Our Programs

With distinctive academic offerings, the School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS) serves a diverse and talented community of almost 15,000 nontraditional learners. Our programs include undergraduate and graduate degrees, professional development and licensure opportunities, conferences and seminars, engaging personal enrichment courses, customized certificate programs, and unique domestic and international travel experiences. The School meets the educational needs of business leaders and managers, educators, public servants, retirees, and those seeking professional advancement, new career opportunities, and stimulating intellectual experiences to enrich their lives. Annually, more than 300 University faculty and 700 highly qualified adjunct faculty teach for SCPS through the regional academic centers or in the University’s most extensive distance learning program. 

Program Highlights

Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies Degree
The Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS) degree is an original and rigorous academic program designed to appeal to adult students who desire to earn an undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia on a part-time basis. In this unique degree program, working adults are able to pursue their studies in evening and weekend classes taught by University faculty and highly qualified adjunct faculty. BIS students enroll in Charlottesville and in Hampton Roads, Virginia through a unique partnership with Tidewater Community College.

Our 200 students are a diverse group, ranging in age from 24 to the mid-70s. They are employed in fields such as computer programming, education, office administration, library science, consulting and nursing. As they pursue a degree with a liberal arts foundation, BIS students earn concentrations in the humanities, social science, education and business. 

To date,  more than 125 BIS students have graduated from the University of Virginia, many with honors. With their degrees, graduates have earned promotions, changed careers, and successfully completed graduate degrees in law, education and business.


Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Program
The Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Program, launched in summer 2006, prepares college graduates with strong academic credentials for medical school admission.  Designed for adults without significant science preparation, this one-year, full-time program provides challenging courses in the basic sciences including biology, chemistry and physics. Students also benefit from individualized counseling, opportunities to work with physician mentors, and volunteer experiences in medical settings. 

Programs for Educators
The School of Continuing and Professional Studies serves teachers and administrators across the Commonwealth and throughout the U.S. With education degree programs offered through our regional academic centers, credit courses designed to meet the needs of school districts, school-based workshops and consultation, and national conferences on critical issues, educators benefit from the University’s outreach. In partnership with the Curry School of Education, our Center for K-12 Education serves as the focal point for the design, delivery and evaluation of programs that contribute to professional development and school improvement.

Programs for Engineers
A unique collaboration with the University’s School of Engineering and Applied Science addresses the needs of adults employed in engineering fields throughout the U.S. The Commonwealth Graduate Engineering Program (CGEP) makes it possible for engineers to earn master’s degrees in several engineering disciplines using distance learning technology. Our engineering review courses provide opportunities for practicing engineers to learn best practices and current regulations. A unique Executive Master’s Degree in Systems Engineering is an accelerated program designed to enhance the skills of the nation’s most promising engineers.

Law Enforcement Leadership
Since 1972, SCPS has partnered with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to offer undergraduate and graduate courses to law enforcement officers from around the world through the FBI National Academy.  Designed to educate the next generation of law enforcement leaders, the 11-week educational programs are held 4 times annually at the FBI training facility in Quantico, Virginia. To date, more than 35,000 domestic and international officers have benefited from this unique partnership.

The School’s newest law enforcement program is the National Criminal Justice Command College (NCJCC).  Created in partnership with the Virginia State Police, the Command College is designed to prepare state and local law enforcement officers for the challenges of leadership in a post-9/11 world. Taught by University faculty and renowned criminal justice experts, the credit courses in this intensive 10-week program include law enforcement management, current legal issues and trends, leadership, forensics, negotiation and communications.

Professional Development
Our professional development courses, workshops, seminars and certificate programs are designed to meet the educational needs of individuals and the workforce development needs of organizations. Noncredit programs attract professionals who want to learn how to write business plans, manage nonprofit organizations, and acquire marketing, strategic planning, leadership, grant-writing and management skills.

The School offers more than a dozen professional certificate programs, many of which are available in online formats. Participants may earn undergraduate and graduate credits in a number of the certificate programs for professional advancement or for transitioning to new careers. We also create customized credit or noncredit programs for businesses, government agencies and the public sector.

Travel & Learn
Annually, more than 500 adults participate in interesting and unique domestic and international travel programs offered by SCPS. Designed to provide engaging, enjoyable and intellectually stimulating experiences for participants, world-class faculty experts lead programs that focus on topics of great interest.

Personal Enrichment
The School’s commitment to lifelong learning is exemplified by the variety of engaging noncredit courses we offer for adults. Annually, more than 2,000 people take advantage of personal enrichment evening courses offered primarily in Charlottesville, and taught by outstanding faculty.