Virginia College-Birmingham (VCB) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

Virginia College in Birmingham is part of the Virginia College system and is located in Birmingham, Alabama. It offers all the benefits of a small-town college: flexible schedules, a community focus, and small class sizes. However, as part of a larger system, students also get the added benefits of being part of a vast college organization. Virginia College can offer students excellent support, online resources, and career placement assistance.

Virginia College began in 1983, under the Atlantic Group, Inc., and ownership later transferred to Career Futures, Inc. The Birmingham campus branch, opened in 1992, was the College’s first campus branch. The College now has 20 locations in nine different states, and also offers online degree programs for distance learners.

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Information Summary

Ranks 67th in Alabama and 3903rd overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	29.1
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$12,250
Admission Success rate	N/A
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	33 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	27% / 29%
Enrollment Total (all students)	3,877

Academics

The Virginia College System offers associate, bachelor, and master’s degrees in a variety of fields. The Birmingham campus offers one of the largest array of options in the Virginia College System, in part because it was the first campus and has had the most time to grow and expand.

The Birmingham campus offers more than 20 programs on-campus in addition to more than 20 online-only programs. Undergraduate options include business administration, interior design, therapeutic massage, surgical technology, and pastry arts.

Students can get help with their studies in a number of ways. The Student Learning Centers offer computers for writing papers or researching projects, as well as self-paced tutorials that students can complete at their own pace to learn more about different subject areas. Students can also arrange for individual tutoring from one of the staff instructors.

The Virginia College Libraries are available free of charge to any student. Both the physical library and the online library offer a wide selection of books, articles, and audio-visual materials to assist and support students in their college curricula. It also makes certain tutorials and helpful pamphlets available for guidance in additional topics, like writing resumes or using the APA citation format.

Degrees and Programs

The undergraduate program in business administration is a good option for students just starting their business careers all the way up to lower-level managers who need a diploma to move ahead in their industry.

The associate degree in diagnostic medical sonography prepares students for work in hospitals and private doctor’s offices with an intense training program that allows them to enter a highly-specialized field.

The cosmetology program prepares students with hands-on training and a broad-based basic skills curriculum. Following the guidelines established by the State Board of Cosmetology, students will learn cosmetology theory and practical applications, including salon management. At the completion of 1500 hours, students will be prepared to take the State Board of Cosmetology licensing examination and begin a career with the help of VC – Birmingham’s job placement services.

Master’s degree students can pursue the online cyber security degree, which prepares students for a career in information technology infrastructure and security management in LAN, WLAN, and WAN environments. This is a fast-paced field with a variety of career options, and the Virginia College Online Cyber security Master of Science gives students the broad foundation in cryptography, firewall devices, and compliance issues that will make them competitive in their careers.

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Unique Programs

Culinard

VC – Birmingham partners with Culinard, the Culinary Institute of Virginia College, to offer a range of intensive education programs in food preparation, teaching students though practical training in culinary arts as well as hands-on experiences. The curriculum follows the guidelines of the American Culinary Federation Accrediting Commission. Students also participate in an internship program, getting real-world experience with the guidance of professional chefs.

At the end of only 36 weeks, students earn either a Culinary Arts diploma or a Pastry Arts diploma. Students who already have professional experience as a chef may be interested in expanding their career through the culinary arts associate degree program, which offers a broad range of useful classes that can be taken online. After graduation, Culinard’s job placement program helps its students get a jumpstart on their careers.

Golf Course Management

VC – Birmingham offers a bachelor’s degree in golf course management through a comprehensive online program. The degree combines leadership training, management skills, and critical thinking to prepare students for managing and operating their own golf course. This program is only available to students who have already completed an Associate of Applied Business degree that is comparable to the golf operations and management degree offered by VC – Birmingham and the Golf Academy of America.

Admissions

Admittance to VC – Birmingham requires a high school diploma or a GED certificate, although certain programs have more specific requirements. Some upper level programs and specialized programs require that you have already earned college credit.

The Admissions Office recommends that you schedule a one-on-one interview with an Admissions Associate before applying. At this appointment, you can ask questions about specific programs and the VC – Birmingham experience. At the end of the admissions interview, you can also complete an assessment for admission and then an application for enrollment – these steps are designed to make sure that you are academically ready to pursue your chosen program.

If interested, you can also arrange a campus tour before applying, which will let you see classrooms, meet professors and program instructors, and even talk with financial aid specialists.

Financial Aid

VC – Birmingham offers competitive financial aid packages to qualified students. Through a combination of financial aid, loans, and grants, it can be easy to pay for college tuition. If you are interested in financial aid, visit the Financial Aid department for resources and personal, one-on-one assistance.

The first step to earning aid often starts with filling out the FAFSA, which is free online at www.fafsa.gov. This form determines your eligibility for federal financial aid, grants, loans, and work-study programs. Many school-based and third party aid opportunities also require the FAFSA form as a supplementary document.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 4746th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Alabama.

Additional School Information

The Career Services Office is ready to help you find a great job by working with you every step of the way, from mock interviews to job placement services. Begin your journey to employment by getting professional resume advice, then hone your interviewing skills using the counselors’ constructive suggestions. Once you’re ready, the Career Services Office will help you begin your job search by offering potential leads, vouching for your skills with potential employers, and following up on your progress.

Bibliography

“Colleges in Birmingham – Colleges in Alabama – Virginia College.” Associate Degree, College Degrees – Virginia College. Web. 28 July 2011.

Virginia College – Birmingham, Alabama. Tuition Addendum to the August 2010 Catalog and Enrollment Agreement. PDF.

Virginia College. 2009-2010 Student Handbook. Print.

Virginia College-Birmingham