Bachelor of Science in Psychology

Catalog Year 2025-2027

Based on VCCS Curriculum for PSYCHOLOGY

Transfer Guidance

Guaranteed Admission Agreement Requirements

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

• By meeting the following criteria, you are guaranteed admission to the BS in Mathematical Sciences:

• 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 Bachelor of Science in Psychology curriculum reflects the discipline’s major functions - scientific research, teaching, acting as a healing profession and raising philosophical questions about the assumptions, values and ideals of human beings and their societies, which reflects psychology’s origin in philosophy. Through a core set of requirements the student systematically develops understanding and skill in scientific methods of inquiry, focusing on the human mind and behavior. To fulfill the degree requirements, students may pursue the standard curriculum by selecting courses from four content areas that introduce students to the healing and philosophical sides of psychology and provide a broad understanding of the field as a whole; or the student may apply to one of several more focused concentrations that draw upon the special strengths of the VCU Department of Psychology.

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 will be 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 at VCU. If you are looking to connect with a broad range of people, come join us!

• 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

• Psychology students are able to participate in several service-learning courses during their time at VCU. These courses allow students to interact with a diverse group of individuals with special needs, build and put into practice communication and problem-solving skills, and take psychology out of the textbook into interactions with real people in structured and supportive environments. Past opportunities included assisting non-profit human services organizations, mentoring children at risk, and mentoring and tutoring youth involved with the legal system.

What Are My Chances For Getting Accepted?

• If you apply through general application instead of through the Guaranteed 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 accelerated B.S. to M.Ed. program allows qualified students to earn both the B.S. in Psychology and M.Ed. in Counselor Education in six years by completing approved graduate courses during the senior year of their undergraduate program. Students in the program may count up to 12 hours of graduate courses toward both the B.S and M.Ed. degrees. This means the two degrees may be earned with a minimum of 168 credits rather than the 180 credits necessary if the two degrees are pursued separately.

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/.