Q & A
Frequently asked Questions
Accreditation & Certification:
Q. Is the Virginia Institute of Science & Technology (VIST) accredited or certified?
A. The Virginia Institute of Science & Technology is certified by State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV, www.schev.edu). VIST has been granted the “Certificate to Operate an Institution of Postsecondary Education” authorizing VIST to offer degrees, courses for degree credit, or programs of study leading to a degree or certificate in the Commonwealth of Virginia”.
Degrees and Programs
Q. What degree program does VIST provide?
A. At this time, VIST only offers one Master Degree of Science Program, it is Master of Science in Cybersecurity & Information Assurance. For detail information, please visit out website: The Degree and Graduate Certification Programs offered by the College of Cybersecurity.
VIST may offer other programs in future when the new programs are approved by SCHEV.
Q. What graduate certification programs does VIST provide?
A. Please visit: The Degree and Graduate Certification Programs offered by the College of Cybersecurity.
Q. Does VIST offer any undergraduate programs?
A. No. VIST may offer some undergraduate programs in future when the new programs are approved by SCHEV.
Q. Does MSCIA program required students take more computer courses if the students who are no Computer Science Major in their Bachelor degree program?
A. Yes. VIST students required to take a diagnostic test before they are admitted to enroll MSCIA program if the students are not Computer Science students in their Bachelor program. Then Academic Advisory Committee will determine how many and what courses the students should be taken before they enroll as formal MSCIA graduate students.
Online Learning
Q. Can I take my program online?
A. Yes. VIST was approved by SCHEV to provide both Face-to-Face (FTF) and Synchronous Remote Learning (SRL) on June 2020. Therefore, VIST offers a Master of Science degree in Cybersecurity & Information Assurance (MSCIA) in both Face-to-Face (FTF) Classroom programs and Synchronous Remote Learning programs (SRL – real-time online learning). The requirements of admission requirements, education quality, professors, curriculums, syllabus, assignments, projects, examinations, and labs, as well graduation standards, degree diploma and transcripts are same in both models.
Both FTF and SRL programs are the 12 courses with 54-credits programs, which are described below, have been designed by cybersecurity academic and industry professionals to prepare graduates with job-ready skills. The program includes a choice of two specialization tracks: System Cybersecurity and Operation Assurance along with an optional capstone independent study.
Tuition, Fees and Cost
Q. How much is tuition per credit hour at the Virginia Institute of Science & Technology?
A. Tuition is $430.00 per quarter-credit.
Q. What is the cost of each course?
A. Tuition for each 4.5-credit course are $1,935.00.
Q. What fees are need to be paid during my study at VIST?
A. Please see the Tuition and Fees from VIST website — Tuition & Fees.
Q. What do books cost?
A. The estimated average cost of books per course is $80 – $150, depended on the courses and professor required.
Q. What is the total cost of my program?
A. Your total program cost will vary, depending on number of credits in your chosen program of study, (e.g., degree, graduate certificate etc.) cost of books, applicable fees (which are described in the catalog), the number of transfer credits awarded, if any, and the amount of financial aid awarded, if applicable.
For example, for Master of Science in Cybersecurity & Information Assurance, it required 54 credit hours, so the tuition will be 54 x $430.00 = $23,220, plus application fee, register fee, brooks , etc. However, the Institute offer scholarship for outstanding students, Virginia residents also are qualified for some State scholarship, all these would reduce the total cost significantly.
Q. What do books cost?
A. The estimated average cost of books per course is $80 – $150, depended on the courses and professor required.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Q. Does VIST has Financial Aid Program?
A. No yet. VIST doesn’t offer Financial Program from Federal Government. But, VIST has partnership with few Large Commercial Banks to provide the personal loan for our students. For detailed information regarding student personal loan program, please directly contact school financial advisor: financial@vist.edu or visit: https://vist.edu/finance-aid/
Q. Does VIST has Academic Merit Scholarships?
A. Yes. VIST does offer President Scholarship and Dean Scholarship for qualified applicants. Please visit VIST webpage: https://vist.edu/scholarships
In-State, Out-State and International Students
Q. There are a different tuition between in-state, out-state and international students?
A. No, all the same.
Q. Does VIST accept International Students?,
A. Yes. Virginia Institute of Science & Technology (VIST) is officially certified by The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as a SEVP-certified Institute on May 19, 2021. Therefore, Virginia Institute of Science & Technology is authorized by Federal Law to issue I-20s to international students admitted to a program.
VIST provides an opportunity for pros
pective international students to study in the United States. VIST also offers OPT and CPT opportunities for qualified/eligible students.
Q. There are a different tuition between in-state, out-state and international students?
A. No, all the same.