This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2024-2025 VCU Bulletin. We may add courses that expose our students to cutting-edge content and transformative learning. We may also add content to the general education program that focuses on racial literacy and a racial literacy graduation requirement, and may receive notification of additional program approvals after the launch. The final edition and full PDF version will include these updates and will be available in August prior to the beginning of the fall semester.

Through a cooperative arrangement between VCU’s School of Engineering and Virginia Union University, selected students from VUU may pursue a combined curriculum of undergraduate study leading to a Bachelor of Science in an engineering area from VCU in addition to a baccalaureate from VUU. The objectives of this dual degree program are to prepare diverse professionals in the values, knowledge and skills of both fields to provide an integrated base of competency to serve the commonwealth of Virginia. Students from VUU who successfully complete the dual degree program will receive one of the following degree combinations:

  • Bachelor of Science in Physics (VUU) and Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (VCU)
  • Bachelor of Science in Physics (VUU) and Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (VCU)
  • Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (VUU) and Bachelor of Science in Chemical and Life Science Engineering with a concentration in chemical engineering (VCU)

Among the many benefits offered by participation in the dual degree program are the following:

  • Students will be able to receive two degrees concurrently in less time than it would take them to receive the same degrees sequentially.
  • By participating in two distinct programs, with full access to all services provided by each program, students benefit from complementary resources.
  • Through their simultaneous and active participation in two programs, students will be able to widen their professional and personal network.

General admission requirements

In order to be eligible for the dual degree program, VUU students must be an accepted and enrolled student in the VUU physics or chemistry program and have not completed more than 60 credit hours at VUU. Prior to the completion of 60 credit hours at VUU, the student must indicate their desire to participate in the dual degree program to the VUU dual degree program liaison and apply for pre-dual degree status in VCU’s College of Engineering as a nondegree-seeking student. Once VUU students are enrolled in the required courses as a pre-dual degree status student, they must apply for admission through the VCU Office of Admissions for the dual degree program. An admission decision will be made by the VCU College of Engineering once grades for the introductory courses have posted.

Pre-dual degree status

Students at VUU will be permitted to enroll in the introductory VCU courses below as a nondegree-seeking student before they are admitted into the dual degree program:

Admission to the dual degree program is not guaranteed and is subject to the rules in the agreement between VCU and VUU. Students must consult with their VUU advisers to learn if and how the above courses would transfer back to VUU in the event that the student does not enroll into the corresponding dual degree program.

Dual degree status

Students who meet the following criteria will be guaranteed admission to the dual degree program with VCU.  Students who do not meet all of the following criteria may still apply for admission to the dual degree program and will be evaluated on a competitive basis.

  • Students must present a minimum cumulative VUU GPA of 3.0.
  • Students must present a minimum cumulative VCU GPA of 3.0 (if applicable)
  • Students must have completed the following courses or their equivalents at any institution with a minimum grade of B (3.0) in each course: MATH 200, MATH 201, PHYS 207, CHEM 101 and CHEZ 101, as well as one of ENGR 101, CLSE 101 or EGRE 101 (for electrical or chemical and life science engineering) or all of EGMN 102, EGMN 103 and EGMN 190 (for mechanical engineering).
  • The average grade for the following courses or their equivalents at any institution, if attempted, must be at minimum 3.0*: MATH 211, MATH 301, MATH 307 and PHYS 208.
  • The average grade for all attempted engineering and computer science courses, regardless of where they are taken, must be at minimum 3.0.*

*All grade averages mentioned herein are computed from all course work attempted at VUU, VCU and other institutions. For repeated course work, grades for all attempts will be averaged.

Once admitted to the program, students are urged to meet with their advisers at VCU and VUU to review their course of study, keeping in mind the timelines and requirements for each program. Each program is responsible for informing the students in the dual degree program of the courses available to meet degree requirements for each of the programs and that are a part of the agreement.

VCU program residency requirements

To fulfill the dual degree requirement for VCU, VUU students must earn at least 25 percent of the credits required for the degree, including at least 30 of the last 45 credits, at VCU. Students must also earn a minimum of 45 upper-level credits.

VUU program residency requirements

Students must meet all VUU degree and program residency requirements.

Failure to complete

Students who fail to make satisfactory academic progress in either program will be reviewed for dismissal from the dual degree program.

Second baccalaureate degree

VUU graduates who have completed the Bachelor of Science degree in physics or chemistry are welcome to apply to the corresponding VCU College of Engineering program as a second baccalaureate student.