Best Medicine Masters Programs in Virginia

The University of Virginia Health System is committed to establishing and maintaining high quality Graduate Medical Education training programs. We train than 800 residents and fellows in 83 ACGME-accredited specialties, subspecialties, and training programs.

Applicants for first-year positions must register with the Electronic Residency Application Service and the National Resident Matching Program.

At UVA, the Graduate Medical Education community is committed to the well-being of its trainees.

The General Medicine Clinic, which is staffed by experienced Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, and Physician Assistants, provides evaluation and treatment for a wide variety of medical concerns. Examples of medical conditions frequently evaluated in this clinic include:.

If you have any questions this change, please ask a staff member at your appointment.), check (made payable to JMU), FLEX, Discover, MasterCard or Visa (if the credit card is in the student name), Flexible Spending Account Cards (health flex benefits cards), Android Pay and Apple Pay.

University Health CenterMSC 7901 724 South Mason Street Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807.

Dunn Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) Program interested in exploring this fascinating field of study and applying knowledge of the human genome to clinical practice. This unique degree combination prepares students for career opportunities clinical practice, biotechnology, genetic testing or in the pharmaceutical industry. It also provides students with the skill set needed to pursue specialized fields in healthcare that are poised for growth.

Pharmacogenomics focuses on the use of genomic information to develop the most effective use of medications, including minimizing adverse events. Personalized medicine is a method of disease prevention and treatment for which the healthcare team considers individual variations in genes, environment and lifestyle. Students will become familiar with the most widely used genomic laboratory techniques and interpretation of pharmacogenomics data used in personalizing drug therapy. Introductory concepts of genomic data science will also be introduced in a hands-on format. Additionally, students will complete a research project in pharmacogenomics and or personalized medicine in their final year in the program.

Both the Pharm.D. and PGPM programs integrate graduate-level critical thinking, problem-solving and scientific inquiry. Graduates will gain knowledge and experience in self-directed learning, the effective use of modern technology in the laboratory and clinical setting and develop research, leadership, and education skills to contribute to the fields of pharmacy and personalized medicine. The dual program offers individuals interested in pursuing degrees in both pharmacy and pharmacogenomics a unique opportunity to complete both programs simultaneously, saving time and money.

The Pharm.D. M.S. in PGPM program is designed for students who are presently enrolled in pharmacy school.

The number of students admitted depends on the number of qualified applicants. This program has a capacity of ten students per year.

During Fall and Spring Terms students will take a full-time credit load as part of their Pharm.D. and over the summers and during their fourth year students will take a part-time credit load as part of the M.S. in Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine Program.

The Pharm.D. course requirements are an in-person program offered on either the Winchester or Fairfax campuses. The M.S. in Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine coursework is offered as an online program. The research component of this program may be completed online or in-person, depending on the project and research adviser.

Yes, the dual-degree program is designed to integrate into the Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy traditional Pharm.D. pathway. A dual-degree option is not offered with the nontraditional Pharm.D. pathway. Nontraditional Bernard J.

Yes, the dual-degree program is sequenced to start the summer between P2 and P3 years in order to finish both degrees at the end of the P4 year. Third and fourth-year students are encouraged to investigate the Graduate Certificate in Pharmacogenomics program and M.S. in Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine Program that can be completed after earning their Pharm.D.

The per credit cost for the M.S. program is slightly lower than the per credit cost in the Pharm.D. program. In addition, two of the Pharm.D. elective slots can be filled with PGPM courses, resulting in a cost savings as you complete the two degrees in parallel.

Written and oral communication is in demand in the field. While there is no formal thesis, all students will engage in a research project culminating in a written and or oral presentation on a topic of their choosing. This could be based on laboratory work, case reviews, computational work, or a combination of various aspects covered in the program.

This degree positions students for career opportunities in clinical pharmacogenomics, biotechnology, genetic testing, and in the pharmaceutical industry. Residencies and fellowships are often prerequisites for some of these opportunities. Students with advanced education in these areas may be at a competitive advantage in securing one of these positions.

Earn your doctoral degree and become an educator, leader and scholar.

Become an education researcher and leader, designing, managing, and evaluating health professions education programs. Gain the practical knowledge and skills necessary to tackle major issues facing higher-education leaders.

Be part of the next generation of anatomy educators with skills related to contemporary needs, issues and best practices in diverse academic settings. Gain experience in modern anatomy teaching modalities, anatomy lab management, and course directing.

You'll learn develop, manage and deliver ultrasound education programs to help train sonographers, sonologists and medical professionals.

Diversity, equity and inclusion in the health professions curriculum.

Develop an academic plan and timeline for completion based on your needs and program offerings.

Complete all coursework online in 3.5 to 4 years following a structured course schedule.

Follow a standard pace (3.5 to 4 years) or extended pace (4.5 to 5 years) course schedule.

Mila is active in committees such as the academic success counsel for medical students, residency clinical competency committees, medical curriculum committee, and the hospital medical executive committee.

Jeremy is a second-year DMHPE student interested in studying student self-regulation following academic failure.

Melanie has worked in higher education for 11 years at a variety of administrative levels and departments including admissions, academic affairs, administration and graduate medical education. Melanie works as an Educational Specialist for EVMS Obstetrics Gynecology, managing all three fellowship programs.

Kathy has worked in education for nearly 10 years with experience in higher education, private and for-profit institutions in the areas of admissions, enrollment, student retention, advising, accreditation and program management.

VCU Medical Scientist Training Program, which leads to dual M.D. degrees, educates diverse physician-scientists to improve human health through discovery in basic and social sciences and biomedical engineering.

And exemplifies a culture of collaborative learning and science within the beautiful city of Richmond, Virginia. VCU is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and we are proud that our peers embody an intricate variety of backgrounds, coming together from across the nation and internationally. Here, the unique perspectives we bring have a safe space for expression, collaboration, and learning. Our students have opportunities to serve in leadership positions during both medical and graduate school, and during times of leisure, can enrich their experiences by taking advantage of all Richmond has to offer. From kayaking on the historic James River to world-class museums and renowned offerings within the culinary arts, Richmond is a perfect blend of bustle and the glorious outdoors.

Physician scientists have contributed immeasurably to the increase in longevity and quality of life humanity has enjoyed over the past century. Regrettably, further progress is threatened by shortcomings in sustainability and equity. The VCU School of Medicine addresses this challenge by training future generations through our Medical Scientist Training Program. Our innovative program is built upon core values of equity, transparency, wellness, and shared governance. We are committed to a trainee-centered environment that integrates medicine and science throughout the curriculum, providing an education much greater than the sum of its parts.

The VCU School of Medicine has had a recognized M.D. program since 1986. Over the years, the school commitment to the program has grown alongside it, providing support to all students with paid tuition, fees, health insurance and stipend. In 2022, the program received a prestigious MSTP award from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, placing VCU within an elite group of universities that have an NIH-funded Clinical and Translational Science Awards Program, a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center and an MSTP award.

Clinical programs at VCU Health include a Level 1 trauma center, the NIH-designated Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center and a pioneering organ transplant program. Our affiliated hospitals, including the Richmond VA Health Center, have over 1,000 beds.

In 2023, VCU received than $463,000,000 in external research funding. VCU School of Medicine currently ranks number 63 of all U.S. medical schools by total NIH grant awards with 106 NIH-funded investigators and 158 grants.

Kenneth and Diane Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research has a $21.5M Clinical and Translational Science Award from the NIH.

Moderate program size. We typically admit five to eight students per year into the program, with a total census of around 50. This size provides a critical mass to stimulate interactions while preserving a familiar and congenial environment.

Full support. Full medical school and graduate school tuition is provided by the VCU MSTP and Ph.D. dissertation adviser. Students receive a minimum annual stipend of $32,828 each year, which is increased by $1,000 after passing their Ph.D. candidacy exams. Each student who receives support from an NIH F30 award (or equivalent) has an additional $1,000 added to their stipend for the duration of their education. Additionally, VCU provides health insurance for all MD-PhD students.

Outstanding clinical and research training. VCU is one of the largest medical centers in the country, caring for the sickest patients in the Central Virginia area. VCU has vibrant programs in transplant medicine, stroke and movement disorders, Level I trauma, and women health. Our students also train within the VA Richmond Healthcare System, which has outstanding neurological and rehabilitation facilities.

Clinical rotations before beginning graduate work. Because the M1 and M2 years are completed in 18 months (see Curriculum), students in our program are able to spend six to eight weeks completing a block of M3 clinical rotations after taking USMLE Step 1 and prior to starting their Ph.D. phase. This gives students the opportunity to better appreciate and apply the translational aspects of their graduate research. Additionally, it allows students the flexibility to rotate back into their clinical years anytime between April and October, following their successful Ph.D. dissertation defense.

Student involvement in the program. MSTP students are involved in all phases of the program, from admissions and interviewing to organization of monthly seminars and annual retreats.

Wellness Initiative. The MSTP wellness initiative is a student-led program designed to foster and maintain health and well-being. The initiative is designed around four key priorities to promote a culture of resiliency, vulnerability, and compassion to provide comprehensive support for MD-PhD trainees to develop wellness skills for use during training and beyond and to be student-directed, designed, and motivated. The wellness initiative offers a variety of programming events and resources year-round: monthly wellness-specific programming for students, an annual wellness point tally, an annual wellness journey newsletter, a mentorship program, and a student wellness resource guide.

Non-traditional Ph.D. options. In addition to strong traditional basic science training offered through departments in the VCU School of Medicine, MSTP students are eligible to obtain their Ph.D. through a variety of novel research programs. These programs include the Cancer and Molecular Medicine translational research program offered through our Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Biomedical Engineering, Healthcare Policy and Research, and Epidemiology and Community Health, among others (see Ph.D. Training Options).

Wright Scholars. A generous endowment by C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright funds an M.D. Scholars program. MSTP students who have reached the second year of graduate studies may submit an application describing a translational or clinical research project, which can be part of their dissertation research or a capstone project during their final year of medical school. Selected students become Wright Scholars who are entitled to reimbursement of up to $3,000 per year for educational expenses. In addition, their tuition, stipend and fees are covered by the endowment, supporting growth of the MSTP.

It is our strong desire that students in this program bring a wealth of diversity to our community, expressing opinions reflecting the influence that their race, ethnicity, national origin, socioeconomic status, gender identity, sexuality, disabilities, class, and religion have had on their perspectives. This diversity adds depth and value to our mission, which is to train diverse physician-scientists to improve human health through scientific investigation and compassionate healthcare and to serve as role models for future trainees.

Provide opportunities for all perspectives to be heard at all MD-PhD events and via anonymous comments through Student Council, annual Individualized Training Plans, and anonymous annual survey.

Graduates of VCU MSTP overwhelmingly chose to enter clinical residencies as the next phase of their careers. Most choose specialties that are accustomed to training physician-scientists, including internal medicine, pediatrics, neurology, radiation oncology and psychiatry.

Match Day has been a day of celebration for our senior students. From 2018-2022, 28 of 34 (82%) of our graduates matched into one of their top three choices. Our graduates fan out across the nation for their residency training.

Average number of years to complete both degrees.

To be considered for the VCU MSTP, prospective students must medical school through the American Medical College Application Service. on your AMCAS application.

The VCU MSTP is committed to a holistic application review, taking into consideration not only grades and scores, but the depth and quality of research experience, exposure to clinical medical opportunities, evidence of altruism, personal statements and unique factors that allow the applicant to contribute to a vibrant, diverse student population. Current VCU MSTP students often complete the initial review of submitted applications.

Typically, we interview around 36 applicants per admission cycle. The two-day interview process is divided into a MSTP interview day and a medical school interview day (usually the following morning and early afternoon).

You will also be considered by the School of Medicine Admissions Committee. Final admissions decisions are often made toward the end of the cycle. Importantly, students not accepted into the MSTP are not automatically considered by the Medical School Admissions Committee for the M.D. program.

VCU School of Medicine has been investing in research, building and renovating laboratories, and recruiting well-funded investigators. Sanger Hall, at 486,000 ft2, is the largest of our research facilities and has benefited from a total renovation of the fourth (pathology) and fifth (microbiology and immunology) floors since 2016 with open lab and shared space configurations.

The Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research, endowed by the Wright family and funded by a Clinical and Translational Science Award from the NIH, provides a strong infrastructure for medically-relevant research, including grant and paper writing courses and workshops, biostatistics consultations, clinical trial support, research navigation and mentorship programs.

MSTP students have many options for their dissertation work, including traditional department-based basic science disciplines in the School of Medicine, basic research in other colleges and schools within VCU, cross-departmental translational and clinical research, health care policy research and applied research in biomedical engineering and nanoscience and nanotechnology.

Supporting our students is at the core of the School of Medicine mission.

The VCU MSTP boasts an integrated curriculum, blending medical school with scientific studies throughout the journey.

With the help of MSTP leadership, matriculating students jump right into the program. In June, before the start of their M1 year, students take the first steps toward selecting a graduate program and mentor by completing rotations in two laboratories of their choice.

The M1 curriculum begins with foundational concepts in biochemistry, genetics, physiology, pharmacology, infectious diseases, immunology, and pathology. It then continues with systems-based basic and clinical concepts in hematology, orthopedics, rheumatology, dermatology, gastroenterology, endocrinology, and obstetrics and gynecology. The MSTP supplements this material with a journal club and a science and disease series, each of which is coordinated with the medical school curriculum and seeks a deeper understanding of the scientific foundation of topics under study.

The summer between M1 and M2 features one or two laboratory rotations. M2 continues as M1 left off with systems-based basic and clinical concepts for one semester in cardiology, pulmonology, nephrology, neurology, and psychiatry. Didactic curriculum during the M1 and M2 years is accompanied by courses in the practice of clinical medicine, population health and epidemiology, and medical ethics and patient relations. At the start of spring semester of M2, students prepare and complete Step 1 of the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination. Our MSTP students then experience their first mandatory M3 clinical clerkships, spending 6-8 weeks on the wards before beginning their graduate studies. This allows them to put theoretical information into practice prior to a one-year hiatus from clinical studies during the first year of graduate school.

The School of Medicine provides the full stipend, tuition and fees for the first year of graduate school. This support relieves pressure on Ph.D. mentors to fund MSTP students while they take courses and complete qualifying exams. MSTP students receive considerable credit for their pre-clinical courses toward their graduate degree requirements. MSTP leadership has worked with each graduate program to eliminate redundancy and maximize flexibility. The course requirements differ for each Ph.D. program, although all MSTP students are required to take courses in biostatistics, responsible conduct of research, and research reproducibility and transparency. Mentors, dissertation committees, and graduate program leaders are all sources of information and guidance during the graduate phase.

Oral and written candidacy exams (qualifying exams) are typically completed during the summer between G1 and G2, but timing can vary. This same proposal can often be adapted for F30 submissions. The oral qualifying exam is a crucial stage of the Ph.D. training and demands both specific and broad-based knowledge. The remainder of the graduate phase is committed to relevant conferences, seminars, journal clubs, laboratory work, manuscript submission and work toward successful completion of the Ph.D. dissertation.

Submission of fellowship applications is a critical part of student training for successful careers as academic physicians. Therefore, unless they are ineligible, all students are required to submit an F30 fellowship application to the NIH as soon as possible during the graduate training phase. Students are also encouraged to submit applications to other funding sources, such as the American Heart Association, the American Lung Association, or the American Cancer Society, as appropriate.

It is critically important for MSTP students to maintain their clinical skills while pursuing their graduate education. With that goal in mind, students attend a longitudinal clinic throughout the G2 and G3 years in fulfillment of the M3 Ambulatory Care clerkship requirement. In addition, during G4, students are encouraged to complete a two-week-long clinical foundational elective.

The experience of writing an original research manuscript, submitting it for publication in a reputable journal, responding to the criticisms of reviewers, resubmitting the manuscript and making any additional edits for final publication are essential parts of scientific research. As such, prior to returning to medical school, all students are required to have a first-author manuscript describing the research they conducted as part of their Ph.D. studies at VCU accepted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal that is recognized by PubMed or Web of Science.

The graduate phase of training ends with a successful dissertation defense, a requirement that must be completed prior to returning to medical school. Workshop to aid in the transition back to clinical training. The MSTP also purchases a Q-bank of questions, adapted from USMLE Step 2 board exams, to help students review clinically relevant material. Finally, each student has a session with a standardized patient.

MSTP students returning from graduate school have a great deal of flexibility in their return dates because they have already completed a clerkship before entering the graduate phase and have completed the Ambulatory Care Clerkship during their graduate training. Thus, MSTP students can begin clinical clerkships in-phase with newly rising M3 medical students in April, before that or until October of the M3 year and still match and graduate with that medical school class.

During the M3 year, students receive clinical training by rotating through the academic medical centers of the VCU Health System and the McGuire Veterans Administration Hospital. This rich clinical experience is supplemented by didactic presentations on practice-related topics. All M3 students complete clerkships in internal medicine (8 weeks), surgery (8 weeks), pediatrics (6 weeks), OB GYN (6 weeks), psychiatry (4 weeks), neurology (4 weeks), family medicine (4 weeks) and ambulatory medicine (4 weeks, completed during G2 and G3).

All students are required to take the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 2 for the first time by October 1 after completion of their M3 year. Students are required to pass USMLE Step 2 for graduation.

Each M4 MSTP student is expected to complete a senior clinical or translational research project. The project may or may not build on the Ph.D. dissertation. The mentor and project are chosen and outlined by the student. The project can be completed at another institution.

Master of Science in Cyber Leadership and Policy.

Associate of Applied Science in Networking Management and Security.

Associate of Applied Science in Advanced Culinary Arts.

Associate of Applied Science in Baking and Pastry Arts.

Associate in Applied Science in Medical Insurance, Billing, and Coding.

Associate of Applied Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management.

The mission of the Diploma in Medical Assisting program is to give students theoretical and hands-on experience allowing them to demonstrate clinical skills including patient care, laboratory procedures, venipuncture, assisting with exams, collecting specimens, administering patient medication, recording vital signs, and taking patient history. This program requires students to purchase a health sciences kit from the University.