This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2024-2025 VCU Bulletin. Courses that expose students to cutting-edge content and transformative learning may be added and notification of additional program approvals may be received prior to finalization. General education program content is also subject to change. The final edition and full PDF version will include these updates and will be available in August prior to the beginning of the fall semester.
Note: Admission to this program is temporarily suspended.
Program goal
The School of Pharmacy offers the highest quality of teaching in the pharmaceutical sciences graduate program at the Master of Pharmaceutical Sciences level. The M.P.S. is a non-thesis degree.
Student learning outcomes
- Knowledge of research in pharmaceutical sciences
Candidates should demonstrate a general knowledge of the elements of the pharmaceutical sciences and a detailed knowledge of their areas of research, including an appropriate familiarity with the research literature, policies and procedures, and methodology pertaining to their fields. - Design experiments in pharmaceutical sciences
Candidates should demonstrate an appropriate level of skill in the design of experimental protocols and the technical conduct of experimentation related to their research. - Demonstrate appropriate communication skills
Candidates should demonstrate that an appropriate level of oral, written and visual communication skill has been acquired. - Identify problems in pharmaceutical sciences
Candidates should demonstrate an appropriate level of skill in the identification of meaningful problems in the pharmaceutical sciences and the design of and implementation of appropriate problem-solving methods.
VCU Graduate Bulletin, VCU Graduate School and general academic policies and regulations for all graduate students in all graduate programs
The VCU Graduate Bulletin website documents the official admission and academic rules and regulations that govern graduate education for all graduate programs at the university. These policies are established by the graduate faculty of the university through their elected representatives to the University Graduate Council.
It is the responsibility of all graduate students, both on- and off-campus, to be familiar with the VCU Graduate Bulletin as well as the Graduate School website and academic regulations in individual school and department publications and on program websites. However, in all cases, the official policies and procedures of the University Graduate Council, as published on the VCU Graduate Bulletin and Graduate School websites, take precedence over individual program policies and guidelines.
Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on academic regulations for graduate students.
Degree candidacy requirements
A graduate student admitted to a program or concentration requiring a final research project, work of art, thesis or dissertation, must qualify for continuing master’s or doctoral status according to the degree candidacy requirements of the student’s graduate program. Admission to degree candidacy, if applicable, is a formal statement by the graduate student’s faculty regarding the student’s academic achievements and the student’s readiness to proceed to the final research phase of the degree program.
Graduate students and program directors should refer to the following degree candidacy policy as published in the VCU Graduate Bulletin for complete information and instructions.
Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on degree candidacy requirements.
Graduation requirements
As graduate students approach the end of their academic programs and the final semester of matriculation, they must make formal application to graduate. No degrees will be conferred until the application to graduate has been finalized.
Graduate students and program directors should refer to the following graduation requirements as published in the Graduate Bulletin for a complete list of instructions and a graduation checklist.
Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on graduation requirements.
Other information
See the School of Pharmacy website for the process handbook. Current graduate students may visit the school’s website for additional resources, and prospective students may apply online.
Note: Admission to this program is temporarily suspended.
Admission requirements
| Degree: | Semester(s) of entry: | Deadline dates: | Test requirements: |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.P.S. | Fall | May 1 (priority consideration for financial aid Feb 1) | GRE, TOEFL (international applicants) |
| Spring | Oct 1 |
Special requirements
- Pharm.D. or bachelor’s degree in a related area
In addition to the general admission requirements of the VCU Graduate School, applicants must have received a baccalaureate from an accredited institution in a related area demonstrating the ability to perform at the graduate level. Prerequisite and foundation course work may be required, depending upon the applicant’s discipline.
Note: Admission to this program is temporarily suspended.
Degree requirements
In addition to general VCU Graduate School graduation requirements, all School of Pharmacy graduate students must fulfill the curricular requirements of the School of Pharmacy core curriculum and the core curriculum required by their respective options. In order to graduate, M.P.S. students must complete a minimum of 30 graduate credit hours of required and elective course work and must pass the project review and defense in each department.
Curriculum requirements
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core courses | ||
| OVPR 601 | Scientific Integrity | 1 |
| or OVPR 602 | Responsible Scientific Conduct | |
| or OVPR 603 | Responsible Conduct of Research | |
| PSCI 607 | Introduction to Pharmaceutical Sciences From Bench to Shelf | 2 |
| PSCI 610 | Frontiers of Pharmaceutical Research (two-credit course taken four semesters) | 8 |
| PSCI 614 | Research Techniques | 4 |
| PSCI 690 | Seminars in the Pharmaceutical Sciences | 1 |
| Additional courses | ||
| Select 14 credit hours that may include electives and research as advised by your Program Director and Advisor. | 14 | |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Students are required to complete a project. The six credit-hour minimum directed research requirement may be waived for circumstances such as a prior related degree. If waived, students must still complete minimum number of hours required for the degree.
The minimum number of graduate credit hours required for this degree is 30.
Students who complete the requirements for this degree will receive a Master of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Contact
Patricia W. Slattum, Pharm.D., Ph.D.
Interim associate dean for research and graduate studies and graduate program director
pwslattu@vcu.edu
Program website: pharmacy.vcu.edu