Virginia International University (VIU)

"Let's build the future together"
 


University Profile: Virginia International University was established in 1998 with the goal of providing affordable, quality higher education for students preparing to meet the ever-evolving needs and opportunities of the 21st Century workforce. Located in Fairfax, Virginia, just minutes from Washington, DC, VIU is an independent academic establishment combining a liberal arts tradition with emphasis on career orientation. We are currently offering graduate and undergraduate programs in computer science, business, and management, as well as full and part-time certificates in a variety of professional and technical fields, including
English as a Second Language (ESL).

At VIU , we are committed to setting a new standard in higher education. Through our student-centered approach, we endeavor to provide the most positive environment for learning available anywhere. Our programs are structured to allow students great flexibility in the design and direction of their own studies. At the same time, every student is assigned a personal mentor who acts as a guide in course selection and career orientation. VIU offers tuition scholarships to high potential students, because we believe that good education should be available to those who do not have the necessary funds to pursue higher education.



To keep pace with the latest developments in technology and teaching, our curriculum and materials are regularly reviewed and revised, and our instructors receive further training, as necessary. For all courses, private tutors are available to monitor and facilitate students' progress. And as students near completion of their programs, VIU career counselors help place them in internships and other work-study positions with local companies and organizations.

But unlike the philosophy of other institutions, where students' involvement in the learning process rarely extends beyond the classroom, at VIU , we believe that learning is not confined to the formal instruction of the traditional class period. Thus, we offer a full schedule of diverse educational activities, such as our unique Collegiate Colloquia, regular, informal meetings open to all university members, as well as members of the community, for a casual, informed debate of current issues and other topics of international concern.

VIU offers a variety of other exciting educational activities involving day or overnight travel to off-campus sites, such as the Patuxent National Wildlife Refuge Research Center, the U. S. Department of Agriculture's Beltsville Agricultural Research Service, Historic Harper's Ferry, West Virginia, Shenandoah National Park in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, and Assateague Island National Seashore.


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Academic Programs: Graduate Level
  • Master of Business Administration (MBA): VIU 's MBA program enables students to gain knowledge in the core business areas of management, finance, marketing, and decision-making. The program provides students with high quality, professional education in business administration, thereby qualifying students for more diverse job opportunities. There are two different areas of concentration: International Business Management and Marketing Management. This degree is earned by completing the program course requirements of 36 credit hours, at 3 credit hours per course, beyond the prerequisite courses. The program consists of 18 credit hours of required Core Courses, 12 credit hours of Concentration Courses and 6 credit hours of Elective Courses. Students must maintain a 3.0 (B) grade point average and a minimum grade of not less than 2.0 (C) in all core courses to qualify for the MBA degree. This program is generally completed within 4 semesters. Both full-time and part-time MBA programs are offered.
  • Master of Science in Management Information Systems (MMIS): The MMIS degree is designed to provide technical professionals with the core essentials of developing and managing an organization's information resources, technology, and infrastructure. The program will teach students to assess and market technological enterprises as well as develop the ability to consider risks and make decisions under volatile business conditions.

Students will be able to use technology as a competitive advantage and understand how technology interacts with other key business areas. Management Information Systems (MIS) is the study of design, implementation, deployment, management, and use of information technology in organizations. Research done in this field covers a wide range of topics related to business strategy and information systems, adoption of information technology in organizations, knowledge acquisition, systems analysis and design methods, automated mediation in group support systems, distributed information systems, electronic commerce, and the effects of new media. This degree is earned by completing the program course requirements of 36 credit hours, beyond the Prerequisite Courses. The program consists of 21 credit hours of required Core Courses and 15 credit hours of Elective Courses. The program is generally completed within 4 semesters.


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Academic Programs: Undergraduate Level

  • Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA): The Department of Business Management prepares qualified students for leadership positions in the 21st Century global marketplace. Such leaders will need to balance the goals of economic success with the constraints of greater social and environmental responsibility. Instructed by a distinguished faculty, students learn to integrate ever-changing human and information resources with constantly developing technology, while nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit that has always been a key to successful business and management. The School offers a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in the following three major subjects: Accounting and Finance, Business Management, and Marketing.


Computer Science (B.Sc.): To prepare students for careers in the dynamic and continually evolving fields of Computer Science, VIU 's Department of Computer Science offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Computer Science. The School's general mission is to train students to create solutions for information systems-based needs and problems in commercial, financial, governmental, or other types of organizations. The approach of each degree program integrates theoretical and practical aspects of information technology and business systems. VIU 's location in the Northern Virginia area, Silicon Valley II, means that graduates of our Computer Science programs have ample opportunities to move immediately into employment or go on to advanced study. Majors are prepared for employment in a wide range of industrial and business environment.


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Career Programs

  • Computer Career Certificate / Diploma Programs: This series of certificate programs are designed for the individuals who are looking for a career in computers. Everyone knows that the workplace of today revolves around computers. What many people don't know is that many computer jobs are going unfilled because of a shortage of trained personnel. Where can you find the specialized instruction you need to get one of these jobs? You will find answers to your specific question in one of Virginia International University's Computer Programs! Here at VIU , we provide comprehensive and intensive computer training programs for businesses and individuals. Certificate programs are a set of courses that will provide you with skills to begin a career, to advance in a current position or to promote professional growth. Complete the entire program or just take the courses you need to improve your skills.
    • Business Diploma Programs: In these days of world class competition in business and industry, employment is intensely competitive. A piece of paper from any academic institution is no guarantee that the paper holder will land a job. The key question for the job seeker to answer is this: What can you do for our company? The winning answer does not depend on the words on a piece of paper no matter where the piece of paper came from. The winning answer depends on a detailing, and a demonstration, of practical skills that can help employers solve their day-to-day problems and the pragmatic ability to handle the expected and the unexpected challenges that employers face on a daily basis.

    • Teacher Training / TESOL Certificates: Virginia International University is pleased to offer a certificate program in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). Our TESOL program is a five-week / 120-hour intensive program for individuals with a bachelor's degree, who wish to teach English as Second Language overseas and in local language schools.
      Prerequisite: A baccalaureate degree in any subject area, with a Grade Point Average of 2.50 or above, and a TOEFL score of 600 or above or the equivalent on an English Proficiency exam.
      Upon completion of the program, participants will be knowledgeable in second language theory and methodology, current trends and issues in teaching ESL, different pedagogical approaches in the ESL classroom, and will have had 20 hours of teaching experience within an ESL classroom. In addition, participants will receive a TESOL Certificate, qualifying them to teach English as a Second Language to individuals at various levels.

      VIU 's certificate and diploma programs are designed to give the student specific and up-to-date skills that are demanded by employers. While employment can not be absolutely guaranteed by these programs, VIU can definitely state that the skills offered in our Occupational Skills Certification Programs are what employers require of job applicants. Most programs are one-year diploma programs.

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Language Programs

  • English as a Second Language - ESL: Advanced English language proficiency is vital to surviving in today's global market and has become the standard language for commerce, entertainment, aviation, the Internet, information technology, and other important fields. VIU addresses this need by offering a semester-based, intensive English program with several proficiency levels, ranging from beginner to TOEFL.
    The ESL program is designed to prepare individuals for success in the community and the workplace. In addition, the ESL program emphasizes development of the writing, reading, speaking, and listening skills necessary for success in college-level courses.

    The ESL program consists of 5 levels. The ESL Program is semester-based, and includes 16 weeks of instruction, with a one-week semester break. Full-time students attend classes for 20 hours each week. VIU also offers a 12-week summer session. This ESL program is the foundation for further academic study at the community college or university level. Each ESL level emphasizes speaking, writing, grammar, listening, vocabulary, and pronunciation.

  • Other Languages : Virginia International University's Language Department is proud to offer

    o Spanish
    o Turkish
    o French
    o Portuguese
    o Russian

    The language program has three different levels, and is designed to prepare students and business people for success in the community and workplace, emphasizing the development of the writing, reading, speaking, and listening skills necessary to communicate effectively in a foreign language. In addition, within each level of each of the language program, skills will be integrated to make the learning process more successful: The classes will be conducted completely in the foreign language, and will be taught by native-speaking teachers. The courses can be taken as credit or noncredit.
    VIU can customize a language course to suit your needs and schedule, whether for business or pleasure. For example, you may be traveling abroad and need to focus on vocabulary that will make your journey enjoyable and productive. Or you may be planning to conduct business with a company abroad where knowing the basics of the business vocabulary in somewhere else's native language will help your negotiations. In addition, we can tailor the course to meet the needs of students who want to learn a foreign language. Whatever the reason, VIU can make it work! To learn more, please select your academic preferences, and complete the inquiry form. We'll respond to you directly.

  • Summer School Programs: If you want to study American English, we highly recommend that you visit the United States of America (USA). Virginia International University offers you the best opportunity to learn American English while enjoying your summer vacation. VIU invites you to the USA for our Summer Program to develop friendships that will last a lifetime.

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Proposed Programs

To meet the increasing demand for professional training and certification in all areas of business and industry, VIU offers a wide range of career certificate courses and programs. While many of our courses are only a few weeks in duration, what students learn in that short time may pay dividends for a long time afterwards. Very often, successful completion of a certificate program can open doors to major job promotions. For students wishing to complete a comprehensive set of courses targeted at a particular career or profession.

we offer up to one-year training programs in the following areas :

    • Advertising and Marketing
    • Travel and Tourism
    • English for Special Purposes (ESP)

VIU's Certificate Programs boast several special features. First is the flexibility that students have in choosing courses to meet their particular requirements. Second, our faculty and staff are trained to give the personal guidance many students need to achieve their educational objectives. And finally, students in any of our programs have free unlimited use of our up-to-date computer facilities for course work and keyboard practice.
Virginia International University also intends to offer a Master of Arts in Communication, starting in Spring 2004.


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We look forward to welcoming you to Virginia International University ! To learn more, e-mail us or complete the inquiry form , and we'll respond to you directly. Good luck!