Graduate degrees
Criminal Justice
Criminal justice students study the causes of crime, treatment of offenders and management of the criminal justice system, with a focus on balancing social justice and individual rights.
Graduate degrees
Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness
Students learn to manage the complexities of disaster planning and response and develop the knowledge and skills to respond effectively to natural disasters, domestic and foreign terrorist threats, ethical and constitutional issues and mitigating security hazards to improve public safety and prepare for future emergencies. The M.A. program can be completed in person or entirely online.
Learn more about our Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness program
Graduate degrees
Public Administration
The M.P.A. program develops creative, principled leaders who understand the demands placed upon local, national and global public and nonprofit institutions, and are equipped with skills in program management and policy analysis. Applying theory and practice, the program addresses complex social problems while advancing collaborative, effective, equitable and ethical democratic governance. The M.P.A. program can be completed in person or entirely online.
Graduate degrees
Public Policy and Administration
The Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration allows students to work with faculty from across our programs and have the chance to specialize in areas including public policy, public administration, criminal justice policy and urban policy.
Learn more about our Public Policy and Administration program
Graduate degrees
Urban and Regional Planning
Urban and regional studies/planning students learn to address challenges like urban sprawl, economic marginalization, ethnic and racial conflicts and environmental degradation. Wilder students partner with community organizations throughout Richmond, a historic and diverse city.
Master of Urban and Regional Planning (M.U.R.P.)
Three concentration choices:
- Community revitalization
- Environmental planning
- Metropolitan planning
Dual-degree: M.U.R.P./ J.D. program
Receive a J.D. from the University of Richmond School of Law and a master’s in urban and regional planning from VCU in four years rather than five.
Explore our degree programs
We offer interdisciplinary undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs at the intersection of scholarship and governance.
Undergraduate programs
At the Wilder School, we’re big enough to offer bold opportunities and small enough to provide true connections with our faculty experts, alumni network and school community.
Graduate degrees
United by a common drive to improve people’s lives through public leadership and public policy, we transform ideas into real-world solutions.
Certificate programs
Whether you imagine yourself tackling renewable energy, health disparities or criminal justice reform, we can help elevate your career in public service.