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Expectations for Graduate Study

Graduate Life Center at Donaldson Brown ; graduate school sign; architectural detail

a detail of the portico over the Graduate Life Center's Alumni Hall entrance

Virginia Tech graduate students are expected to be honest, ethical, contributing members of the campus community. The following resources provide details about these important responsibilities.

Expectations for Graduate Education

These webpages state the expectations for graduate students, faculty, departments, and the Graduate School to foster and maintain a dynamic and productive academic environment (pdf version). The expectations are listed within six areas: progress toward degree, research and ethics, teaching and training, professional development, assistantships and financial support, and community.  

Graduate Honor System

The Graduate Honor System sets a standard of ethical behavior in all academic pursuits and enforces the Graduate Honor Code by addressing violations of ethical practices.

Principles of Community

This important statement defines Virginia Tech's commitment to maintaining a diverse and inclusive environment.

Code of Student Conduct

The Code of Student Conduct, governed by the University Student Conduct System, provides standards of behavior that all Virginia Tech students are required to uphold.

Office of the Graduate Ombudsperson

The ombudsperson provides a resource for and information about institutional policies and acts as a facilitator to work towards resolutions of graduate students' concerns.

Title IX Rights and Responsibilities

Virginia Tech is committed to ending gender-based violence on campus.  Visit www.stopabuse.vt.edu for information on resources, reporting options, and involvement opportunities.

Graduate student employees (whether on assistantship or wages) are required to complete a compliance workshop within 90 days of employment and every two years thereafter. This applies to any employee who began working at Virginia Tech on, or after, July 1, 2015.