A full list of graduate programs and degrees is available online.

Yes, master’s and doctoral degrees can be taken at full-time or part-time status. The status is based upon a student’s registered course load in any given semester. For example, registering for 9–15 credits during fall or spring semesters results in the flat full-time tuition rate. Registering below 9 credits during these semesters is considered part-time enrollment and is charged by the credit hour.

Note: Doctoral students who are funded by their program must maintain full-time enrollment status each semester they are supported.

Yes, for select programs. Visit the graduate programs and degrees webpage and choose a program to review its learning mode options (e.g., face-to-face, online, or hybrid). Online programs earn the same degree as the typical face-to-face programs.

See course requirements for each program by visiting the Bulletin links below. Once in the Bulletin, click on the “Degree requirements” tab to review curriculum requirements.

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

Master’s degree (M.S.): Full-time students can typically complete all degree requirements within three semesters or 15 months. However, choosing a degree thesis option or entering a program that requires a capstone may extend the typical time to complete the degree. Enrolling part-time in any given semester is available for all master’s programs and also extends the time needed to complete the degree.

Doctoral degree (Ph.D.): Full-time students can expect to take four to six years to complete the degree, depending on factors like timing of research, publishing, and the dissertation schedule. Enrolling part-time is only available for self-funded students.

The time limit for completion of a graduate degree will not extend beyond a period of six years for graduate certificates and master's degrees and eight years for doctoral degrees.

Estimate your cost to attend with the VCU Cost Calculator and reference the bottom of the webpage for additional information. See descriptions about mandatory fees online.

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 based on an applicant’s answers to the Application for Virginia In-state Tuition that is part of the standard application process.

In addition to tuition and fees, all eligible students should be aware of the potential costs associated with the VCU student health insurance program.

No. Master’s students in the College are self-funded, and scholarships are unavailable. Applicants determined to be Virginia in-state residents at the time of admission will earn in-state tuition rates. Out-of-state and international students entering an engineering master’s program will automatically receive a distinct and highly competitive tuition structure by way of the Graduate Education Innovation Program.

Additional financial resources are available on Student Financial Services and Graduate School websites.

All Ph.D. applicants are automatically considered for funding based on their overall application. Applicants should be aware that admission is highly competitive and is typically contingent upon first identifying a faculty advisor. If admitted, a faculty advisor or program would fund your studies by way of a Graduate Assistantship (full-time status required). The timing to identify an advisor varies by program, and applicants are encouraged to contact their respective graduate program director for assistance during any stage of the application process.

Visit the College of Engineering’s graduate admissions webpage to see an overview of what’s needed to apply. Additional details about program offerings can be found on the graduate degrees webpage. Once you are ready to start an application, you can apply here.

Master’s degree applicants do not need to contact faculty before applying.

Ph.D. applicants are not required to contact faculty before applying, but it is highly recommended. Funding from faculty advisors is a significant factor in the doctoral admissions process. To identify a potential advisor, explore college research areas and the faculty directory. Contact faculty members directly who have expertise related to your interests and inquire about research assistantship opportunities with them. Another option is to explore department websites and to review the research sections.

For program inquiries, contact the graduate program director. For general application questions, contact the Office of Graduate Studies at gradengr@vcu.edu.

Applicants considering multiple graduate programs, or deciding between a master’s or doctoral degree, are encouraged to contact the respective graduate program director to help solidify their interests. Multiple applications can be submitted for review, but each application requires a separate application and separate fee.

Applications are reviewed with either official or unofficial copies of transcripts. If admitted, official documentation will be required in order to finalize the admission. If and when accepted, the Office of Admissions will detail any final documentation that is required.

Applicants upload materials using the online application portal. New applicants who start an application upload and edit materials when completing the application prior to submission. For an application that is already submitted, returning applicants can log-in and utilize the section called “Upload Materials” below the checklist. When uploading files, choose “Other Documents” if the item you are providing is not already described as an option.

Please allow the Office of Admissions at least five business days to process updates related to your application checklist for new electronic materials received; items sent through postal mail may require upwards of three-to-four weeks to be received and processed. Contact the Office of Admissions to inquire prior to resending any missing documentation.

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 receive a deferral 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 newly requested term.

Yes. Consult with the graduate program director to learn more about your options or if you come from a non-engineering background. With the exception of computer science, all undergraduate engineering programs often cross over well when pursuing graduate education.

Applicants pursuing a graduate degree in computer science who have not earned a bachelor’s degree in the discipline can strengthen their application by showing quality performance in undergraduate coursework such as: data structures, operating systems, software engineering, and automata theory. Relatedly, the Department of Computer Science offers a 30-credit post-baccalaureate undergraduate certificate for applicants seeking education and skills in computer science, but who come from backgrounds outside the discipline.

Entering a Ph.D. program after first enrolling as a master’s student is possible, but it depends upon a variety of factors. If you are a current master’s student interested in doctoral studies, consult with your faculty advisor or graduate program director. 

No. A separate application is required for each program or degree. Applicants in this situation should be aware that master’s students in the College are self-funded and scholarships are not available.

Yes. Those who reapply often have strengthened their candidacy for admission. You would need to submit a new application and updated supplemental material. Your test scores will remain available from your previous application as long as they have not expired.

To submit a fee waiver request, please use the Application Fee Waiver Request form. Email requests to the Office of Graduate Studies are not considered.

The College is not able to grant fee waivers for all requests that are received. Approved fee waivers will appear in the online application portal within five business days. If no fee is waived after this time, the request will have been denied. Duplicate requests are not accepted.

The Global Education Office (GEO) is the primary resource for all international students at VCU.

• For F-1 or J-1 visa and immigration questions, contact GEO Immigration Services at geois@vcu.edu.
• For information about orientation, housing, U.S. banking, or life in the U.S., contact GEO Global Learning at global@vcu.edu.

The College of Engineering adheres to university admission requirements related to proof of English proficiency. Visit the international admissions webpage to see a complete list of accepted tests, minimum score requirements, and details about approved test exemptions.

Prospective applicants seeking to advance their English proficiency prior to enrolling can consider the university’s CEA-accredited English Language Program.

Yes. Official English translations are required when transcripts are not already available in the language, and they must be submitted along with copies that are in the native language.

The VCU Office of Admissions evaluates all non-U.S. transcripts for U.S. GPA equivalency on a 4.00 grading scale. The results of this evaluation are not shared with the applicant during the application review process. While not required, applicants are welcome to provide an external credential evaluation as supplemental material to their application if they choose.

Applicants choosing to provide an external credential evaluation on their own behalf for any non-U.S. transcript(s) should refer the following instructions:

• VCU recognizes professional evaluators who are members of the following organizations. If choosing this optional method, select an organization within the links below to evaluate your transcript(s) on a course-by-course basis:
  • Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE)
  • National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES)
• Request an official course-by-course external credential evaluation. If applicable, English translations of any transcripts are required along with the credential evaluation report.
• The final report should be sealed, unopened, and mailed directly to the Office of Admissions or, preferably, sent electronically to VCUIA@vcu.edu and globalfiles@vcu.edu by the evaluating organization.
• Once any credential evaluations and/or translations are sent to VCU, they will not be returned to the prospective student or sent to a third party. The approved credential evaluation provided by an applicant will be used during the application review process.

Options are available through programs such as Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT). Consult the Global Education Office (GEO) at GEOIS@vcu.edu to learn more.

The Global Education Office (GEO) assists all international students who are admitted and have accepted the offer of admission in their online application portal. The GEO office aids international students with requests for a Form I-20, immigration inquiries, and visa workflow guidance. If you have been admitted and will need to study on a visa, contact GEO at GEOIS@vcu.edu and learn about the immigration process online.

The Office of Student Accessibility and Educational Opportunity is available for incoming and current students to discuss possible accommodations or disability-related supports. Their office can be reached at (804) 828-2253 or saeo@vcu.edu.

Connect with the Office of Student Accessibility and Educational Opportunity to speak with someone and begin by completing the intake form. Get started here.