Virginia Commonwealth University has partnered with Credly to provide students with a digital version of their credentials. Digital badges can be used in email signatures or digital resumes, and on social media sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter). This digital image contains verified metadata that describes your qualifications and the process required to earn them. Benefits of digital badges include:

• a web-enabled version of your achievements that can be shared online
• a more efficient way of posting your skills to social media platforms
• access to labor market insights that relate your skills to top occupations
• a trusted method for real-time training verification

The Graduate School has six badges that students can obtain.

• Presentation of Research (Foundational and Intermediate)
• Introduction to Mentoring
• Inclusive Teaching Best Practices
• Teaching Best Practices
• Effective Intercultural Communication for Graduate Students

• To meet growing demand for well-trained qualitative researchers, both nationally and internationally, the VCU Graduate Credential of Completion in Qualitative Research recognizes doctoral students who pursue an advanced course of study in qualitative research methods.
• The GCCQR requires that VCU doctoral students in good standing complete 12 hours of coursework in qualitative research methods, including a 3-credit introductory course and 9 credits of an advanced course. This is a great opportunity for doctoral students who plan to do a qualitative or mixed-methods dissertation.

Throughout the year, the Graduate School provides ongoing support and resources for students serving as Graduate Teaching Assistants. This includes an orientation at the beginning of the fall semester which partners with the Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity and Student Accessibility and Educational Opportunity to ensure all graduate students serving in a teaching capacity understand their roles and responsibilities. Additional workshops on inclusive teaching, best practices, and critical reflection occur throughout the year. Students can register for these free sessions through the Graduate School Rams Connect page.

• The Graduate School’s Office of Professional Development offers a series of short courses and experiences to assist graduate students seeking to gain broad, interdisciplinary skills for the workforce.
• These courses are open to all graduate students. The areas of study will include enhancing communication skills, resume writing, negotiation skills, and opportunities to discover alternative career paths.
• The courses include:
  • GRAD 610 Career and Professional Development Planning for Graduate Students
    Semester course, two lecture hours per week for seven weeks, one credit, fall and spring semesters. Tuition rates apply for GRAD courses based on your academic discipline.
  • GRAD 612 Oral Presentation Skill-building for Career Professionals
    Semester course, one lecture hour, one credit, spring semester. Tuition rates apply for GRAD courses based on your academic discipline.
  • GRAD 693 Graduate Internship
    Semester course; variable hours (60 hours per credit). 1-9 credits. Tuition rates apply for GRAD courses based on your academic discipline.

The Three Minute Thesis Competition and Graduate Research Symposium are research presentation opportunities sponsored by the Graduate School that provide students with opportunities to share their research with the broader VCU community. Students are encouraged to use these university-wide events to gain experiences with sharing their research, presenting, and public speaking.

The Graduate School is committed to ensuring that students have a broad support network of mentors and professionals to assist with career development and advancement. Throughout the year, several interactive workshops will be conducted to assist graduate students at all levels with developing a mentoring network.

The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia approved VCU for Virginia's only Preparing Future Faculty Certificate Program. This 12-credit certificate will launch in Fall 2025. It will be housed in the School of Education. The application will open in June to graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. Inquiries may be sent to Drs. Maike Philipsen (miphilip@vcu.edu) or Sharon Zumbrunn (skzumbrunn@vcu.edu).

The Graduate Student Travel Grant program provides funds to support students presenting their research or academic work at conferences, summits, etc.