Old Dominion University began its tradition of excellence when it was founded in 1930 by the College of William and Mary, the second oldest university in the United States. Established as an extension of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, and Virginia Polytechnic Institute in Blacksburg, Virginia, Old Dominion began educating teachers and engineers. The two-year school rapidly evolved into a four-year institution, and was granted independence in 1962 as Old Dominion College.

Considerable growth in enrollment, the expansion of research facilities and preparation for the addition of graduate programs led the Board of Visitors to approve the name change to Old Dominion University. Now Old Dominion is a powerhouse for higher education with six colleges - Arts and Letters, Business, Education and Professional Studies, Engineering and Technology, Health Sciences, and Sciences, and the School of Cybersecurity. Planning is underway to establish a School of Data Science and a School of Supply Chain, Logistics, and Maritime Operations. Old Dominion has offered master’s degrees since 1964 and Ph.D.s since 1971. Students currently choose from 111 baccalaureate programs, 43 master’s programs, two education specialist programs and 22 doctoral programs. The University has earned the Research 1 Classification indicating "very high research activity" from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

Proud of its past, Old Dominion constantly looks to the future and prides itself on its continually expanding research and teaching programs. An ever-evolving university, Old Dominion is an agent of change for its students, for the region and the nation it serves. Old Dominion is Virginia’s forward-focused, public doctoral research university for students from around the world who want a rigorous academic experience in a profoundly multicultural community. Their nationally recognized faculty use real-world expertise and innovative teaching methods to challenge students to achieve their highest goals. University’s determined entrepreneurial approach to problem-solving drives cutting-edge research, eminent scholarship and strategic partnerships with government, business, industry, organizations and the arts.

The students at Old Dominion share a special sense of excitement derived in part from the rich tapestry of backgrounds, cultures and ages represented here. Students hail from all 50 states and 80 countries. Studying in this multicultural, international environment, and taking advantage of our guaranteed internship program, offers students a true edge after they graduate and begin to compete for jobs in the “real world.”

Situated on 251 acres near downtown Norfolk, Old Dominion University’s main campus stretches from the Elizabeth River to the Lafayette River, and watching sunsets on the water is a natural pastime for students. With its garden areas, reflecting pools and spacious green lawns bordered by tree-lined walkways, the campus offers the best of both worlds a beautiful setting and just minutes away from Hampton Roads’ largest cities.

One of the most exciting developments on the campus today is the University Village, with its impressive centerpiece, the Ted Constant Convocation Center, which opened its doors in 2002 and hosts everything from basketball games to concerts to commencements. This 75-acre development at the east end of campus is home to 960 modern student apartments, a variety of restaurants and shops, a hotel, research facilities, an art gallery, and bookstore.