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Accelerated 4+1 Pathway

Accelerated Pathway (4+1) to the MSBA–HTM

Earn your master’s in Hospitality & Tourism Management just one year after your bachelor’s!

The VT Student Accelerated Option (4+1) lets qualified Virginia Tech undergraduates start taking MSBA–HTM graduate courses during their senior year, so you can double-count select credits toward both your undergraduate degree and the MSBA–HTM.

This pathway is open to Virginia Tech students from any undergraduate major who meet Graduate School and program requirements. Whether you’re in business, engineering, liberal arts, or another field, if you’re drawn to hospitality, tourism, and the broader experience economy, this option is designed to help you pivot or specialize.

How the 4+1 pathway works

Senior year (Year 4): get a head start

Once admitted to the accelerated pathway, you can count up to 12 credit hours toward both your bachelor’s and your MSBA–HTM:

  • Up to 6 credits of 4000-level undergraduate courses
  • Up to 6 credits of 5000-level MSBA–HTM graduate courses

Those 12 credits double-count – they satisfy requirements for your undergraduate degree and your MSBA–HTM. By the time you finish your bachelor’s, you’ve already made significant progress toward the master’s.

Fifth year (Year 5): finish the master’s

After you graduate with your bachelor’s, you’ll spend about one additional year completing the remaining MSBA–HTM coursework.

  • Full-time students can typically finish the master’s in one year.
  • Part-time options are also available for added flexibility.

You’ll graduate with an advanced credential that pairs your undergraduate major with a hospitality & tourism–focused business master’s.

Where you’ll study

Most students in the accelerated pathway:

  • Start in Blacksburg as undergraduates, and
  • Finish the MSBA–HTM in the D.C. metro area, at Virginia Tech Academic Building One (ICAB1) in Alexandria, VA – the home of the program.

Students who need or prefer to remain based in Blacksburg can work with the program team to explore pathways to complete the degree from Blacksburg, using a combination of available course formats (including select online offerings) while staying connected to the Alexandria-based faculty and network.

Who is eligible?

The accelerated MSBA–HTM pathway is designed for current Virginia Tech undergraduates from any major who:

  • Are on track to complete their bachelor’s degree at Virginia Tech
  • Have a minimum overall GPA of 3.3
  • Can apply to the VT Graduate School by the end of their junior year
  • Are ready to handle graduate-level coursework while finishing their undergraduate studies

Final eligibility and course choices are approved by the MSBA–HTM program and the Graduate School.

Why consider the accelerated MSBA–HTM path?

  • Save time and momentum. Earn a master’s in about one extra year instead of starting from scratch after your bachelor’s.
  • Stand out in a competitive market. Pair your undergraduate major with a hospitality & tourism–focused business master’s built around analytics, leadership, and strategy.
  • Keep your options open. Use the degree to move into management, strategy, consulting, or specialized roles across hospitality, tourism, events, sports, entertainment, healthcare, and more.

What to do next

  1. 1

    Talk with your advisor.

    Share your interest in the MSBA–HTM 4+1 accelerated option and confirm how it fits with your degree plan and timeline.

  2. 2

    Connect with the MSBA–HTM program team.

    They can help you understand which 4000- and 5000-level courses could double-count for your pathway and how the Blacksburg–Alexandria progression might work for you.

  3. 3

    Apply by the end of your junior year.

    Submit your VT Graduate School application indicating your interest in the accelerated MSBA–HTM pathway. You must be admitted before taking courses that will count in the accelerated program.

  4. 4

    Plan your senior year.

    Work with your advisor and the program team to map out up to 12 credits that will count toward both degrees and keep you on track to graduate on time.

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Ready for next steps?