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Application Process

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Application process

The MSBA–HTM program welcomes new students in August and January, with entry points in fall and spring. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and most decisions are made within about two weeks of receiving a complete application (including recommendations and transcripts), so early application is strongly encouraged.

  1. 1. Check your fit

    The admissions committee reviews applications holistically, considering your academic record, work experience, and goals. If you have questions, we encourage you to contact us.

    Minimum requirements (degree applicants)

    • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited 4-year institution
    • Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher (well-qualified applicants below 3.0 may still be considered through Provisional or Commonwealth Campus admission)

    Typical applicant profile

    • Two or more years of professional work experience (internships and other forms of employment will be considered)
    • Some exposure to hospitality and tourism is common, but a specific major or current hospitality role is not required

    The program enrolls students from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds.

  2. 2. Prepare your materials

    For the MSBA–HTM degree, you will need:

    • Completed online Graduate School application
    • Scanned copies of official transcripts from all degree-granting institutions (unofficial transcripts will not be accepted, except for Virginia Tech alumni)
    • Résumé
    • Two letters of recommendation
    • Academic and professional goals statement (1–2 pages, double-spaced)
    • Optional: a 2-minute video sharing your career goals and why this is the right time for the MSBA–HTM
    • $75 non-refundable application fee (learn more about fee waivers for military & other applicant populations)

    For graduate certificate applicants, the application fee is only $25. Application materials are similar, but recommendation letters are not required.

    GMAT/GRE scores are not required for admission to the MSBA–HTM degree or certificates.

  3. 3. Start your online application

    All applications are submitted through the Virginia Tech Graduate School application portal .

    When you start a new application, first select your application type:

    • Degree Seeking for the MSBA–HTM degree
    • Graduate Certificate for MSBA–HTM certificates
    • Non-Degree Seeking for Commonwealth Campus (take a course while you complete your application or test the fit)
    • Readmit if you are returning to the program

    Program of Study (degree applicants)

    • Degree: Master of Science
    • Major: Business Administration
    • Program Option: HTM
    • Campus: National Capital Region
    • Select full-time or part-time and your intended start term

    You can save your progress at any time and return later to complete and submit your application.

  4. 4. Know your timelines

    You may begin the MSBA–HTM degree or certificates in fall or spring. The program uses rolling admissions, but there are firm deadlines for international and domestic applicants each term.

    Spring 2026

    International application due
    September 1, 2025
    Domestic application due
    January 1, 2026
    Classes start
    January 20, 2026

    Fall 2026

    International application due
    April 1, 2026
    Domestic application due
    August 1, 2026
    Classes start
    August 24, 2026

    To confirm the start date of each semester in future academic years, view Virginia Tech’s academic calendar.

  5. 5. Admission types

    The program offers several admission paths, depending on your academic record and goals:

    • Regular Admission – For applicants with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, admitted directly to the MSBA–HTM degree.
    • Provisional Admission (master’s only) – For applicants with a GPA below 3.0 who show strong potential. Provisional students must complete four core courses with a B or better to transition automatically to regular status.
    • Commonwealth Campus (non-degree) – For applicants who do not yet meet regular or provisional standards, or who want to start with one course while completing their application. Courses taken in this status count toward the MSBA–HTM degree or certificates if you are later admitted, but Commonwealth Campus students are not eligible for financial aid while in this status.

    Certificate-only applicants who do not qualify for regular admission are considered for Commonwealth Campus status (provisional admission is not available for stand-alone certificates).

  6. 6. International applicants

    In addition to the standard materials, international applicants may need:

    Details and score requirements are listed on the Graduate School website .

  7. 7. After you submit

    Once all materials (including recommendation letters and transcripts) are received:

    • Your application is reviewed by the admissions committee
    • Most applicants receive a decision within approximately two weeks of completion
    • Admitted students who intend to enroll will need to send official transcripts directly to the Graduate Admissions Office

    For questions at any point in the process, applicants are encouraged to contact the MSBA–HTM team.

More application details

Applicants are required to have:

  • Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
    • Some well-qualified applicants with below a 3.0 GPA may be considered. Please see the Admission Types section below for more information.

Most applicants have:

  • More than two years of professional work experience
  • Experience in the hospitality and tourism sector

The MSBA-HTM program enrolls students with a variety of academic and professional backgrounds, so there's no need to have a specific undergraduate degree or current hospitality role to be admitted to the program.

To complete and submit your master's degree application, the following application materials are required:

  • Completed online application form
  • A scanned copy of official transcripts from all universities or colleges where a degree was conferred
    • Unofficial web transcripts downloaded through a university's online portal will not be accepted, except for Virginia Tech alumni.
    • Students with degrees from universities outside the U.S. will need to submit a report from a credential evaluation service. TOEFL/IELTS scores may also be required. See Additional Materials for International Students section below.
  • A copy of your resume
  • Two letters of recommendation sent electronically through the application portal
  • Academic and professional goals statement
    • Applicants are asked by the Graduate School to provide a 1-2 page double-spaced personal statement that addresses why you are pursuing a graduate degree, why at Virginia Tech, and why now.
  • Optional two-minute video 
    • We find that one of the most important factors our students must consider when applying for a graduate degree in hospitality and tourism management is their career goals. Please submit a two-minute video telling us why you have chosen to begin your MSBA-HTM at this time. Explain what makes it feel like the right career path for you now and what you plan to do with this degree. Please note that we encourage you to record this video with your cell phone or computer. We do not expect it to be highly produced.
  • A $75 non-refundable application fee

Please note that GMAT/GRE test scores are not required to apply to the MSBA-HTM program.

To complete and submit your master's degree application, the following application materials are required:

  • Completed online application form
  • A scanned copy of official transcripts from all universities or colleges where a degree was conferred
    • Unofficial web transcripts downloaded through a university's online portal will not be accepted, except for Virginia Tech alumni.
    • Students with degrees from universities outside the U.S. will need to submit a report from a credential evaluation service. TOEFL/IELTS scores may also be required. See Additional Materials for International Students section below.
  • A copy of your resume
  • Academic and professional goals statement
    • Applicants are asked by the Graduate School to provide a 1-2 page double-spaced personal statement that addresses why you are pursuing a graduate degree, why at Virginia Tech, and why now.
  • A $25 non-refundable application fee

Please note that GMAT/GRE test scores are not required to apply to the MSBA-HTM program.

You can begin your MSBA-HTM degree or graduate certificate in the Fall or Spring semesters.

The MSBA-HTM program has a rolling admissions process. We typically provide a decision within two weeks of your completed application, sometimes sooner. Please keep in mind that an application is only considered complete when all your admissions documents have been received by our office, including your letters of recommendation and a copy of your official transcript.

Your application and all supporting materials must be received by our office by the deadline dates listed below. We strongly encourage early application to ensure that your recommenders have ample time to submit their letters before the deadline.

Applications submitted after the deadline will only be considered if space is available. Please email msbahtm@vt.edu to inquire.

Entry Term International Application Due Domestic Application Due Classes Start
Spring 2026 September 1, 2025 January 1, 2026 January 20, 2026
Fall 2026 April 1, 2026 August 1, 2026 August 24, 2026

 

View Virginia Tech's academic calendar to see the date each semester begins for future academic years.

Regular Admission
Students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher from a regionally accredited university are eligible for admission to the MSBA-HTM program as regular students with no restrictions.

Provisional Admission (Master's only)
Students may receive an offer of provisional admission to the MSBA-HTM program if they have a GPA below the minimum of 3.0. The applicant must demonstrate other experience or qualifications that show the potential to undertake graduate study.

If an applicant accepts a provisional offer of admission, they will be required to take four core courses and earn a B or better in each course. Upon successfully completing the four core courses, a student will automatically transition to regular status.

Commonwealth Campus Admission
Commonwealth Campus admission is considered a non-degree seeking status. Students may receive an offer of Commonwealth Campus admission if they do not meet the standard for regular or provisional admission, but the admissions committee feels they are still a strong candidate for graduate study. Prospective students may also choose to apply directly as Commonwealth Campus students to try out a course or if they are unable to complete their application packet by the deadline for their desired term. Please note that even though Commonwealth Campus status is considered non-degree seeking, all of the courses taken in this status will count toward the MSBA-HTM degree or certificate.

If an applicant accepts a Commonwealth Campus offer of admission, they will be required to take four core courses and earn a B or better in each course. Upon successfully completing the four core courses, the student will be invited to reapply for regular admission and will receive the program's recommendation to the Graduate School for regular admission. No other recommendations will be required if student previously completed the application for regular admission.

Stand-alone certificate applicants that do not meet the standard for regular admission are only considered for Commonwealth Campus admission, as provisional status is not available to certificate-only students. Please note that you must earn a 3.0 or better in order to have your certificate conferred by the university.

Prospective students may also choose to apply as Commonwealth Campus students prior to being fully admitted into the MSBA-HTM program. This provides the applicant with an opportunity to start the program with one core course while they complete their application packet for the next semester or consider whether the program is right for them.

Please note that Commonwealth Campus students are ineligible for financial aid while in this status. 

  • Students with undergraduate degrees from universities outside the U.S. must submit a report from a credential evaluation service that converts grades into a grade point average (GPA) with a course by course break down of their degree. The university will accept evaluations done by any credentialing agency listed on the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services web site.
  • TOEFL scores are required of all international students whose first language is not English. The university-wide minimum score requirement is 90 for Internet and 577 for paper.  Please visit the TOEFL website for additional information on the TOEFL exam.
  • TOEFL waivers are provided for:
    • U.S. naturalized citizens and permanent residents
    • Applicants who have graduated from an accredited university where English is the language of instruction. The language of instruction must be confirmed as English on your transcript evaluation for the Graduate School to provide the waiver.
  • IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is also accepted in lieu of the TOEFL. A 6.5 minimum is required to apply.
  • Official test scores should be sent to the Virginia Tech Graduate School, institution code 5859. Do not enter a department code.
  • Additional information for international graduate students can be found on the Cranwell International Center site.

The Virginia Tech Graduate School is pleased to waive the $75 application fee for its military students. Please indicate your military affiliation in the Financial Assitance section of the online application form and provide required documentation.

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