Welcome to graduate studies at VCU
Start your journey
Select a module below to explore.
Graduate School
The VCU Graduate School provides support to graduate programs, faculty and staff, and students. We collaborate with your academic unit and other central offices here at VCU to support your success as a graduate student. We host events for current and future students, organize awards and competitions, offer opportunities for professional development and career readiness, and collaborate with partners across the university to best serve our graduate student community.
Our graduate students come from all walks of life and all areas of the globe to continue their education. We believe that our best work happens when we learn from and with one another, and we strive to make cross-disciplinary connections that strengthen and enrich the student experience.
To stay up-to-date on the latest information regarding graduate education at VCU, visit our website, graduate.vcu.edu.
Academic units
The Graduate School, under the leadership of the graduate dean, provides academic and administrative oversight and coordination of all graduate programs in accordance with the Graduate School’s mission and the VCU University Graduate Council Bylaws. In addition to the Graduate School, your specific graduate program belongs to a local academic unit. This might be a college or school, a division, a department, or some combination of the three – each program is a little different.
Each graduate program is administered by a graduate program director within the academic unit. You should work closely with the faculty and staff in your unit for advising, completion of necessary paperwork, policies and procedures, funding opportunities, and more.
Engage. Advocate. Inspire. Lead.
The Graduate School is committed to cultivating an inclusive environment where we:
Engage: Collaborate with campus partners to enrich the graduate student experience at VCU
Advocate: Champion graduate student success from acceptance to graduation
Inspire: Promote the delivery of high-quality graduate education, scholarship, training, and innovation
Lead: Provide expertise and guidance on graduate policies and best practices, using data-driven decision-making
The VCU Graduate School recognizes that in order to maintain and deliver high-quality graduate education, we must embrace and celebrate the unique differences among the graduate community on our campus. As such, we take pride in striving to ensure diversity, equity, and inclusive practices resonate in every facet of our work. It is this diversity that makes VCU a vibrant and engaging laboratory for a well-rounded graduate education experience for all members of our treasured community.
Our commitment is to collaborate with schools and colleges to ensure increased enrollment and retention of graduate students from historically underserved and underrepresented populations, remain inclusive in practice, and demonstrate an appreciation and respect for all in every aspect of their identities.
