Find out more about Virginia Commonwealth University

The online Graduate Certificate in Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness program complements interests in public and government affairs by focusing on international and domestic security and preparedness issues related to terrorist threats and natural disasters.  This field is now a critical aspect of governmental policy at all levels and is also important within the private sector, preparing students to become professional analysts and informed governmental decision makers.  Graduates understand the theory and practice of homeland security and emergency preparedness and are prepared to analyze policies and synthesize information.

The online Master of Arts in Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness program offers a broad interdisciplinary approach to preparedness, helping students see the larger organizational, social, political, ethical, and economic aspects of disaster studies along with the policy-making and implementation aspects.  The curriculum provides theoretical and practical knowledge while focusing on international and domestic security and preparedness issues related to terrorist threats and natural disasters.  You will take courses in areas including national defense, emergency management, law enforcement, and policy management so you are able to become a professional policy analyst and informed governmental decision maker.

Advance your knowledge with this online doctorate in education leadership. This degree is designed for educators with educational and field experience but who are still seeking more theory and research. The curriculum focuses on addressing practitioners’ problems of practice.

The program is offered either face-to-face or online, allowing students a flexible learning option to continue working in their careers. Coursework is comprised of interactive lessons students can complete within dedicated timeframes and synchronous discussions via online conferencing platforms.

Climb the career ladder with this online masters in curriculum and instruction. Advance your understanding of instructional technology and online learning. Learn about pedagogy, curriculum design, philosophies of education, theories of learning, and strategies for meeting the needs of diverse learners. You will customize your program by choosing concentration courses with the assistance of an advisor.   

This is a non-licensure program but does allow for students to further advance in their careers or additional education.

Become a leader in educational organizations, meeting challenges and offering solutions, with this online educational leadership degree. Students will learn their own leadership potential and practice the skills they learn.  

The curriculum in this online education administration degree covers such topics as:

• Change and improvement
• Diversity and social justice
• Understanding and engaging communities
• Multiple dimensions of leadership

Concentrations are available in culturally responsive leadership, higher education administration, and leadership studies. Choose the concentration that best matches your interests and career goals.

Enroll in this master's in literacy online degree and advance professional opportunities. This program prepares students to sit for an endorsement in reading specialist. Study theories and methods while also putting into practice what you learn. This program promotes a passion for lifelong reading education, embracing literacy practices in early childhood, elementary, intermediate, secondary, and adult levels.

This online literacy degree is flexible. Interactive dialogues, asynchronous online discussions, synchronous online conversations, and coaching opportunities allow you to manage your time and coursework while still connecting to your professors and peers.

Prepare for a career making a difference in the lives of a growing part of the student population, those with special needs, through this online special education degree. You will learn to work with children, youth, and adults with disabilities. The curriculum focuses on research, teaching, and service.

This program can lead to an endorsement in such areas as:

• Early Childhood Special Education
• Special Education: General Education Curriculum
• Special Education: Adapted Curriculum

If you choose, this online special education degree can be pursued as part of the Richmond Teacher Residency program.

Enroll in these online ESL degree programs and advance professional opportunities. With the increased diversity found in schools and society, there is an increased need for educators to work with students whose first language is not English. This program helps to meet this need, preparing professionals to work with K-12 students and adults.  

The curriculum provides foundational knowledge and appreciation for linguistic and cultural diversity needed to support multilingual learners’ language learning. Help multilingual learners become proficient in English with this program that teaches you to plan and implement lessons.

This online education administration degree helps educators lead organizations and transform schools. Coursework develops leadership and supervisory experience. It allows students to be eligible for an endorsement after the program.

This online education administration degree is flexible. Study wherever it is convenient, successfully balancing your career and education.

Virginia Commonwealth University offers an online Post-master's Certificate for Reading Specialists. This program is designed with the language arts educator in mind, seeking professional education and licensure as a reading specialist. The program teaches competencies and strategies for developing reading programs.

The online MS in Mechanical & Nuclear Engineering degree program from Virginia Commonwealth University is designed to provide students with learning opportunities for acquiring a broad foundation of engineering knowledge, including business and manufacturing aspects; an in-depth research experience at the frontiers of engineering; and skills for lifelong learning and professional development.

Students may choose either the thesis or non-thesis option, both of which explore:

• Mechanical & Nuclear Engineering Analysis
• Mechanical & Nuclear Engineering Continuum Mechanics
• Topics in Nuclear Engineering

This online program emphasizes advanced technical skills and advanced problem solving. Graduates can pursue careers in business, industry, or government. They may choose to continue to pursue a doctoral degree. The broad experience and knowledge gained through the online master’s degree program is useful for graduates pursuing careers in engineering.

Gain enhanced career opportunities and improve your patients’ outcomes with an online Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. This RN to BSN program from Virginia Commonwealth University provides part-time online coursework and virtual clinical experiences allowing the student to apply new knowledge to complex situations. Graduates of the program will be positioned for excellence in nursing practice and leadership, as well as for success in graduate education. 

Goals of the program include competence in demonstrating:

• Effective therapeutic nursing practice
• Nursing judgment
• A spirit of inquiry
• Professional identity

The online Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program from Virginia Commonwealth University prepares expert practitioners able to translate research into evidence-based practice. Graduates will have the ability to lead teams of healthcare professionals in a variety of settings to improve patient outcomes.

Topics emphasized in this online nurse practitioner degree program include patient safety, quality improvement, leadership, health policy, and organizational systems. Master’s-prepared nurses can pursue this degree on either a part-time or full-time basis, primarily online, with three campus visits per year. 

Nurses in this program study topics including:

• Statistical methods for quality improvement
• Epidemiology and population health
• Health policy leadership and advocacy
• Health information and data management

The online Nursing PhD program from Virginia Commonwealth University gives nursing professionals the flexibility of online classes with a combination of synchronous and asynchronous coursework. Students attend campus once at the beginning of each semester and complete the rest of their studies remotely. This program is well suited for students interested in becoming scholars or pioneering researchers in the field of Biobehavioral Health.

Bachelor’s-prepared nurses pursuing this degree focus on the many different processes that affect health, including biological, psychosocial, environmental, and more. This discipline examines ways to develop interventions to positively affect these processes and overall health outcomes. PhD candidates develop a thorough understanding of research methods and practices through experimental studies and a dissertation.

Virginia Commonwealth University offers multiple options for its online Nursing PhD program, depending on students’ current education level and research interests. This track is designed for nurses with a master’s degree who are interested in examining Biobehavioral Health topics.

Students in this nursing degree online have the flexibility of both synchronous and asynchronous classes, along with one campus visit each semester. Biobehavioral Health focuses on the various processes, including biological, psychosocial, and environmental, that affect health. Nurse researchers can work to develop interventions to positively affect these processes and overall health outcomes. PhD students develop a through understanding of research methods and practices through experimental studies and a dissertation.

Nurses interested in becoming expert scholars and pioneering researchers can pursue an online PhD in Nursing from Virginia Commonwealth University. This BSN to PhD track focuses on research involving Healthcare Quality.

Students examine nursing through a wide range of historical influences on the discipline. Coursework provides competencies in research design, methodology, and tools. This online nursing program is offered via both synchronous and asynchronous classes, as well as one campus visit each semester.

Aspiring nurse researchers and teacher-scholars can gain valuable research experience and skills with the online Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing from Virginia Commonwealth University. Master’s-prepared nurses can pursue the Healthcare Quality track to specialize in research related to health outcomes at the individual, organizational, and population levels.

Students gain an advanced understanding of research methods and practices through experimental studies and a dissertation. Courses explain Healthcare Quality research priority areas, current quality and safety measures, and data sources. The program can be completed primarily online through synchronous and asynchronous courses, with campus visits completed once per semester.

The online MSN in Nursing Leadership & Organizational Science degree program from Virginia Commonwealth University is designed for students interested in a leadership role within healthcare organizations. Students gain advanced knowledge and skills in the areas of leadership, administration, management, health care finance, budgeting, outcomes management, and evidence-based organizational practices in health care. Graduates are able to:

• ​Integrate nursing and related sciences into the delivery of advanced nursing care to diverse populations and systems of health care delivery
• ​Apply ethical analysis and clinical reasoning to assess, intervene, and evaluate advanced nursing care delivery
• ​Understand the implications of social, cultural, economic, policy, and organizational systems that impact practice and outcomes
• ​Synthesize evidence for practice to determine appropriate application of interventions across diverse populations and settings
• Use quality processes and improvement science to evaluate care and ensure patient safety for individuals, populations, and systems
• ​Integrate organizational science and technology to make changes in the care environment to improve health outcomes and practice efficiency

Earn a Master of Social Work degree online with Virginia Commonwealth University.  This program prepares students to enter clinical settings with the knowledge, skills, and tools to succeed.  Studies may cover topics including but not limited to:

• Substance abuse
• Mental health disorders
• Child maltreatment

VCU promotes social justice, human rights, cultural competence and ethical practice in the field.  Course work will explore evidence-based practices as well as trauma-informed approaches to assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.  This online msw program is offered in full- or part-time formats, combining core coursework with community fieldwork and hands-on preparation to become a practitioner, scholar, and leader.

Virginia Commonwealth University offers a Master of Social Work degree to students seeking an Advanced Standing program.  This online msw program is designed for students with a BSW who will complete credit hours during the summer prior to entering the concentration curriculum.  Courses are available in full- or part-time formats.  

Advanced concentrations include clinical practice or administration, planning and policy practice.  Studies in the clinical practice concentration may cover topics such as planned interventions, multidimensional assessment, goal setting, and more.  VCU promotes social justice, human rights, cultural competence and ethical practice in the field.  Enhance, restore and advance the knowledge and skills required to enter professional social work settings with VCU online.