Two VCU Degrees for Emergency Management Careers
Virginia Commonwealth University appears in our ranking of the 50 Most Affordable Schools for an Emergency Management Degrees.
Since Fall 2005, the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government & Public Affairs has awarded a Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness B.A. for Virginia Commonwealth University Rams to find public sector employment planning apt disaster responses. Chaired by Dr. William Pelfrey Jr. in Scherer Hall, the 120-credit, four-year program develops the intellectual tools for crisis decision-making and hazard mitigation. Learners build atop the University Core with upper-division courses like Terrorism, Vulnerability Assessment, and Cybersecurity Policy at an 18:1 student-teacher ratio. Majors might also attend the Morton B. Gulak Lecture Series, intern with FEMA, enter the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program, join Eta Lambda Sigma, and exchange to Macquarie University.
Online on Blackboard Ultra, the Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness M.A. further equips Virginia Commonwealth University post-grads with national defense policymaking skills for leading government agencies that protect public safety. Directed by Dr. Susan Gooden, the 2015 Jewel Prestage Pioneer Award recipient, this 36-credit, NASPAA-accredited Wilder School curriculum is delivered asynchronously to help employed officials secure profitable promotions. Rams receive 24/7 tech support for intensive 600-level Web courses from Community Strategic Planning to Public Health Preparedness. Students could specialize by adding the Criminal Justice Certificate or Gender Violence Intervention Certificate. Other opportunities include conducting Center for Public Policy research, working with the Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute, and attending the Virginia Government Leadership Summit.
About Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Commonwealth University originated in 1838 when Hampden-Sydney College’s President William Maxwell founded its Medical Department in Richmond. In 1854, the General Assembly independently chartered it as the Medical College of Virginia. In 1860, the Commonwealth publicly acquired MCV with $30,000 of taxpayer funds. During the Civil War, the Medical College of Virginia was the Confederacy’s only such institution to remain fully open. In 1879, MCV started one of the South’s earliest Doctor of Pharmacy programs. On October 11, 1917, the Richmond School of Social Economy welcomed an inaugural class of 30 women. From 1925-40, it was the Richmond Division of the College of William and Mary. By 1968, Governor Mills Godwin merged the Medical College of Virginia with the Richmond Professional Institute to form VCU. In May 1992, Virginia Commonwealth University started a Bio-Technology Research Park. In 1998, VCU founded the first Qatar campus in Education City.
Endowed for $1.8 billion, Virginia Commonwealth University now employs 2,501 full-time faculty teaching 24,058 undergrad and 5,309 post-grad Rams from 101 countries online or on the 90.6-acre Monroe Park campus with 650+ clubs like the Public Administration Association. In 2016, VCU won the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration’s Social Equity Award. In 2018, Virginia Commonwealth University accepted the HIMSS Davies Enterprise Award. VCU earned the Institute of International Education’s 2018 Heiskell Award too. The U.S. News & World Report ranked VCU the 157th best university and 39th top public affairs school. On Niche, VCU boasts America’s 100th best criminal justice degrees and 109th most liberal academics. Times Higher Education placed Virginia Commonwealth 358th overall. Forbes picked VCU as the 117th best public and 257th most diverse college.
Virginia Commonwealth University Accreditation Details
On May 16, 2019, Virginia Commonwealth University satisfactorily submitted the Fifth-Year Periodic Review Report to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to continue the Level VI accreditation through a Spring 2024 evaluation under the fifth president, Dr. Michael Rao. Located 669 miles southwest via Interstate 81 in Decatur, Georgia, this superb 11-state South Atlantic Region accreditor is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) to review VCU’s 200+ academic programs. Further, the L. Douglas Wilder School was reaffirmed by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) through 2023-24.
Virginia Commonwealth University Application Requirements
Getting into Virginia Commonwealth University is classified “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s since just 12,901 of the 16,847 Fall 2018 applicants were victorious for 77 percent acceptance. First-year Rams seeking the Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness B.A. must graduate high school or an equivalent 12 years beyond kindergarten. Four units each in English and mathematics are preferred. The Class of 2022 had an average secondary GPA of 3.63. The middle 50th percentile had SAT scores of 1070-1250. Mid-range admitted SAT scores were 21-27. The Honors College requires a minimum 1330 SAT or 29 ACT composite score. Undergrads are test-optional after age 21 or with 30+ college-level transfer credits at GPAs above 2.5. International students should exceed the 6.0 IELTS, 80 TOEFL iBT, or 53 PTE mark. The Graduate School seeks Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness M.A. majors with four years of accredited bachelor’s preparation. Cumulative GPAs of 2.7 and higher are mandated. Post-grads generally must score at least 290 total on the GRE General Test.
Virginia Commonwealth University set a December 1st scholarship priority and January 15th regular decision deadline for freshmen. Transfers must apply to the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government & Public Affairs by May 1st for Fall or November 1st for Spring enrollment. The Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness M.A. has rolling admission with March 15th and October 15th priority dates. Accordingly, submit the VCU or Common Application online for $70. Have transcripts mailed to 821 West Franklin Street in Richmond, VA 23284. Forward official test scores via SAT/GRE code 5570 or ACT code 4379. Attach supplemental materials, such as the personal statement, 2-3 references, resume, and immigration transfer-in clearance form. Contact (804) 828-2292 or wilderschool@vcu.edu with questions.
Tuition and Financial Aid
For 2019-20, Virginia Commonwealth University is charging in-state Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness B.A. majors $14,596 annually. Non-resident bachelor’s tuition and fees are $35,904 each year. Overload credits over 18 cost $209 to $565 apiece. Undergrads cover the $90 University College learning fee. Living at the Richmond campus’ dorms like Rhoads Hall adds $6,555 for yearly housing. Standard meal plans for Shafer Court Dining Center are $4,268 extra. VCU budgets $2,860 for books and $3,182 for personal expenses. Annual undergrad attendance equals about $32,041 in-state and $53,382 out-of-state. The Graduate School bills Virginians $701 and non-residents $1,442 per credit. Full-time master’s students pay $6,385 to $13,054 each semester.
According to the NCES College Navigator, the Financial Aid Office on Harris Hall’s 1st Floor enrolls 81 percent of new full-time VCU Rams with median tuition assistance of $10,203 apiece for $30.12 million combined. University funds include the Yvonne Engleson Rodriguez Benner Scholarship, Urban Civic Engagement Scholarship, James Hooker Memorial Scholarship, Tillett Scholarship, Karen Lynn Becker Memorial Scholarship, John Marlles Scholarship, Schulz-Porter Endowed Scholarship, Wilder Merit Scholarship, John Accordino Scholarship, Elizabeth Roderick Scholarship, Eva Hardy Scholarship, and Leigh Grosenick Scholarship. The Presidential Scholarship gifts up to $16,000 annually for outstanding freshmen with an average 1484 SAT score. The $7,000 VCCS Transfer Scholarship supports undergrads with 45+ credits from Virginia community colleges. Federal programs, such as the Pell Grant or Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant, require FAFSA applications coded 003735. Virginians also pursue the Commonwealth Award, Guaranteed Assistance Program, and Military Survivors or Dependents Grant.
Learn more about Virginia Commonwealth University at the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government & Public Affairs website.