University College

Grace E. Harris Hall, Fifth Floor
1015 Floyd Avenue
Richmond, Virginia 23284-2015
uc.vcu.edu

Andrew Arroyo, Ed.D.
Interim Dean
(804) 828-8883
atarroyo@vcu.edu

807 South Cathedral Place
Richmond, Virginia 23284
(804) 828-5194
davincicenter.vcu.edu

Garret Westlake, Ph.D.
Executive director, da Vinci Center for Innovation

Mission of the University College

University College empowers all VCU students to think critically and practice civic responsibility by promoting agency, academic success, career achievement, lifelong learning and active engagement in a diverse society. University College values its faculty and staff who dedicate their time and energy to this work.

The Master of Interdisciplinary Studies (M.I.S.) degree program provides an opportunity for the highly motivated student to pursue a unique course of study that combines graduate coursework in a learner-centered approach to graduate education. The student is an active participant in proposing a curriculum that supports an individualized and scholastically rigorous academic goal in a clearly defined, multidisciplinary program. To expand the program’s range of options and interdisciplinary perspectives, the program allows for cooperative ventures with other approved colleges and universities.

Integrating arts, business and engineering principles, students in the Master of Product Innovation program learn advanced product innovation topics pertaining to conceptualization, development and commercialization of new products/services. Through unique instruction and experiential learning that culminates with a yearlong master’s project, students have a real product innovation experience. The program emphasizes product innovation and teamwork skills so that graduates can take on key leadership roles that stimulate the creation, development and management of new products and services.

Goals and objectives of University College

The goal of the University College is to promote the personal and academic success of each student through curricular innovation, interdisciplinary studies and support for excellence in learning. The objectives are:

• To increase opportunities for active learning through innovative learning opportunities within and beyond the classroom
• To provide an individualized majors program, the Master of Interdisciplinary Studies, that offers a creative, rigorous and rewarding learning experience for both traditional and nontraditional students
• To empower students to be self-directed, lifelong learners who will take advantage of every opportunity for learning and support for learning at VCU and beyond 

General information

Department of Focused Inquiry

Master of Interdisciplinary Studies (M.I.S.)

Master of Product Innovation