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The University

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) was created in 1968 by an act of the Virginia General Assembly that combined the Richmond Professional Institute and the Medical College of Virginia (MCV). However, VCU uses the founding date of 1838, the year in which the Medical College of Virginia was created. VCU is one of three comprehensive universities in Virginia. On the graduate level, the University offers the M.A., M.Acc., M.B.A., M.F.A., M.A.E., M.Ed., M.H.A., M.M., M.M.Ed., M.P.A., M.P.H., M.S., M.S.N.A., M.S.O.T., M.S.W., M.T., M.Tax., M.I.S., M.U.R.P., D.D.S., M.D., Pharm.D., D.M.D., D.H.A., D.B.A., D.P.T., and Ph.D. degrees. Undergraduate and graduate programs are offered in more than 190 fields.

VCU is a diverse metropolitan university that has a major educational, cultural, and economic impact on the Richmond community. VCU is administratively and structurally composed of two campuses, the Monroe Park Campus (west) and the MCV Campus (east), operating as one institution. The two campuses provide distinct locations for learning. The Monroe Park Campus, located in the historic Fan District, combines hand-paved streets and Victorian town houses with spacious, contemporary classroom facilities. It houses the following colleges and schools: Arts, Business, Education, Engineering, Government and Public Affairs, Humanities and Sciences, Mass Communications, Social Work, World Studies, the School of Graduate Studies, the University College, and the Division of External Relations. The MCV Campus is located in the business section of Richmond, 1 miles east of the Monroe Park Campus. On this campus are the schools of Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Public Health. Each campus has several buildings listed on either the Virginia or National Historic Landmarks registers. Free shuttle service between the campuses is provided by the University.

Of the 31,907 men and women at VCU, 22,163 are undergraduates. Seventy-four percent of the 3,882 freshmen reside in University residence facilities, which include modern high-rise buildings and stylish town houses. Nearly 300 student organizations exist on campus, reflecting the diverse social, political, religious, and academic interests of the student body. Campus life is active, and there are numerous social and athletic events scheduled through these groups.

VCU offers postbaccalaureate certificate programs in accounting, aging studies, applied social research, business administration, computer science, criminal justice, environmental studies, gender violence intervention (social work), geographic information systems, health sciences, historic preservation planning, homeland security and emergency preparedness, human resource management, information systems, instructional technology, marketing, mathematical sciences, nonprofit management, patient counseling, planning information systems, premedical basic health sciences (anatomy, biochemistry and molecular biophysics, human genetics, microbiology and immunology, neurobiology, pharmacology and toxicology, and physiology), public management, public safety, real estate and land development, statistics, teaching, and urban revitalization.

Location

VCU is located in the city of Richmond, the state capital and focal point for Virginias political, cultural, and social events. It is within a 1-hour drive of Williamsburg and within a 2-hour drive of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Virginia Beach, and Washington, D.C. Founded in 1607, Richmond is home to many historic sites. It also offers theater, concerts, symphony performances, ballet, art museums, shopping, athletics, and recreational opportunities. The University extends into the life of the city, and students participate in many activities in the University and Richmond communities.

Majors and Degrees

Virginia Commonwealth University awards B.A., B.F.A., B.I.S., B.M., B.M.Ed., B.S., and B.S.W. degrees. The undergraduate majors are accounting, advertising (business and creative), African American studies, anthropology, art, art education, art history (architectural history and art historical), bioinformatics (biology/genomics, computational science bioinformatics, and quantitative/statistical bioinformatics), biology, broadcast journalism, business administration and management, business law and marketing, chemistry, clinical laboratory sciences, clinical radiation sciences, communication arts, computer science, craft and material studies (ceramics, fabric design, fiberwork, furniture design, glassworking, jewelry, metalsmithing, and woodworking), criminal justice (forensic crime scene investigation and justice), dance and choreography, dental hygiene, economics, education (art, early childhood, elementary, health and physical, middle school, music, secondary, special, and theater), engineering (biomedical, chemical and life science, computer, electrical, and mechanical), English, environmental studies, exercise science (community health education, exercise science, and teacher education), fashion design, fashion merchandising, finance, financial technology, forensic science, French, German, graphic design, history, home fashions merchandising, homeland security and emergency preparedness, human resource management/industrial relations, illustration, information systems, interior design, interdisciplinary studies, international studies, journalism (broadcast and print), kinetic imaging, management, marketing, mass communications (advertising, journalism, and public relations), mathematical sciences (applied mathematics, computing science, mathematics, operations research, secondary mathematics teacher preparation, and statistics), music (performance/jazz studies and composition), nontraditional studies, nursing, occupational therapy, painting and printmaking, pharmacy, philosophy, photography and film, physical education, physical therapy, physics, political science, predentistry studies, prelaw studies, premedicine studies, preoptometry studies, preveterinary studies, print journalism, psychology, public relations, radiological sciences (nuclear medicine, radiation therapy, and radiological technology), real estate and urban land development, religious studies, science, sculpture, social work, sociology and anthropology, Spanish, theater (performance and design/technical), urban and regional planning, urban studies and geography, and womens studies.

Selected study plans resulting in double majors and/or minors are available to students who wish to intensify their academic backgrounds in more than one area of study. A number of major programs offer students an opportunity to specialize within their major. Extensive prehealth sciences programs are also offered.

Several undergraduate programs serve as preparatory programs for graduate and professional programs. Undergraduate studies in early childhood/elementary, middle, secondary, and special education are part of a five-year program culminating in a B.A., B.I.S., or B.S. and a Master of Teaching. Students must apply to the upper-division graduate program once they have junior status. Undergraduate study in the prehealth sciences prepares students to apply for the professional or graduate portion of the program. Acceptance to a preparatory program does not guarantee admission to the professional or graduate program.

Academic Programs

The numerous schools that exist within the University allow students to take courses in many different disciplines. The requirements for a bachelors degree vary from 120 to 135 semester hours, according to the major program. Advanced placement, early admission, early decision, honors programs, and credit by examination are available. An eight-year medical program, an eight-year dental program, and guaranteed admission to graduate and professional programs in basic health sciences and programs in business (four-year programs leading to the masters degree) are available to superior freshmen. VCU operates on a traditional semester calendar with a winter intersession and numerous summer sessions. Cooperative education and internships are available in most majors.

Off-Campus Programs

VCU sponsors various travel/study-abroad programs and opportunities for students interested in gaining exposure to other cultures and languages.

Academic Facilities

A large number of support facilities and programs supplement the various academic offerings at VCU. These include animal laboratories and a workshop; class 1000 clean-room space for the fabrication of microelectronic chips, biochips, and microelectromechanical systems; a greenhouse and aquatics laboratory; math tutorial labs; well-equipped labs for the sciences; language labs; the Foreign Language Bank for those needing translating services; the Center for Psychological Services Development; the Center for Teacher Leadership; the Management Center; the Computer Center; the Center for Public Policy; the Correctional Training and Evaluation Center; the Training and Technical Assistance Center; the University Child Study Center; the Cancer Center; the Poison Control Center; four teaching hospitals; two theaters; a music center; a ceramics and sculpture workshop; art studios; a graphics lab; an audiovisual lab; a campus learning center and writing center; and a photography studio with complete darkroom facilities. The Anderson Gallery, a University-owned art museum, is located on the Monroe Park Campus. The University is also the location of Virginias Highway Safety Training Center and a Biotechnology Research Park.

Costs

Academic-year expenses for undergraduate students in 200708 were $6196 for in-state tuition and fees and $18,740 for nonresident tuition and fees. Room and board were estimated at $7567.

Financial Aid

University financial aid programs serve approximately 67 percent of the student body. The University participates in all federal and state grant, loan, and work-study programs. The University also sponsors a major academic scholarship program whose awards are based upon academic merit rather than need. Normally, students encounter few problems finding part-time employment on campus or in the community. To apply for assistance, students are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA must be mailed before March1 to meet the University deadline. Further information may be obtained by contacting the VCU Office of Financial Aid at 901 West Franklin Street, P.O. Box 843537, Richmond, Virginia 23284-2527.

Faculty

Eighty-nine percent of VCU faculty members hold the highest degree in their professional field. Faculty members work with students in developing academic programs, supervise independent study programs, and assist with academic advising.

Student Government

The student government at Virginia Commonwealth University consists of a body of 33 senators representing both schools. Each of the senators serves on at least one of seven subcommittees. Elections are held during spring preregistration. The student government provides programs and services to the University community and gives students the opportunity to get involved with the governance of the institution.

Admission Requirements

Admission to programs on the Monroe Park Campus requires graduation from an accredited secondary school (or a high school equivalency diploma) with a minimum of 20 units, which must include 4 units in English; 3 units in history, social sciences, or government; 3 units in mathematics (including at least 2 units in algebra I, geometry, and algebra II); and 3 units in science (including 1 unit in a laboratory science). Two units of foreign language are strongly recommended. Additional units in mathematics and other academically challenging areas of study are also recommended. The Advanced Studies diploma is preferred. Applicants are evaluated on the basis of their academic record in high school, class standing, SAT or ACT scores, extracurricular activities, and suitability of preparation for the intended major. Transfer students with at least 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of undergraduate credit are admitted on the basis of their accumulated college credits.

Admission to programs on the MCV Campus requires from two to four years of undergraduate study. Each school and program has specified academic requirements.

VCU is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution providing access to education and employment without regard to age, race, color, national origin, gender, religion, sexual orientation, veterans status, political affiliation, or disability.

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