Shenandoah University Is Proud To Offer The First University Augmented & Virtual Reality Degree Program In Virginia.
The Virtual Reality Digital Stages Concentration in the Bachelor of Arts in Virtual Reality Design will prepare students for careers producing high quality immersive content for emerging AR/VR and related disciplines. Students who are interested in such careers as directing AR/VR productions or acting in AR/VR productions/simulations will learn how to stage immersive productions and medium-specific acting techniques.
The Virtual Reality Design programs are designed to give students the knowledge and skills they need to apply immersive technologies to real world applications. Building on Shenandoah’s strengths in theatre, media production and technology, these programs will prepare students for expanding career opportunities in augmented and virtual reality.
Novel elements of this program include:
- A student run lab and production company, providing real-world experience.
- A “brain trust” partnership with industry leaders, government agencies, faculty, alumni, and local businesses to provide a forum for project mentorship, problem solving, creative solutions, and an open conduit for the exchange of new innovations.
Students learn teamwork while working on real world projects and programming in Unity and other languages, VR software design, and digital image processing mathematics
Program pending approval from the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Interested students should check with the director for further information:
Dr. Anne Marchant, Virtual Reality Design Program Director
amarchan@su.edu | 540-665-4760
Virtual Reality Design Majors, Minor & Certificate
Virtual Reality Design Undergraduate Majors
The BA in Virtual Reality Design will prepare students for careers producing high quality immersive content for emerging AR/VR and related disciplines.
The BS in Virtual Reality Design will prepare students for careers working as technical specialists and/or programmers in AR/VR or related fields.
Virtual Reality Design Undergraduate Certificate
21-24 Credits
The undergraduate certificate is designed for students who are majoring in another field and/or who have already graduated with another degree and are seeking an additional credential. This certificate will give students a broad foundation in AR/VR tools, systems and methods. Students will gain practical experience working on real projects.
Virtual Reality Design Minor
18 Credits
It is anticipated that immersive technologies will rapidly transform the online presence of companies, agencies, NGOs, universities and other organizations. This minor will enhance many majors by giving students experience in this emerging discipline. The minor is available to all students across the university.
Declaring A Minor
Shenandoah students work with their Academic Advisor to declare a minor. Academic Advisors will continue to work with students to ensure that they fulfill all of the requirements to complete the minor.
Incoming students should not indicate their intended minor on their Shenandoah application. Applications are for intended majors only.
Internship Possibilities
The Career Services staff helps Shenandoah students search and apply for internships related to their major and career goals. Internships differentiate you as an applicant in your future job searches, provide hands on experience in your field, allow you to sample different career paths for your major, and help you find a specific position that fits your passion before graduation.
Career and Salary Possibilities
The Bachelor of Arts in Virtual Reality Design will prepare students for careers producing high quality immersive content for emerging AR/VR and related disciplines. The Virtual Reality Digital Stages Concentration is designed for students who are interested in such careers as directing AR/VR productions or acting in AR/VR productions/simulations.
Start building a creative and technologically fulfilling career in a field whose market size is expected to be $209 billion by 2022, according to Statista.
The starting salary of most graduates in VR is between $75,000 and $80,000, with the top end around $200,000, according to Business News Daily. Google, Facebook, Snap (Snapchat), NVIDIA and HTC are major employers of students with virtual reality degrees or experience.
- Game programming
- Architecture, engineering and construction (using VR for 3D design)
- Simulation training scenarios for doctors and first aid responders
- Safety training for military/law enforcement
- Travel industry (advertising tourist locations and experiences to consumers)
- Education (crafting experiences to explore remote places, uninhabitable environments, or past events)
- Writing (AR/VR content featuring stories, emotion and dialogue)
- Marketing materials to promote business products and services
The Career Services Office provides a comprehensive range of services and resources to assist Shenandoah students in their career search. Services offered include resume and cover letter building, mock interviews, and professional dining etiquette workshops.
Classes
The Virtual Reality Digital Stages Concentration in the Bachelor of Arts in Virtual Reality Design is designed for students who are interested in such careers as directing AR/VR productions or acting in AR/VR productions/simulations. Students will learn how to stage immersive productions and medium-specific acting techniques
Students complete these Virtual Reality Digital Stages Concentration courses:
- TH 115 Intro to Theatre Design
- TH 207 Stage Management I
- ARVR 340 Directing for ARVR
- ARVR 306 Interactive Performance
- ARVR 302 Advanced RolePlay and Simulation
In addition to the required Virtual Reality Digital Stages concentration courses, all Virtual Reality students complete a common set of foundation courses, two lab courses, AR/VR electives and a two semester capstone sequence in which they complete a real project working with a client or as part of an internship.
Students learn teamwork while working on real world projects. Coursework includes programming in Unity and other languages, VR software design, and digital image processing mathematics
You’ll also benefit from the university’s partnership with Immersive VR Education, which offers educators the tools they need to create content in virtual classrooms or training environments, using its Engage platform. Shenandoah is collaborating with the firm to build VR experiences and scenes through Engage that are specifically created for the university.
Shenandoah Center For Immersive Learning (SCiL)
Shenandoah, which currently offers a virtual reality program and lab, is bringing the human element to AR/VR through narrative and emotionally grounded storytelling that utilizes 360-degree video and AR/VR technology. Our program incorporates a variety of disciplines, with actors from Shenandoah Conservatory often serving as role players in VR 360-degree videos produced by the Shenandoah Center for Immersive Learning (SCiL).
SCiL has recreated a 1960s Civil Rights Era lunch counter sit-in and the trial of pre-Civil War abolitionist John Brown using 360-degree VR video, and in collaboration with not only acting students, but also the university’s history department and outside organizations.
Using interior scans of Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, Shenandoah history students and debate team members soon will become avatars of the Founding Fathers and debate on a virtual stage within a recreation of the 1787 Constitutional Convention.
360 Video Learning at Shenandoah
The Shenandoah Center for Immersive Learning (SCiL) is part of the vanguard of storytelling and learning in the 360 video and virtual and augmented reality realms. SCiL productions are helmed by students and draw upon a role player workforce that includes Shenandoah Conservatory acting students. Through SCiL’s efforts, students build a variety of valuable new skills, while telling stories in ways that make an immediate impact on a viewer. Take a look inside, and see the beginning of something extraordinary.
Faculty
Imagine participating in interesting conversations led by engaging professors who’ve already done what you dream of doing. You’ll be in a small class with professors who know your name, care about your success and provide advice as you pursue your academic and career goals.
J.J. Ruscella
Executive Director of the Shenandoah Center for Immersive Learning (SCIL)
Full BiographyApplication Information
Shenandoah University works on rolling admissions and accepts applications throughout the year. Applications are reviewed individually and holistically.
Submit your application, review required admission materials, and find our admissions standards.
Study Abroad
Make studying abroad the highlight of your college experience! Whether you go for a year, a semester, or just a few weeks. You will never forget learning in another culture! The Center for International Programs is here to help you plan your study abroad experience. Start your planning early to ensure the courses you complete abroad count toward your degree and you graduate on time.
Global Experiential Learning (GEL) Program
The Global Experiential Learning (GEL) Program offers Shenandoah students a short-term, faculty-led, study-abroad experience for academic credit. These short-term, credit-bearing, faculty-led programs are offered winter break, spring break, and during the summer. If a course is not within your major, it might be used as an elective.
Study Abroad
Shenandoah University is a member of the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP), a global network of 300 universities. This partnership allows students to study for a full semester or year at other member campuses abroad. By working closely with their academic advisors and the study abroad advisor, students can take classes taught in English abroad while receiving Shenandoah credit.
Shenandoah University also maintains direct partnerships with several universities around the world. These relationships allow students from SU to study abroad as exchange students and students from these universities to study at SU. All partner universities offer courses taught in English.