The VCU School of Social Work was founded by a small group of Richmond citizens interested in improving the social conditions of Virginia’s urban and rural poor. Their efforts led to a training school for social workers, the first of its kind in the South.
Richmond, Virginia, United States
Bachelor's programmes
Arts, Design & Architecture (33)
- B.A. Cinema
- B.A. Communication Arts
- B.F.A. Fine Arts (Art Education)
- B.A. Graphic Design
- B.F.A. Interior Design
- B.F.A. Kinetic Imaging
- B.A. Music
- B.F.A. Sculpture
- B.A. Theatre
Social Sciences (30)
- B.Sc. Anthropology
- B.Sc. Psychology
- B.Sc. Sociology
Natural Sciences & Mathematics (25)
Humanities (15)
- B.A. English
- B.A. History
- B.A. Philosophy
- B.A. Religious Studies
Business & Management (14)
- B.Sc. Accounting
Medicine & Health (10)
- B.Sc. Dental Hygiene
- B.Sc. Nursing
Applied Sciences & Professions (9)
- B.Sc. Real Estate
- B.S.W. Social Work
Engineering & Technology (9)
- B.Sc. Biomedical Engineering
- B.Sc. Computer Engineering
- B.Sc. Electrical Engineering
- B.Sc. Mechanical Engineering
Education & Training (5)
- B.F.A. Fine Arts (Art Education)
Computer Science & IT (4)
Journalism & Media (4)
Hospitality, Leisure & Sports (2)
Law (2)
Environmental Studies & Earth Sciences (1)
- B.Sc. Environmental Studies
About
History
Way back — we’re talking more than 175 years ago — in 1838, VCU was known by another name. We were the Medical College of Hampden-Sydney, later becoming the Medical College of Virginia. It wasn’t until 1968, when we merged with Richmond Professional Institute, that we were given the name Virginia Commonwealth University. But one thing is for sure: We have never stopped making history.
Education
Academic programs
- 13 schools and one college offering:
- 62 bachelor’s degree programs
- 72 master’s degree programs
- 41 doctoral degree programs
- Three first-professional degree programs
- 47 post-baccalaureate and post-master’s certificate programs
Research
True colors
- Professors from the departments of Communication Arts and Physics have teamed up to create a 3-D infinite color map that eliminates the guesswork in determining a color, as well as the visual perceptual differences that cause us each to see color differently.
- VCU researchers have developed an automated eye-tracking system that detects and analyzes eye movements as a means to accurately differentiate and diagnose more than 20 neurological diseases, including Parkinson’s disease, a condition that until now has been difficult to diagnose.
Career
Virginia Commonwealth University Career Services is made up of a team of educators and student workers who believe that career and professional development is a continuous process. Our mission is to bridge VCU with industry by delivering individualized career and professional development, relevant services and success strategies.
Global Student Satisfaction Awards 2019
GSSA 2019
The Global Student Satisfaction Awards empower students across the globe to determine the best universities of 2019. By rating institutions on a scale from 1 to 5, on multiple studies-related questions, we found the top educators in the world.
Learn more about the Global Student Satisfaction AwardsUniversity Ranking
QS World University Rankings by TopUniversities
2021
651 -50
2020
601
2019
601
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
Academic Ranking of World Universities by Shanghai Jiao Tong University
2020
-
2019
201
2018
201
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report
2021
-
2020
402 -29
2019
373
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
Services
Student services
The Student Services Center is designed to be a “one-stop shopping” experience where students can get answers to their questions regarding their enrollment at VCU. Staff members in the Student Services Center can answer general questions about student bills, financial aid and registration. The staff also can direct students to the appropriate resources around the university based on their individual needs.
Housing services
Residential Life & Housing at VCU provides safe, inclusive, and well-maintained facilities where we build intentional communities to empower residents in their academic excellence, citizenship and personal growth.
Library services
For many years, the Friends of VCU Libraries has held an annual book sale to raise funds to support library programs. The annual fall sale was not held in 2014 and 2015 during construction of the new library.During the hiatus, the development office and the book sale committee evaluated the sale and decided that it, like the building itself, was due for a makeover.
ICT services
To best support the mission of the University, VCU Technology Services strives to ensure that:
- Technology resources at VCU will be available from anywhere at anytime.
- Technology solutions at VCU will be creative, innovative, and add value to University activities.
- Technology support at VCU will maximize the use and worth of technology tools for our constituents.
Student Life
Campus life
VCU is located smack in the middle of downtown Richmond, providing our students with an urban educational experience that extends from the campus classroom to the adjacent neighborhoods. Our campus reflects the character of its host city by mixing modern, high-tech amenities with historical buildings and small-town charm.
Sports facilities
VCU Student-Athlete Support Services (SASS) is committed to providing the resources to inspire student-athletes to achieve their full potential academically, personally and professionally during their VCU career. SASS supports the university’s Quest for Distinction and the Department of Athletics Strategic Plan through uncompromised integrity, the passionate pursuit of academic excellence, while valuing diversity and inclusion. We serve as a source of pride for the university and community as we cultivate graduates who excel as leaders.
Student clubs
The purpose of the MCV Campus Student Government Association is:
- To facilitate the exchange of information and ideas between the five MCV Campus schools and all of those students comprising the MCV Campus Student Body of VCU.
- To take action to increase the quality of student services and academic programs in order to further enhance the education of MCV Campus students.
- To address all matters concerning the best interests of the MCV Campus Student Body.
- To attend to those things helping to further the goals of the MCV Campus and VCU.
Accreditation
VCU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate, master’s, doctoral and first-professional degrees.
Student Reviews
Culture Shock
Anonymous rated 3 out of 5 stars
I have lived in Europe since I was five and moving back to the US to study was a culture shock. I am transferring to a college in the EU to be closer to my family.
Anonymous rated 5 out of 5 stars
Being a student at university is much different than in high school. There are a lot more responsibilities but at the same time much more freedom and time to do fun things. Also, studying in universities are more interesting, because we are studying the things we like for the most part. University is fun, and everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy it before jumping...
Great school but expensive
Anonymous rated 4 out of 5 stars
Great school but the tuition costs are high and steadily rising.
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