You First at VCU

Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Success

Academic Support

We know that the college experience is different from high school and comes with a new set of academic challenges. But we have lots of ways to support you academically. Be sure to use these resources.

  • Advising: VCU Academic Advising is your go-to source for academic planning, career exploration, picking classes and locating tutoring services and information on VCU resources. You should meet with your advisor each semester to chart your path to graduation. To find out who your advisor is and to make an appointment, visit the Academic Advising website.

  • VCU Pipeline programs: The VCU Division for Health Sciences Diversity oversees the VCU Health Sciences Pipeline programs, which feature programs and initiatives to support students interested in a healthcare career.

  • Support from faculty: VCU is a community of learners. Students, as well as faculty, have a responsibility for creating and maintaining an environment that supports effective instruction. Faculty members may utilize online tools, such as Canvas, to provide course materials and resources. Many also maintain weekly office hours to meet one-on-one or in small groups with students. Don’t be shy about reaching out to your professors for support. They are here to help you learn. Many of VCU's faculty are first-gen! To see a list of those who have identified themselves with our office, see our First-Gen Faculty and Staff page.

  • Drop-in tutoring, academic coaching and more: VCU’s Campus Learning Center offers tutoring in undergraduate courses across the disciplines at no additional charge. Tutoring services focus on helping students learn skills and strategies they can use in their individual study. Supplemental Instruction consists of peer-assisted study sessions that are designed to assist students in courses that have proven difficult are also available. CLC will also assist students in forming study groups if one does not already exist. The CLC has developed online-specific support resources, so peruse their website for a wealth of helpful information.

  • Help with writing papers: The Writing Center provides peer-based support through in-person appointments, online consultations and workshops. While Writing Center staff will not edit or proofread papers, they will work with students by discussing big-picture issues, such as structure, organization and how to best articulate ideas through brainstorming, collaboration, providing feedback and project development.

  • VCU Libraries: VCU Libraries has two locations: James Branch Cabell Library on the Monroe Park Campus and Health Sciences Library for the Health Sciences on the MCV Campus. VCU Libraries offers a wide array of services to students, including study spaces, loaner computers/laptops, print/scan/copy/fax services and research support.

  • Accessibility and educational opportunity support: VCU’s Student Accessibility and Educational Opportunity Office determines appropriate academic adjustments, such as program and exam modifications, classroom accommodations and auxiliary aids, for students who request services and complete the eligibility process. SAEO works to create a learning environment at VCU where all students have equal access to all of the university’s programs, services and activities.