Master’s students have the option to pursue thesis or non-thesis degree paths, with a few program exceptions. Each program has a default option upon admission. Contact your graduate program director with questions or to switch paths. 

M.S. with thesis option: To complete requirements for the degree, students must design and implement an original research project. This project is guided by a research advisor and monitored by an advisory committee. Students may receive temporary guidance on their research project from the graduate program director before a permanent advisor is identified. 

Before admission to degree candidacy, master’s students with thesis option must: 

• Complete required core courses
• Pass written and oral qualifying examinations
• Fulfill any additional program requirements

Reference the VCU Bulletin for more program information

To complete requirements for the degree, students must design and implement an original research project. This project is guided by a research advisor and monitored by an advisory committee. Students may receive temporary guidance on their research from the graduate program director before a permanent advisor is identified. 

Before admission to degree candidacy, doctoral students must: 

• Complete required core courses
• Pass written and oral qualifying examinations
• Fulfill any additional program requirements
• Reference the VCU Bulletin for more program information

Upon completing core didactic coursework and after reaching degree candidacy, Ph.D. students supported on a graduate assistantship award are to register for the standalone ENGR 701 (9-credit) section under their advisor each fall and spring semester until graduation. Summer semesters only require 3-credits of 697 directed research. Self-funded and part-time Ph.D. students continue to register for 697 research credits even after reaching degree candidacy.

Contact your graduate program director with academic or degree-related questions. Doctoral students and master’s students with thesis option will have an additional research advisor.

• College of Engineering
  • Engineering Management – Karla Mossi, Ph.D., mnegrad@vcu.edu
• Biomedical Engineering – Dean Krusienski, Ph.D., djkrusienski@vcu.edu
  • Biomedical engineering
  • Rehabilitation engineering
  • Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine
• Chemical & Life Science Engineering – Nastassja Lewinski, Ph.D., nalewinski@vcu.edu
  • Chemical and life science engineering
  • Environmental and sustainable engineering
• Computer Science – Kostadin Damevski, Ph.D., csgradadvise@vcu.edu
  • Computer science
  • Data science
• Mechanical & Nuclear Engineering – Karla Mossi, Ph.D., mnegrad@vcu.edu
  • Aerospace engineering
  • Mechanical and nuclear engineering
• Electrical & Computer Engineering – Yanxiao Zhao, Ph.D., ecegradinfo@vcu.edu
  • Electrical and computer engineering
  • Systems engineering
• Center for Pharmaceutical Engineering and Sciences – Thomas Roper, Ph.D., tdroper@vcu.edu
  • Pharmaceutical engineering

The Office of Graduate Studies is the college’s central administrative office that supports all graduate students in our programs. Meet the team below and contact us at gradengr@vcu.edu.

Meet the Staff

	Graduate Admissions Coordinator Johnny Ramey
	Graduate Affairs Finance Analyst Sam Stiver
	Senior Graduate Academic Specialist Lori Floyd-Miller
	Director of Graduate Studies and Engagement Jenilee Stanley Shanks

Forms 

For PDF forms, download a copy to your computer in order to save and complete it. Then, email the completed copy to the Office of Graduate Studies (gradengr@vcu.edu) for processing. 

Degree planning and registration:

• Graduate Classes Override Request Form
• Plan of Study for M.S. or Ph.D. degree

Travel Grants:

• Graduate Student Travel Grant Application - VCU Graduate School (up to $500)
• Graduate Travel & Conference Grant Application - College of Engineering (up to $300)

Thesis and degree candidacy:

• Appointment of Master of Science for Thesis Advisory Committee
• Doctoral Committee Approval and Qualifying Exam Results
• Graduate Proposal or Final Defense Notice
• Admission to Master's or Doctoral Degree Candidacy
• Electronic thesis and dissertation (ETD) Approval Form

Resources

• VCU Graduate Bulletin
• Libraries and research guides
• Writing Center
• Compact Between Graduate Students and their Thesis/Dissertation Advisors (optional)
• VCU Graduate School
• Global Education Office (international students)
• Student Financial Services (tuition, billing, and financial aid information)
• National Scholarship Office (external award and scholarship support)
• Graduate Student Organizations
• Student Conduct and Academic Integrity

1. To attend VCU, accept your offer of admission in the online application portal and provide any pending documentation that may be listed. Then, review the following applicable resources:
   • Graduate Student Checklist
   • International Student Checklist
     • After accepting the offer of admission, contact the Global Education Office (GEO) at GEOIS@vcu.edu to obtain a Form I-20 in order to study on a visa.
   • Find Housing:
     • On-campus housing
     • Off-campus housing
     • International student housing guidance
2. Attend a virtual Graduate Admissions Event for new engineering students.
3. Add new student orientation sessions to your calendar:
   • Graduate School orientation
   • Global Education Office orientation (international students)
   • College of Engineering orientation with same-day departmental orientation
4. Review the Academic Calendar for important dates.
5. Plan to register for classes by reviewing the schedule of classes and registration dates.
6. Enroll or opt-out of the student health insurance plan (when eligible).
7. Review the university billing schedule. Billing statements include tuition, fees, and health insurance premiums, and are issued by email after registering for classes every semester.
8. Learn about life on campus.

The Office of Admissions requires final documentation, such as official copies of transcripts, degree diplomas, and/or test scores. If you need to provide final versions of materials like these, it will be noted in the online application portal. Any pending documentation must be submitted in order to finalize your admission.

Students should provide all pending documentation as soon as possible before the start of their first semester to avoid registration holds being placed on their account. When all final documentation is received, the pending documentation requirement will be cleared and the admission will be fully finalized.

Questions? Contact the Office of Admissions.

Students who are admitted with provisions to complete should consult their graduate program director for details. When all required provisions are complete, the graduate program director will be able to confirm this and notify the Office of Graduate Studies.

Bridge Program: Students admitted with a provision to complete a degree’s “Bridge Program” must complete all required courses in consultation with the graduate program director. Upon completing all required Bridge Program coursework–typically with earning a B grade or higher in each course–the student can begin taking standard degree coursework. It is important to note that Bridge Program courses are taken prior to and in addition to the standard number of courses or credits required by a degree.

Newly admitted students can sign up for classes as soon as registration opens for their term of entry. There is an opportunity to register during the College of Engineering’s graduate student orientation session, however, earlier registration is recommended.

To get started:

1. Reference the course registration guide.
2. Add important registration deadlines to your calendar.
3. View course offerings on the schedule of classes.
4. Register for classes using eServices when registration is open.
5. As needed, request a course override and seek help from your advisor.
6. After registration, monitor your student email for the semesterly billing statement.
7. Avoid potential registration holds by providing any pending documentation listed in the online application portal.

After registering for classes, tuition and fees are billed centrally by the university–not by the College of Engineering–at the start of every semester. See the billing schedule to review payment deadlines. If you have specific billing questions, contact Student Financial Services at (804) 828-2228 or stuacctg@vcu.edu.

Tuition and fees vary based on a student’s residency status with the state of Virginia. VCU determines this status (i.e., in-state or out-of-state) at the time of admission. Applicants determined to be Virginia in-state residents earn in-state tuition rates. Out-of-state and international students entering an eligible engineering master’s program automatically receive a distinct and highly competitive tuition structure by way of the Graduate Education Innovation Program. Estimate your tuition and fees with the VCU cost calculator.

Doctoral students: If you are supported on a graduate assistantship and have questions about tuition and fees, email the Office of Graduate Studies at gradengr@vcu.edu. It is important to know that, regardless of funding source, all students receive standard billing statement emails from the university.

Additionally, be aware that VCU student health insurance plan premiums are not covered by assistantships with the College of Engineering. All students enrolled in the VCU student health insurance plan must pay their plan premium fees as billed in eServices, or opt-out every fall and spring semester.

• Estimate costs using the VCU cost calculator. See a cost of living table below the calculator to budget additional expenses.
• Explore external scholarships and apply early. VCU’s National Scholarship Office can assist new and continuing students.
• Review university resources listed on the Graduate School and Student Financial Services websites.
• Loan providers: Many find value in taking out a government or private loan to finance their graduate education. 
• On-campus student employment can help defray the cost to attend. Search for part-time positions across VCU. Student jobs can also be found on Handshake. Options are also available for those studying on an F-1 visa. 
• Employer tuition reimbursement: Your current employer may have a tuition reimbursement benefit. Inquire with your human resources department.

The VCU student health insurance program is available to full-time Ph.D. students and international students (those on F- and J-visas). A hard waiver will apply for these student populations, meaning that they will be required to enroll in the program if they are unable to provide proof of other insurance to opt-out. This program is managed centrally by the university and not by the College of Engineering.

Each fall and spring semester, all eligible students must either enroll and pay the insurance premium fee or opt-out by providing proof of other coverage. When no action is taken to waive coverage, students are automatically enrolled and responsible for plan premium fees that appear on their account. Approved insurance waivers from opting out do not roll over from one semester to the next. 

Doctoral students: If you are supported on a graduate assistantship and are enrolled in the VCU student health insurance plan, be aware that plan premiums are not covered by assistantships with the College of Engineering. Plan premium fees are paid out-of-pocket by students and are listed as a “Health Insurance Premium” expense in eServices.

Step-by-step tutorials:

• How to enroll in the student health insurance program
• How to opt out/waive coverage

Questions? Contact the eligibility coordinators at gradhealthins@vcu.edu (full-time Ph.D. students) or intlhealthins@vcu.edu (international M.S. students).

Applicants admitted into a master’s program (M.S.) may request to defer admission by emailing the Office of Graduate Studies (gradengr@vcu.edu). New Ph.D. admits must consult with their advisor and/or graduate program director to request approval to defer their admission.

Requests to defer are considered for up to one year from the original term of entry, and there is no added fee to defer admission. If approved, the applicant will be assigned a defer request form to complete in the online application portal. Once this form is completed, the applicant will receive an updated offer of admission to accept for the new term. Deferral requests are only considered for fall or spring semesters.

Register with eServices as soon as registration opens. This helps ensure entry into your desired courses and provides timely calculation of the semesterly billing statement.

Register now:

1. Reference the course registration guide.
2. Add important registration deadlines to your calendar.
3. View course offerings on the schedule of classes.
4. Register for classes using eServices when registration is open.
5. As needed, request a course override and seek help from your advisor.
6. After registration, monitor your student email for the semesterly billing statement.

Registration Holds: Students with past unpaid billing statements or health insurance premiums may have a registration hold placed on their account by the university. If you are entering your second semester and have an admission-related hold, visit your online application portal to check for any pending documentation you need to provide, and contact the Office of Admissions with questions.

Doctoral students: Students supported with graduate assistantship funding are required to be registered for a full-time course load before any funding can process. All graduate assistantships require full-time enrollment in graduate-level coursework throughout each semester: Fall, Spring (9–15 credits required) and Summer (3 credits required). Under-enrollment or failure to enroll in any given semester during an award period results in immediate withholding of funding and automatic cancellation of stipend payments. Students should reference their signed award letter for more information and contact the Office of Graduate Studies gradengr@vcu.edu with questions.

Submit an override request form. Allow a minimum of 1–3 business days for processing after a request is submitted. Each request requires instructor approval. Contact your advisor with questions.

Please note, you may need to log into your VCU account before being able to submit a form.

Billing statements are issued centrally by the university at the start of every semester after a student has registered for classes. Billing statements include tuition, fees, and applicable health insurance premiums. The Student Financial Services team can be contacted at (804) 828-2228 or stuacctg@vcu.edu with billing questions. Visit the health insurance website for premium cost information.

Doctoral students: If you are supported on a graduate assistantship and have a question about tuition and fees, email the Office of Graduate Studies at gradengr@vcu.edu prior to contacting Student Financial Services or the Graduate School. It is important to know that, regardless of funding source, all students receive standard billing statement emails from the university. Additionally, assistantships within the College of Engineering do not cover VCU student health insurance fall and spring premiums.

The VCU student health insurance program is available to full-time Ph.D. students and international students (those on F- and J-visas). A hard waiver will apply for these student populations, meaning that they will be required to enroll in the program if they are unable to provide proof of other insurance to opt-out. This program is managed centrally by the university and not by the College of Engineering.

Each fall and spring semester, all eligible students must either enroll and pay the insurance premium fee or opt-out by providing proof of other coverage. When no action is taken to waive coverage, students are automatically enrolled and responsible for plan premium fees that appear on their account. Approved insurance waivers from opting out do not roll over from one semester to the next. 

Doctoral students: If you are supported on a graduate assistantship and are enrolled in the VCU student health insurance plan, be aware that plan premiums are not covered by assistantships with the College of Engineering. Plan premium fees are paid out-of-pocket by students and are listed as a “Health Insurance Premium” expense in eServices.

Step-by-step tutorials:

• How to enroll in the student health insurance program
• How to opt out/waive coverage

Questions? Contact the eligibility coordinators at gradhealthins@vcu.edu (full-time Ph.D. students) or intlhealthins@vcu.edu (international M.S. students).

A Plan of Study form is used to outline the path to your degree. A submitted plan is conditional and based on the assumption that a student will complete the degree within the university’s time limit for completion. Plans of Study can be updated or amended with an advisor, as needed.

To check your degree status, use Degree Works as found in eServices. To review degree pathway information or to see course options, reference the VCU Bulletin links below.

Master of Science (M.S.)

• Biomedical engineering
• Computer science
• Data science
• Engineering, with a concentration in:
  • Aerospace engineering
  • Chemical and life science engineering
  • Electrical and computer engineering
  • Engineering management
  • Environmental and sustainable engineering
  • Rehabilitation engineering
  • Systems engineering
  • Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine
• Mechanical and nuclear engineering

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

• Biomedical engineering
• Chemical and life science engineering
• Computer science
• Engineering with a concentration in:
  • Electrical and computer engineering
• Mechanical and nuclear engineering
• Pharmaceutical engineering

Yes, by submitting a travel grant request to either the Graduate School or College of Engineering. Funds are to support current degree-seeking graduate students with travel costs related to presenting research or academic work at conferences, summits, etc. Funds are limited, and requests are approved on a first-come, first-served basis for those who are eligible.

• Graduate School travel grants are up to $500. Check your eligibility and apply.
• College of Engineering travel grants are up to $250 for presenting a poster or up to $300 for giving an oral presentation. Complete a Graduate Travel and Conference Grant Application and email it to gradengr@vcu.edu to apply.

Keep your receipts! If you are approved for a travel grant, be sure to keep documentation for your travel expenses in order to be reimbursed. Instructions for submitting receipts will be provided by the office awarding you a travel grant.

Career resources:

• Engineering Career Services is available to all engineering graduate students. This office hosts professional career fairs and works with dozens of employers to post jobs on Handshake.
• LinkedIn Learning offers casual online course modules to build specific skills or gain industry insights in topics like business software, career development, or Six Sigma quality control.

Research resources:

• VCU Libraries:
  • Julie Arendt (jaarendt@vcu.edu), science and engineering research librarian.
  • Engineering research guides.
  • Open and affordable course content with zero textbook cost information.
  • Graduate-only study spaces and free room reservations.
  • Publishing and copyright support with VCU Publishing.
• TechTransfer and Ventures offers support related to intellectual property and patenting.

Student groups:

• Engineering Graduate Student Association (EGSA) - egsa@vcu.edu
• VCU Rams Connect student activities and organization portal
• RecWell student gyms, group exercise, and activities.

Campus resources:

• VCU Graduate School student resources
• Division of Student Affairs on-campus resources
• Office of Student Advocacy - submit a concern or question
• Office of Student Accessibility and Educational Opportunity - request an accommodation or disability-related support
• Transportation and getting around campus:
  • Parking on campus
  • Parking in Richmond (includes street parking when on campus)
  • RamBikes
  • GRTC (Bus Rapid Transit)
  • RamSafe (evening transportation service)
• Housing resources:
  • On-campus housing
  • Off-campus housing
  • International student housing guidance
• Food security and other goods:
  • Ram Pantry
  • RVA Community Fridges
  • VCU Free Store

Cardinal Education is an online consortium consisting of the state of Virginia’s public engineering schools. A graduate student enrolled at one member school is able to take available online courses from another participating school. Non-VCU students interested in a VCU online engineering course can start an inquiry with their Cardinal Administrator.

Requests to register for a consortium school’s online graduate engineering course must be submitted at a minimum of four weeks in advance of the consortium school's registration deadline. Students studying on a visa should be aware that registration in an online Cardinal Education course may affect their full course of study requirement.

To request to register for an online Cardinal Education course, first review available course offerings. Then, after selecting an available course, obtain program director and/or advisor approval via email. Once you have approval, forward the email to gradengr@vcu.edu with your program director copied, and provide the following details. 

1. Full name
2. V-number
3. Degree and program
4. Registration status for the desired semester (full-time or part-time)
• Part-time students with approval to register sign up directly with the school offering the available course. Students are then billed for tuition and fees by the partner school (not VCU). After the semester ends, course credit is transferred to VCU with help from the graduate program director.
• Full-time students with approval to register typically enroll as a non-degree seeking student at the partner school in order to receive online course access. Students then register for a proxy course at VCU where they earn course credit without the need to formally transfer credits. 
5. Course(s) details:
• Course prefix and number (i.e. ENGR 501)
• Course CRN number
• Course title
• Host university’s name
• Desired semester (i.e. Fall 20XX)
6. Important: Please only request to register for a Cardinal Education course you have received approval from VCU faculty to take, and only if the desired course is not currently offered and available with VCU.

After submitting a request to register, next steps will be provided by email. Each request requires multiple levels of approval, including that of the consortium school’s course instructor. Registration is not guaranteed until receiving final confirmation, and students are advised to have a backup course at their home institution. Limits and restrictions apply, such as 50 percent transfer credit limitations or graduate program director discretion. 

Find Courses

Technical or registration issues: Contact the Office of Graduate Studies (gradengr@vcu.edu). 

Academic issues: Contact your home institution’s graduate program director and advisor.

Yes! Consult your advisor and graduate program director to register for internship credits. If you are looking for an internship, ask Engineering Career Services about opportunities.

International students interested in Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT) must consult the Global Education Office (GEO) at GEOIS@vcu.edu along with their advisor.

Doctoral students: If you are funded on a graduate assistantship and will be away on an internship at any point during the award period (e.g., away on a paid summer internship), alert your graduate program director and gradengr@vcu.edu as soon as possible. An internship can affect a student’s assistantship eligibility and stipend.

Students need to apply to graduate in eServices at the beginning of the semester in which all program requirements will be completed. All eligible students will be notified by email when to apply and should be alert to important deadlines.

All graduating engineering students are also advised to complete the career exit survey when notified by Engineering Career Services.