Before initiating a change of major, concentration or minor, students should contact the office administering the program of study. They should carefully review the requirements and prerequisites. Credits previously earned at Virginia Commonwealth University or another university may not be applicable to the new academic program.
To request a program change, students should submit the Change of Major/Concentration Form or the Change of Minor Form. The change becomes official after Records and Registration has received authorization from the appropriate school's dean.
Changes made through the add/drop period will apply toward the current semester. Changes made after the add/drop period are effective for the following fall or spring semester. Changes made during the summer sessions are effective for the following fall semester.
- Students changing FROM Forensic Science are NOT required to meet with their Forensic Science adviser. Students should contact the program to which they wish to change directly.
- Students changing TO Forensic Science from another program are required to meet with the Forensic Science adviser. This is done so we can finalize the change of major process as well as discuss the professional behavioral expectations. Students should schedule an appointment with the Forensic Science adviser, Madeline Goldman, at goldmanmb@vcu.edu.
If you are interested in the Forensic Science major, please review this presentation for more information about our major, concentrations, faculty and behavioral expectations for the field.
Pre-Professional Programs
Students interested in a pre-professional program may select one of these advising tracks in addition to their current major. Attend a Program Interest Workshop for more information. Contact University Academic Advising with questions.
- Pre-dentistry
- Pre-law
- Pre-medicine
- Pre-optometry
- Pre-physical therapy
- Pre-veterinary medicine
- Pre-occupational therapy
- Pre-radiation science
A double major is the concurrent fulfillment of the requirements of two majors. To earn a degree with two majors, the student must complete the courses required in each major, any collateral/prerequisite courses required for both majors and the general education requirements of the primary major.
Dual degrees are the concurrent fulfillment of the requirements of two majors and two degrees. To earn dual degrees, the student must fulfill all the requirements of the degree programs in both majors, the general education requirements of the primary degree and complete an additional 30 credit hours above the minimum hour degree requirement of the primary degree.
Visit the VCU Bulletin for more specifics/requirements on earning a dual degree in Chemistry and Forensic Science.
VCU students may ask that their high school foreign language courses be evaluated by completing the Foreign Language Waiver
Transfer students must include an official copy of their high school transcript along with the completed Foreign Language Waiver.
Official (unopened) high school transcripts may be delivered or mailed directly to the Office of Student Services. The address is Founder's Hall, Room 102 (827 W. Franklin St.).
Entering VCU students who have taken a foreign language and want to continue their study at VCU must take a placement test.
- VCU students can take the foreign language placement test in French, German, Latin, Russian, Chinese and Spanish. They take the test in the World Studies Media Center, Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.—4:30 p.m.
- VCU students may take the test on a walk-in basis. It takes 20-30 minutes to complete a test.
- Please read the placement guidelines before taking a placement test.
- Bring your student ID.
Native speakers other than French, German, Spanish or Russian may be eligible to have the foreign language requirement waived. For more information, visit this site.
How do I let the university know I intend to graduate?
Students are notified by email from the university registrar that graduation applications are available for the given semester.
Graduation checkout is completely online through eServices. Completing the online application notifies your academic adviser you intend to graduate. Failure to apply will result in a 1-2 semester delay of graduation.
The university calendar outlines deadlines for application each semester.
When is graduation?
University commencement dates are detailed on the university calendar. The commencement website is updated each semester.
The Department of Forensic Science graduation ceremony is held the same day as university commencement exercises in the afternoon; however, the times vary each semester. Graduating students will receive an email from the department coordinator after completing the application process through eServices.
How many tickets do I get for the department ceremony?
The number of tickets students receive each semester varies. In order to ensure each student is able to bring guests, plan to receive a maximum of four tickets.
When do I receive my diploma?
May, August and December diplomas are available for pick-up during allotted times, or they can be mailed approximately four to six weeks after the graduation date.
Visit the Records and Registration graduation website for more details.
Is there a commencement ceremony for students who graduate in August?
No. there is no commencement ceremony help in August. August graduates are included in the December commencement program.
August graduates completing six or fewer credits in the summer semester are eligible to "walk" in the May commencement exercises. See your adviser for details.
Can I graduate in the spring and still take a class in the summer?
Yes, however you must re-enroll as a non-degree seeker or be admitted to another degree program. Courses taken after the awarding of your degree cannot be applied to that program.
Can I walk in the department commencement ceremony if I am not graduating that semester?
Students are eligible to walk (participate in the department commencement ceremony) if they meet the following requirements:
- They need six or less credits to meet graduation requirements AND are taking those classes in the semester immediately following graduation.
- They meet the GPA requirements for the major.
- They are currently passing all of the courses in which they are enrolled (verified by adviser and/or instructors).
If you would like to walk in the department commencement ceremony and meet all of the above requirements, please contact Madeline Goldman at goldmanmb@vcu.edu. You must contact her no less than three weeks prior to commencement to request permission to participate. Eligibility to walk in our department commencement does not guarantee eligibility to participate in the university-wide commencement ceremony. Please see the Records and Registration website for more information.
Students who repeat courses for which they earned a “D” or “F” grade must complete and submit this form. They must submit the form during the semester they repeat the course.
More information about the Repeat Course Option policy is located in the Bulletin.
You may make an appointment to bring this form to your advisor to discuss if you’d like. But you may submit the form to Records & Registration on your own.
The Historical Repeat Course Option Form
- May be downloaded from the Records and Registration Website
- May be obtained during an Advising Appointment with Madeline Goldman
This form should be turned in to the Records & Registration Dropbox in the Student Services Center on the first floor of Harris Hall; the Dropbox is located on the left-hand side adjacent to the computers.
Historical Repeat Forms are due before the last week of classes in the semester you are repeating the course. We highly recommend that you turn this form in as soon as you are registered to repeat the course.
Repeat Coursework & Impact on Financial Aid
Under federal regulations, if a “D” or higher has been achieved in a course, it can be taken one more time. Repeated attempts after that will not be eligible for financial aid.
Overrides
- All courses are open with limited seating throughout the advanced registration period.
- Once a course fills (or a student is unable to register for any reason), students must request an override using the form located at Forensic Science Override Spring 2020. The form allows students to select the section and reason for which they are requesting an override (size, prerequisite, college/major/level restriction, etc.).
- This process oftentimes identifies students who have not registered on time but need the course to graduate on time.
- Override requests are reviewed and monitored by the undergraduate academic adviser and the associate department chair.
Priority for Overrides
- Students graduating in the semester for which they are registering receive first priority.
- Priority is then given to students to facilitate them staying on track with prerequisite course sequencing.
| Forensic Biology | Forensic Chemistry | Physical Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| FRSC/Z 438 | FRSC/Z 400 | FRSC 309 |
| FRSC 385 | FRSC 365 | |
| FRSC 385 | ||
| FRSC 410 | ||
| FRSC 412 | ||
| FRSC 566 | ||
- Priority for all FRSC and FRSZ courses will be given to students who register on time.
- Priority is also given to those who are taking the class for the first time.
Evaluation of Overrides
- Override requests for the following courses are evaluated by the undergraduate academic adviser:
FRSC 300, FRSC 309, FRSC 325, FRSC 365, FRSC 375, FRSC 385, FRSC 391*, FRSC/Z 400, FRSC 410, FRSC 412, FRSC/Z 438, FRSC 445, FRSC 492¹, FRSC 493², FRSC 566*, FRSC 520*
- Responsibility for these course overrides is shared with the department coordinator.
- Requests for any of the above courses should be sent through the Forensic Override Form.
¹FRSC 492 Independent Study Registration Process
For more information, visit the Independent Study page.
- Student meets with faculty mentor to discuss project and sign contract
- Signed contract provided to undergraduate director
- Undergraduate director requests academic adviser provide necessary override for student
- Proposal sent to undergraduate director by 5pm on the seventh business day following the start of classes for evaluation
- Final project sent to undergraduate director by the first day of final exams for archiving
²FRSC 493 Internship Registration Process
For more information, visit the Internships page.
- Student obtains internship and completes contract
- Student meets with undergraduate director
- Undergraduate director requests academic adviser provide necessary override for student
Override requests for graduate level coursework (with the exception of FRSC 566 and FRSC 520) are managed by the department coordinator.
Students who wish to complete coursework at an institution other than VCU must complete the Request to Take Courses Elsewhere Form
Students taking courses at an Institution outside VCU should consult the Course Equivalency Table. IB, AP, and other sources of credit are addressed in the VCU Undergraduate Bulletin.
Upon completion, students must request that an official copy of their final transcripts is sent to the
VCU Transfer Center
900 Park Avenue
Box 842532
Richmond, VA 23284-2532
Students repeating coursework must be mindful that in order to qualify for the Historical Repeat Course Option, courses must be repeated at VCU. Transfer coursework may satisfy the credit, but will not replace the first attempt in your VCU GPA.
Guides for appropriate course sequencing along with projected graduation timelines can be found at this link.
Please note: this is a suggested timeline and will vary depending on each student's progress in the major.
Not all required courses are listed; listed courses indicate the last possible semester the course can be taken to still meet a particular graduation goal.
Depending on a student's chosen concentration, elective credits may be required.
Because a course is on this list does not imply that it is the most applicable choice for you. We encourage you to think about what coursework will best prepare you for your career.
Note: on your Degree Works page, Advanced Credits are now called Concentration Electives.
Courses are not guaranteed to be taught in all semesters; please see notes about availability.
This list was generated based on historical offerings. Course availability is subject to change; this list should be used for planning purposes and schedules should be made in consultation with your advisor.
Pre/co-requisites should be checked in the University Undergraduate Bulletin.
If you wish to register for one of these courses and cannot, please see information on this page about Override Requests.
Click here to access the list of Concentration Elective Options
Yes! Music classes will satisfy your experiential fine arts requirement!
Check out this list of Music Classes for non majors for on-the-stage and in-the-classroom courses open to non-music majors. This is a great opportunity for musically-inclined students to fulfill their experiential arts requirement!
For more information, please contact the Music Department at music@vcu.edu.
Log into eServices using your myVCU portal. Use this process first.
There is a digital tutorial for Schedule Planner here
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Select the Student tab
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Go to Registration
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Select Schedule Planner
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>>Spring 2019
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>>Monroe Park Campus
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Use the ‘Add Course’ function to look for the courses listed above
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Once you’ve added all the courses recommended on your transfer sheet, make sure they all have checks in the boxes next to them to include them in your schedule in the Schedule Planner software
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Select ‘Generate Schedules’
Possible Error messages:
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“XXXX 000 does not have any available options with the settings you have selected. Click 'View/Edit' in the courses grid to view options”
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this may happen if the only times for this course overlap with others you’ve selected. Or if all sections of this course are full
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what do you do? uncheck the box next to this course name and select ‘Generate Schedules’ again to create a schedule excluding this conflict then use the process listed below to add the conflicting course.
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To add a course or make changes to your schedule later, use this process.
There is a digital tutorial for this process here.
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Select the Student tab
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Go to Registration
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Select Look up Classes
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>>Fall 2017
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Use the menu to look for the department in which the course is housed
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Select ‘View Sections’ of the specific course you’re looking for
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Once you find the section you wish to register for, place a checkmark in the box to the left of that section
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Select ‘Register’ at the bottom of the page to enroll in the course
Possible Error messages:
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There is a C instead of an open box next to the section you want
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this section is closed
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what do you do? look for another section that fits in your schedule. Not an option? Keep watching until Add/Drop as other students make changes to their schedules - a seat may become available.
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To drop a course
Reminder: This must be done before August 30 at 11:59pm to avoid financial and grade implications (this is the end of the add/drop period for the fall semester).
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Select the Student tab
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Go to Registration
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Select Add or Drop Classes
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Use the dropdown menu next to the course you wish to drop to select ‘Web Drop’