Admissions by Program

University of Virginia Online Degrees & Certificates - Admission Process

The School of Continuing and Professional Studies offers two bachelor degree programs: the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies and the Bachelor of Professional Studies in Health Sciences Management. SCPS also offers several powerful certificate programs to help boost your career, a one-year post-baccalaureate, pre-medical program, a Master’s of Public Safety program helping working public safety professionals improve their leadership skills, and a Criminal Justice Certificate through the 10-week National Criminal Justice Command College program at UVA.

Below, learn more about the application requirements, guidelines and processes for each program, and find out how to get started today.

Blue Background
Off
Bachelor's Degree

The application process for the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies and the Bachelor of Professional Studies in Health Sciences Management is outlined below.

Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies

Requirements for Admission

Students are eligible to apply who have attained:

  • A high school diploma or equivalent
  • 45-60 transferable credits (C or better), to include the Liberal Studies Core
  • A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 from the institution attended most recently and good academic and social standing at that institution

Please note: Individuals who have already earned a baccalaureate degree are not eligible to apply for admission to the BIS program.

How to Apply

1) Have a pre-admission advisor review your unofficial transcripts.

Upload your unofficial transcripts here so they can be reviewed by a Pre-Admission advisor who will provide feedback on your readiness to apply. 

2) Complete an online application, including:

  • Unofficial transcripts. Applicants who are offered admission will be required at that time to submit official transcripts prior to attending the University. Offers of admission are not binding until official transcripts are received and verified
  • TOEFL, IELTS, AP or IB scores (if applicable)
  • Application for Virginia In-State Education Privileges to establish residency
  • One essay (approximately 500 words)
  • Letter of recommendation from an individual who speaks to the applicant’s character and potential for success in the BIS program, such as an educator or workplace supervisor (please, no friends or family)
  • No application fee required! 

START YOUR APPLICATION

Bachelor of Professional Studies in Health Sciences Management

Requirements for Admission

There are two pathways to eligibility:

Pathway One:

  • An associate’s degree from a regionally accredited college in emergency medical services, health information management, medical laboratory technology, occupational therapy assistant, physical therapy assistant, radiography, respiratory therapy, and sonography OR an associate’s degree from a regionally accredited college such as an Associate of Sciences, Associate of Arts, or Associate of Arts and Sciences, plus allied healthcare training from a professionally accredited program
  • A minimum 2.0 GPA in the applicable associate’s degree
  • 60 transferable credits (C or better), including two English Composition courses, as specified by the applicable degree map. See transfer maps under Curriculum

Pathway Two:

  • A high school diploma or equivalent
  • 45-60 transferable credits (C or better), to include the Liberal Studies Core
  • A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 from the institution attended most recently and good academic and social standing at that institution

Please note: Individuals who have already earned a baccalaureate degree are not eligible to apply for admission to the BPHM program.

How to Apply

1) Have a pre-admission advisor review your unofficial transcripts.

Upload your unofficial transcripts here so they can be reviewed by a pre-admission advisor who will provide feedback on your readiness to apply.

2) Complete an online application, including:

  • Unofficial transcripts. Applicants who are offered admission will be required at that time to submit official transcripts prior to attending the University. Offers of admission are not binding until official transcripts are received and verified
  • TOEFL, IELTS, AP or IB scores (if applicable)
  • Application for Virginia In-State Education Privileges to establish residency
  • One essay (approximately 500 words)
  • Letter of recommendation from an individual who speaks to the applicant’s character and potential for success in the BPHM program, such as an educator or workplace supervisor (please, no friends or family)
  • No application fee required!

START YOUR APPLICATION

Certificate Programs

Requirements for Admission

  • A high school diploma or equivalent for those applying to an undergraduate certificate
  • An undergraduate degree for those applying to a post-baccalaureate or graduate certificate
  • An undergraduate degree for those applying to the noncredit certificate in certified financial planning

How to Apply

Complete an online application, including:

  • Submit your unofficial transcripts. Offers of admission are not binding until official transcripts are received and verified
  • Application for Virginia In-State Education Privileges to establish residency
  • No application fee required!

START YOUR APPLICATION

Post Bacc Pre-Med Program

Requirements for Admission

  • An undergraduate degree
  • Excellent academic record

How to Apply

Complete online application, using Post BacCAS, a common application service. Applicants must submit:

  • Letters of Reference
  • Preferably one faculty reference highlighting the applicant’s academic abilities and another work-related or volunteer reference
  • Official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and/or universities, demonstrating excellent academic performance
  • Self-reported SAT, ACT, or GRE scores (official copies required upon acceptance to Post Bacc program)
  • Statement describing “How have your experiences contributed to your decision to pursue a career in health care?”
  • A current resume reflecting education as well as work and volunteer experiences
  • Application for Virginia In-State Education Privileges, if seeking in-state tuition eligibility
  • UVA Honor Code
  • Application and servicing fees

Send application materials to:

PostBacCAS Transcript Processing Center 
PO Box 9209
Watertown, MA 02471

Questions

START YOUR APPLICATION

Master of Public Safety 

Requirements for Admission 
An undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution. 

How to Apply 

Complete online application.   

  • Unofficial transcripts from all previously attended colleges and/or universities attended, demonstrating excellent academic performance. Applicants who are offered admission will be required at that time to submit official transcripts of their undergraduate degree prior to attending the University. Offers of admission are not binding until official transcripts are received and verified. 
  • TOEFL, IELTS scores (if applicable)  
  • Statement of Purpose describing your reasons for pursuing the degree, your future career plans, and other aspects of your background which may aid the admission committee in evaluating your aptitude and motivation for graduate study. (approximately 500-750 words)  
  • Resume detailing professional experience, education, and other relevant accomplishments. 
  • Two letters of professional reference that address the applicant’s suitability for graduate study.  
  • No application fee required!

Prospective students may apply to be admitted into one of three terms (Summer, Fall, or Spring) and to be eligible must have: 

  • Significant professional experience in public safety (typically 5 or more years and supervisory experience) 
  • Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution 
  • Bachelor’s GPA of 2.5 or higher* 

*Students with limited professional experience or less than a 2.5 GPA may petition the Program Director for an exception. 

Meeting minimum requirements and completing an application does not guarantee admission.

 

National Criminal Justice Command College

Requirements for Admission

  • A high school diploma or equivalent for those applying to an undergraduate certificate
  • An undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution for those applying to a graduate certificate

How to Apply

Complete an online application, including:

  • Unofficial transcripts. Applicants who are offered admission will be required at that time to submit official transcripts prior to attending the University. Offers of admission are not binding until official transcripts are received and verified
  • Application for Virginia In-State Education Privileges, if seeking in-state tuition eligibility

Please upload the following documents with your application: 

  • Resume
  • Letter of nomination or recommendation from your commanding officer
  • Statement of purpose describing motivation, interests, and goals (250-500 words)
UVA Edge

What you’ll need

  • Unofficial transcripts: Your high school transcript, OR if you've taken any college courses, all college transcripts
  • A 300- to 325-word statement on the following: Please let us know why you would like to complete UVA Edge. How will it help you accomplish your academic or professional goals? What would you like to gain from the program?

How to begin your application

  • Visit the application site and click “Create a new account.”
  • When prompted, enter your information. The system will email you a temporary PIN to create an account.
  • Follow the instructions in the email to set up a new account with a username and password.
  • Log in. You will see the “Apply Now” page. Click “Start New Application” at the bottom of the page.
  • Select “UVA Edge” and click “Create Application.”
  • Complete the steps on the left and submit your materials. Make sure to mark your employer where indicated.

Please note that if your first language is not English, or if the language of instruction at a prior institution was not English, UVA SCPS may require proof of a TOEFL test.

Need help? Email edge@virginia.edu.

START YOUR APPLICATION

Blue Background
Off

 

As a member of the State Authorizations Reciprocity Agreement, the University of Virginia (UVA) is authorized to provide curriculum in a distance learning environment to students located in all states in the United States except for California. (34 CFR 668.43(a)(6)& 34 CFR 668.72(n)). Please contact SCPSregistration@virginia.edu with any questions.

Blue Background
Off