The degree requirements that must be fulfilled by all degree-seeking students are listed below. For additional degree requirements, students must consult the school and major departmental sections of this bulletin.
In order for a student to be awarded a diploma, he or she must resolve any outstanding charges owed to the university. The university does not guarantee the award of a degree or a certificate of satisfactory completion of any course of study or training program.
Upper-level courses
A minimum of 45 credits in 300- to 500-level courses or the equivalent is required for a bachelor’s degree.
GPA requirement
A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 (grade C) is required in order to receive a baccalaureate degree. Only credits taken at VCU are computed in the GPA.
Some programs may require a higher cumulative GPA. Students should consult the section of this bulletin that deals with their major for any GPA requirements above the university’s 2.0 minimum.
Major area GPA
A minimum major GPA of 2.0 (grade of C) is required for graduation. The major area GPA will be calculated from all attempts in courses that are designated as required or optional in the student’s major area, regardless of assigned grade. Exceptions to this calculation will be grades omitted due to a historical academic repeat or the grade exclusion policy. Students should consult with their department or program to determine if a higher GPA is specified for graduation. Only course credits taken at VCU are computed in the major GPA.
VCU REAL requirement
All newly admitted first-year and transfer undergraduate students entering fall 2021 and thereafter are required to successfully complete at least one VCU “REAL” experiential learning activity. This requirement may be satisfied by successfully completing a 300-level (or higher) course that has received a REAL attribute of Level 2, 3 or 4 or through an approved “REAL” co-curricular experience that has received a REAL attribute of Level 3 or 4.
Having once satisfied the REAL experiential learning requirement, the student will not have to fulfill it again, including cases of a returning student who is pursuing an additional baccalaureate degree, a student who is enrolled in multiple programs and a student who may change majors. Courses and co-curricular activities that satisfy the REAL requirement may be searched for and found in the VCU Schedule of Classes and through the VCU Student Opportunity Center, which is accessible through the VCU REAL website, real.vcu.edu.
Total credits
Each undergraduate VCU degree requires a minimum of 120 semester credits. The total number of semester credits required for graduation depends on the student’s major and area of concentration. Specific information on total credit requirements is detailed under individual degree program descriptions in this bulletin.
25 percent rule
Degree candidates must complete at least 25 percent of the credit semester hours required for their bachelor’s degree program at VCU, including at least 30 of the last 45 credits. Active-duty service members, reservists and National Guardsmen may complete the minimum of 25 percent of their degree requirements at any time while enrolled at VCU and are exempt from the “30 of the last 45 credits” requirement. Other exceptions to this rule may be granted by the Academic Regulations Appeals Committee. If ARAC approves the request for a waiver, the approved credits must be completed within three years from the time of the waiver.
This requirement does not apply to students who participate in VCU-sponsored programs abroad or who earn course credit at a cooperating university through VCU domestic and international university exchanges or who are pursuing an undergraduate certificate independently of a baccalaureate degree.