Located in historic Richmond, VA, the VCU School of Education draws upon the resources of a culturally-rich and diverse urban environment to prepare students for meaningful careers in education and health-related fields, and promote research that advances understanding of global challenges.

Our academic programs are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. The school also is a member of the American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education, the Holmes Partnership, and the Urban Serving Universities. Our accredited programs help students become reflective practitioners across a broad array of disciplines, including:

• P-12 teaching
• educational leadership
• counselor education
• special education
• health and physical education
• exercise science
• research and evaluation

More than 2,300 students are pursuing bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees, and post-baccalaureate and post-masters certificates that prepare them to become responsible community leaders who embrace and celebrate diversity and who develop evidence based research to advance best practices.

Our faculty – representing six departments and 10 centers – are nationally and internationally recognized for their professional accomplishments and offer a rich learning experience for all students. They pursue active research agendas that focus on theoretical frameworks as well as applied action-based research. Since 2001, external funding awards have nearly doubled from $10.7 million to $20 million in 2005-2006.

The research and service missions of the school enrich the surrounding community. To address the challenges of our urban environment, we have established partnerships to:

• improve school performance
• promote early reading
• enhance teacher effectiveness and leadership
• reduce school violence and bullying
• influence public policy
• decrease physical inactivity and obesity

The School of Education was established in 1964 as a part of the Richmond Professional Institute. In 1968, by action of the state legislature, it became a part of the newly-formed Virginia Commonwealth University.
Today, our 54 full-time instructional faculty, 100 research faculty, and more than 2,300 students are part of a university that is ranked nationally by the Carnegie Foundation as a top research institution with more than $206 million in annual research funding. VCU is the Commonwealth’s largest urban university, enrolling the most diverse student body in Virginia, with more than 29,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students.

VCU School of Education students gain a world class experience through active engagement with faculty and the opportunity to enjoy educational and extra curricular experiences on two VCU campuses, the Monroe Park Campus and the nationally-acclaimed Medical College of Virginia Campus.