The Virginia Commonwealth University's School of World Studies is a vibrant community of faculty, students and practicing scholars actively creating synergies that promote innovative, interdisciplinary ideas. We tailor our programs to today's world and the needs of today's students. The School of World Studies provides students with the knowledge, skills and experience necessary for success in a globalized world.

Areas of Study

The School of World Studies offers majors in anthropology, foreign languages (French, German and Spanish), International Studies and Religious Studies. Our minors include area studies, global studies and Native American Studies; Catholic Studies, Islamic Studies and Judaic Studies; Italian; and Latin and Roman Studies. In conjunction with the School of Business, we offer a certificate in international management studies. Our students can also study Arabic, Biblical Hebrew, Chinese and Russian.

VCU and Richmond

The School of World Studies is located on one of VCU's two main campuses in the heart of Richmond. Ranked nationally by the Carnegie Foundation as a top research institution, VCU enrolls nearly 30,000 students in 181 certificate, undergraduate, graduate, professional and doctoral programs in the arts, sciences and humanities within 15 schools and one college. The state capital of Virginia, Richmond offers students intern opportunities at its several Fortune 500 companies as well as a broad base of corporations, agencies and high-tech manufacturing firms. Students at VCU also may intern in Washington, D.C., and New York both just hours from Richmond.

The Student Experience

Our interdisciplinary structure allows us to address some of the most crucial topics of the new century, such as the impact of globalization on society and the environment, and how language, culture, art, and religion shape the way the individuals find a place in their rapidly changing world.

Our faculty are fully engaged in our students' education and future. We create experiential learning opportunities and offer a full range of international experiences through study abroad and local experiences, such as internships and archaeological digs. Students in the school interact regularly with their professors and become engaged in their work through research and teaching assistantships. We help our students acquire the language skills and practical experience they need to function successfully across language and cultural borders.

Program Contacts