School of Graduate Studies, Research, and Outreach Virginia State University

The Esteemed Virginia State University

Established in 1882, Virginia State University is one of several historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) in the United States. It is a public university that is located in Petersburg, Virginia, in the southeastern region of the country. The university offers more than 5,500 students over 50 outstanding baccalaureate and master's degree programs.

"US News and World Report" gives Virginia State University a ranking as a leader in master's level education amongst public HBCUs.

School of Graduate Studies, Research, and Outreach of Virginia State University

The School of Graduate Studies, Research, and Outreach of Virginia State University offers "high quality" graduate and outreach programs that help accomplished students advance their expertise in their fields of study. The school has a comprehensive range of Master of Arts (MA) and Master of Science (MS) programs.

Master of Science in Biology

The MS in Biology program at Virginia State University (VSU) prepares students for teaching and research careers, as well as for doctoral study. It consists of a 30-credit thesis option and a 36-credit non-thesis option that includes a comprehensive examination.

Graduate Programs in Career and Technical Studies

The Career and Technical Studies program provides an MS degree with a concentration in occupational studies or project management. The program includes both thesis (30 credits) and non-thesis options (33 to 36 credits).

Master of Science in Computer Science

The MS in Computer Science program includes 30 credits for the thesis option and 33 credits for the non-thesis option. The curricula emphasize a number of areas including data mining, scientific computing, data visualization, and animation technologies.

Master's Programs in Counselor Education

The 51-credit Master of Science and 48-credit Master of Education (MEd) in counselor education are designed for individuals who want to pursue careers in school counseling (Pre-K - 12), student personnel services in higher education, or community mental health and social service.

Master of Science in Criminal Justice

The MS in Criminal Justice program consists of at least 30 credits of core, concentration, and elective courses. Areas of concentration include domestic and international security issues, correctional administration, criminal justice administration and management, and minorities and the criminal justice system.

Master of Arts in Economics

Students in the MA in Economics program at VSU may pursue the thesis (30 credits) or non-thesis (36 credits) options. The program's curricula include core courses in microeconomic theory, macroeconomic theory, and quantitative methods, as well as a concentration in public administration.

Graduate Programs in Education

Virginia State University provides a 30-credit MS in Education program and 36-credit MEd program, each of which prepares students for careers as educators in educational technology, elementary education, and special education. Graduates also use their degrees as springboards into doctoral programs in education.

The 45-credit MS and MEd in Educational Administration and Supervision programs train individuals for careers as school site administrators and supervisors. The curriculum for each student includes coursework, a master's thesis or project, and comprehensive examinations.

Master of Arts in English

The 36-credit MA in English program prepares individuals for teaching positions; careers that involve analytical, critical, and communication competencies; or advanced study and research.

The program includes thesis and non-thesis options.

Master of Arts in History

Students in the 30-credit MA in History program take a series of core and elective courses. Students who pursue the thesis option complete in-depth research papers, while students in the non-thesis option complete comprehensive examinations.

Master of Interdisciplinary Studies

The Master of Interdisciplinary Studies at VSU is a 36-credit consortium program that is administered in conjunction with Virginia Commonwealth University. The curriculum includes courses in at least 3 academic departments.

Graduate Programs in Mathematics

VSU offers a 36-credit MS in Mathematics Education program that includes mathematics and professional education courses as well as a master's thesis. The university also provides an MEd in Mathematics Education program that consists of 15 credits in professional education and 12 to 21 credits in the internship or project option.

Master of Science in Plant Science

The curriculum for the MS in Plant Science program emphasizes concepts and research methods in the areas of field/horticultural crops, soils, and natural resources. The curriculum consists of 31 credit hours of core and elective courses as well as a master's thesis.

Master of Science in Psychology

The MS program in psychology offers concentrations in general and clinical psychology. The concentration in general psychology includes 30 credits of courses and a master's thesis, while the clinical concentration consists of 45 credits including practica and a thesis.

Master's Program in Sports Management

The master's degree program in sports management includes 36 credits of core, sports management, and elective courses; a comprehensive examination; and an internship.

Research at Virginia State University

VSU is a well-funded research institution, with large research grants from organizations like the US Department of Energy and National Science Foundation. The university is home to many research centers in a wide range of areas including aquaculture, business, education, and social sciences.

Notable Alumni of Virginia State University

Graduates of Virginia State University acquire the education, know-how, and mind-set needed to build outstanding careers in a wide-variety of fields. Alumni such as actor James Avery, Sr., politician Roslyn Tyler, and Ambassador Pamela E. Bridgewater have made great contributions to society.

Financial Assistance at VSU

Graduate students may obtain federal loans, scholarships, fellowships, teaching or research assistantships, and part-time campus employment.

Graduate Student Life at Virginia State University

Virginia State University's picturesque 236-acre main campus is situated on a rolling landscape that overlooks the Appomattox River. Its dynamic community includes a broad range of academic and support services including campus ministry, on-campus housing, clubs and organizations, recreational programs, student health services, and a wide-variety of events and activities.

• Program in Interdisciplinary Studies

• Degrees Offered
• Major Degree Levels Offered
• Master of Arts (MA)
  Master of Interdisciplinary Studies (MIS)
  Master of Education (M Ed)
  Master of Science (MS)
  Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS)

• Degrees Awarded
• Master's Degrees 100
• Doctoral Degrees Not reported
• First Professional Degrees Not reported
• Other Advanced Degrees Not reported
• * 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? Not reported
• Terminal master's degree available? Not reported

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

• Acceptance Rate
• AppliedNot Reported
• AcceptedNot Reported
• Acceptance RateNot Reported
• EnrolledNot Reported
• Applying
• Application Fee - Domestic $25
• Application Fee - International $25
• Electronic applications accepted? Not Reported
• Applications processed on a rolling basis? Yes
• Application Deadlines
• Type Domestic International Priority Date
• Fall deadline May 1st May 1st Yes
• Winter deadline Not Reported Not Reported Not Reported
• Spring deadline November 1st September 1st 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 *$5,576
• Out-of-state tuition *$13,402
• 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 awardsMay 1
• Types of financial support availableGraduate Assistantships

• Gender
• Total Graduate Students830
• Female Percentage73%
• Male Percentage27%
• Participation
• Total Graduate Students830
• Part-time Percentage92%
• Full-time Percentage8%
• Ethnicity
• Hispanic / LatinoNot Reported
• Black / African AmericanNot Reported
• White / CaucasianNot Reported
• American Indian / Alaskan NativeNot Reported
• AsianNot Reported
• Native Hawaiian / Other Pacific IslanderNot Reported
• Two or more racesNot Reported
• UnknownNot Reported

• Faculty Breakout
• Total Faculty47
• Full-time Percentage89%
• Part-time Percentage11%
• Female Percentage26%
• Male Percentage74%