Pharmacology and Toxicology Graduate Program

Pre-medical Basic Health Sciences Certificate Program

The Pre-medical Basic Health Sciences Certificate Program of Virginia Commonwealth University offers the opportunity for advanced graduate-level training for individuals seeking to enhance their background in the basic health sciences prior to entry into professional school. The program offers defined curricula in six disciplinary areas: anatomy, biochemistry, human genetics, microbiology, pharmacology and physiology. The curricula define an intensive program of study intended for completion in two successive academic semesters.

Applicants to the program designate a preferred area of specialization with admission determined by the department. Admission to the program is competitive with a limited number of positions available. As a guide applicants should anticipate meeting the minimum expectations of performance and achievement described below. Note that specialization areas may require additional prerequisites beyond those listed for the program as a whole. Individual departments should be contacted for detailed information.

Admission requirements

Applicants should have successfully completed undergraduate training and hold a baccalaureate degree. Training in chemistry through completion of course work in organic chemistry is required. Admissions to the program are generally drawn from applicants with an undergraduate grade point average above 2.80, a performance on the Graduate Record Examination above a combined score of 1600 (V+Q+A; a performance above a score of 1100 on the verbal and quantitative sections) or a quantitative score on the MCAT examination greater than 22. Applicants holding an undergraduate degree from a recognized foreign institution must display an acceptable level of English proficiency by achieving a score of 600 on the TOEFL examination.

Course requirements

Students must complete a minimum of 27 credit hours of course work with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better. Courses must be drawn from the listing of required and elective courses identified at the department level for each specialization. The curriculum should be completed in successive full academic terms (typically the fall and spring semester). Completion of the program does not afford a guarantee of admission to professional training programs at VCU.

On completion of the program, individuals may elect to seek admission to advanced degree programs (M.S., Ph.D.). The curricula have been developed so as to satisfy didactic requirements of these programs. Individuals interested in exploring the requirements for admission to advanced degree training should consult with the program directors listed.

Want more information?

Inquiries may be addressed to:

Virginia Commonwealth University
School of Graduate Studies
Richmond, Virginia 23284-3051
Phone: (804) 828-6916

For more information about the certificate program in Pharmacology, contact:

Dr. Stephen T. Sawyer
Graduate Program Director
410 North 12th Street
Robert Blackwell Smith Building
P.O. Box 980613
Richmond, Virginia 23298-0613
Phone: (804) 828-7918
Fax: (804) 828-2117
E-mail: ssawyer@hsc.vcu.edu