Virginia Tech’s Master of Information Technology program, recently named the No. 3 Best Online Program in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, has launched a new initiative – the MIT Scholars Program – that will award student scholarships beginning this fall.

The MIT Scholars Program aims to expand educational pathways for student populations traditionally underrepresented in technology. The program will provide an average of $2,000 per term for tuition and fees to help support applicants who are pursuing an online Master of Information Technology degree. Up to 10 scholarships will be awarded beginning with the fall semester.

“Throughout my career, I have seen the benefits of diverse, inclusive teams in solving tough problems,” said Alison Garrett, associate director of Master of Information Technology program. “MIT Scholars will encourage both aspiring and experienced IT professionals to pursue their Master of Information Technology degree, strengthening the skilled workforce in high-tech fields.”

“This scholarship opportunity for Master of Information Technology program students will go a long way in helping to increase the diversity of our student body, allowing more students to be able to afford a graduate degree in this highly in-demand field,” added Parviz Ghandforoush, executive director of the Master of Information Technology program.

Commissioned more than 20 years ago by the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Master of Information Technology program is designed as an integrative program within the Pamplin College of Business and the College of Engineering to provide working IT professionals with the interdisciplinary knowledge they need to succeed in critical and emerging technology fields. Alumni, students, and faculty members are engaged at the forefront of engineering, computer science, and business to confront and conquer the technological challenges of the 21st century.

As the IT field continues to grow, opportunity exists for providing graduate programs to educate talented IT professionals for leadership positions.

"The online Masters of IT program consistently offers courses taught in a flexible learning environment by our expert faculty. By creating scholarships opportunities, we increase our competitiveness for recruiting learners to our program," said Glenda Scales, associate dean of global engagement and chief technology officer for the College of Engineering.

“Enhancing diverse representation of our student body expands student learning abilities and success, and we have made this a strategic priority,” said Janice Branch Hall, assistant dean for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging for Pamplin. “The investment in the MIT Scholars program is also a critical step toward diversifying the field of information technology. We want our efforts to not only positively impact Virginia Tech, but we desire to be societal change agents that work to elevate the human condition.”

Scholarship details

Students interested in applying for the scholarship must be enrolled in at least six credits in their first fall or spring term in the Master of Information Technology program. Students must also be recognized as contributing to the diversity of the program and identify as traditionally underrepresented in technology.

The scholarship may be renewed for students with good academic performance and who remain continuously enrolled, up to a maximum number of award terms of four. Recipients must maintain good academic performance in program courses and progress toward a Master of Information Technology degree to be eligible for scholarship renewal. Specifically, recipients must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA and remain continuously enrolled, completing four courses per year.

Please visit the tuition and financial aid page for more information and for how to apply for the MIT Scholars program.

Contacts:

Tags

Share this story