Pharmacy, Doctor of (Pharm.D.)/Aging Studies, Certificate in (Graduate certificate) [dual degree and certificate]

Advanced study in pharmacy and aging studies is available through a dual degree and certificate program co-sponsored by the School of Pharmacy and the Department of Gerontology in the College of Health Professions.

The program allows students to earn a Doctor of Pharmacy and a Certificate in Aging Studies with a minimum of 167 credits rather than the 170 credits necessary if the two degrees were pursued separately. This efficiency lowers the overall cost of tuition while also reducing time to earning both degrees.

Program goals

The objectives of this dual degree and certificate program are to:

• Prepare graduates to address the complex needs of a diverse aging population using holistic knowledge of the biopsychosocial aging process
• Provide graduates with an understanding of empirically and theoretically based components contributing to optimal aging using evidence-based, best-practice approaches
• Prepare graduates to develop skills in comprehensive geriatric care to promote well-being among older adults
• Prepare graduates with an understanding of the interrelationship between pharmacology and social issues and aging (e.g., family, cultural, community, housing, access to care, policy issues)

Among the many benefits offered by participation in the dual degree and certificate program is the following:

• Students holding these degrees will be more competitive in obtaining a pharmacy residency or employment caring for older adults in the community, ambulatory care or hospital settings.

The diplomas for this dual degree and certificate program may be awarded simultaneously. Students must complete a separate graduation check out for each program.

Student learning outcomes

See the individual program pages for student learning outcomes.

Advising

The student is assigned an adviser from each program to develop a plan of study. Advisers from each program will provide guidance on course requirements for their respective programs.

Admission requirements 

Students must meet the admission requirements for each program. Admission into one program does not guarantee admission into the other. 

The Certificate in Aging Studies program is open to qualified students who have earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university or the equivalent and who have met all general admission requirements of the VCU Graduate School.

The admission requirements for the Pharm.D. can be found on the program page.

Application procedure

Applicants may apply after completion of their first or second professional year. Applications are made through the Graduate School and are due by May 15.

Students do not need to take any additional tests as part of the application process. There is a fee associated with applying to the VCU Graduate School.

Dual degree and certificate requirements

As standalone programs, the Pharm.D. comprises 155 credits while the certificate requires 15 credits. The dual degree and certificate program allows students to share three credits, therefore decreasing total credits to completion from 170 to 167.

Students are advised that based on the equivalent knowledge acquired by successfully completing PHAR 670 and PHAR 691 (with appropriate topic) as electives in the Pharm.D. program, the elective requirement is satisfied in the certificate curriculum.

Curriculum requirements

The minimum number of credit hours required for this dual program is 167.

Sample plan of study

The minimum number of credit hours required for this dual program is 167.

Contact
Jennifer Pryor
Program director, Department of Gerontology
pryorjm@vcu.edu
(804) 828-1565

Additional contact
Krista L. Donohoe, Pharm.D., BCPS, BCGP
Associate professor, Department of Pharmacotherapy and Outcomes Science
kldonohoe@vcu.edu
(804) 628-4551