Frequently Asked Questions
These are frequently asked questions for University Studies students.
University Studies is VT’s name for our undecide or undeclared major. It’s a temporary major for students who are still exploring their options for majors. University Studies is not a degree granting program, which means students cannot graduate from Virginia Tech while they are a University Studies major.
Students must change their major when they reach 60 earned credit hours or 72 attempted credit hours. This number includes transfer credits from dual enrollment, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and CLEP exams. Students usually earn around 30 credit hours each year in college. So, if you start at VT without any transfer credit, you would reach 60 credit hours at the end of your sophomore year. However, students can change their major before they reach those credit hour limits.
Change of major is available starting in December for students who have completed at least one semester at Virginia Tech. View a complete list of Change of Major dates. Incoming students are NOT eligible to change their major in August.
Students in University Studies take a majority of their courses towards Pathways for General Education requirements. These courses allow students to progress towards graduation as well as explore possible majors that could be a good fit. Students can also take classes to explore specific major and work toward required classes for entry to restricted majors.
Incoming students will register for courses on their own during the summer starting June 12, 2024. See the University Studies Canvas webpage for more information.
Your Advising and Course Registration meeting will be on Zoom. During the meeting you will:
- Meet with an academic advisor
- Confirm your schedule for your first semester
- Ask any questions you have about possible majors, minors, or course plans
- Depending on your score, you may receive credit. Official transcripts from the community college or university that granted the credits are needed for Dual Enrollment credit, while official test scores are needed for AP or IB exams. Please note that VT cannot award college credit based on high school transcripts.
- Even if your scores or final grades are not official by the time you have your Advising and Course Registration meeting, make sure you bring a copy of an unofficial transcript and/or a list of scores you’re expecting to assist with course registration. See more information about transferable credit.
- Students can check their unofficial transcript via Hokie Spa to see if their credit or scores were evaluated. If the equivalent coursework is not showing up, give it time. This process can take weeks or months. If you have not received your credit by the beginning of the academic year, speak with your academic advisor.
- Students will receive an email in their VT email account when new transcripts or scores are received by the Registrar’s Office and another email when those transcripts or scores have been processed.