Academic sessions
VCU helps you keep your academic progress on track by offering courses year-round. In addition to traditional fall and spring semesters, you have the option to take classes during summer and winter breaks. Summer Session or Winter Session are great opportunities to:
- Take a course that fills up fast during the regular academic year
- Lighten your course load for an upcoming semester
- Catch up on missing prerequisites
Fall and spring semesters
The academic year begins in late August, with the fall semester running until early December. The spring semester starts in mid-January and runs until early May.
Winter Session
Winter Session is held during the academic break between semesters. Courses begin in late December and end right before the start of the spring semester. Winter Session is open to current VCU students and eligible students from other institutions who are staying in the Richmond area during winter break.
Summer Studies
Summer Studies runs from mid-May to early August, between the spring and fall semesters. VCU offers 11 different sessions throughout the summer, spanning from three to eight weeks, with more than 800 courses to choose from. Summer Studies is open to current VCU students and eligible students from other institutions who are staying in the Richmond area during summer break.