Application instructions

To apply for the CERT program, do one of the following:

Option 1: Visit this link for Liaison PostbacCAS, where you can create an​ account or login, search for VCU CERT, and submit an application.​

Option 2: Click the ‘Apply’ button above and filter your query by:

• Start Term = your choice
• Academic Level = Graduate Certificate
• School/Academic Department and School of Medicine (see example image on right)

The VCU CERT program is purpose-built to specifically address the needs of students who wish to enhance their competitiveness for admission into professional schools, particularly medical (M.D. and D.O.) and dental (D.D.S. and D.M.D.) programs. The CERT program has been effectively training pre-professional students since its inception in 2009. Since 2016, over 170 CERT graduates (and counting!) have successfully matriculated into M.D. programs - more when matriculants into D.O., D.D.S., and other professional programs are counted.

Our newly revised curriculum will continue to offer pre-professional learners the opportunity to demonstrate their readiness for medical or dental school curricula by completing rigorous graduate-level coursework in the foundational sciences: Human Anatomy, Medical Biochemistry, Human Embryology, Histology, Neuroanatomy, Clinical Pharmacology, and Medical Physiology. CERT courses are Directed and taught by faculty who also participate in VCU medical and dental student education, and CERT students are therefore exposed to the teaching styles, exam formats, and test question conventions used in professional schools and standardized admissions tests. Together with the included MCAT/DAT test prep course, the CERT experience has historically provided a robust increase in our graduates’ test scores.

Starting in Fall 2025, we will integrate our ‘whole applicant’ approach to advising and preparation into the formal design of the CERT curriculum. CERT has an established tradition of providing opportunities for students to develop competencies (e.g., effective study skills and efficient time management) that are not only essential for success in the professional school admissions process but also return valuable dividends after matriculation into medical or dental school. The revised CERT curriculum further meets the needs for today’s aspiring pre-professional learner by offering a year-long Professional Skills and Readiness course in which students will:

• Practice professionalism, academic integrity, and ethical conduct.
• Learn and implement proven-effective study strategies and time management skills.
• Engage in team-based and guided inquiry learning.
• Create learning connections across academic disciplines.
• Explore current topics in medicine and dentistry (i.e., use of AI in the classroom and clinic, causes and solutions to rising healthcare costs, and social or structural contributors to healthcare disparities).
• Learn about current biomedical research advances with potential to transform healthcare practice and explore pre-professional and professional student research opportunities.
• Create a personalized professional school application strategy and timeline.
• Practice personal statement writing and participate in mock professional school interviews.
• A full description of the requirements for completion of the Graduate Health Sciences Certificate, listing of required and elective courses, and program- and course-level learning objectives can be found on the VCU Graduate Bulletin

CERT is a two-semester program. Tuition costs are:

Fall semester:     $14,781.50
Spring semester:     $14,781.50
Total tuition:    $29,563.00

• Total educational cost, including additional University fees can be estimated using the VCU Graduate tuition Calculator here.
• Ensure that you are using the ‘Post-undergraduate calculator’ to estimate fees for Graduate and professional studies
• Select the anticipated semester of matriculation into CERT
• Select program: ‘Certificate – Biomedical Sciences’
• Select appropriate Residency option
• Select Enrollment: Full-time
• Select housing: No housing
• Select meal plan: No meal plan

Students in the CERT program must complete a minimum of 24 credit hours over two semesters. Alternative plans of study are available with approval of the Program Director. Required and elective course options are listed on the VCU Graduate Bulletin.

CERT courses may be integrated into a non-thesis Master of Interdisciplinary Studies (M.I.S.) plan that can be completed within 3 semesters; The CERT + M.I.S. option requires admission into both CERT and the M.I.S. programs and must be approved by the respective Program Directors prior to the start of study. Please contact us if you are interested in the M.I.S. degree.

CERT graduates are also eligible for admission into one of several thesis-based M.S. degree programs in VCU School of Medicine that provide additional opportunities to engage in biomedical research. Credits earned in the CERT program may be applied toward M.S. degree completion requirements. The combined CERT + M.S. plan of study is typically completed in two academic years.

VCU School of Medicine thesis-based M.S. programs:

• Anatomy and Neurobiology
• Biochemistry
• Microbiology and Immunology
• Microbiology and Immunology with an concentration in Oral Biology
• Pharmacology and Toxicology
• Physiology and Biophysics

See detailed program requirements in the VCU Bulletin

CERT graduates who complete CERT in 2 consecutive semesters with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better and meet MCAT or DAT standardized test score criteria may be eligible to earn a guaranteed interview for admission to the VCU School of Medicine’s M.D. program, VCU School of Dentistry’s D.D.S program, or the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine’s D.O. program.

Admissions requirements for the Premedical Graduate Certificate Program can be found on the VCU Bulletin:

See detailed admissions requirements in the VCU Bulletin

A standardized test score (GRE, MCAT, or DAT) is required - see the FAQ section for additional information and guidelines. Many factors influence an applicant's competitiveness including GPA, test scores, personal statement, letters of recommendation and resume.

Non-science majors who have not completed the prerequisite coursework for admission to CERT may wish to consider VCU's 'career-changer' Undergraduate Post-Baccalaureate Health Sciences Certificate Program.

To quickly gauge your competitiveness for the CERT program, please fill out a Quick Look form which is a self-reporting form consisted of the applicants’ GPA and MCATs, DATs or GREs. The CERT QuickLook will allow rapid feedback to the applicant but does not replace the formal application to the Graduate School at VCU. Please email the completed Quick Look Review Self Reporting Form to premedcert@vcuhealth.org for informed feedback on your application.

• Program AdministratorShiloh van der Laan
  
• Program Coordinator/TutorJay Asawla (CERT ‘24)
• Program Coordinator/TutorElla Callahan (CERT ‘24)
• Program Coordinator/TutorDeZirae Partin (CERT ‘24)
• Program Coordinator/TutorMargaret Ren (CERT ‘24)