SOE Undergraduate Viewbook Fall 2025

Unrivaled Undergraduate Education

Teaching | Human and Organizational Development Special Education | Health and Physical Education

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hether your career goals include engaging in K-12, public service, or corporate organizations, the VCU School of Education undergraduate academic programs take learning to a new level.

Innovative The VCU School of Education is a nationally-ranked research powerhouse, creating endless opportunities for research, policy analysis, and practical applications to improve the way we understand and practice education, counseling, training, leadership, and the intersection of research across disciplines.

Community-focused We have the surrounding community in mind for everything that we do. Students can engage with our centers and institutes to participate in crossdisciplinary, community-focused initiatives that make a meaningful impact.

Collaborative From day one, you are able to engage in relevant, experiential and applied learning through classes, internships, research, volunteering and more.

Students can partner with local schools and community organizations to design solutions and expand educational opportunity to drive meaningful change.

UNlimited Possibilities At the School of Education — ranked 15th among public schools by U.S. News & World Report — students explore multiple pathways into education, from classrooms to research to leadership. Through innovation, community, and excellence, you’ll gain the tools to shape future generations.

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#15 BEST Public School of Education

Join us! Ways to engage...

Our Undergraduate Programs Bachelor’s degrees:

Minors / Certificates:

Human and Organizational Development

Early Intervention Special Education

Early Childhood Education (PK-3)

Health Education

Education

Elementary Education (PK-6)

Instructional Design and Technology

Health and Physical Education (PK-12)

Recreation and Wellness

Special Education and Teaching [Early Childhood and General Education concentrations]

Special Education

Secondary Education and Teaching (6-12) [History and English concentrations]

TESOL [Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages] NEW Mental Health, Wellness, and Counseling Certificate in Disability Studies

Upon completion of degree requirements in any of VCU’s educator preparation programs, students are eligible to receive licensure from the Virginia Department of Education. Please review our website for additional information: soe.vcu.edu

Connect with us!

Submit our inquiry form to get a new student packet and find a time to connect with our team.

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Plan a visit!

Future Teacher Connections RTR Teacher Residency RTR is a one-year or two-year long teacher residency program that prepares future teachers to serve students in a high needs setting in one of our partner divisions across Virginia. Through a rigorous, school-based model that integrates coursework and hands-on experience, residents earn a degree and gain teacher licensure eligibility. Working alongside a mentor teacher while carrying a full course load, residents gradually assume full teaching responsibilities. In return for tuition coverage, graduates commit to teaching in a high-need partner district for three years.

Pathways n

One-Year Early Childhood/ Elementary: Students may apply during their junior year of their B.S.Ed. program to participate in RTR during their final two semesters

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NEW Two-Year Elementary and Special Education Pathway: students with an associate’s degree from an accredited institution may apply

To learn more about RTR, scan the QR code at right or visit go.vcu.edu/soertrprint

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Future Teacher Connections Student Virginia Education Association The Student Virginia Education Association (SVEA) is a professional pre-service teacher organization that provides opportunities for college students to explore education as a profession. All education majors (Elementary, Secondary Education, Special Education, Music, Art, Health and Physical, etc.) are encouraged to join.

VCU’s SVEA chapter also participates in several community outreach programs.

To gain experience and skills, members also attend conferences and workshops.

Student Spotlight “I love SVEA as it gives me opportunities to engage with other education students and attend professional development events to build my teaching skills as I go through my program!” Megan Rafferty, Junior, Elementary Education and Teaching

Get Involved VCU is home to more than 400 student organizations. There is a place for you in our community! Get involved and join clubs like: n

YouFirst for first-generation students

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community services organizations

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affinity groups

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fraternities and sororities

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sports and recreation clubs

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and much more!

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Undergraduate Program Timeline Apply to VCU and select your School of Education program Fill out your FAFSA or VASA [Students with undocumented, immigrant, or DACA status, apply for the Virginia Alternative State Aid (VASA) to receive funding]

Application & Acceptance

Consider applying to the Honors College as a first year, transfer, or current student Welcome to the RAMily! Attend orientation and engage in our Weeks of Welcome (WoW) events

Complete in-class experiential and service learning experiences related to your future career

Engage in required first-year UNIV class to find your fit at VCU

Year 1

Review your program Major Map to maximize your VCU experience Explore campus resources and organizations such as YouFirst, the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, Adult and Non-traditional Student Services, and more

Apply to the Teacher Prep Program Volunteer in the RVA community

Year 2

Consider applying to be an ACE-IT in College education coach for students Meet with your advisor to explore minors, certificates, and plan your required REAL experience

Apply for your Clinical Internship/ Student Teaching Experience Study abroad

Year 3

Meet with a Career Advisor and plan to shadow current professionals in your field

Transfer students: begin here

Consider programs like the RTR Teacher Residency, which prepares graduates to become teachers in high needs schools

Engage in your semester student teaching or internship experience Apply to graduate and stay engaged as an alum

Year 4

Connect with Career Services for resume and cover letter review, interview preparation, and more

For detailed pre-attendance checklists, visit:

admissions.vcu.edu/accepted-students/ Questions? Contact soeinfo@vcu.edu

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“I want to help not just in the school system.

I want to help outside in the community – anybody that I can reach.”

Catrinna Garrett, Transfer Student, Early Childhood Education and Teaching

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Transfer Student Resources

Start Your Transfer Journey!

Explore our Transfer Maps!

Transfer Credit Review Request

Ready to apply?

Engage in academic and career exploration, gain experience, and explore recommended courses that will make your transition to VCU as smooth as possible.

Submit a transfer credit review request to have your trascript evaluated!

You will receive a draft plan of study for a glimpse at what your VCU experience will look like.

Read on for more important application instructions and deadlines!

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Applying to join the RAMily!

Admission Requirements FIRST YEAR

FIRST YEAR CHECKLIST

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Common Application

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High School Transcript

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College Transcripts (for students with dual enrollment credits)

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Check out the First Year Application Checklist for more details TRANSFER CHECKLIST

TRANSFER n n

VCU transfer application High school transcript (for transfer students with less than 30 credits)

College transcripts: T ​ ransfer applicants must submit an official transcript from each previously attended college or university.

Students may send official transcripts electronically via Parchment to the Undergraduate Office of Admissions at ugrad@vcu.edu. n Check out the Transfer Application Checklist for more details n

Application Deadlines VCU Scholarship Consideration: November 1 SPRING: November 1 (first year and transfer) FALL: January 15 (first year priority deadline for a guaranteed decision by April 1), March 15 (transfer priority deadline for a guaranteed decision by May 1) Note: Transfer applications reviewed on a rolling basis.

Schedule a meeting!

Application questions? Connect with an Undergraduate Recruitment Coordinator for help with your next steps.

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Fund Your Future Financial Aid VCU’s Office of Financial Aid can assist with any questions or concerns that pop up over your four years with the VCU School of Education, and there are multiple ways to reach out: by phone or email, in person, or using VCU’s Virtual Student Center (finaid.vcu.edu/contact/). To contact the School of Education student financial counselor, contact sfmcsoe@vcu.edu.

20+ scholarships available to undergraduate students

Scholarship Support The VCU School of Education offers over 20 scholarships just for undergraduate students! Some are merit- and need-based. For future teachers, there are also specialized scholarships depending on what you hope to teach and where. All are opportunities for help with tuition. soe.vcu.edu/admission/financial-aid/

You must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Virginia Alternative State Aid (VASA) every year to be considered for financial aid. The FAFSA and VASA priority deadline is March 1.

Teachers for Tomorrow / Educators Rising Scholarship All students who have participated in an Educators Rising or Virginia Teachers for Tomorrow program are eligible to apply for our LEAP scholarship, a $1000 competitive scholarship for incoming B.S.Ed. students.

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SOE RVA Richmond, the capital of Virginia and commonly called RVA by locals, was founded in 1737.

Washington D.C.

Population: 1.2 million+ (Richmond Metropolitan Area) Visitors to RVA will find easy interstate access via I-95 and I-64. RVA is also served by two Amtrak stations, an international airport and innovative GRTC transit system.

Charlottesville

RVA

Virginia Beach

Within a two-hour drive of RVA You’ll find surf and sandy beaches along the Atlantic coast, skiing and fall color in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains, and all the cultural offerings available in our nation’s capital!

The SOE’s location in RVA’s thriving city center provides students, faculty and staff with a wide variety of cultural, entertainment, arts and international culinary options, many within easy walking distance of campus.

The RVA Difference Music/Culture Virginia Museum of Fine Arts The National Altria Theater Richmond Ballet Science Museum of Virginia Virginia State Capitol Richmond Folk Festival VA Pride Fest Richmond Jazz Festival

Institute for Contemporary Art

Recreation

Virginia Museum of History and Culture

Byrd Park

Food/Entertainment

Maymont

Canal Walk The James River

First Fridays

Libby Hill Park

Carytown

Dominion Riverrock

Richmond Flying Squirrels

Virginia Capital Trail

The Jefferson Hotel

Belle Isle

Shockoe Slip

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

Main Street Station

And so much more!

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Monroe Park

Follow us to stay in the know!

SOE

GChat or email soeinfo@vcu.edu to connect with our staff and ambassador teams.

1015 W. Main St. | Box 842020 | Richmond, VA 23284-2020 (804) 827-6847 | soe.vcu.edu | soeinfo@vcu.edu