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.

Program accreditation
Association for Clinical Pastoral Education

Program goal

To provide clinical education for pastoral care professionals as well as other health care providers in the spiritual care of patients and families within an interdisciplinary context

Student learning outcomes

  1. Graduates will demonstrate awareness of self with congruence in the care of patients, families and staff (ACPE Standard 312, Outcome 312.1).
  2. Graduates will demonstrate ability to provide care with sensitivity and respect in a diverse patient, family and staff environment (ACPE Standard 312, Outcome 312.2).
  3. Graduates will demonstrate the knowledge and provision of intensive and extensive pastoral/spiritual care to persons in crisis (ACPE Standard 312, Outcome 312.3).
  4. Graduates will demonstrate incorporation of theological understanding and knowledge of the behavioral sciences in care of patients, families and staff (ACPE Standard 312, Outcome 312.4).
  5. Graduates will demonstrate effective participation as a member of a comprehensive health care team (ACPE Standard 312, Outcome 312.5).
  6. Graduates will demonstrate responsible care and professional boundaries (ACPE Standard 312, Outcome 312.6).
  7. Graduates will demonstrate the utilization of individual and group supervision for personal and professional development as well as ongoing evaluation of clinical practice (ACPE Standard 312, Outcome 312.7).
  8. Graduates will demonstrate awareness of professional standards in chaplaincy (ACPE Standard 312, Outcome 312.8).
  9. Graduates will demonstrate ability to self-supervise and critically reflect on their own pastoral encounters (ACPE Standard 312, Outcome 312.9).

VCU Graduate Bulletin, VCU Graduate School and general academic policies and regulations for all graduate students in all graduate programs

The VCU Graduate Bulletin website documents the official admission and academic rules and regulations that govern graduate education for all graduate programs at the university. These policies are established by the graduate faculty of the university through their elected representatives to the University Graduate Council.

It is the responsibility of all graduate students, both on- and off-campus, to be familiar with the VCU Graduate Bulletin as well as the Graduate School website and academic regulations in individual school and department publications and on program websites. However, in all cases, the official policies and procedures of the University Graduate Council, as published on the VCU Graduate Bulletin and Graduate School websites, take precedence over individual program policies and guidelines.

Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on academic regulations for graduate students.

Other information

Students receive a Department of Patient Counseling student handbook during orientation.