Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Under the Morrill Act, the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University first opened in 1872 as a senior military college where Preston and Olin Institute once sat.

With land-grant, space-grant, and sea-grant status, Virginia Tech evolved into a public, RU/VH research powerhouse endowed for $817 million. Its main 2,600-acre rural campus in Blacksburg and six satellites service the academic needs of 30,500 students. The U.S. News ranked Virginia Tech as America's 74th best university and 27th top public school. In particular, the College of Science houses the country's 67th best graduate psychology department.

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Accreditation Details

Reaffirmed in 2010 until 2019, the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is regionally accredited at Level VI through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Other relevant, discipline-specific approvals include:

• Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)

• National Commission on Accreditation for Teacher Education (NCATE)

• American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation (APA CoA)

• Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS)

• Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE)

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Application Requirements

Virginia Tech is classified as "more selective" with an average acceptance rate of 73 percent. To pursue the Psychology Major (B.S.), incoming freshmen must complete an 18-unit, college-prep curriculum for a high school diploma. Meeting minimum course requirements with a "B+" average or better is preferred. Academic rigor with a AP Psychology exam score of 4 or 5 will qualify for credit. Admitted undergraduates have a mean SAT score of 1290 and ACT score of 27. Students in good standing at other accredited colleges should hold an overall GPA above 2.5 for transfer.

Prospective master's students at Virginia Tech must already complete a four-year bachelor's degree from regionally accredited schools. It's expected that M.A. candidates carry a minimum 3.0 GPA in their last 60 undergrad credits. On average, accepted graduates achieve a GRE score of 158 verbal and 164 quantitative. Doctoral programs abide the same general criteria but give preference to master's degree holders. Applicants must pass an in-person interview at the Roanoke Higher Education Center. Ph.D. in Psychology entrants generally have one to three years of previous research experience also.

The Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University has an Early Decision deadline of November 1st and Regular deadline of January 15th for freshmen. Grads can apply until January 10th before the late-February interview. Make certain you submit:

• Completed Virginia Tech admission form

• Official high school and college transcripts

• Standardized testing reports (SAT, ACT, or GRE)

• Three letters of recommendation

Tuition and Financial Aid

Undergraduate psychology majors from Virginia will pay $5,393 per full-time semester. Non-resident undergraduates enrolling full-time are charged $13,653 each semester. Undergrads also pay the $161 activity fee, $205 health fee, $146 athletic fee, and $128 student services fee. At the graduate level, Virginia Tech students from the "Old Dominion State" are billed $6,233 each full-time semester. Non-resident counseling and psychology graduates can expect paying $12,547 per term full-time. Part-time graduate scholars pay $692 (in-state) or $1,397 (out-of-state) per credit. Virtual campus courses will add a $37 technology fee and $302 equipment fee.

According to the NCES, 68 percent of Virginia Tech students earn tuition help. Financial aid packages are worth $8,079 on average. Students taking 5+ credits could borrow Federal Perkins, Direct Subsidized, Direct Unsubsidized, or Grad PLUS loans. Free money is available based on EFC with the Federal Pell Grant and Federal SEOG Grant. In-state residents could earn the Academic Competitiveness Grant or Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program. VT also has the Presidential Campus Enrichment Grant (PCEG). Federal Work-Study is provided for 10-20 hours weekly. Graduate assistantships could provide tuition waivers of $12,466 or more. Other institutional awards include the Presidential Scholarship, Transfer Merit Scholarship, Emerging Leader Scholarship, and Athletic Scholarship.

Psychology and Counseling Degrees

The College of Science and School of Education at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University offer six degrees for psychology and counseling disciplines together. With an average student-faculty ratio of 14:1, courses remain small for personalized mentorship. Students benefit from state-of-the-art innovation facilities, including the JK Lifespan Development Lab and Behavioral Neuroscience Lab. Budding mental health experts could pursue the:

Psychology Major (B.S.)

Virginia Tech's Psychology Major (B.S.) has been declared by over 700 undergraduates who are fascinated by studying the mind and behavior through a biopsychosocial lens. The 28-credit major is rooted in life and social sciences with hands-on research experience. Valuable opportunities include interning at the Autism Clinic, joining the Psychology Club, and studying internationally in Belize or Australia.

M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Located in the Roanoke Higher Education Center, the M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is a full-time, two-year program with CACREP approval for Virginia Tech graduates. The 60-credit curriculum shapes students' clinical expertise for appraising, diagnosing, and treating disorders by DSM criteria. Field practicum begins the first year with the Cook Counseling Center and off-campus partners. Last year, 100 percent of alumni had passed the LPC licensing exam.

M.A. in School Counseling

Also requiring 60 credits, the M.A. in School Counseling program is delivered to Virginia Tech graduates in Blacksburg or Roanoke to nurture the practical skills for improving academic, social, and mental health in K-12 school systems. Courses will explore child development, group dynamics, individual appraisal, crisis prevention, expressive arts, and more before a second-year internship. The CACREP- and NCATE-accredited curriculum satisfies licensing qualifications by the Virginia Department of Health Professions.

M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy

Virginia Tech Hokies access one of Northern Virginia's few COAMFTE-accredited M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy programs to develop therapeutic interventions from a relational context. The 54-credit curriculum satisfies the clinical training requirements for becoming a licensed therapist (LMFT). Over two years full-time, at least 500 practicum hours are completed on-site in the Center for Family Services (CFS) and off-campus. There's also a 21-credit Post-Master's Certificate available.

Ph.D. in Psychology

Entry-level graduates enrolling in Virginia Tech's APA-accredited Ph.D. in Psychology obtain a current M.S. while advancing their research-oriented understanding of behavioral study. The five-year program offers four concentrations: Biological Psychology, Clinical Science, Industrial-Organizational Psychology, and Developmental Science. Students are assigned faculty mentors to oversee their thesis and dissertation research. Clinical majors also complete 1,500 practicum hours at placements like Duke Medical Center or Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.

Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision

Full-time, doctoral faculty mentor students within the Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision program to advance their clinical careers as teachers, scientists, or leaders. The CACREP-accredited curriculum involves 100 credits beyond a bachelor's, including teaching practicum and a clinical internship. Candidates undertake in-depth dissertation research on diverse topics from gender roles to discrimination. Around 90 percent of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Ph.D. students graduate in four years.

See also: The Top 10 Online Master’s Degrees in Student Affairs and College Counseling