Graduate School Virginia Commonwealth University

About Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is a state-supported coeducational university with a graduate school, teaching hospital, and 15 academic and professional units that offer 60 baccalaureate degree programs, 67 master's degree programs, 41 post-baccalaureate certificates and post-master's certificates, and 40 Ph.D. programs.

VCU also offers M.D., D.D.S., D.P.T., and Pharm.D. programs as well as cooperative degree programs with other major Virginia colleges and universities.

Located in Richmond, the capital of Virginia, VCU is comprised of two campuses. The 90.6-acre Monroe Park Campus is located in the Fan District and the 52-acre MCV Campus, which includes the VCU Medical Center, is located less than two miles east of the Monroe Park Campus in downtown Richmond's financial, commercial, and government district.

With more than $225 million in annual research funding, VCU ranks as one of the nation's top 100 research universities. More than 32,000 students are enrolled in 211 academic programs through VCU's 15 schools and one college. Over 10,000 faculty and staff members are in place to assist and educate VCU's student body.

All of the graduate-level programs can be seen below and can also be accessed from the Graduate School's website: www.graduate.vcu.edu. Please visit our website to view and request more information.

Master of Science Degree Programs

Master of Science degree programs are offered in the areas of Addiction Studies, Anatomy & Neurobiology, Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Biostatistics, Business, Chemistry, Clinical Laboratory Sciences, - Computer Science, Criminal Justice, Dentistry, Engineering, Epidemiology, Forensic Science, Genetic Counseling, Gerontology, Health Administration, Health & Movement Sciences, Human Genetics, Information Systems, Mass Communications (Advertising, Multimedia Journalism, Strategic PR), Mathematical Sciences, Mechanical & Nuclear Engineering, Microbiology & Immunology, Nurse Anesthesia, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Patient Counseling, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacology & Toxicology, Physics & Applied Physics, Physiology, Rehabilitation Counseling, and Sociology.

Master of Art Degree Programs

Master of Arts degree programs are offered in Art History, Economics, History, and Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness.

Master of Education Degree Programs

Master of Education degree programs are offered in Adult Learning, Counselor Education, Curriculum & Instruction, Educational Leadership, Reading, Special Education, and Sports Leadership.

Master of Fine Arts Degree Programs

Master of Fine Arts degree programs are offered in Ceramics, Creative Writing, Design, English, Fibers, Furniture Design, Glass-Working, Jewelry/Metal-working, Kinetic Imaging, Painting, Photography & Film, Printmaking, Sculpture, and Theater.

Other Master's Degree Programs

Other Master's degree programs available are Masters of Accountancy, Masters of Art Education, Masters of Bioinformatics, Masters of Business Administration, Masters of Environmental Studies, Masters of Health Administration, Masters of Interdisciplinary Studies, Masters of Music, Masters of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Masters of Public Administration, Masters of Public Health, Masters of Science in Athletic Training, Masters of Social Work, Masters of Taxation, Masters of Teaching, and Masters of Urban & Regional Planning.

Ph.D. Degree Programs

Doctoral level programs are offered in Anatomy & Neurobiology; Art History; Biochemistry; Biomedical Engineering; Biostatistics; Business; Business Administration; Chemical Biology; Chemistry; Clinical Psychology; Counseling Psychology; Criminal Justice; Education; Engineering; Epidemiology; Health Psychology; Health-Related Sciences; Health Services Organization & Research; Human Genetics; Integrative Life Sciences; Media, Art & Text; Medical Physics; Microbiology & Immunology; Nanoscience & Nanotechnology; Nursing; Pathology; Pharmaceutical Sciences; Pharmacology & Toxicology; Physiology; Psychology; Public Policy & Administration; Rehabilitation & Movement Science; Social & Behavioral Health; Social Work; and Systems Modeling & Analysis.

Other Doctorate Degree Programs

Other doctorate degree programs available are Doctor of Dental Surgery; Doctor of Medicine; Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice; Doctor of Occupational Therapy; Doctor of Pharmacy; and Doctor of Physical Therapy.

Graduate-Level Certificates

Graduate-level certificates are offered in Aging Studies; Anatomy & Neurobiology; Applied Social Research; Autism Spectrum Disorders; Biochemistry; College Student Development & Counseling; Criminal Justice; Educational Leadership; Gender Violence Intervention; Geographic Information Systems; Historic Preservation Planning; Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness; Human Genetics; Instructional Technology; Microbiology & Immunology; Non-Profit Management; Nursing; Occupational Therapy; Patient Counseling; Pharmacology & Toxicology; Physiology; Planning Information Systems; Pre-Professional Basic Health Sciences; Professional Counseling; Public Management; Public Safety; Reading Specialist; Real Estate & Urban Land Development; Teaching ; and Urban Revitalization.

VCU Is Recognized both Locally and Nationally for Contributions to Society and Academia

VCU has striven to be a positive influence on the city of Richmond as well as its student body, faculty, and staff.

Being such a large, urban university, VCU works to minimize its carbon footprint and has received an overall grade of "A" on the College Sustainability Report Card, which provides an "in-depth sustainability profile for more than 300 colleges" by looking at topics such as climate change and energy, food and recycling, green building, and transportation (greenreportcard.org, 2010).

In keeping with the tradition of bettering the city, VCU was named a 2009 Top 25 "best neighbor" university for its "revitalization, cultural renewal, economics, and community service and development" -- coming in 11th (evandobelle.com, 2009).

Finally, twenty-seven graduate and first-professional programs are ranked by U.S. News & World Report as among the best in the country.

U.S. News & World Report 2010 Rankings

School of the Arts:

Master of Fine Arts - 4th - 2008

Sculpture - 1st - 2008

Fiber Arts - 4th - 2008

Graphic Design - 4th - 2008

Glass - 5th - 2008

Painting and Drawing - 8th - 2008

Metals and Jewelry - 10th - 2008

Multimedia/Visual Communications - 9th - 2008

Ceramics - 12th - 2008

Printmaking - 17th - 2008



School of Allied Health Professions:

Nurse Anesthesia - 1st - 2007

Health Services Administration - 4th - 2007

Occupational Therapy - 13th - 2008

Rehabilitation Counseling - 13th - 2007

Physical Therapy - 24th - 2008



School of Social Work:

Social Work - 14th - 2008



School of Education:

Education - 28th - 2010

Teacher Preparation - Top 50 - 2008



School of Nursing:

Nursing - 47th - 2007



School of Medicine:

Community Health - 18th - 2003

Medicine - 66th - 2010



School of Pharmacy:

Pharmacy - 21st - 2008



School of Dentistry:

Dentistry - 13th - 1993



College of Humanities and Sciences:

Creative Writing - 50th - 1997

Public Affairs - 57th - 2008

Clinical Psychology - 57th - 2008

Statistics - 67th - 2010

Psychology - 74th - 2009

Chemistry - 107th - 2010

Biological Sciences - 144th - 2010

• Program in Interdisciplinary Studies

• Degrees Offered
• Major Degree Levels Offered
• Graduate Certificate
  Master of Interdisciplinary Studies (MIS)
  Master of Education (M Ed)
  Master of Music (MM)
  Master of Teaching (MT)
  Doctor of Medicine/Doctor of Philosophy (MD/PhD)
  Master of Arts (MA)
  Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT)
  Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT)
  Postbaccalaureate Certificate
  Master of Product Innovation (MPI)
  Master of Science in Health Administration (MSHA)
  Master of Bioinformatics (MB)
  Certificate in Criminal Justice Administration (CCJA)
  Certificate in Professional Counseling (CPC)
  Master of Business Administration (MBA)
  Certificate in Urban and Regional Planning (CURP)
  Master of Health Administration (MHA)
  Doctor of Dental Surgery/Doctor of Philosophy (DDS/PhD)
  Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP)
  Master of Science (MS)
  Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
  Doctor of Education (Ed D)
  Juris Doctor/Master of Social Work (JD/MSW)
  Doctor of Dental Surgery/Master of Science (DDS/MS)
  Certificate
  Certificate in Public Management (CPM)
  Master of Social Work/Certificate (MSW/Certificate)
  Certificate in Advanced Social Research (CASR)
  Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
  Master of Public Administration (MPA)
  Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia (MSNA)
  Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
  Master of Accountancy (M Acc)
  Master of Environmental Science (M Env Sc)
  Master of Social Work (MSW)
  Doctor of Medicine/Master of Health Administration (MD/MHA)
  Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS)
  Master of Art Education (MAE)
  Juris Doctor/Master of Urban and Regional Planning (JD/MURP)
  Juris Doctor/Master of Health Administration (JD/MHA)
  Master of Social Work/Master of Arts (MSW/MA)

• Degrees Awarded
• Master's Degrees 1694
• Doctoral Degrees 726
• First Professional Degrees Not reported
• Other Advanced Degrees 305
• * Shows the number of degrees awarded for the last academic year that data was reported.

• Earning Your Degree
• Part-time study available? Yes
• Evening/weekend programs available? Yes
• Distance learning programs available? No
• Terminal master's degree available? Yes

• Degree Requirements
• Master's Degrees Not reported
• Doctoral Degrees Not reported
• First Professional Degrees Not reported
• Other Advanced Degrees Not reported

• Acceptance Rate
• Applied6,888
• Accepted3,205
• Acceptance Rate46%
• Enrolled2,223
• Applying
• Application Fee - Domestic $50
• Application Fee - International $50
• Electronic applications accepted? Yes
• Applications processed on a rolling basis? Not Reported
• Application Deadlines
• Type Domestic International Priority Date
• Fall deadline Not Reported Not Reported Not Reported
• Winter deadline Not Reported Not Reported Not Reported
• Spring deadline Not Reported Not Reported Not Reported
• Entrance Requirements
• Master's DegreesNot Reported
• Doctoral's DegreesNot Reported
• First-Professional's DegreesNot Reported
• Other Advanced DegreesNot Reported
• International DegreesNot Reported

• Tuition & Fees
• In-state tuition *$9,133
• Out-of-state tuition *$18,777
• International student tuitionNot Reported
• * Tuition for full-time graduate student per academic year
• Fees
• Per-academic year feesNot Reported
• Per-term feesNot Reported
• One-time feeNot Reported
• * Fees for full-time graduate students
• Financial Support
• Financial award applicants must submitFAFSA
• Application deadlines for financial awardsNot Reported
• Types of financial support availableTuition Waivers, Career or Field-Related Internships, Federal Work-Study, Financial Support for Part-time Students, Institutionally-sponsored Loans, Scholarship and/or loans

• Gender
• Total Graduate Students8150
• Female Percentage63%
• Male Percentage37%
• Participation
• Total Graduate Students8150
• Part-time Percentage37%
• Full-time Percentage63%
• Ethnicity
• Hispanic / Latino3%
• Black / African American11%
• White / Caucasian68%
• American Indian / Alaskan Native0%
• Asian10%
• Native Hawaiian / Other Pacific Islander0%
• Two or more races2%
• Unknown6%