Undergraduate studies
The College of Humanities and Sciences includes the core disciplines in the sciences, social sciences and humanities. We are also home to programs in the health sciences and for education in the liberal arts and sciences for future teachers. In the College, we have more than 450 full time faculty members, and more than 50% of VCU undergraduates have at least one major in the College. And although that may sound big, we offer a small school experience, with a very supportive atmosphere that will offer you many opportunities to build connections with our faculty, advisors, mentors and with your fellow students.
We deeply care about every single one of our students and we are committed to help each student find their passion in life, while preparing each of our students for a very successful career. We can provide you with spectacular opportunities:
- to study abroad and work with people from a range of countries
- to conduct research
- to pursue starting your own business and become a successful entrepreneur
- to pursue exciting internships to help launch your careers
- to enroll in service learning courses that make a difference in our local community
Our vision is to inspire our students to explore their passions and dreams as individuals, and provide the context to understand their place in the world and connections with others — locally, globally and throughout time. We not only attempt to prepare students for employment, but also aspire to help them construct a foundation on which they will build rich and deeply meaningful lives and careers.
Our undergrads in the news:
Jan. 23, 2020
For VCU’s Capital News Service, student journalists cover massive gun rights rally
Conor Lobb, Chip Lauterbach and Jeffrey Knight volunteered to cover the massive rally on Monday that brought 22,000 gun rights advocates to the State Capitol in Richmond.
Jan. 22, 2020
In New Hampshire, VCU students get behind-the-curtain look at presidential primary politics
A class of VCU political science students spent 10 days embedded in the New Hampshire primary, and met Elizabeth Warren, Cory Booker, Andrew Yang and others.
Dec. 10, 2019
Class of 2019: Cheyenne Nicholson’s winding path to graduation
10 years after starting her undergraduate studies, Nicholson’s journey to a bachelor’s degree is a personal achievement — and a point of pride.
Dec. 9, 2019
Taking a big data approach, these VCU students are getting published by hundreds of news outlets
Students in a data journalism class are producing stories being picked up by The Washington Post, The Associated Press and other publications across the country.
Dec. 6, 2019
Class of 2019: Zulhumar Adil found the challenges she craved at VCU
Zulhumar Adil, who emigrated from Urumqi, China, is eyeing a health care career after graduating from VCU this month.
Dec. 6, 2019
Class of 2019: Amir Khozaei pursues the American dream with his VCU degree
Amir Khozaei always wanted to attend VCU. He never really considered other schools. “I didn’t even take a college tour,” he said. “I knew this would be the place I wanted to be.”
Dec. 5, 2019
Class of 2019: James Grubb is driven by a passion for political science and serving fellow veterans
James Grubb found a community of friends and fellow veterans at VCU. Together they launched the Student Veterans Association.
Nov. 25, 2019
Student turns EMT experience into research opportunity
“The research process as an undergraduate has had an instrumental impact on my personal development,” Tarek Haggy said. “It’s taught me things that no class could and provided early exposure to the professional world.”
Nov. 15, 2019
Workshop provides fast-paced, professional lessons in strategic advertising
The team tasked with reimagining the SlimFast brand impressed the judges. "They built a story through research,” said Alice Eldridge, research director at Good Run Research & Recreation.
Nov. 11, 2019
How VCU students’ pocket change is helping low-income families in a rural Virginia community
In five semesters, Rebecca Durfee’s students have contributed more than $1,000 in cash and other donations.
Aug. 1, 2019
RVA My Way: Nikki Wilkins
How a nature newbie went from having zero outdoor experience to being a river-loving whitewater rafting guide. [Video feature]
June 27, 2019
Being there: A weeklong trip along the Civil Rights Trail helps VCU students connect history with the present
For student Jordan Moye, visiting the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama — where civil rights marchers calling for voting rights legislation were attacked by law enforcement officers in 1965 in what came known as “Bloody Sunday” — was a powerful experience.
June 20, 2019
New VCU class takes students on media and culture study of Vietnam
Over 10 days, students visited historically and culturally relevant sites and international tourism destinations in Central Vietnam.
June 4, 2019
VCU public relations students win awards for innovation, community impact
Two teams of public relations students from the Robertson School of Media and Culture won awards at the 2019 Virginia PR Awards, hosted by the Public Relations Society of America Richmond Chapter.
May 16, 2019
Student’s rise as a researcher takes her from law school in Brazil to an NIH lab
Sarah Izabel discovered Virginia Commonwealth University one frigid day when she just wanted to come in from the cold. Bundled up and shivering, she and a friend were walking near VCU in the winter of 2010 when they stumbled upon the University Student Commons and stepped inside to warm up. Izabel and her friend were both from Brazil, and were in the United States to improve their English and explore opportunities in the country. Unfamiliar with the area, they had never heard of VCU and didn’t understand what it was, but Izabel found herself immediately drawn to it.
May 1, 2019
Students share stories of life-changing experiences made possible by Baldacci gift
Bestselling novelist and VCU alumnus David Baldacci met with students who have received awards through an experiential learning fund and a political science scholarship he created with his wife, Michelle. (Photo by Kevin Morley, University Relations)
April 30, 2019
Class of 2019: Entrepreneur and biology graduate driven by a personal mission
Being diagnosed with alopecia areata at age 16 inspired in La'Tila Abbott a passion for health sciences that eventually led her to VCU. Abbott will graduate in May with a biology degree.
April 16, 2019
Chemistry and Forensic Science student receives prestigious NSF graduate fellowship
Caitlin Cain, a senior majoring in chemistry and forensic science, has been awarded a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, which recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines who are pursuing research-based master's and doctoral degrees.
April 12, 2019
Humanities and Sciences students shine during Research Weeks
As part of Research Weeks (April 5-26), VCU News is highlighting the work of undergraduates whose work was made possible by VCU’s Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program, Department of Biology, Division for Community Engagement and guidance from faculty members.