Ph.D. Program
For general inquiries about the Ph.D. Program, please contact:
- Jennifer Rew, M.Ed.
- 1 (804) 628-2961
- jcheatham@vcu.edu
The doctoral program in clinical and translational sciences at VCU offers a general curriculum with a specialized interdisciplinary concentration in cancer and molecular medicine.
Students who receive a Ph.D. in clinical and translational sciences will be prepared to integrate data from multiple disciplines and work on different projects in varied research settings. Interdisciplinary training is a key aspect of translational research and is the cornerstone in the Ph.D. program.
Scholars in the program receive intense mentoring by a team of senior VCU researchers from multiple disciplines.
For more information on our program, visit our listing in the VCU Bulletin
Program at a Glance
The Ph.D. in Clinical and Translational Science is a full-time, interdisciplinary program designed to train students to perform translational research. The skills acquired in the Ph.D. program include experience with clinical and translational science, the vocabulary to effectively communicate with both scientists and clinicians and the research skills necessary to bridge bench and clinical science.
The core curriculum is grounded in fundamental concepts while emphasizing aspects of research design and technology that are broadly applicable across disciplines in industrial, government and academic settings.
Interdisciplinary Mentorship Model
Students perform basic scientific research with clinical faculty advisors closely aligned with the students’ research interests. The team-based mentoring approach facilitates the translational aspect of the students’ projects.
Individualized Curriculum
Students develop an individualized curriculum, with the guidance of the program directors, based on their research interests and career goals.
Comprehensive Educational Opportunities
Students have the opportunity to participate in weekly seminars, workshops, and scientific meetings relevant to their research interests. They are encouraged to present their research frequently to obtain critiques from fellow students and faculty members.
Program Admission Requirements
Candidates should complete an application through the Graduate School.
Admission Requirements:
- Online application
- Non-refundable application fee
- Transcripts for each college/university attended
- Personal statement
- Resume or CV
- Three letters of recommendation
- Course-by-course credential evaluation, if relevant
- TOEFL or IELTS scores, if relevant
Students usually have the following:
- A grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.4.
- For non-U.S. applicants, evidence of English language proficiency.
Please note that we take a comprehensive view of the applicants’ profiles, and the student profile provided is the average of what admitted applicants have submitted.
Admission Deadline:
Please submit your application by January 10th to receive priority consideration.