About Batten University

Vision

At a time when higher education is increasingly questioned, polarization is deepening, and global challenges demand urgent action, the nation needs institutions that do more than inform — they must inspire, equip, and result in change.

Batten University aspires to be a new model of the independent arts and sciences university, emphasizing experiential learning and equipping students to care for the planet and its people, solve complex problems, and exercise principled leadership.

Mission

An inclusive community grounded in the liberal arts and sciences and dedicated to scholarship, service, lifelong learning, and environmental stewardship, Batten University inspires students to build meaningful lives through engagement in Coastal Virginia's dynamic metropolitan region, the nation, and the world.

University History

Batten University, known for most of its history as Virginia Wesleyan College and later Virginia Wesleyan University, received full accreditation in its first year of eligibility, experienced steady enrollment growth, and earned membership in the selective Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges. The institution held its first commencement in May 1970, graduating 41 pioneering students. Over time, it evolved into a comprehensive university enrolling approximately 3,500 students across all programs and locations, including 1,500 traditional students on the main campus, and has built a network of more than 10,000 living alumni.

Rooted in the liberal arts tradition, Batten University provides a broad academic foundation while preparing students to become productive, engaged citizens. With support from the Teagle Foundation, the University implemented an enhanced four-credit-hour curricular model in 2011, designed to expand opportunities for experiential learning, integrate theory and practice, and connect classroom study with real-world application.

During the 2016–2017 academic year, the University reorganized its academic structure into a contemporary school-based model, including the Susan S. Goode School of Arts and Humanities, the Joan P. Brock School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, and the Birdsong School of Social Science. In 2018, the D. Henry Watts School of Professional Studies was added. These advancements — along with the establishment of the Jane P. Batten Honors College, completion of a comprehensive campus master plan, and attainment of Level III status with SACSCOC — led to authorization of university status by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, effective with the 2017–2018 academic year.

In 2020, the University entered into an exclusive collaboration agreement to establish a joint campus in Tokyo, Japan. Building on this global initiative, the Jane P. Batten and David R. Black School for International Studies was launched in 2024 as a three-institution partnership with Lakeland University and Lakeland University Japan, offering shared study-away opportunities, joint coursework, and a World Affairs Council certificate for qualifying students.

Today, Batten University is an innovative and comprehensive institution that includes the Virginia Wesleyan College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Professional and Graduate Studies (Global Campus), which offers evening, weekend, online, graduate, and lifelong learning programs, including the University's presence in Japan. The integration of Sentara College of Health Sciences as the University's third college marks a significant milestone in its continued transformation. On July 1, 2026, Virginia Wesleyan University was officially renamed Batten University.

University Setting

Batten University is defined in part by its location in Coastal Virginia. Situated in Virginia Beach — just minutes from the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay — the University occupies a beautiful 300-acre park-like campus nestled in the heart of one of Virginia's largest metropolitan areas. The area is home to a diverse range of business, governmental, cultural, historical, and natural resources that provide students with tremendous opportunities to connect classroom learning with real-world experience.

The University's setting complements its dual commitment to the development of the intellect and to involvement in society. Physically insulated from city traffic while remaining closely connected to the region's urban resources, Batten students are only minutes away from a living laboratory — regardless of their major.

Accreditation

Batten University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, and master's degrees. Batten University may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Batten 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).

Full Accreditation Information

Environmental Stewardship & Sustainability

Batten University recognizes its responsibility to protect and enhance the environment and its biodiversity for the health of local and global ecosystems, future generations, and the people who live in them now. Located in the rich and unique ecosystems of Coastal Virginia and the Chesapeake Bay watershed, the University has a particular stake in environmental leadership — and takes it seriously.

The University's Environmental Guiding Principles shape its commitment to waste reduction, recycling, energy efficiency, green building practices, composting, earth-friendly landscaping, and promotion of public transportation. The ongoing sustainability efforts of faculty, staff, and students reflect a broader commitment to ethical conduct and social responsibility through environmental stewardship and education. Batten is committed to demonstrating leadership in sustainability and to developing the next generation of environmental stewards.