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Frequently Asked Questions

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The Tech Talent initiative is part of the Tech Talent Investment Program (TTIP) in which Virginia Tech is dedicated to enrolling and graduating thousands of computer scientist and computer engineers over the next twenty years. Virginia Tech is committed to the Commonwealth of Virginia and industry partners to dramatically increase the tech talent pipeline for our region. The Innovation Campus is the state-of-art facility that will host these programs in the National Capital Region set to open in spring 2025.

You are the talent! There are two major programs associated with this initiative – computer science and computer engineering. Virginia Tech offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in these majors. If you have a bachelor’s degree, you will want to consider the two Masters degree programs (Masters of Engineering or Masters of Science) in either computer science or computer engineering.

A Master of Engineering is a course work, project-based degree. The Master of Science is a research-based, thesis option degree. Both are 30 credits to completion.

The Master of Science does require that a student participate in synchronous instruction. Students are able to complete this degree at either Blacksburg or Northern Virginia campuses.

The Master of Engineering is offered in multiple modalities and can be completed full time or part time. The Computer Engineering degree is available virtually. Currently, the Computer Science degree requires some face-to-face instruction.

The degree costs are based on your campus selection and residency. Virginia residence get in-state tuition. More information can be found here

Masters and PhD students may receive funding from a variety of sources to offset the cost of their graduate studies. Master of Engineering students may also be eligible for one of our Virginia Tech or Privately Funded Scholarships.

Industry partners and government agencies are seeking talented individuals with a maximum amount of skills and training. These degree programs will leverage your short and long term career goals in a field that is projected to grow by 531,200 new jobs in the next 10 years according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Plus, lifetime earnings of a Master-holding professional is on average $1 million more than those with bachelor’s degrees according to the Social Security Administration.

Students pursuing the master's of science should expect to spend two years completing the degree.  Students pursuing the master's of engineering often can complete the degree in less than two years.

I do not have an undergraduate degree in computer or electrical engineering. Can I still be considered for admission?

Yes, the program welcomes students with a variety of academic backgrounds.

Students holding or expecting a bachelor’s degree in a curriculum other than electrical or computer engineering (for the corresponding graduate degree) are handled on an individual basis. GPA requirements for admission status are generally higher than for electrical and computer engineering graduates.

Students from programs such as physics, mathematics, computer science, engineering (other than electrical or computer), and other programs usually lack background in areas of work required of electrical and computer engineering students.

Each student's remedial course requirements must be assessed on an individual basis. The exact nature of courses which a student may need should be decided by the student and his or her interim advisor. Students crossing from computer engineering to electrical engineering or vice versa may also require additional undergraduate (or master's of science level) course work. 

Virginia Tech requires a Graduate School application.

Deadlines vary for domestic and international students and by term. All dates can be found here.

Yes, you can reach out to us at anytime at 571-289-5987.

Computer Science, Program Coordinator, Samantha Pipkin

Computer Engineering, Program Coordinator, TBD