VCU offers online, hybrid, and video conferencing degree and certificate programs in a variety of disciplines. Please click on a program for a brief description and to link to the program's website.
All courses in our online programs are offered as fully online courses, allowing you to complete the entire program at a distance without attending any required face-to-face meetings.
The Certificate in Aging Studies program is designed to meet the needs of those individuals who want graduate training in gerontology but who do not want to complete the full master's program. In addition to the Certificate in Aging Studies, there are jointly presented specialty certificates: M.S. in Occupational Therapy and Certificate in Aging Studies; M.S.W. and Certificate in Aging Studies; Certificate in Aging Studies with the Department of Rehabilitation Counseling; Certificate in Aging Studies with the School of Pharmacy. All these programs are offered to students with the option of completing any of the programs through face-to-face, on-campus sessions, entirely distance education with no on-campus requirement, or using a hybrid combination of both methods.
More information: Graduate Bulletin | Program Website
The gerontology curriculum is a multidisciplinary program established in 1976 which offers the Master of Science degree. The program benefits from professional collaboration with departments throughout the university. The 30-hour degree program includes 15 hours of courses in gerontological core, five hours in gerontological research, six hours in gerontology practice elective courses and four hours in a field placement. Students can customize their program of study with the addition concentration areas such as adult education, health care organization and planning, psychogeriartrics, public administration (specifically the Certificate in Public Management or Certificate in Nonprofit Management), social services, research, and wellness and chronic disease prevention. Additionally, students have the option of completing this program through face-to-face, on-campus sessions, entirely distance education with no on-campus requirement, or using a hybrid combination of both methods.
More information: Graduate Bulletin | Program Website
Center for Sport Leadership graduates earn a Master of Education in Sport Leadership and are prepared to assume the responsibilities for developing professional and amateur athletes and managing sports programs in a variety of academic, public and private sectors. Center for Sport Leadership's distance learning students may begin course work during the fall, spring or summer semester. Students may complete the 36-credit degree on campus, online or through a combination of both.
More information: Graduate Bulletin | Program Website
The Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders is prepares participants to support individuals with autism spectrum disorders from early intervention through adult services. Emphasis is placed on research to practice opportunities, as participants are required to demonstrate knowledge and skills through applied experiences in every course. The Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders is designed for educators or potential educators, including special education teachers, general education teachers, paraprofessionals, and related service personnel; however, due to the utility of the program, it is available to professionals working in the human service setting who wish to gain comprehensive knowledge and experience in this area. The four required courses for this certificate are offered online to fit the schedules of busy parents, students and professionals.
More information: Graduate Bulletin | Program Website | Gainful Employment Information
Virginia Commonwealth University has established a five course graduate level on-line certificate in adult literacy. The program covers foundations of literacy, adult learning theory, assessment and instruction and curriculum design. The five 3-credit hour courses focus are offered sequentially using the on-line Blackboard platform.
More information:Program Website
The International Programme in Addiction Studies (IPAS) is a unique intensive online programme. Academic staff of the University of Adelaide (Australia), King's College London (UK) and Virginia Commonwealth University (USA) are jointly offering IPAS.
More information: Graduate Bulletin | Program Website
Our hybrid programs are a combination of traditional classroom experience, online courses, or occasional on campus courses or intensive residencies. You will be able to complete at least 50% of these programs at a distance.
Medical Laboratory Technicians and Clinical Laboratory Technicians may complete all didactic coursework using distance-based learning technologies. Online courses eliminate the need for the students to relocate and allow them to continue to work as they complete the program. This option is restricted to MLTs/CLTs who are awarded proficiency credits for the laboratory sections of all the junior (300) level CLS courses through exemptions or challenge examinations.
More information: Undergraduate Bulletin | Department Admissions Page | Curriculum
The Certificate in Aging Studies program is designed to meet the needs of those individuals who want graduate training in gerontology but who do not want to complete the full master's program. In addition to the Certificate in Aging Studies, there are jointly presented specialty certificates: M.S. in Occupational Therapy and Certificate in Aging Studies; M.S.W. and Certificate in Aging Studies; Certificate in Aging Studies with the Department of Rehabilitation Counseling; Certificate in Aging Studies with the School of Pharmacy. All these programs are offered to students with the option of completing any of the programs through face-to-face, on-campus sessions, entirely distance education with no on-campus requirement, or using a hybrid combination of both methods.
More information:Graduate Bulletin | Program Website
The gerontology curriculum is a multidisciplinary program established in 1976 which offers the Master of Science degree. The program benefits from professional collaboration with departments throughout the university. The 30-hour degree program includes 15 hours of courses in gerontological core, five hours in gerontological research, six hours in gerontology practice elective courses and four hours in a field placement. For students interested in seeking to work collaboratively to augment their studies, a variety of multidisciplinary electives beyond their required curriculum are also available. Students can customize their program of study with the addition concentration areas such as adult education, health care organization and planning, psychogeriartrics, public administration (specifically the Certificate in Public Management or Certificate in Nonprofit Management), social services, research, and wellness and chronic disease prevention. Additionally, students have the option of completing this program through face-to-face, on-campus sessions, entirely distance education with no on-campus requirement, or using a hybrid combination of both methods.
More information: Graduate Bulletin | Program Website
The program is designed as a distance enhanced, blended-learning program with the cooperation and commitment of the nine departments of the School: Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Gerontology, Health Administration, Nurse Anesthesia, Occupational Therapy, Patient Counseling, Physical Therapy, Radiation Sciences, and Rehabilitation Counseling. Structured as a four-year course of study, it is intended to meet the critical need for doctorally prepared allied health professionals across the nation in the areas of teaching, research and administration. The program uses a combination of on-campus composed of sessions of lectures, seminars, class discussions, and in-person mentoring and on-line education using an asynchronous approach allowing flexibility of access and participation by students.
More information: Graduate Bulletin | Program website
Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)
The MSHA is designed as a blended-learning program. During on-campus sessions, students attend lectures, participate in seminars, and use the Department's learning laboratory, computer facilities and library. Students have ample opportunity to interact with fellow classmates, faculty, and visiting scholars and practitioners. Organized class sessions are typically held during the day and are designed to facilitate effective and efficient learning. Evenings are reserved for study, group project work, informal interaction with fellow students, and social events. During each off-campus semester, students continue course work at their home/work site using a carefully planned array of distance learning technologies. The Program uses the internet as the primary mode of communication during off-campus periods. This technology allows students and faculty to communicate with one another asynchronously through personal computers equipped with Internet access.
More information: Graduate Bulletin | Program Website
The Post Professional Master's degree is a thesis-based research degree designed for registered occupational therapists (holding a BS or BA in occupational therapy and NBCOT certification). This degree prepares students as beginning researchers, and lays the foundation for research based doctoral studies. It is an excellent choice for occupational therapists wishing to move their careers towards conducting independent research, and a faculty position in a research university.
More information: Graduate Bulletin | Program Website
The distance-learning program is a flexible program involving two on-campus skill development courses, with the rest of the courses available online. To accommodate students living at a distance from the university, both of the skills development courses are offered in an intensive one-week format on campus. All of the other courses are offered online in an asynchronous (any time) format. You can choose the best time and place to interact with your course materials, classmates and instructors to fit your own schedule. Graduates from accredited rehabilitation counseling programs are typically trained in counseling theory and techniques; individual, group and environmental assessment; psychosocial and medical aspects of disability; human development; cultural diversity; principles of psychiatric rehabilitation, case management and rehabilitation planning; issues and ethics in rehabilitation service delivery; technological adaptation; vocational evaluation and work adjustment; career counseling; implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act; job development; and placement.
More information: Graduate Bulletin | Program website
The Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) Program at Virginia Commonwealth University offers a practice doctorate for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) holding a master's degree. The program focuses specifically on nurse anesthesia and builds upon applicants' previous education and experiences as CRNAs. The DNAP prepares CRNAs to assume leadership positions in education, management, and clinical practice by offering a curriculum concentrating on patient safety and human factors, quality assessment and improvement, health care systems and organizations, leadership, best evidence for practice, and adult education.
More information: Graduate Bulletin | Program Website
VCU's Online Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program combines distance and on-site education methods. The distance format is a part of all courses mediated through the Blackboard System. Compact on-campus components have been integrated into many courses to enable both didactic content and cohort formation. These on-campus sessions will occur approximately twice a year (August and January) for 2-3 days. Each session allows students to complete one semester of classes and begin the next semester in face to face format which is then accompanied by on-line sessions throughout the remainder each semester.
More information: Graduate Bulletin | Program Website
The HSEP master's degree (36 credit hours) is primarily an online distance education program and designed in the broadest interdisplinary sense. Students will learn theoretical and practical knowledge that will prepare them for private or public sector employment in the expanding area of homeland security and emergency preparedness and/or further study in numerous areas of public policy. This curriculum focuses upon international and domestic security and preparedness issues related to terrorist threats, such as the 9/11 attack, and natural disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina. Students satisfactorily completing the Graduate Certificate program and desiring to pursue the Master of Arts degree may apply for the Master of Arts and upon acceptance transfer the Graduate Certificate courses completed with a grade of B or better directly into the Master of Arts program.
More information: Graduate Bulletin | Program Website
The HSEP graduate certificate (15 credit hours) is designed in the broadest interdisciplinary sense. Students will learn theoretical and practical knowledge that will prepare them for private or public sector employment in the expanding area of homeland security and emergency preparedness and/or further study in numerous areas of public policy. This curriculum focuses upon international and domestic security and preparedness issues related to terrorist threats, such as the 9/11 attack, and natural disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina. Students satisfactorily completing the Graduate Certificate program and desiring to pursue the Master of Arts degree may apply for the Master of Arts and upon acceptance transfer the Graduate Certificate courses completed with a grade of B or better directly into the Master of Arts program.
More information: Program Website
Accredited by the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission.
The RN-BS Completion Program is a blended program that meets predominantly online. Students take one face-to-face course, which is in first semester of study. This class meets on five Friday evenings over the semester in locations across Virginia. The program is flexible and students have a variety of plans to choose from. The program can be completed in as few as 18 months, or up to six years.
More information: Undergraduate Bulletin | Program Website
This program is the first nursing Ph.D. hybrid program based in Virginia and will place VCU among only a few Mid-Atlantic region-based universities that offer this degree option. The program will include a combination of online courses and traditional classroom experiences to offer students a dynamic, interactive learning experience that will prepare them to become nurse scholars and scientists. This new format is designed to expand the Ph.D. program's reach to a wider range of highly motivated, independent students who aspire to become scholars, make a significant difference in the field of nursing, and study with nationally recognized nurse scientists who conduct biobehavioral clinical research.
More information: Graduate Bulletin | Program Website
The M.S.W. curriculum is guided by the principle of providing social and economic justice and human rights in a diverse and multicultural society. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking about theory and social practice applications, evidence-based decision-making, diversity, self-reflection and self-awareness, and ethical integrity.
More information: Program Website | Program Details and CurriculumOur video conferencing programs use videoconferencing technology. These programs are comprised of courses delivered at instructional sites located in different areas of Virginia. You will be able to complete at least 50% of the program at off-campus instructional sites.
The Graduate Certificate is designed to meet the outcomes of Level II Clinical Pastoral Education as described in section 312 of the ACPE Standards. Programs are offered in the fall and spring. Final granting of the Graduate Certificate requires the student demonstrating completion of Level II outcomes for Clinical Pastoral Education.
More information: Graduate Bulletin | Program Page
This degree is offered on-campus at VCU and, through synchronous participation and course casting, on-campus in Abingdon and in Martinsville, Virginia. The Master of Science requires 44 credit hours of study according to one of the established curricula. A 30-credit accelerated M.S. as well as a dual degree track M.S./M.Div. with the School of Theology at Virginia Union University and Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond are available.
More information: Graduate Bulletin | Program website
Accredited by the Council on Accreditation
The MSNA program is offered on-campus at VCU, and through synchronous participation and course casting, on-campus in Alexandria, Abingdon and Roanoke, Virginia. In addition, the program includes asynchronous participation in a variety of learning activities and on-site clinical experience and simulation laboratory learning in both locations.
More information:Graduate Bulletin | Program Website
The Severe Disabilities Program prepares teachers to work with students with severe and profound disabilities ages 5 through 21 in public school settings. Emphasis is placed on person-centered planning, school and community inclusion, transdisciplinary teamwork and the role of the family. Courses address physical and medical management issues, functional assessment strategies, longitudinal curriculum planning, systematic instruction, augmentative and alternative communication systems, assistive technology, transition from school to adulthood, positive behavioral supports and the special needs of students with physical, sensory and health-related disabilities.VCU is one of five universities in Virginia that form the Severe Disabilities Consortium. Courses are offered through distance education at the university in which a student is enrolled. Externships are required in four of the courses as well as for preparation of the final portfolio requirement.
More information:Graduate Bulletin | Program Website
The School of Engineering offers the Master of Science in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering degree. The program utilizes the faculty and research facilities of the Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering to expose students to advanced and emerging technologies in mechanical and nuclear engineering. Research thrusts in the department include but are not limited to smart materials, micro/nanotechnology, energy conversion systems, sensors, aerosol science, nuclear engineering, fluid mechanics, medical devices, robotics and biomechanics. Distance learners enrolled in this program can take courses on-line and earn an M.S. in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering by successfully completing ten courses.
More information: Graduate Bulletin | Program Website
