Sentara College of Health Sciences of VWU

In Spring 2025, Virginia Wesleyan University signed a letter of intent (LOI) with Sentara to establish a new academic unit: Sentara College of Health Sciences of Virginia Wesleyan University. This partnership builds on a longstanding collaboration between VWU and Sentara in nursing education, student wellness, and health-focused academic programs—while responding to growing workforce needs across the healthcare industry.

Founded as Norfolk's first nursing program and backed by more than 130 years of educational excellence, Sentara College of Health Sciences at VWU prepares skilled, compassionate healthcare professionals through real-world learning, hands-on clinical experience, and meaningful community impact. (Accreditation pending.)

Join Our Inaugural Class

Become part of the first ever nursing cohort at Sentara College of Health Sciences of Virginia Wesleyan University—and make history in nursing education.

Founding Cohort Advantages

  • Nursing students may receive a merit-based scholarship of up to $22,000 per year, reducing the cost of tuition to no more than $17,000 per year before any other financial aid is applied.
    Your out-of-pocket costs will be competitive with other colleges and universities, but your opportunity is one-of-a-kind.
  • Priority access to clinical placements within the renowned Sentara healthcare system
  • The opportunity to be part of the first nursing cohort shaping healthcare education in our region

Limited spots available. Secure your founding student discount and gain advantages that won't be available to future cohorts.

Apply Now

Programs at Sentara College of Health Sciences of Virginia Wesleyan University

Sentara College of Health Sciences at VWU offers career-focused healthcare programs designed to prepare students for leadership, licensure, and long-term professional success. Additional program details will be published following final accreditation approvals.

Allied Health

Hands-on programs designed to prepare students for specialized careers in diagnostic and surgical technologies.

  • AAS in Cardiovascular Technology (CVT)
    • Adult Echocardiography
    • Cardiac Electrophysiology
    • Invasive Cardiovascular Technology
    • Non-Invasive Vascular Study
  • AAS in Surgical Technology (ST)
  • Cardiac Electrophysiology (CEP) Certificate Program

Nursing

Building on more than 130 years of nursing education excellence, these programs prepare compassionate, highly skilled leaders in patient care and professional nursing practice.

BSN Bachelor of Science in Nursing Now enrolling for Fall 2026

  • Traditional BSN
  • RN to BSN

MSN Master of Science in Nursing Now enrolling for Fall 2026

  • Entry to Nursing Practice (MENP)
  • Clinical Nurse Leader

Continuing Education

Flexible certificate programs that provide targeted training for entry-level healthcare careers and professional advancement.

  • Medical Assistant Certificate Program
  • Monitor Surveillance (MS) Certificate Program
  • Patient Care Technician (PCT) Certificate Program

Accreditation

Virginia Wesleyan University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, and masters degrees. Sentara College of Health Sciences (SCOHS) of VWU is pending accreditation by SACSCOC.

SCOHS is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) and is certified by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV). The baccalaureate degree in nursing at Sentara College of Health Sciences is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (ccneacreditation.org) and is approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing.