Higher Education

Ph.D. Program

Admission Requirements and Process

Admission to the doctoral program in Higher Education is determined by an admission committee composed of program faculty. The criteria for post-master’s admission include an earned GPA of 3.30 (on a 4.0 scale) on previous graduate work, a master’s degree in counseling, student affairs, or a closely related field, and at least three years of successful professional experience in student affairs or higher education administration. The student’s career goals should be consistent with professional status as an educational leader. Exceptions to these criteria must be approved by the program faculty.

Neither the Graduate Record Examination nor the Miller Analogies Test scores are required for admission. However, the Admission Committee will consider these test results if submitted. Additional admission procedures are determined by the HED Admission Committee. At a minimum, however, a completed application file will consist of the following elements:

  1. The Graduate School on-line application form
  2. Remission of the current application fee payable to Treasurer, Virginia Tech
  3. Two official, sealed transcripts of all previous academic work
  4. Three (3) letters of recommendation, one of which should be from a current or recent employer, one from a graduate professor who knows the quality of your previous academic work, and one from a professional reference
  5. A current resume
  6. An interview with the program faculty (in person or by phone)
  7. A writing sample

Once all application materials are completed, please do the following

  1. Print two copies of each web page of the application.
  2. Submit the forms electronically to the Graduate School.
  3. Mail to the Graduate School, Graduate Life Center (0325), Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0325, the following:
    1. The application fee (unless you pay it online)
    2. One official, sealed transcript of all previous academic work
  4. Mail to the HED Recruitment Coordinator,308 E. Eggleston (0302), Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, the following:
    1. One copy of each web page of the application
    2. One official, sealed transcript of all previous academic work
    3. Three letters of recommendation
    4. A current resume
  5. Make a copy of each web page, and all application materials you submit for your own records.

For full consideration all application materials must be received by February 1st. Upon receipt of your application materials, program faculty will review your file and determine whether further consideration is warranted. The department invites potential candidates whose application files have been completed by February 1 to an Interview Weekend that is generally held at the end of February. Prior to Interview Weekend, applicants will be asked to complete a writing assignment so faculty can assess their writing skills. Once completed, this exercise becomes part of the application file. During the Interview Weekend, candidates will have admission interviews, as well as the opportunity to sign up and be interviewed for GA positions. Subsequent to the interview, faculty will consult with GA supervisors to make a final decision about the candidate’s admission and GA status. The program faculty will contact the candidate indicating whether admission has been recommended. The candidate’s official notification of admission status will be sent from the Graduate School. Students who are invited but unable to attend the Interview Weekend may still be interviewed for admission and GA positions. Students are strongly encouraged to visit the campus for these interviews. Phone interviews and/or interviews at national conferences can be arranged for students who cannot travel to Blacksburg, however.

While most slots in the cohort are filled by those who attend the Interview Weekend, applications received after the February 1st deadline will be considered. Late applicants may be admitted if space is still available in the cohort.