University of Richmond School of Professional & Continuing Studies

Rigorous and challenging, but flexible.

We understand how important education is in today’s world, but we also understand how life can sometimes get in the way. Our degree programs are designed to meet the needs of working professionals and adult students, balancing academic rigor with flexibility and value. You can attend part time in the evening at a pace that supports your other life commitments and earn your Richmond degree on your terms.

Convenient admissions process.

We offer rolling admission for fall, spring, and summer semesters. Our undergraduate programs require a high school diploma or GED but no standardized test scores, and we provide undergraduate admissions pathways to match incoming students’ preparedness for college-level work. Our graduate programs require a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university but no standardized test scores. And our online application takes just a few minutes to complete.

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Relevant and marketable.

We offer degrees in several in-demand career fields as well as options in the liberal arts. 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. Career goals aside, our programs develop well-rounded professionals. Students develop a variety of transferable skills that employers desire, including written and verbal communication skills, the ability to solve complex problems, to work well with others, and to adapt in a changing workplace.

Accessible and affordable.

We make a University of Richmond education attainable for working professionals. We don’t require standardized test scores for admission. And our tuition — starting at $465 per semester hour — ranks among the most competitive in Richmond for adult students. You owe it to yourself to do the math. Compare our tuition to other adult education providers. We think you’ll be surprised.

Respected and valued.

Where you earn your degree does make a difference. As one of the five schools at the University of Richmond, we maintain 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 fifty years ago.

It’s never too late to return to school.

At the School of Professional and Continuing Studies, our students are serious about what they do. They have goals in mind and unbelieveable drive to achieve them. But sometimes life gets in the way, and that’s okay. In any given semester, our students range in age from 20-65. 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.

Regardless of your educational goals or age, you’ll feel right at home as part of one of only a few true college campuses in Richmond with dedicated programs for adult students and working professionals just like you.

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Post-Bachelor's Programs

Post-bachelor’s programs include undergraduate certificates, graduate certificates and non-degree study options. Our programs combine the latest theory with practical applications to provide valuable knowledge or a credential to help you advance or change your career or prepare for graduate school.

Post-Bachelor's

Bachelor's Programs

Our bachelor’s degrees are designed for those who want an interdisciplinary degree. You’ll be exposed to some of the best thinking from around the world through a broadly based educational experience. Through your major, you’ll gain valuable industry knowledge while further developing your critical thinking, writing and analytical skills.

Bachelor's Degrees

Master's Programs

Our master’s degrees combine theory and real-world practice to give students the skills and knowledge to move their careers to the next level. As a graduate student, you’ll explore emerging trends, unique opportunities, and innovative strategies in your respective career fields and area of study. As such, some of our degrees are well suited for students interested in career change.

Master's Degrees

Student Reflections

SPCS Educational Journey

SPCS Student Experience

What’s Next for SPCS Students

Faculty & Staff Notes

Roberts named chair of statewide school attorneys council
Wendell C. Roberts, adjunct associate professor of education, has been elected chair of the Virginia Council of School Attorneys (VCOSA). The council is an affiliate of the National Council of School Attorneys and the only statewide organization for attorneys who represent public K-12 school boards.
Shelton a featured expert on gig work & employment
Becca Shelton, Career Services advisor for SPCS and MBA students and University alumni, is a featured expert commenting on gig work and employment in a Credit Donkey post, Online Jobs for Teens.
Spires, Datta publish journal article
Dr. Bob Spires, Associate Professor of Education, and Dr. Monti Datta, Associate Professor of Political Science, have published an article about their experience leading students in last summer’s Encompass Southeast Asia short-term study abroad experience, in the teaching resource journal Education about Asia.
Lee appointed to citizens' advisory council
Dr. Lauranett Lee, SPCS adjunct professor of liberal arts and visiting lecturer in the Jepson School of Leadership Studies, has been appointed by Governor Ralph Northam to join the Citizens’ Advisory Council on Furnishing and Interpreting the Executive Mansion. The announcement was released May 1 and included in a list of recent gubernatorial appointments.
Mew published in Information Systems journal
Dr. Lionel Mew, assistant professor and program chair of information systems, recently published Designing and Implementing an Undergraduate Data Analytics Program for Non-Traditional Students in the Information Systems Education Journal.
Thornton a featured expert in COVID-19 jobs report
Linda Fisher Thornton, SPCS adjunct associate professor of HR Management and CEO of Leading in Context, LLC, is a featured expert commenting on unemployment rates and claims in a WalletHub report, Cities with the Biggest Growth in Unemployment Due to COVID-19.
Shelton offers job search tips
Becca Shelton, SPCS and alumni career advisor and assistant director of career services, offers 5 job search tips to those seeking a job during the global pandemic in How To Find A Job In A Global Pandemic on The Girlfriend from AARP.
Shields featured on Academic Minute
Dr. Tom Shields, associate dean and associate professor of education and leadership studies, discusses the benefits of school rezoning on The Academic Minute, part of a weeklong Jepson Takeover featuring a different Jepson School of Leadership Studies professor each day.
Scharf co-authors Style Weekly op-ed
Dr. Adria Scharf, adjunct assistant professor of nonprofit studies, co-authored a Style Weekly op-ed titled “Pulling Together” that urges local leaders to “step up to the plate with a bold, practical and inclusive vision for our city’s future” in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Authored with Dr. Thad Williamson, associate professor in the Jepson School of Leadership Studies.
Roberts interviewed on Virginia This Morning
Dr. Dan Roberts, chair of the liberal arts program and host of A Moment in Time, shares insights about the history of world pandemics and the importance of physical separation in an interview on CBS 6’s Virginia This Morning show.

Programs of Study

Program	Bachelor’s Degree	Undergrad Certificate	Master’s Degree	Graduate Certificate
Education	Available		Available	Available
• Curriculum & Instruction			Available
• Educational Leadership & Policy Studies			Available	Available
• Elementary Licensure (Undergraduate)	Available
• Teaching			Available
HR Management	Available		Available	Available
Information Systems		Available
• Information Security	Available	Available
• IT Management	Available
Liberal Arts	Available
• Master (MLA)			Available
• Weekend College	Available
Nonprofit Studies			Available	Available
Paralegal Studies	Available	Available

Review information about certain certificate program graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information.