International Students
Welcome to the VCU School of Education website. We are honored that you are thinking about our programs. Our programs come in a variety of online and in-person modalities. If you have questions about the F-1 student visa regulations and how they align with your program, please see this page on the International Student Support team page: https://global.vcu.edu/students/immigration/.
VCU and the School of Education are committed to welcoming students from across the globe. We look forward to welcoming you to our diverse, urban and inclusive community.
Each of our programs has unique admissions requirements. Please review the individual academic program admissions page for support with your online application, statement of intent, resume/CV and other required materials requirements.
The central VCU graduate admissions application page has specific admissions resources for international applicants including information about required English Proficiency Tests and translation of foreign transcripts. Our financial aid and scholarships resource page outlines financing options for your future program.
If you are applying from one of our Chinese International Partnership schools, please see our Direct Admit resources for your application below.
All new international students are required to attend an orientation session. You can find more information about International Student Services by visiting https://global.vcu.edu/students/started/. Please note that there are other orientations to consider through the central orientation office as well as our School of Education.
We are honored to have direct admission agreements with our prestigious partners in China. Please use the checklist below to review requirements for your future program:
- Start Here: Direct Admission Checklist [PDF]
- M.Ed. in Human Resource Development (Adult Learning Program) [PDF]
- M.Ed. in Teaching and Learning with Technology (Adult Learning Program) [PDF]
- M.Ed. in Counselor Education [PDF]
- M.Ed. in Educational Leadership [PDF]
- M.Ed. in Reading, Concentration in TESOL/K-12 [PDF]
- M.Ed. in Special Education [PDF]
- Ph.D. in Education, Concentration in Curriculum, Culture and Change [PDF]
- Ph.D. in Education, Concentration in Educational Psychology [PDF]
- Ph.D. in Education, Concentration in Research, Assessment and Evaluation [PDF]
- Ph.D. in Education, Concentration in Urban Services Leadership [PDF]
Virginia Commonwealth University welcomes student exchange scholars from across the globe to study for a short-term semester or year. Students will work with their home institution to approve courses from VCU to transfer back to their home institution program. Visit Richmond and our urban VCU campus, and the mid-Atlantic eastern region of the United States for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
For more information on deadlines, costs and the full exchange student experience, please see the Global Education Office website and their resource Exchange Student Fact Sheet 2020 [PDF].
Please review the Testing resource page along with the central graduate admissions international applicant required materials page for test requirements and submission details.
You may also meet VCU's English language proficiency requirement by achieving a minimum score on the VCU English Language Program (ELP) Placement Test. The VCU ELP Placement Test may be taken remotely or on campus when you arrive. Please contact the English Language Program at geo-elp@vcu.edu for more information.
If your undergraduate or graduate programs were completed outside of the United States, there are additional transcript equivalency requirements outlined on the central graduate admissions page under “Transcripts.” The professional transcript evaluators approved by VCU are listed on this page as well. Please allow for at least 2-3 months before your program application deadline to request evaluation service and submission to VCU.
For students who are interested in initial licensure programs, Virginia requires a United States social security number to complete the required licensure requirements.
Please refer to the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) graduates of foreign institutions of higher education guidance on equivalency requirements.
The financial certification requirements of financial support for your I-20 visa documentation is required if you are extended an offer of acceptance. It is not required during the application review phase.
The VCU English Language Program offers three levels of instruction in written and spoken English: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. VCU ELP offers on compass and online courses. Students who complete the program meet the language proficiency requirements of most of VCU's academic degree programs. Information about the VCU English Language Program is available on the Global Education Office's ELP page. Please contact the English Language Program at geo-elp@vcu.edu regarding registration and enrollment costs, evaluation procedures, and placement test dates.
Ready To Get Started?
- Jenna Lenhardt, Ph.D.
- Director, Strat Recrt & Outrch
- (804) 828-3382
- SOEinfo@vcu.edu
- Benjamin Olsoe
- International Student Liaison
- (804) 827-4309
- olsoebe@vcu.edu