Preparing Future Faculty Program
The Preparing Future Faculty Program at VCU offers a series of short courses and professional development opportunities for graduate students interested in pursuing careers in higher education.
The series is modeled on the national Preparing Future Faculty Program created by the Association of American Colleges and Universities. It introduces graduate students to the roles and responsibilities of higher education and addresses teaching and learning issues in the college classroom.
About the program
Since most courses are one or two credits, students are able to easily add them into their academic program schedules. For students who complete all course requirements, the capstone course is an internship/externship experience during which the student is mentored by a senior faculty member.
PFF courses may be taken individually or as part of the Preparing Future Faculty in the Professions certification module, which places special emphasis on preparing faculty for positions in professional schools.
PFF program completion sequence
In order to complete the PFF Program, students must successfully complete the PFF Program course work:
- GRAD 601
- GRAD 602
- OVPR 603
- GRAD 604*
- GRAD 606
- Submit the GRAD 606 electronic portfolio for evaluation
*GRAD 610 may be utilized to satisfy this requirement with the approval of the PFFP Office.
Upon completion of these requirements, a text comment will be recorded on the student’s academic transcript to read: “Preparing Future Faculty Program completed [date].”
Students and their faculty mentors will be recognized for this accomplishment at a Graduate School event, usually held in the spring semester.
Registration and enrollment
PFF Program courses are open to all degree-seeking graduate students.
Registration for PFF Program courses for current VCU graduate students can be completed online through eServices, with the exception of GRAD 605 and GRAD 606, which require permission from the PFF program director.
To register for GRAD 605 Professional Specialty Seminar, email pffprogram@vcu.edu with your name, student ID number and program of study. Our office will discuss with you the prerequisites (GRAD 601 and GRAD 602), consult with you to determine the appropriate professional specialty cluster section and register you for the course.
Proposal development guidelines, submission deadlines and registration instructions for GRAD 606 Internship/Externship in Professional Teaching are discussed in depth in the GRAD 606 proposal and course completion guide. Please email your GRAD 606 Proposal and GRAD 606 proposal agreement sheet to pffprogram@vcu.edu.
Nondegree-seeking graduate students may only enroll in PFF classes with permission of the PFF Program. Registration for PFF Program courses is restricted to VCU graduate students until the first week that the class meets. If seats are available at that time, qualified nondegree-seeking students will be registered in the order requests were submitted.
If you want your name added to the waitlist, email pffprogram@vcu.edu with the following information:
- Full name and V number (if affiliated with VCU)
- Undergraduate and graduate degrees that you hold (institution and degrees conferred only)
- Current college/university affiliation, if applicable
- A brief explanation of interest in the PFF
- A statement indicating the course(s) you wish to take
Upon written confirmation of approval to register, students will need to complete and submit the Certificate of Eligibility Form and the Course Request Form, which can be found on the Office of the University Registrar's website.
Prospective students can apply for nondegree-seeking admission here.
Links of interest
Association for Institutional Research: A professional association of institutional researchers, planners and decision-makers from higher education institutions around the world that advances research and improves understanding, planning and operation in higher education.
Association of American Colleges and Universities: The leading national association concerned with the quality, vitality and public standing of undergraduate liberal education.
Council of Graduate Schools: The nation’s only organization dedication solely to the advancement of graduate education and research.
National Science Foundation: An independent federal agency created by Congress to promote the progress of science, advance national health, prosperity and welfare and secure the national defense. The organization is also a funding source for approximately 20 percent of all federally supported research at colleges and universities.
The Pew Charitable Trusts: Developed to serve the public interest by providing information, advancing policy solutions and supporting civic life, the trust provides organizations and citizens with fact-based research and practical solutions for challenging issues.