Department of Management

Frequently Asked Questions

The explanation and answers provided should not be considered definitive statements on the subject. Please refer to the University Catalog, the Registrar's Office, or the Pamplin Undergraduate Advising Office for further explanation.

Management Options - Top

What are the Management options? There are two MGT options: Entrepreneurial, Innovation & Technology Management (EIT) and Human Resource Management (MHR).

When did the new options go into effect? The revised curriculum was effective with the Class of 2003.

Can I choose BOTH options? Yes.

What is the focus of each option? The focus of the EIT option is preparing students to lead in an entrepreneurial fashion in large and small organizations in both the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors. Some of these students will choose to start their own businesses, while others will work for existing organizations. The focus of the MHR option is preparing students to work in the Human Resources area.

Which check sheet should I use? The check sheet applies to students completing their degree in that particular calendar year.

What courses are required? All MGT majors are required to take ACIS 2504, MGT 3324, MGT 3334, MGT 4344, and MGT 4334.  In addition to the major core courses, the EIT option requires: MGT 4064, MGT 3604, and MGT 4074; the MHR option requires MGT 3424, MGT 3344, and MGT 4414.

Changing Majors - Top

How do I change my major or minor?  A student should obtain the appropriate form from the Undergraduate Advising Office.  After signatures are obtained, the form is returned to that office for processing.  See this Undergraduate Advising Office site for FAQ's about changing into Pamplin from another major at VT.

Double Major/Double Degree/Minors - Top

What additional courses are required to double major in Management? Student must meet all specific requirements for each degree program. A double major applies to students already in Pamplin (ACIS, BIT, FIN, HTM, MKTG). It will generally require 21 additional credits, which may be considered free electives in your other major. Students who complete a double major do not receive an additional diploma but will receive a double major certificate. The double major will also be recognized on the student's transcript.

What additional courses are required to double degree in Management? Students may earn a second bachelor’s degree by earning a minimum of 155 credit hours and meeting all specific requirements for each degree program. A double degree results in two diplomas. A second undergraduate degree does not have to be completed at the same time as the first. Can I minor in Management? There is no Management minor – there is the Business Leadership Minor. The Business Leadership Minor is not a replacement for the MGT degree. There is a minor in Business for students enrolled in a non-Business major – check in the Undergraduate Advising Office for application and check sheet.

Can I minor in Management?  There is no Management minor – there is the Business Leadership Minor. The Business Leadership Minor is not a replacement for the MGT degree. There is a minor in Business for students enrolled in a non-Business major – check in the Undergraduate Advising Office for application and check sheet. We anticipate that a Business Diversity minor will begin operation in Fall 2008.

If I am a MGT major and wish to minor in another area, to whom should I speak? Contact the department for the minor that you would like to declare. Not all departments offer a minor. Do minors, options, or concentrations appear on the diploma? No, they do not appear on the diploma. The transcript will indicate the student has completed the minor and/or concentration. Not all options are approved to print on the transcript.

Do minors, options, or concentrations appear on the diploma? No, they do not appear on the diploma. The transcript will indicate the student has completed the minor and/or concentration. Not all options are approved to print on the transcript.

Substitutions - Top

How do I request a substitution? Contact the department head of your major.

DARS - Top

When should I apply for graduation? An application for degree form should be completed on Hokie Spa during the first semester of the junior year. Submitting this degree application creates a Degree Audit Report System (DARS report). The report will show the remaining courses needed, and compute overall and in-major GPA. If the student disagrees with the analysis, his/her advisor should review his/her folder and resolve any discrepancies. The student should then notify the Registrar’s Office of the problem and resolve it immediately. Ultimately, it is the student’s responsibility to insure that the requirements for graduation are met.

Students should include their option choice when submitting the application!

Prerequisites/Upper Division Clearance - Top

I want to add a class, but I do not have the prerequisites, can I take it anyway? Prerequisites are established so students are prepared with the knowledge base needed in order to understand and apply the new information being taught in a class. Prerequisites are spelled out in the course description in the undergraduate catalog and in the timetable information found on Hokie Spa each semester. It is a student's responsibility to be sure they have the prerequisites completed before enrolling in a subsequent course. The department and the professor that offer the course enforce the prerequisite requirement. Therefore, if in doubt about prerequisites for a course after checking these sources, check with the professor teaching the course or the department offering the course.

What is required to take junior-level Management courses? All students in the Pamplin College of Business must submit the Upper Division Application form the semester before enrolling in any upper level business courses.

Can I take junior-level business courses if I meet the prerequisites in the catalog? Not necessarily.  The ultimate prerequisite for junior-level business courses is attaining junior status in the College of Business.  Junior status must be applied for the semester before a student wishes to begin taking junior-level classes.(more information)

What are the prerequisites for MGT 4394 (Business Policy & Strategy)?  Completion of all College of Business core courses (MGT 3304, MKTG 3104, FIN 3104, FIN 3055, and BIT 3414) and senior standing.

Transfer Credits - Top

What is required to take courses at another institution? Students planning to take courses at ANY other school must complete the Authorization to Take Courses Elsewhere form. A description of the course must be provided with the form for any school other than Virginia Community Colleges. Once the course is completed with a grade of C or better, the student must have an official transcript sent from the registrar at the school they are attending to VT Registrar. A student may not receive credit for course work taken at another college or university during any period in which the student has been placed on suspension by Virginia Tech for academic or disciplinary reasons.

How many hours am I allowed to transfer?  No more than 50 percent of the credits required for graduation may be transferred from two-year colleges.  Of the last 45 semester hours before graduation, a maximum of 18 semesters hours may be transfer hours.

If I do well in a class at a community college, will it help my GPA?  Transfer hours cannot be used as GPA builders.   Only the credit hours will transfer – not the grades.

Grades - Top

What is the pass/fail option?  The P/F grading option is available to all undergraduates who have completed a minimum of 30 credit hours at Virginia Tech and have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above.  A student is permitted to take up to 10 percent of the requirements for graduation completed at Virginia Tech under this grading system option.  No required course or course used for the university core curriculum may be taken on a P/F basis. 

What is an audit?  An audit occurs when you attend the class but you do not receive a grade for the class. It has no effect on your GPA.

Can I audit any course?  Check with your advisor or college dean before auditing a course. Once a student audits a course, it may not be taken again for a letter grade. Required courses on the check sheet cannot be audited.

Under what conditions can I repeat a class in which I have already received a grade?  Classes in which you earned “C-“ or below are repeatable: grades for both attempts will be calculated in your GPA, but the semester hours for only one attempt will count toward graduation.  When you repeat a class in which you had earlier earned a “C” or above: you will receive only a grade of “P” when you repeat and pass it, and the credit hours for the repeated course will not count toward graduation.

I received a D as a grade in one of my major classes; do I need to repeat this course?  The student needs a 2.0 in-major – it may be retaken if they want to improve their overall and in-major GPA, but only applicants to change major into the College of Business must have a “C-“ or better in every course.  Classes used to calculate the in-major GPA include: MGT 3304, MGT 3334, MKTG 3104, FIN 3104, FIN 3055, BIT 3414, MGT 3324, MGT 4334, MGT 4344, MGT 4394, and the courses for the option you selected.

What are the requirements for satisfactory progress?  For all students in the management major having attempted 72 semester hours, students must maintain an in-major GPA of 2.0 or better, and an overall GPA of 2.0 or better.  Any student whose GPA falls below this standard will have one semester to regain an in-major and overall GPA of 2.0 or better.  Failing to achieve this standard for any two semesters will result in the student being requested to leave the major and having his/her registration blocked until they file a change of major.  In-major credits are designated by the # on the departmental check sheet.

Core Requirements - Top

How do I find out what courses will satisfy specific core requirements? These are found in the Core Curriculum Guide.

Writing Intensive Requirement - Top

How many writing intensive courses are required? Students entering before Fall 2005 must complete the Freshman English/Communication Skills requirement in addition to another six credit hours from approved Writing Intensive (WI) courses, three of which must be within their major. MGT 4344 is the MGT WI course; other approved WI courses can be found in the Core Curriculum Guide. Among these other WI courses, ENGL 3774, Business Writing, was designed specifically as a writing intensive course for business students.

Course Withdrawal Policy - Top

I am not doing well in a class and it is past the drop deadline, is there anything I can do?  Make an appointment to see your academic dean to discuss the possibility of using the Withdrawal Policy. This policy is available for both entering and continuing students.  A maximum six hours (6) may be dropped beyond the normal six-week drop deadline date during a student's academic career at Virginia Tech subject to the following stipulations:

  1. Students must complete the formal request to late drop a course and that request must be made by 5:00 p.m. on the Friday of the last full week of classes for the term in which the class is being taken.
  2. Courses from which a student withdraws under the terms of this policy will appear on their transcript with a W.
  3. Students may request withdrawal from any course irrespective of the grades earned in it up to the point of their request for withdrawal.
  4. To exercise this option, interested students should see their academic dean to obtain a Course Withdrawal Form and thereafter submit it to their designated departmental representative and academic dean for approval.
  5. Students already enrolled when this policy takes effect and who have exercised their option to the Freshman Rule to the total of six hours of credit allowed under the current Freshman Rule Policy shall not be eligible to use this policy.
  6. Students who have not exercised their option to use the Freshman Rule for six credits or who have only exercised their option to use the Freshman Rule for a total of fewer than six credits may elect to late withdraw from the remaining balance of credits up to the maximum six hours of credits allowed under this policy.

Commencement - Top

Degrees are conferred upon candidates who are present in person to receive them at the Commencement ceremony in May.  Degrees may be conferred in absentia if candidates cannot be present at Commencement for good reason.  To arrange for this, a candidate must request permission, in writing, from the University Registrar to be excused from the Commencement ceremony.

No ceremonies are conducted at the end of the summer sessions, but graduates may attend the fall ceremony after completion of degree requirements.  They may also request permission from the department to “walk through” the spring Commencement ceremony.  To participate in the May ceremony, summer graduates must complete the "walk" permission form and meet the following criteria: 1) be within 12 hours of completion, 2) have an overall and in-major GPA of 2.0, and 3) be completing in the summer. 

Do fall graduates receive diplomas?  Not at the Commencement ceremony.  Diplomas are generally received 10-12 weeks after the end of the term.

Who do I contact to have my diploma mailed?  The Graduation Analysis section of the Registrar’s Office handles diploma distribution.

What is the last date to apply for graduation in order to receive a diploma at the Spring Commencement? This date, which changes from year to year, is on the web in the spring timetable information and deadlines.

How long after the ending date of the term do I have to complete degree requirements and still graduate that term? Students who have completed all degree requirements by the end of spring semester have 30 days after the ending date of the term to submit their academic credentials and still be eligible to have spring semester as their conferral term/year.

More frequently asked questions about graduation can be found at the Registrar's Office Guide to Graduation.

A student who has completed at least 60 credit hours at Virginia Tech may be graduated with distinction under the following conditions: 

  1. Cumulative GPA of 3.8 or greater – Summa Cum Laude
  2. Cumulative GPA of 3.6-3.7999 – Magna Cum Laude
  3. Cumulative GPA of 3.4-3.5999 – Cum Laude

(only work attempted at Virginia Tech will be computed) 

Miscellaneous - Top

What are free electives?  Free electives are any courses that you choose to take above and beyond University, college, or departmental requirements.  A student may take any course offered by any college within the university.  The only restrictions pertain to courses which duplicate coursework taken at another institution or courses that duplicate material covered in another course at Virginia Tech.  (For example, Math as a Liberal Art may not be taken by students who have taken Calculus and Matrices.)  Students are also restricted to a maximum of two one-hour pass/fail physical education classes; however, they are not limited to the number of two- or three-hour physical education courses they may take. 

Academic level
            Freshman         -- 0-29 hours completed
            Sophomore      -- 30-59 hours
            Junior               -- 60-89 hours
            Senior              -- 90+ hours

I am having problems with my professor/instructor. Who can I talk with about this?  First and foremost, talk to your instructor. If the problem is not resolved, go to the instructor’s department head, who is their supervisor. You are also encouraged to speak to your academic advisor on ways to approach your instructor.

I am having problems with one or more of my classes. Where do I go for help?  The first two resources are your instructor/professor and your academic advisor. Other resources include:  The Center for Academic Enrichment and Excellence, and the Cook Counseling Center.

I do well on the homework, but my test grades are terrible. What resources are available to assist me?  The first two resources are your instructor/professor and your academic advisor. Other resources include: 

  • The Center for Academic Enrichment and Excellence for tutoring services and other academic assistance.
  • The Cook Counseling Center can assist you with test taking and study skills.
  • The Dean of Students can help you if you have an identifiable learning disability.

What is University Honor System?  Access the University Honor System web site and identify what you need to do as a student to uphold the Honor Code at Virginia Tech.

I have had family/personal problems and need to quit this semester. What do I need to do?  Contact your academic advisor, the Dean of your college and/or the Cook Counseling Center .

I have been sick and missed a lot of classes. Now I cannot catch up. Is there anything I can do?  Contact your academic advisor.

I have a learning disability. Can Tech provide assistance for me?  Services for Students with Disabilities can assist you with your academic needs.

What happens if I get an academic drop?  A student’s academic eligibility is based on his/her hours attempted and hours transferred, not on hours passed.
Students are dropped for academic reasons only at the end of spring semester.  The student may attend summer school while on first academic drop.  If he/she raises the GPA during the summer to the minimum level required, he/she may then return during fall semester and the academic drop is rescinded.  Students who do not attend summer school following an academic drop or who do not raise their GPA to the required level during summer school are ineligible to return until the following summer.  This situation constitutes a first academic drop.  Academic drops are handled by the Undergraduate Advising Office.

How many hours may I take? An undergraduate must take at least 12 hours to be considered a full-time student.  A student may take up to 19 hours without special permission.  If a student wishes to take more than 19 hours, then s/he must seek approval from the Associate Dean. 

Am I allowed to take a graduate-level course?  Seniors with a 3.0 or better GPA may enroll in 5000-level courses for undergraduate credit within their department when qualified by the course instructor and the department head.  Taking 5000-level courses outside the department requires Graduate School approval.   Should the student become a graduate student, these courses may not be used for graduate credit.

Can I add or drop a class after the deadline? A request to add a class after the last day to add classes must be submitted directly to the Academic Advisor’s Office (1046 Pamplin) for approval by the Associate Dean. 

The College of Business uses the following procedure concerning requests to drop.  First, a student should go to the Academic Advisor’s office (1046 Pamplin) and request a form to drop a class beyond the deadline.  The student should then complete the form and report to the department head or designated representative to discuss the matter.  The department head will then approve or deny the request.  If the request is approved, the student must then take the form for approval by Associate Dean Candice Clemenz.  If the request is denied by the department head, there is no need to see Associate Dean Candice Clemenz. 

If there are extenuating circumstances beyond a student’s realm of control (such as documented financial problems, domestic problems, health problems, etc.) a request may be favorably reviewed.  Each case, of course, is judged on its own merits and a decision is made accordingly.  Note:  Doing poorly in a class, lack of interest, or dropping a course because it is not required are not acceptable requests in and of themselves.

How do I change the time I take a final examination? A student can change the time of a final examination only with the approval of the Academic Advisor’s Office.  A student is given relief if he/she has three or more exams in 24 hours.  Other reasons for changes are dealt with on an individual basis.  Note:  The professor must offer the exam during the regularly scheduled time, unless the professor has the Associate Dean’s permission.

Academic Advising Resources - Top

Pamplin Undergraduate Advising Office

x1-6602
Pamplin 1046


Late add/drop

Associate Dean Candice Clemenz

pamplin.cob.vt.edu/

Transfer credits

Joan Moore

 

Upper division clearance

Scholarships & Financial Aid

x1-7159
www.finaid.vt.edu

Scholarships, loans, work/study

Registrar’s Office

x1-6252

Apply for graduation on Hokie Spa

 

www.registrar.vt.edu

Request transcript

Student Accounts (Bursar)

1-6277
www.bursar.vt.edu

Tuition, refunds

Student Affairs

x1-6272 www.dsa.vt.edu

 

Career Services

x1-6241 www.career.vt.edu

 

Co-op

x1-6491

 

Counseling

x1-6557

 

Dean of Students

x1-3787
www.dos.vt.edu

 

Health Services

x1-5313

 

Placement

x1-6241

 

Tutorial Services

x1-8887

 

Writing Center

x1-5436

Writing, tutorial & consulting service