History

1969
Departments of Journalism, Psychology and Sociology shifted to the School of Arts and Sciences. First master’s degree programs instituted in psychology and sociology.
1968
Virginia Commonwealth University created by General Assembly. Departments of Mathematics, Physics and Physical Science formed.
1967
Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies organized.
1966
School of Arts and Sciences established under Richmond Professional Institute, Departments of Biology, Chemistry, English, Foreign Languages, History and Political Science, with J. Edwin Whitesell, Ph.D., as dean.

1978
Doctoral program in social policy and social work begun cooperatively with School of Social Work.
1976
Master’s degree in mass communications and doctorate in counseling psychology offered.
1974
Afro-American Studies becomes a part of the School. English/English Education master’s program begun cooperatively with School of Education. Graduate program in chemistry transferred to School of Arts and Sciences. Creation of Department of History and Geography.
1972
Paul D. Minton, Ph.D., installed as new dean.
1971
Master’s programs in biology and mathematical sciences and doctoral programs in clinical and general (experimental) psychology added.

1989
M.A. offered independently in English.
1988

New academic building housing the School of Mass Communications plus parts of the departments of Mathematical Sciences, Chemistry, Physics and Biology dedicated at 150th anniversary of the University. New programs in women’s studies and international studies are instituted.
1987
National Endowment for the Humanities Challenge Grant received. Development of M.S. program in computer science.
1985
“Colleges within the College” (Nexus and Rampart) introduced.
1984
Physics’ master’s program approved. Military Science/Army ROTC unit becomes part of College.
1983
Honors Program established to be administered by College. Master of Fine Arts first offered in creative writing.
1981
College of Humanities and Sciences name change approved by the Board of Visitors. School of Mass Communications established within the College. Education Support Programs comes under College’s auspices.
1980
Elske v.P. Smith, Ph.D., becomes the third dean.

1998
Stephen D. Gottfredson, Ph.D., becomes the fifth dean.
1997
Susan Kennedy becomes interim dean of the College. Graduate program established in the Adcenter. Dual master’s degree in criminal justice for theology students established. College celebrates its 30th anniversary.
1996
Office of Academic Advising comes under the College’s auspices. New curriculum for general education requirements established.
1995
School of Community and Public Affairs dissolved. Department of Public Administration merged with Political Science. Departments of Criminal Justice and Urban Studies and Regional Planning join the College.
1994
VCU’s Strategic Plan for the Future implemented by the College.
1993
David Hiley, Ph.D., becomes the fourth dean.
1992
Honors Program comes under the Office of Academic Affairs.
1991
Language Learning Center established by the Foreign Languages Department.
1990
Women’s studies minor introduced by the College.

2008
A chair in Catholic Studies is endowed and the inaugural lecture for the program features Rev. Edward A. “Monk” Malloy, C.S.C., Ph.D.
2007
New Ph.D. in Media, Art, and Text launches and a chair in the History of Christianity is fully endowed.
2006
The Department of Sociology is realigned with the Wilder School. Robert Holsworth, Ph.D., becomes the sixth dean of the College of Humanities and Sciences.
2004
The VCU Board of Visitors approves naming the School of Government and Public Affairs after L. Douglas Wilder, former governor of Virginia, mayor of Richmond and a distinguished professor at VCU.
2003
The VCU Board of Visitors approves the establishment of the School of Government and Public Affairs and the School of World Studies. B.A. in African American Studies established.
2002
Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science program implemented. Department of Mathematical Sciences separates into Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics and Department of Statistical Sciences and Operations Research. John B. Fenn, Ph.D., receives the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
2001
New VCU Life Sciences building provides several new classroom and laboratory facilities for the College.
2000
Integration of the Center for Environmental Studies, Military Science program and Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies program into administration by the College.

Virginia Commonwealth University College of Humanities and Sciences