Programs

Your options beyond the Pharm.D. include advanced pharmacy training (residency and fellowships) and education (M.S. and Ph.D. degrees) in the Department of Pharmacy, VCU School of Pharmacy. Some of these programs are combined with clinical or administrative experience at the VCU Health Systems (VCUHS). Students interested in learning more about these options are encouraged to seek faculty for advice and guidance. Review the Frequently Asked Questions and the Information section of this site for more information.

Why should I consider Graduate Studies?

Modern pharmacotherapy is complex, and results in unnecessary drug use, increased adverse events, drug-drug interactions and excessive costs. There is a demand for selected individuals with knowledge and skills beyond that possible in the entry-level Pharm.D. program. Students with advanced education will take advantage of employment opportunities in academia, industry, health care organizations and government. Investment of an additional 1-3 years of education beyond the first professional degree can lead to a lifetime of rewarding work in challenging professional environments, the satisfaction of doing something “different”, the opportunity to make a difference in patient care and to advance the profession of pharmacy.

What is a "Residency"?

A post Pharm.D. residency is usually a one-year program of practice experience offered by a preceptor in a health care setting. Residency positions are competitive, and available in a variety of areas (below). Prospective applicants will usually apply for a residency during their P-4 year and will interview between November and February. The resident will receive clinical and administrative rotations in a variety of settings consistent with the emphasis of the program. A residency will help prepare a clinical practitioner who may find employment in a community or hospital pharmacy, or a similar health care environment that does not require advanced course work. A residency may also be a requirement for admission into advanced training programs such as specialized residencies or fellowships.

What is a "Fellowship"?

Whereas the emphasis of a residency is on clinical practice, the emphasis of a fellowship is on research. Fellowships are offered in a variety of areas including Infectious Diseases, Cardiology and Mental Health. See the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) Web site for a complete listing of fellowships. offered in the U.S.

Fellowships are two years in length, and usually require a general residency. The fellowship training program will emphasize research, with secondary offerings in advanced clinical experience and teaching experience. The applicant desiring a fellowship has usually identified a specialty area of focus, and is interested in joining the faculty of a School of Pharmacy (often in a tenure line position), or the pharmaceutical industry (as a researcher, or working in a “Scientific Liaison” position). In comparison to the Pharm.D./M.S. program, the fellowship offers greater depth of research and training in a specialty area, but less coursework, and no graduate degree. VCU currently offers a fellowship in Infectious Diseases.