College of Humanities and Sciences

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Graduate Studies

The College of Humanities and Sciences offers a breadth of graduate degrees and certificates that originate from the sciences, social sciences and humanities disciplines.

Graduate programs in the College play a critical role in supporting VCU’s mission to advance our status as an urban public research university. Our programs directly or indirectly address society’s 21st century challenges with a focus on the development of knowledge through scientific investigations, scholarly contributions and creative works.

Graduate students have access to all the resources necessary for academic success, including technology and equipment, office and research space, and graduate assistantship support (contact specific program for information regarding stipend and tuition support).

Most importantly, our programs are committed to:

  • providing a supportive positive mentoring relationship between faculty and students
  • developing programs for graduate students that bridge graduate degrees to professional opportunities
  • enhancing an appreciation for the critical importance of the cross fertilization of ideas and interdisciplinary approaches

Our Grad Students in the News

The Department of African American Studies presents the Black History in the Making Awards to outstanding students each year. (File photo)

March 3, 2023

Founder of Black History in the Making Awards urges newest recipients to fight for truth

Daryl Dance, who started the awards in 1983, says, “Many of the major victories in African American history either began with college students or were joined and supported by college students throughout our nation.”

Tvisha Vanteru, a biomedical engineering major, and Damian Ashjian, a computer science major, took part in the "Milk and Cookies" service-learning project designed to help children whose parents are incarcerated. (Contributed photo.)

Feb. 21, 2023

VCU honors society wins national award for project focused on supporting children with incarcerated parents

“Working to improve the lives of children of incarcerated parents from the Richmond community was a perfect way to try to help our community,” said Steph Cull, one of the student leaders of VCU’s chapter of Phi Kappa Phi.

This week, Gladys Shaw, left, will be graduating with a Ph.D. in neuroscience from the VCU School of Medicine. She and three other graduating students were part of VCU's Initiative for Maximizing Student Development Ph.D. Program. (Courtesy of Gladys Shaw).

Dec. 9, 2022

Class of 2022: Four standouts in research training program for underrepresented students earn their doctorates

The Initiative for Maximizing Student Development program at VCU expands opportunities for biomedical students from historically excluded groups. Four Ph.D. students from the program will be graduating this month, the biggest class in its history.