Frequently Asked Questions
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Program structure & delivery
Yes, our Flex MBA program can be completed entirely online. Students who join us online do not have any in-person class commitments at any Virginia Tech location in Blacksburg or in the D.C. region.
Yes, all online/virtual courses are delivered in a fully asynchronous format. Optional synchronous learning sessions with faculty and classmates will be available to keep you connected and supported. However, participation in synchronous learning sessions will not be required, ensuring flexibility for all learners.
Faculty host in-person and virtual office hours that give students the chance to connect with their professors on a one-on-one basis. In addition, our small in-person and virtual classes give students the opportunity to engage with their classmates directly and network with their classmates while enrolled in our program.
We also have an active MBA alumni network. Our MBA Alumni Advisory Board (MBAAB) hosts virtual networking events that give students the opportunity to connect with members of our outstanding alumni community. Students are also always welcome to attend in-person networking events hosted by Pamplin or the central university.
One of the most meaningful in-person experiences for our MBA students is our graduation ceremony. Graduating MBA students can participate in the in-person graduation ceremony held at AB1 in Alexandria, travel to Blacksburg to attend the graduation ceremony held at Lane Stadium, or they can attend both ceremonies. Attending a graduation ceremony is not required, but we find this is a meaningful, rewarding experience for our graduates and their families.
“Hybrid” means that we offer in-person classes and virtual classes, and students are able to join us for a mix of both formats. However, we recognize that some students may choose to join us fully online or fully in-person throughout the course of the program.
Students who join us through a mix of formats should note that they choose the course format for each course at the beginning of the semester and they are bound to that format for the duration of the semester. For example, if a student chooses to take an in-person Accounting class at Academic Building One in the fall semester, they cannot switch into the virtual version of the class midway through the semester. When registering for classes prior to the start of the semester, students work closely with an advisor to choose their courses and determine which format will work best for them for any given course.
No, students are not permitted to switch from an in-person format to a virtual format during weeks in which they are not able to attend their in-person class. Students are allowed to miss one to two in-person classes per semester due to prior commitments or unexpected conflicts, but they are expected to communicate with their professor about their absence and determine if any make-up work will need to be completed.
Degree details
Students in our Flex MBA will earn their MBA degree. This is the same degree that graduates of our other MBA pathways have earned over the years. The diploma will not state that the student was in a Flex pathway, and it will not indicate that courses were completed online if the student chose to enroll with us virtually.
Timeline & scheduling
A working professional who takes two 3-credit Flex MBA courses in fall and spring semesters and one 3-credit course in the summer can graduate in 24 months. However, this is just a suggested timeline and not a firm requirement. Our students are permitted to earn the degree at their own pace. Students have up to five years to earn their degree once they enroll with us.
Yes, students who wish to accelerate their learning can work with an advisor to develop a plan of study that allows them to graduate in 1.5 years. Please note that we do not offer a one-year completion timeline.
Yes, we offer courses in the fall, spring, and summer. We typically recommend that students take two 3-courses in the fall and spring semesters and one 3-credit course in the summer. While we offer summer courses, we do not allow new students to enroll with us in the summer.
Students can expect to have two to three hours of homework for every one credit in which they are enrolled.
Admissions & fit
We do not have a firm work experience requirement in place for our program. Students without work experience are welcome to apply to our program. However, students with less than five years of work experience are required to submit GMAT/GRE scores in order to complete their application. You can learn more about the differences between the GMAT and the GRE here.
Work experience must be post-degree, full-time work experience for traditional applicants. Internship experience does not meet this requirement. Military experience is considered work experience even if this experience is earned pre-degree.
Typically, we look for an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0. However, this is just a target and not a firm requirement. Many of our applicants earned their degree years or even decades ago, so we recognize that an applicant’s GPA is not always a reflection of their current skills, abilities, and academic potential. The admission decision is a holistic one and GPA is just one of the factors we consider in the decision process.
The university requirement for admission into a graduate program at Virginia Tech is a minimum of 2.5 To learn more about how the application process is handled for applicants who don’t meet this requirement, please contact mba@vt.edu.
Test score requirement
Students with less than five years of full-time, post-degree work experience are required to present GMAT or GRE scores in order to complete their application to our program. Our target score for the GMAT is 600 and our target score for the GRE is 154. You can learn more about the differences between the GMAT and the GRE here.
Yes, we offer test score waivers. Please review the GMAT/GRE Test Score Waiver Form found here to learn about how to qualify for a waiver. If a student wishes to be considered for a test score waiver, they can complete this form and submit it to us along with supporting materials. Please note that an applicant can submit their waiver request to us even before applying to our program. The review process typically takes ten to seven business days for these requests.
When reviewing a student’s GMAT/GRE Waiver Request, we look for completion of numbers-based courses in their undergraduate degree (i.e. Accounting, Finance, Statistics) and/or numbers-based responsibilities in their current or previous professional role.
Yes, we can accept unofficial test scores when reviewing a GMAT/GRE Waiver Request.
Application materials
Please see our Application Process page for more information regarding the application process and application deadlines. All applicants are expected to carefully review this information before submitting their application. Applicants are also highly encouraged to attend an Information Session to learn more about the application process prior to submitting their application. Applicants may register for an upcoming session here.
Please see our Application Process page for more information regarding the required materials. We do not waive any of the required application materials with the exception of GMAT/GRE test scores.
Applicants are welcome to select any person who can speak to the applicant’s professional and/or academic skills and abilities. For example, we accept recommendations from supervisors, colleagues, mentors, former professors, and advisors. Please note we do not accept recommendations from family members or spouses.
We require a two-minute video in place of a formal interview. The prompt for the two-minute video is included in the application. Most applicants choose to simply record the video on their phone and upload it in their application. We are looking for the applicant to thoughtfully respond to the prompt provided so that we may learn more about their background, experience, and qualifications.
When applying to our program, applicants are permitted to upload copies of their official transcripts as a PDF. Applicants are not required to submit an official copy of their transcripts directly from their previous institutions unless they are admitted into our program. Please contact your prior institution to learn more about requesting and obtaining your transcripts.
Cost & funding
The tuition and fees for the Flex MBA program will be established by the Board of Visitors in May 2026. The tuition rate will be residency-neutral, meaning the cost will be the same for all students regardless of state of residence.
Because our program will be offered at a competitive price point, we do not anticipate that we will have scholarships available for new students for the 2026-2027 academic year. Applicants are welcome to contact the Office of University Scholarships and Financial Aid to find out about scholarships and grants available through the central university.
We typically have a very small number (two to three) of Graduate Assistantship (GA) positions available each year. It's important to note that students who serve as GAs must study with us in-person at our location in Alexandria, Virginia. GAs enroll with us full time, take four courses per semester (12 credits), and work for our department 20 hours per week. They are not permitted to hold another job outside of the university. GAs receive a small stipend, and a portion of their tuition and fees are covered. Flex MBA applicants who are admitted into our program are welcome to apply for a GA position. It is not possible to apply to be a GA prior to being admitted into our program. Please note we do not offer graduate student housing at our location, and we do not cover the costs of a GA's housing.
Please contact the Bursar’s Office to find out more about payment plan options.
Special populations: international, employees, military
Yes, F-1 Visa students are eligible to enroll in our program if they enroll with us full-time and take in-person courses at Academic Building One. All questions about obtaining a student visa should be directed to Cranwell International Center.
The English Language Proficiency requirement is established by the Graduate School at Virginia Tech. Please see their website for details.
Flex MBA applicants who have earned their degree outside the US must obtain an official course-by-course transcript evaluation from a NACES-approved organization showing their GPA on a 4.0 scale.
While an applicant is welcome to use any evaluation agency, we especially recommend The Evaluation Company.
Yes, Virginia Tech employees are welcome to apply to our program. Benefits-eligible VT employees will be able to utilize the Standard Benefit when enrolled in our program. This benefit covers 12 academic credits per year.
Virginia Tech employees should note that any benefit received over $5,250 is treated as taxable income by the IRS during a single tax year. Given this, additional taxes will be withheld from the employee’s paycheck if that limit is exceeded. Tax withholding varies by individual. Virginia Tech’s Payroll office will work closely with each student to understand how the tax implications will impact their earnings.
Questions regarding military benefits are handled by the Office of Veteran Services. Please contact them directly if you have questions.
Curriculum
Our program consists of ten 3-credit courses. All courses within our program of study are core courses, and each course is a required course. We do not offer electives, concentrations, or areas of specialization at this time. Full curriculum details can be found here.
Resources
Virginia Tech provides a number of helpful resources to students who are enrolled in virtual programs. A list of university resources available to students enrolled in online programs can be found here.
It’s important to note that Flex MBA students who enroll with us virtually are still welcome to attend in-person events and utilize on-campus resources such as study spaces and libraries if they live near the Blacksburg or Alexandria campuses.
Hokie One Stop in the D.C. area is a centralized, student-focused service center that connects graduate students in the region to key information and resources. Please visit their website to learn more.
We also encourage you to visit Virginia Tech’s D.C. Area website to learn more about our location and all of the opportunities available in our region.