VCU School of Education Undergraduate Viewbook 2024

Unrivaled Undergraduate Education

Innovative | Community-focused | Inclusive | Collaborative

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hether your career goals include engaging in non-profit, higher education, K-12 or government entities, the VCU School of Education 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.

Inclusive Diversity, equity and inclusion are woven into our community culture, decisions and actions. We strive to create a culture of belonging where you are celebrated for who you are in our community and empowered to create the same space for others.

Collaborative From day one, you’ll be able to engage in REAL (relevant, experiential, applied learning) experiences through classes, internships, research, volunteering and more.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

32%

of SOE students identify as racially minoritized

Research shows that diversity drives excellence. In the VCU School of Education, it drives the work we do within our classrooms, our communities and our research. We are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment and providing unique, innovative educator and professional pathways across disciplines and industries.

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Join us! Ways to engage...

Our Undergraduate Programs Bachelors degrees in:

Minors / Certificates:

Human and Organizational Development

Early Intervention Special Education

Early Childhood Education (PK-3)

Special Education | Recreation and Wellness

Education | Health Education

Elementary Education (PK-6)

TESOL [Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages]

Health and Physical Education (PK-12) Special Education and Teaching [Early Childhood / General Education]

Instructional Design and Technology 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 at soe.vcu.edu/about-us/licensure--reciprocity/

Teacher Pathway Initiatives Mirror Me A partnership with Chesterfield County Public Schools with a focus on Black, Indigenous, People of Color/Underrepresented Minorities. Provides mentorship, financial support, and priority hiring after graduation!

Multilingual Ambassador Program Are you a multilingual student? Want to give back to the community? Join the Multilingual Ambassador Program to support local school districts, tutor and mentor multilingual/English Language students, engage communities and families to celebrate culture, and more!

RTR Teacher Residency A yearlong teacher residency program for future teachers to receive financial and career support while serving students in high-needs schools. If you want to teach for change, learn more about RTR!

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!

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

Application & Acceptance

Consider applying for our ElevatED Living Learning Community, a housing community for students passionate about education!

Welcome to the RAMily! Attend orientation and engage in our Weeks of Welcome events

Year 1

Engage in required first-year UNIV class to find your fit at VCU Review your program Major Map to maximize your VCU experience

Apply to the Teacher Prep Program Volunteer in the RVA community Consider applying to be an ACE-IT in College education coach for students

Year 2

Apply for our Substitute Teaching the VCU Way and Innovative Teacher Pipeline programs 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 Complete in-class experiential and service learning experiences related to your future career

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.

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

For detailed pre-attendance checklists, visit:

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

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Applying to join the RAMily!

Admission Requirements n

Common Application (freshmen)/VCU Application (transfer applicants)

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High School Transcript (freshmen & transfer applicants with less than 30 credits)

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College Transcripts (transfer applicants and applicants with dual enrollment credits)

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To be considered for a VCU scholarship, make sure you apply by November 1

Application Deadlines VCU Scholarship Consideration: November 1

Schedule a meeting!

Spring: November 1 (freshmen and transfer) Fall: January 16 (freshmen), March 15 (transfer) Note: Transfer applications reviewed on a rolling basis.

For more information including important deadlines and an application checklist, visit: vcu.edu/admissions/apply/freshman/ or email soeinfo@vcu.edu

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Connect with an Undergraduate Recruitment Coordinator.

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 Financial Aid

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/

Prospective Student Scholarships

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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

Connect with us! 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.edu.vcu | soeinfo@vcu.edu