Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics

Five-Year Bachelor's/Master's Degree

Upon completion of 90 credit hours and at least two more semesters to complete all requirements for the B. S. degree, undergraduate students having an overall grade point average of at least 3.5 can apply for the ESM Five-Year Bachelor/Master Degree. This program allows undergraduate students at Virginia Tech to use four courses (12 credit hours) taken during the senior year to count towards both the B. S. and M. S. degrees. Successful completion of these four courses with no less than a “B” average is required for them to be counted towards both degrees. Five-year BS/MS students must meet the same requirements as other ESM Masters’ students. These courses need to be a combination of senior-level and graduate-level courses. Please note: the ESM requirements for this program differ from the University requirements. You will need to make an appointment with the ESM Assistant Department Head to discuss the ESM requirements.

To apply for the program:

  1. Fill out an on-line graduate application (https://www.applyweb.com/apply/vtechg/index.html). You will need to select the Masters Program; type ESM/EM where it asks for the curriculum and abbreviation; and for the area of concentration put Five-Year BS/MS. You also need to pay the application fee of $45.00 to the Graduate School. (Checks should be made out to Treasurer of Virginia Tech).
  2. Discuss your participation in this program with your advisor.
  3. Make an appointment with the ESM Assistant Department Head to discuss which four classes can be counted for both degrees. You must list the courses that will be double counted on the attached BS/MS Plan of Study form, and get the signature of the ESM Assistant Department Head on the form.
  4. Take this Plan of Study form to the ESM Graduate Secretary in 221 Norris, who will then obtain the Department Head’s approval (in the form of a letter) supporting your decision to enter the Five-Year BS/MS Program.
  5. The Graduate Secretary will then send a copy of your application, the Plan of Study form, and the Department Head’s letter of approval to the Director of the Honors Program in Hillcrest Hall for certification of your eligibility for this program.
  6. The Director of the Honors Program will then notify the Graduate School that you are eligible for the program. The Graduate School will notify you of their decision within a couple of weeks.

Five-Year BS/MS Program form and instructions