SPCS Student Experience

SPCS students enjoy all the privileges and perks of being a University of Richmond student on the Richmond campus. Richmond is a top-tier small private liberal arts university, the only one of the top fifty to include a separate division for adult learners like you.

Three distinctive aspects of your student experience differentiate Richmond from other institutions.

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  • You’re a University of Richmond Spider

    That means you have access to the resources of one of the most top-ranked private liberal arts colleges in the nation. And Richmond is the only university with a spider mascot.

    University One Card

    SPCS students receive a University One Card that grants library privileges, SpiderCard deposits for on-campus expenses (including the UR SpiderShop), student pricing for Modlin Center events, student-section privileges at University sporting events and more. Your University OneCard is your student photo ID, which can also be used to earn discounts at local, regional and national retail outlets, arts and entertainment venues, and many other locations.

    Facilities

    SPCS students work and study in world-class facilities on the University of Richmond campus, including LEED-certified “green” facilities, several dining areas, multimedia-equipped classrooms, PC and Mac computer labs, and the several libraries of the University.

    Facilities

    SPCS students are eligible take advantage of academic advising and career services along with assistance in writing, public speaking, and study skills. Full-time students may also take advantage of the many wellness and recreation programs offered through the Weinstein Center for Recreation and Wellness. Part-time students may join for a membership fee of $350 dollars/year — significantly less expensive than comparably-equipped health clubs.

    Alumni

    Once graduated, SPCS alumni enjoy lifetime e-mail forwarding from a richmond.edu account, lifetime subscription to the Alumni Magazine, lifetime career services, access to a premium full-text scholarly database, tuition discounts for credit and non-credit classes, membership in the UROnline alumni network, and participation in the SPCS Alumni Association.

  • You receive the SPCS advantage

    You have several school choices in the Richmond area. Why should you choose the University of Richmond School of Professional & Continuing Studies?

    Vibrant and inspiring campus

    Nestled among 350 acres of hundred-year-old pines, rolling hills and inspiring architecture surrounding a 10-acre lake, our campus is consistently cited by The Princeton Review as one of the most beautiful in the nation. Add to that world-class facilities, academic resources, and top-notch faculty and you’ll understand why some SPCS students feel as though they’ve discovered the “best keep secret in town.”

    Because we’re one of the five schools of the University of Richmond, our students are integrated into the campus. As an SPCS student, you’ll take advantage of the many academic, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities of the University, including IT support, full access to the library and its treasure-trove of online databases, student pricing for Modlin Center events, and student-section privileges at University sporting events.

    Whether you’re attending class, looking for a quiet study space, researching your next paper, grabbing a bite to eat, or attending a cultural or athletic event, you’ll feel like a Spider through and through.

    Intergenerational learning

    The average SPCS student is 35 years old, but we typically serve students from 18-88. Additionally, we are part of many of the University’s initiatives to support cross-school collaboration. That means SPCS students not only study with other SPCS students, but also at times with traditional-age students from the three undergraduate schools on campus as well as members of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. We feel this approach creates a rich learning environment that supports diversity of experience and thought, invaluable to adult students.

    Rigorous and challenging, but flexible

    Our degree programs are designed to meet the needs of working professionals, balancing academic rigor with flexibility and value. You can attend part time in the evening at a pace that supports your other life commitments. As an added value (and surprise to many), our tuition ranks among the most competitive in Richmond, and financial aid is available.

    We understand that a student’s aptitude for success is hard to measure through previous GPAs and test scores, especially when students have been away from college for many years. Our undergraduate admissions pathways match applicants with a first-year experience to best ensure their success. Regardless of your previous college experience, GPA or time out of the classroom, we find an admissions path for all undergraduate applicants.

    Relevant, marketable and impactful

    We offer degrees in several in-demand career fields. More importantly, our degree programs integrate the liberal arts with professional studies. Students will be exposed to the latest theory and real-world practice to give them the skills and knowledge to move their careers to the next level.

    Accessible and affordable

    At SPCS, age is only a number. Our average student is 35 years old. Many are returning to school to complete bachelor’s degrees they started years earlier. Some are transferring from community colleges and other universities. And a growing number are pursuing graduate study, even some in their sixties. In other words, SPCS students are a lot like you because we make a University of Richmond education accessible and affordable for working professionals.

    Respected and valued credential

    As one of the five schools at the University of Richmond, the SPCS maintains the University’s high academic standards. You study with Richmond professors and seasoned professionals, gaining specialized knowledge. At graduation, you receive a University of Richmond diploma. And you’ll be part of an institution that pioneered professional education in Richmond almost fifty years ago.

    Where you earn your degree does make a difference. Just ask any of our alumni. And explore the latest rankings to see where we stack up.

  • You study on the remarkable University of Richmond campus

    The campus itself is beautiful, with rolling hills descending to Westhampton Lake. Once the location of a fairgrounds, the University is now surrounded by lush vegetation and historical homes. Civil War embankments linger along Boatwright Drive from Three Chopt to the campus, while the remnants of tram rails can be found just under the pavement along Campus Drive. And a World War I-era train depot once served the campus as its first buildings served as a hospital for wounded soldiers.

    Visit us for an upcoming information session and take an online virtual tour at your convenience.

    Vibrant and Inspiring

    The University of Richmond is nestled among 350 acres of hundred-year-old pines, rolling hills and inspiring architecture surrounding a 10-acre lake. No wonder it’s consistently cited by The Princeton Review as one of the most beautiful campuses in the nation.

    Add to that a bevy of world-class facilities, academic resources, nationally ranked athletics, phenomenal study and research spaces, and top-notch faculty and you’ll find one of the few traditional college campuses in Richmond with dedicated programs for part-time students and working professionals.

    Easy Commuter Access

    There are a number of convenient ways to get to campus. The University straddles the City of Richmond and Henrico County in the city’s near West End. From the city, students can access the campus by car via I-195 on Cary Street and River Road, via Grove Avenue, Patterson Avenue or Monument Avenue to Glenside Drive and Three Chopt Road, and via I-64 on Glenside and Three Chopt.

    The University also provides several public and University transportation options to and from campus to the city, most of which are free to our students.

    From the far West End, the campus is accessible via River Road, Patterson Avenue and I-64. From south of the James, the campus is accessible via the Huguenot Bridge to River Road or other bridges into the city.

    Convenient Parking

    The campus’ suburban setting combines safety and convenience. The University has ground-level parking available throughout the campus. The University Police and Parking Services patrol the campus day and night, and all facilities, walkways, and parking lots are well-lit at all times. University security personnel are available to escort students from campus buildings to parked cars if needed. And parking is only $60 for an entire academic year. In fact, it’s the only regular fee students pay in addition to tuition.

    Community Engagement

    The University is engaged in the greater Richmond community. A quick review of the Bonner Center for Civic Engagement’s current partnerships demonstrate the opportunities available to Richmond students to engage in the community. And the School’s own Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, professional education and lifelong learning opportunities and Summer School provide opportunities for the Richmond community to engage with the campus.

    The University of Richmond considers itself an integral part of the greater Richmond community, and the School of Professional & Continuing Studies encourages you to engage in the life of the School, University and city.