The Division's programs are developed primarily for post-baccalaureate adults. The Division offers both credit and noncredit courses in a variety of formats. The Division's programming fosters long-term educational relationships between the University and the public.
In the 1996-97 academic year, the Division served over 30,000 individuals who enrolled in graduate and undergraduate credit and noncredit programs and courses. Over 750 of these students were enrolled in graduate programs.
Faculty from the Division of Continuing Education work in cooperation with other schools at the University to design and deliver off-grounds degree programs. Admission, content, and degree requirements are determined by the degree granting school. Library or laboratory facilities and other instructional resources are identified locally and supplemented as necessary by the Division.
Within the limits prescribed by the residential faculty of the University and stated in the policies of each school and the Division of Continuing Education, qualified persons may apply courses taken at regional centers for credit toward degrees. The Division of Continuing Education does not award degrees but assists other schools of the University in the design and delivery of off-grounds graduate degree programs and degree credit courses.
Many students transfer courses taken through the Division to programs at other colleges and universities. Other students use credit courses for renewal of teaching licenses and other professional certificates. In such cases the students should consult their superintendents and the Virginia Department of Education or other certifying bodies for licensing requirements.
The Division's noncredit programming links University faculty with professors and renowned scholars from other institutions; international, political, cultural, and corporate leaders; and noted authors and artists. The Division's noncredit programs are developed through collaborative relationships among the Division's program development staff, University faculty members, and representatives of selected external constituencies. The program development staff is dedicated to maintaining the internal and external contacts necessary to ensure that the best opportunities exist for the University to extend its research and teaching resources to the Commonwealth and the nation.
Organizations and individuals are encouraged to call and discuss their educational needs with the Division's programming staff. New programs can be developed in response to the long-term educational needs of organizations. For further information, call (804) 982-5397.
Generally, admission is based on an application, interview, and evaluation of the applicant's work experience, general educational goals, and potential for performing satisfactorily in the relevant courses. Each student must be interviewed by the program director before being admitted to a certificate program. Students interested in a certificate program should consult the program's director to obtain specific admission requirements.
Applicants may be required to provide transcripts of previous academic work. Students must maintain an average grade of "C" or better to continue in a credit certificate program, or maintain satisfactory progress in noncredit or CEU programs to be eligible to receive a certificate. Admission to credit certificate programs does not in any way imply admission to the University for degree programs. Persons interested in further information about certificate programs should contact the Division at (804) 982-5397.
Each off-grounds center or office is led by a director. The directors organize, administer, and evaluate continuing education programs throughout their region. They are assisted in this work by one or more staff members who are specialists in education, business and industry, government, or other disciplines. The director and staff represent the University and the Division within the geographic area where they are located.
Office of the Dean
P.O. Box 3697 or
104 Midmont Lane
Charlottesville, VA 22903
(804) 982-5206Charlottesville Regional Programs
P.O. Box 3697 or
104 Midmont Lane
Charlottesville, VA 22903
(804) 982-5313Conferences and Institutes
P. O. Box 3697 or
104 Midmont Lane
Charlottesville, VA 22903
(804) 982-5252Hampton Roads Center
418 Pembroke Four
Virginia Beach, VA 23462
(757) 552-1890Lynchburg Center
3506 Wards Road
P. O. Box 4709
Lynchburg, VA 24502
(804) 582-5110Northern Virginia Center
7054 Haycock Road
Falls Church, VA 22043
(703) 536-1115FBI Academy
Quantico, VA 22135
(703) 640-1224Richmond Center
7740 Shrader Road, Suite E
Richmond, VA 23228-2500
(804) 662-7464Roanoke Center
117 W. Church Avenue, SW
P.O. Box 1050
Roanoke, VA 24005
(540) 857-7922University of Virginia Programs at the
Southwest Higher Education Center
15856 Porterfield Highway
P.O. Box 1987
Abingdon, VA 24212
(540) 628-6327
The Citizen Scholar Program Qualified adult students may register for on-grounds, regularly scheduled instruction at the University of Virginia. Those who have completed the bachelor's degree and who are not currently registered in any degree programs at the University of Virginia, may apply for admission to the Citizen Scholar Program. Adults who have completed two or more years of college, and have specific academic needs which cannot be met by other area colleges may also apply. The program is a part-time credit non-degree study option. A detailed description of the status, its options and limits, is included in the program brochure. Admission to this program does not constitute admission to any of the University of Virginia's degree-granting programs.
Prospective Citizen Scholars are encouraged to apply by July 15 for fall enrollment, or by December 1 for spring. A brochure and application for the Citizen Scholar Program may be obtained by calling (804) 982-5313, or by visiting the Charlottesville Regional Programs Office, 104 Midmont Lane, Charlottesville, VA 22903.
The Special Student Program Regularly admitted undergraduate students at the University of Virginia with special learning agendas may be referred to this status by their department chair or dean. Students must obtain the written permission of their dean, advisor, instructor, and others as required by the school of enrollment. There are limits to the amount of course work that can be taken in this status. Credits earned through the Division of Continuing Education may be applied to a degree only by permission of the degree-granting school.
Facilities
Zehmer Hall The administrative and central programming offices of the Division of Continuing Education are housed in Zehmer Hall. It also functions as a center for conferences, institutes, seminars, workshops, and similar continuing education programs that the Division conducts year round. Zehmer Hall can also be used by university groups and community organizations for meetings, training activities and other educational activities.
Birdwood Pavilion In 1974, the University of Virginia purchased the 560-acre Birdwood estate, which is located two miles west of the Grounds. The centerpiece of the estate is an antebellum, red brick mansion, now called the Birdwood Pavilion. The Division of Continuing Education has renovated and refurbished the mansion and, in July of 1980, began to use it for continuing education activities. For further information contact the Division of Continuing Education, University of Virginia, P.O. Box 3697, 104 Midmont Lane, Charlottesville, VA 22903, or phone (804) 982-5252.
Registration Registration should be completed prior to the first meeting of the class. This includes completing the registration/receipt form and biographical data form, and paying all tuition and fees. Registration is not complete and transcripts are withheld until all tuition and fees are paid. In special circumstances, and with permission of the center or office director, late registration may be allowed upon payment of a late registration fee.
The University of Virginia Division of Continuing Education reserves the right to modify, withdraw, or make substitutions for any of the courses announced, or to change instructors.
Grades Undergraduate passing grades are A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D-; a grade of F awards no credit. Certain courses may be taken on a CR/NC (credit/noncredit) basis; credits may be earned with a CR, but no grade points are awarded. The minimum grade accepted for degree purposes varies among the schools of the University of Virginia; specific information may be obtained from the Center or from the individual school at the University. Many Division programs require a grade of C or above for ongoing study and successful program completion.
In graduate degree programs, passing grades can range from A+ to D-; an F denotes failure. At the graduate level, each school determines its own grading system as outlined in Chapter 4 of the Graduate Record. In Architecture, the maximum passing grade for graduate degree credit is A, minimum is B-; in Education the maximum is A+, the minimum is B-; in Engineering the maximum is A+, the minimum is C; and in Nursing, the maximum is A, the minimum is B-. Certain seminar workshop and research courses may be graded on an S/U (satisfactory/unsatisfactory) basis.
Other notations or nongrade symbols are used in reporting semester grades. IN (incomplete) indicates that the grade for the course is being withheld until all course requirements are complete.
NC (noncredit) indicates that a student receives no credit for a course where a student has elected the CR/NC (credit/no credit) grading option. Grade notations for noncredit courses are S/U (satisfactory/unsatisfactory). Students who audit courses receive the notation of AU (audit). The symbols WP (withdraw passing) and WF (withdraw failing) are used for students who have officially withdrawn prior to the conclusion of a course.
Grade Changes Any grade or grade notation may be changed by the instructor after it has been submitted to the University Registrar. Instructors changing grades must do so in writing to the University Registrar.
Grade Reports Grade reports for the Division of Continuing Education are sent to the home (permanent) address of the student by the University Registrar.
Grade Appeals Students registering for courses through the Division of Continuing Education are afforded the same rights for resolving grievances as students registering on-grounds. Continuing Education students needing more information or assistance with a grievance should contact the director of the center or office through which course registration was obtained.
Incomplete or Failing Grades A student who receives an incomplete (I) or a grade of failure (F) in any course offered by the Division of Continuing Education cannot enroll in another course unless permission is granted by the Dean of the Division of Continuing Education.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Individuals enrolled in credit courses for professional development, licensure, or personal enrichment are expected to maintain satisfactory academic progress. Students who consistently fail to maintain a 2.00 grade point average may be denied the opportunity to enroll in additional courses through the Division of Continuing Education unless permission is granted by the appropriate program or center director. Students also should consult policies for specific certificate, licensure, and endorsement programs to determine academic standards and requirements.
Teacher Relicensure Teachers and administrators who wish to take courses and/or professional development offerings for relicensure purposes may register without submitting transcripts. It is the responsibility of persons seeking relicensure to determine the acceptability of courses or professional development programs by consulting their school division superintendent or the Virginia Department of Education.
Suspended Students Persons who have been suspended from the University of Virginia or any other college or university are ineligible for enrollment through the Division of Continuing Education as long as the suspension remains in force.
Application of Courses to Degree Programs With the approval of a student's school of enrollment, a course taken through the Division of Continuing Education can be counted toward degree requirements. For undergraduates, these courses are included in the computation of a grade point average. Approval is required in advance; otherwise, the courses do not apply toward a degree.
Application to Other Educational Programs Courses which carry a credit designation may be used by school divisions, businesses, industry, state agencies, the federal government, institutions of higher education, and others to measure currency in knowledge and skills required by various professions. Specific examples of its use are to establish levels of proficiency in business and industry, recertify teachers, or measure an individual's professional development for the determination of promotion and/or salary increase.
The Continuing Education Unit Many noncredit activities are organized as Continuing Education Unit (CEU) programs. One CEU is defined as ten contact hours of participation in an organized continuing education experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction. Successful participation in programs which have qualified for CEU award is permanently recorded by the University Registrar. An individual may request a copy of his or her record from the Office of the University Registrar, University of Virginia, P.O. Box 9009, Charlottesville, VA 22906-9009.
Transfer of Credit Students seeking to transfer credit from the Division of Continuing Education to another educational institution should, prior to registering, consult that institution as to the acceptability of the courses and credit.
Auditors Students who wish to enroll in credit courses without working for degree credit may do so, with permission of the center or office director, by registering as auditors and paying the same tuition and fees as credit students. Credit or audit status must be indicated at the time of registration. Admission requirements are the same for auditors as for credit students.
Transcripts Credit for University of Virginia courses taught at the Division Centers is recorded by the Registrar of the University. Transcripts are $3 each, and are available from the Office of the University Registrar, University of Virginia, P.O. Box 9009, Charlottesville, VA 22906-9009.
| Non-degree programs, Undergraduate and Graduate (per credit) | |
| Virginian | $141 |
| Non-Virginian | 215 |
| Professional Programs (including Certificate, Graduate and Undergraduate) | |
| Virginian | $147 |
| Non-Virginian | 218 |
| Professional Programs (including Certificate, Graduate and Undergraduate) -- Northern Virginia | |
| Virginian | $152 |
| Non-Virginian | 223 |
| Special Students Registered through DCE | |
| Virginian | $211 |
| Non-Virginian | 778 |
| Master's Degree Programs | |
| Virginian | $190 |
| Non-Virginian | 269 |
| Master's Degree Programs -- Northern Virginia | |
| Virginian | $195 |
| Non-Virginian | 274 |
| K-12 Educators | |
| Virginian | 133 |
| Non-Virginian | 196 |
| Graduate Televised Engineering | |
| Virginian | 237 |
| Non-Virginian | 426 |
| Graduate Televised Engineering -- Northern Virginia | |
| Virginian | 242 |
| Non-Virginian | 431 |
| Music Lessons (13 one-hour sessions) | 535 |
| Late registration fee | $25 |
| Admission fee in Certificate and Special Programs | $25 |
| Change Course Fee | $12 |
| Facilities Fee, Northern Virginia Center (per credit) | $10 |
| Transcript Fee | $ 3 |
| Late exam fee | $10 |
| Other miscellaneous fees as established to recover laboratory or materials expenses. |
All requests for refunds must be made in writing to the center or office director (or the deputy director for academic support at Northern Virginia). The date of the postmark, fax, or in-person request determines the amount of the refund. If registration is by credit card, include the card number since any refund must be credited to that account. Notifying an instructor or a sponsoring agency does not constitute an official request to withdraw from a class.
Refunds are calculated according to the following considerations: