Bachelor of Arts in Human and Organizational Development

Catalog Year 2025-2026

Based on VCCS Curriculum for EDUCATION

Transfer Guidance

Guaranteed Admission Agreement Requirements

• This degree program is covered by VCU’s Guaranteed Admission Agreement.

• Earn a transfer associate degree.

• Earn a minimum GPA of 2.5 for your associate degree. VCU will recognize the cumulative GPA as recorded on the VCCS transcript and not recalculate based on multiple course attempts.

• Complete a minimum of 30 credits at VCCS institution.

• Earn grades of “C” or higher in all community college courses.

Important Links & Dates

• University Transfer Center: https://transfer.vcu.edu/.

• Register Intent to Transfer: https://ugradadmissions.vcu.edu/register/letterofinterest.

• Admission Application: By March 15 for fall admission and November 1 for spring at https://www.vcu.edu/admissions/apply/.

• Financial Aid: https://semss.vcu.edu/our-services/financial-resources-and-guidance/.

• FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid: March 1 for fall semester at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.

What Should I Consider When Selecting Courses?

• Complete your English courses and start your math sequence in your first year.

• Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered. For help, see Transfer Steps and Resource Center at www.TransferVirginia.org.

• Connect with an advisor at your community college and the VCU Transfer Center (https://transfer.vcu.edu/) in your first semester.

Is This Degree Right For Me?

• The B.A. in Human and Organizational Development prepares students for a broad range of positions including as human resource development professionals, organizational and employee development professionals, instructional designers or talent development professionals. The program focuses on providing students with the knowledge and skills to plan and develop learning programs and interventions for adult learners using sound pedagogy for teaching adults in a variety of organizational settings. Students will learn to assess and evaluate adult learning and learn to adapt instructional programs based on the needs of the learners as well as the organization. Through comprehensive learning and development experiences in both class settings and a required internship, students will gain an understanding of working with diverse groups of learners. The program will provide opportunities for students to learn skills in developing programs for adult learning and practice them in a professional setting. Graduates of the program will be highly trained professionals capable of planning, developing and evaluating programs for adult learners both in-person and through online delivery formats.

What Is The Impact On My Degree Of Work I Have Already Completed?

• Associate Transfer Degree Completion: The completion of a transfer associate degree results in all lower-division general education requirements being met when you transfer to VCU.

• Dual Enrollment – Completion of Associate Degree in HS: The completion of an associate degree concurrent with high school results in 60 credits of coursework applied towards your degree and VCU’s general education courses satisfied. High school students must apply to VCU as freshman applicants for orientation and engagement purposes.

• Credit for Prior Learning: VCU accepts AP, IB, Cambridge, CLEP, DANTES, and military credits.

• Catalog Year: VCU will honor the degree requirements of the VCU Undergraduate Bulletin in effect at the time of the student’s first post-high school enrollment into an appropriate associate degree at the two-year institution. Students must stay enrolled at their community college and take no more than four years to complete their associate degree. Students must also enroll at VCU within one year of completing their associate degree.

Is This College Right For Me?

• Located in downtown Richmond, within two hours of the beach, the mountains and Washington DC, VCU provides top-ranked academic programs, research opportunities and an urban setting so students can live and learn in the real world.

• VCU is a large, public research institution dedicated to the success and well-being of students and the Richmond community.

• Diversity, inclusion and equity are deeply ingrained core values of VCU.

• Learn more about our college at www.TransferVirginia.org.

Did You Know That…

• Completing your associate transfer degree satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the likelihood you will complete your bachelor’s degree?

• Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college could exhaust your financial aid there and reduce your future financial aid at VCU?

What Can I Do With This Degree?

• Explore possible careers, salaries, and job outlook at www.TransferVirginia.org.

Program Successes & Highlights

• The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that the need for employees in the field of employee development and training is expected to be higher than the average growth in jobs overall. This figure is for training specialists as well as Instructional Designers with the ability to create on-line learning programs for adult learners. Our program prepares students to meet these increasing employment needs.

What Are My Chances For Getting Accepted?

• If you apply through general application instead of through the Guaranteed Program Admission Agreement, you will be considered for admission with all other transfer applicants.

• Learn more about applying at www.TransferVirginia.org.

Do More With Your Degree!

• The B.A. program requires electives in several areas, including Business. Students may choose electives which will award them with a minor in Psychology, Human Resource Management and/or Business Administration.

Other Than Classes, Are There Other Program Requirements?

• All students must complete at least one VCU “REAL” experiential learning activity in order to graduate from VCU. Examples of REAL activities include: internships, research, and service learning. This requirement may be satisfied by completing a 300-level (or higher) REAL course or through an approved REAL co-curricular experience.

• Learn more at https://real.vcu.edu/.