Why VWU?

Virginia Wesleyan University is Coastal Virginia’s premier university of the liberal arts and sciences. Approximately 1,600 students are enrolled in its undergraduate, graduate and online programs, studying 39 major and 30 minor fields of study and 12 pre-professional programs, as well as a Master of Business Administration and Master of Arts in Education.

VWU students thrive in small classes with a focus on experiential learning, high-impact leadership and career-development programs. Within a year of graduation, 92 percent of Wesleyan students are employed or enrolled in graduate school. In accordance with its United Methodist heritage, VWU aspires to be a supportive community that is committed to social responsibility, ethical conduct, higher learning and religious freedom.

Founded in 1961, Virginia Wesleyan College enjoyed steady enrollment gains and attained membership in the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges. The first commencement was held in May 1970, graduating 41 pioneering students. Since then, the campus community has grown to about 1,500 students and 10,000 alumni.

Virginia Wesleyan College was authorized by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia to become Virginia Wesleyan University, effective with the start of the 2017-18 academic year. Many institutional achievements led to this pivotal moment in the institution’s history, most notably the structuring of the academic program, initiation of the Batten Honors College, completion of a comprehensive campus master planning process and a move to Level III accreditation status with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Also at the start of the 2017-18 year, the University introduced two graduate programs and an online degree-completion program for adults.

Virginia Wesleyan University is one of more than 90 senior colleges and universities in the United States recognized as United Methodist-related by the University Senate of the General Board of Higher Education of the United Methodist Church.

Virginia Wesleyan University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate masters degrees. Questions about the accreditation of Virginia Wesleyan University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).