graduate in a timely manner, University Studies requires all students to enter a specific degree program by the time they have earned 60 credits toward graduation (approximately the end of the sophomore year) or have attempted 72 hours.
University Studies students can pursue any major offered at the university; however, students should be aware that some majors are competitive for internal transfer. These programs have established specific criteria and application procedures that students must fulfill in order to be considered for internal transfer into the major. In general, these criteria require students to demonstrate proficiency in designated core courses and, for some programs, introductory major courses before they are eligible to apply. University Studies students enter and graduate from these restricted programs each year; however, since there is no guarantee of acceptance to these programs, students are encouraged to investigate alternative majors even as they prepare to enter a restricted program. More information about restricted majors is located here: https://www.registrar.vt.edu/dates-deadlines/Change_of_Major_Dates.html
Academic advisors in the University Studies are familiar with internal transfer criteria and procedures for all restricted majors. Advisors will assist students in pursuing these requirements.
All undergraduate students at the university, regardless of their majors, are required to fulfill general education course requirements in English, mathematics, science, social science, humanities, etc. There is a standard set of these courses, Pathways to General Education, which all degree programs incorporate in their graduation requirements.
General Education requirements are typically completed in the freshman and sophomore years. Some majors are flexible with regard to which General Education courses can be used to fulfill degree requirements; other majors suggest specific major courses which can count towards specific General Education requirements. Academic advisors assist University Studies students in selecting courses that apply towards as many of the majors a student is considering as possible. Thus, students fulfill degree requirements for graduation while they are exploring majors and are usually able to graduate on time.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | ||
| First-Year Writing | ||
| Mathematics | ||
| Natural Science (lab-if required by intended major) | ||
| Social Science | ||
| Humanities/Elective/Major Specific Course | ||
| Second Semester | ||
| First-Year Writing | ||
| Mathematics | ||
| Natural Science (lab-if required by intended major) | ||
| Social Science | ||
| Humanities/Elective/Major Specific Course | ||
For University Studies students, as for most students at the university, the first year is primarily devoted to fulfilling Pathways to General Education requirements. Of course, University Studies students' programs of study vary depending upon the major or majors they are considering. Specific course selections are determined in individual consultation with an academic advisor.
The requirements to graduate in a specific major are determined by the department and college conferring the degree. In general, students are required to have a minimum 2.0 overall grade-point average and a minimum 2.0 grade-point average in their major in order to graduate. The number of credit hours required for a baccalaureate degree varies from 120 to 156 hours, depending upon a student's major and degree program.
University Studies students who demonstrate academic excellence are named to the Academic Dean's List and are awarded a Dean's List certificate. Students must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 graded hours (A-F) and must achieve a 3.4 GPA or higher in the fall or spring term to qualify.
Students who want to enter professional schools but who have not yet chosen an undergraduate major will find that the university offers a variety of degree programs that provide excellent preparation for advanced training in professional fields. Though some professional programs, such as medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine, require students to complete a minimum number of credit hours at the undergraduate level in chemistry, biology, mathematics, etc., professional schools do not dictate that students pursue specific undergraduate majors. A student can pursue almost any undergraduate degree and be competitive for admission to a professional program.
Opportunities to study at institutions in other countries are available to all qualified students, regardless of their major. Study abroad offers students a unique opportunity to learn about other cultures and peoples while earning college credit. Students who intend to participate in an overseas study experience should discuss their intentions with their advisor early in their academic career.
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