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.
Cardinal Education is a collaborative effort of the University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Tech, Old Dominion University and George Mason University. The University of Mary Washington participates as a funded receive site.
See the College of Engineering Graduate Programs section of this bulletin for information on VCU’s graduate programs in engineering.
Administration
Ram Gupta, Ph.D.
Associate dean for research and graduate affairs
The VCU program director works closely with the other Cardinal Education directors, the VCU Dean of the College of Engineering, and local businesses and industries.
Program description
Students who have baccalaureate degrees in engineering or strong backgrounds in the sciences may work toward a master’s degree in engineering at VCU. Graduate engineering courses are available from the Cardinal Education member universities via interactive television, the Web and two-way audio/video teleconferencing. In addition to the required engineering courses, elective courses are available in applied mathematics, mathematical statistics, chemistry, operations research and physics in classes at VCU. The following academic programs are available through Cardinal Education:
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Computer Science
- Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Engineering Management
- Industrial and Systems Engineering
- Manufacturing and Design Engineering
- Materials Sciences and Engineering
- Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
- Modeling and Simulation
Degree-seeking students
Students enrolling in the program should apply for admission in a given academic area of study and may select courses from any of the participating institutions, consistent with selected degree requirements.
Nondegree-seeking students
Qualified individuals may enroll in a particular course without pursuing a formal degree program of study. Admission will be based on the individual’s academic preparation and the availability of space.
Admission requirements
Students should apply for admission to a Cardinal Education-participating university that offers the desired degree program. Applicants should have a B average, but successful professional experience may strengthen admission credentials. Three letters of recommendation from persons who are qualified to give information concerning the applicant’s probable success in the program and the completion of any program-specific graduate admission criteria are required.