This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2026-2027 VCU Bulletin. Courses that expose students to cutting-edge content and transformative learning may be added and notification of additional program approvals may be received prior to finalization. General education program content is also subject to change. 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.
The instructional programs at VCU are based upon a series of class meetings involving lectures, discussions, field experiences, special readings and reporting assignments. Therefore it is important for each student to be in attendance on a regular basis. A student who misses a class session is responsible for completing all material covered or assignments made during the absence.
Students must be informed in writing of the attendance requirements and the corresponding consequences of poor attendance for the courses and/or program in which they are enrolled. Though the attendance requirements may vary widely from one course to another, students must abide by these requirements. Students cannot enroll in two courses that meet concurrently without written approval from the chair of each department involved.
Consequences of poor attendance
Students having attendance problems should contact the instructor to explain the reasons for nonattendance and to discuss the feasibility of continuing in the course. If the student has fallen so far behind that the successful completion of the course is impossible, the student should withdraw from the course before the withdrawal deadline as published in the VCU academic calendar.
If the student continues to miss class and does not officially withdraw from the course, the instructor may withdraw the student for nonattendance with a mark of W before the withdrawal deadline as published in the VCU academic calendar or may assign an academic grade at the end. Withdrawals are not permitted after the published withdrawal deadline. For classes that do not conform to the semester calendar, the final withdrawal date occurs when half of the course has been completed. Withdrawal dates for summer session classes are provided on the Summer Studies Calendar.
Religious observances
VCU is committed to providing students, on an individual basis, reasonable accommodation for sincerely held religious beliefs or observances without adverse academic consequences. Students wishing to request academic accommodations, such as class absence, for a religious observance should provide written notification to the course instructor as soon as possible to allow the student and instructor to engage in an interactive discussion. Students are responsible for completing any missed academic work as soon as possible and through mutual agreement with the instructor.
Mandated short-term military training
Students called to report for mandated military training must provide advance written notification to each instructor several weeks in advance of training. Faculty members are expected to make reasonable academic accommodations for students who are absent because of mandated short-term military training (short-term is defined as several days not to exceed two weeks).