Graduate School
Important information for all graduate students
On behalf of the graduate faculty, I welcome you to graduate study at Virginia Commonwealth University. At VCU you will find a comprehensive array of academic programs, outstanding faculty and a supportive environment conducive to graduate study and research. The university offers nationally and internationally acclaimed graduate and research programs that meet the many needs of the commonwealth of Virginia, the United States and the world.
The University Graduate Council, chaired by the dean of the Graduate School, provides academic and administrative oversight and coordination of all graduate programs in accordance with the Graduate School’s mission: to provide leadership in all matters relating to graduate education at Virginia Commonwealth University in order to create a stimulating environment for teaching, learning, research, creative expression and public service. The VCU Graduate Bulletin Web site documents the official admission and academic rules and regulations that govern graduate education for all graduate programs at the university. These policies are established by the graduate faculty of the university through their elected representatives to the University Graduate Council.
Academic departments and schools administer individual graduate degree programs with the assistance and support of the VCU Graduate School. In-depth descriptions of all graduate programs at VCU are provided in the individual school and program sections of this bulletin.
It is the responsibility of all graduate students to be familiar with the Graduate Bulletin of record (the bulletin in effect at the time of official admission), as well as the academic regulations in individual school and department publications and on program Web sites; however, in all cases, the official policies and procedures of the University Graduate Council, as published on this Graduate Bulletin Web site and on the Graduate School Web site, take precedent over individual program policies and guidelines. Graduate students should contact the Graduate School at any time regarding questions relating to graduate study at VCU. Bulletins (catalogs) and course descriptions for the current and past years are archived on this site as PDF files. The online (html) Bulletins site is updated regularly to reflect changes that occur throughout the academic year.
I commend you for your decision to pursue graduate study, and I wish you every success in the pursuit of your educational goals at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Sincerely,
F. Douglas Boudinot
Dean of the Graduate School