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

Thornton's blog featured in SmartBrief on Leadership
Adjunct associate professor of HR management Linda Fisher Thornton’s blog, Leading in Context, is featured in a SmartBrief on Leadership. Her post, 10 Leadership Strategies For Thriving in 2021, in which Thornton names 10 leadership areas to focus on in the upcoming year, is highlighted.
Roberts profiled in Veterans Day feature
Dan Roberts, SPCS professor and chair of liberal arts, host of A Moment in Time and Vietnam War veteran, was profiled in a Veterans Day feature in the Richmond Times-Dispatch. His successful but ongoing fight against cancer, attributed in part to Agent Orange exposure, is highlighted.
Edinger publishes journal article
Matthew J. Edinger, adjunct professor of education, has published the article What’s in Your Gifted Education Online Teacher Professional Development? Incorporating Theory- and Practice-Based Elements of Instructional Learning Design in the October 2020 issue of Gifted Child Quarterly.
Thornton's '7 Lenses' a book club selection
The book 7 Lenses: Learning the Principles and Practices of Ethical Leadership by Linda Fisher Thornton, adjunct associate professor of HR management and CEO of Leading in Context, LLC, was selected by Skillsoft as its as its Off-the-Shelf Book Club selection for October 2020.
Nielson quoted in NPR News article
Erik Nielson, associate professor & assistant chair of liberal arts and expert on the use of rap lyrics as evidence in criminal trials, was interviewed for an NPR Music article about the case of Louisiana rap artist Mac Phipps, who was convicted for manslaughter based in part on his lyrics.
Shuai, Chmura awarded for best paper
Xiaobing Shuai, adjunct professor of HR Management, and Christine Chmura, adjunct assistant professor of HR Management, co-authored a paper with James Stinchcomb, “COVID-19, Labor Demand, and Government Responses: Evidence from Job Posting Data,” that received the National Association for Business Economics (NABE) Contributed Paper Award for 2020.
Chmura, Shuai awarded for best paper
Christine Chmura, adjunct assistant professor of HR Management, and Xiaobing Shuai, adjunct professor of HR Management, co-authored a paper with James Stinchcomb, “COVID-19, Labor Demand, and Government Responses: Evidence from Job Posting Data,” that received the National Association for Business Economics (NABE) Contributed Paper Award for 2020.
Hiller receives community-engaged teaching award
George Hiller, L’91, SPCS adjunct professor of liberal arts and Robins School of Business lecturer in international business, received the 2020 Community-Engaged Teaching Award from the Bonner Center for Center Engagement at its third annual Engage for Change! awards ceremony.
Hocutt co-chairs virtual conference, co-edits proceedings
Daniel Hocutt, SPCS web manager & adjunct professor of liberal arts, served as program co-chair of SIGDOC 2020, the 38th ACM International Conference on Design of Communication. In this role, Hocutt also served as co-editor of the conference Proceedings.
Nielson receives 1st Amendment award
Erik Nielson, SPCS assistant chair and associate professor of liberal arts and expert on rap lyrics used in criminal trials, has received the 2020 Hugh M. Hefner First Amendment Award in Book Publishing with co-author Andrea L. Dennis for their book their book Rap on Trial: Race, Lyrics, and Guilt in America.

Programs of Study

Face-to-face, classroom-based learning experiences are valued in our degree programs. Although some classes may be offered online or as in-class/online hybrid experiences, all programs require classroom-based learning.

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