Information for:
Graduate Student Resources
Whether you are enrolled in a clinical or research training program, VCU and the School of Medicine will support you with a broad range of resources to facilitate and enhance your training experience.
Resources for Graduate Students
Below are key resources available to all Doctoral, Master's, and Certificate trainees in the School of Medicine. Can't find what you are looking for? Please contact the School of Medicine Graduate Education Office for more information.
At VCU School of Medicine, we strive to foster an equitable, inclusive environment that is free from bias, discrimination and harassment, an environment in which our students can safely learn and thrive. We hold our students, other trainees and faculty to high standards, and expect professionalism and mutual respect among all learners and educators.
When issues arise that deviate from our values, we ask students to report them through any of the options below. Please note that each office handles the reports they receive with privacy and discretion, and several offices offer the option for anonymous reporting.
Don't know who to contact? Students should connect with their Graduate Program Director or the Associate Dean for Graduate Education for guidance.
IN THE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
- connect with your advisor (self-arranged)
- email your SOM Graduate Program Director
- connect with the SOM Office of Graduate Education
- anonymously report a concern
- email Dr. Lichtman (follows this process)
- email your advisor's SOM Department Chair
- email Dr. Donnenberg, Senior Associate Dean for Research and Research Training
- email Dr. Ripley, Vice Dean
- email Dr. Saavedra, Dean
ON THE MCV CAMPUS
- email Mr. Roy Roach in the Division for Student Engagement and Impact
AT VCU
VCU prohibits retaliation against any individual who brings forth a good faith concern or asks a clarifying question, regardless of the channel or mechanism used. Additionally, VCU expects ethical conduct of all members of the university community. If you believe you have experienced retaliation for raising concerns, please notify the Integrity and Compliance Office through the VCU Helpline.
- Expectations for All School of Medicine Graduate Students
- Expectations for Ph.D. students receiving stipends
- Expectations for Directed Research
- Laptop Requirement
- Graduate Advisory Committees
- Meetings for advisory committees
- Oral candidacy exams and final defenses
- Satisfactory Academic Progress and Review
- Satisfactory academic progress violations guidance
- Leave of absence and medical leave of absence
- Drop and withdrawal from courses
- Appeal of a course grade
- Change in academic program
- Withdrawal from academic program
- Dismissal from academic program and appeal
- Vacation, parental and emergency leave
- Health insurance requirement
- Technical Standards
- Individual development plans
- Opt out of promotional photographs
- Degree candidacy form and instructions, SOM Instructions
- Read SOM and Graduate School instructions FIRST
- Use the DocuSign version only
- Other versions will not be accepted
- Exceptions to student policies
- One VCU: Better Together
- VCU Career Services
- VCU Counseling Services
- VCU timelycare
- VCU Advocacy Services
- MCV Division for Academic Success
- VCU Equity and Access Services
- SOM Financial Aid
- VCU Global Education Office
- VCU Libraries
- VCU Ombudsperson
- VCU Rec Sports and Well-Being
- VCU Records and Registration
- VCU Office of Student Affairs
- VCU Student Conduct and Academic Integrity
- MCV Office of Student Engagement
- VCU Parking and Transportation
- VCU Police
- VCU Title IX
- VCU University Health Services
eIDs, ACCOUNTING, PAYROLL INFORMATION
ACADEMIC SYSTEMS
VCU ENHANCEMENT PROGRAMS
- F31 Doctoral Fellowships and F31 NOW: contact Dr. Grotewiel
- Pivot database for funding opportunities
- VCU Office of Research and Innovation funding database
- SOM graduate student travel award request
- VCU Graduate School Travel Grants
- Charles C. Clayton School of Medicine Scholarship Description and Process 2023
- Marion Waller Scholarship Description and Process (2022)
- MCV Alumni Association Award Description and Process (2019)
- Phi Kappa Phi honor society membership (2019)
- Phi Kappa Phi SOM Scholarship (2023)
- Phi Kappa Phi Susan E. Kennedy Scholarship (2023)
- Note that not all awards are available in any given year
SCHOOL OF MEDICINE INFORMATION
- Instructions (actions, deadlines):
- SOM thesis and dissertation guidelines
- Exam scheduling in GradTrak for MS and PHD students
- Zoom meeting basics
- ETD approval form and SOM Instructions
- Read instructions FIRST
- Use the DocuSign version only
- Other versions will not be accepted
GRADUATE SCHOOL INFORMATION
- Who do I contact if I have a question about my training?
Answer: contact your advisor and program director.
- What do I do if I have a hold on my account?
Answer: Access your student account, determine the type of hold, discuss your course of action with your program director and advisor.
- How do I form my graduate advisory committee?
Answer: Discuss with your advisor, ask individuals if they are available, and then propose your committee via GradTrak.
- What do I do if I will not complete my degree in the semester for which I applied to graduate?
Answer: Email Mr. Greenwald to cancel your graduation.
- When does my committee need the draft of my thesis/dissertation proposal/final document?
Answer: At least 10 full working days before your defense or as directed by your committee/advisor.
- How do I submit my official transcripts to VCU?
Answer: You will be provided instructions by the Graduate Admissions Office.
- After successfully defending my thesis or dissertation, when does my advisory committee need my revised document?
Answer: Discuss with your advisor and committee to identify an explicit date. Students are advised to provide the final documents to their committees several days before the ETD approval deadline.
- How do I find my W-2 form?
Answer: Access in eServices under "Electronic Resources and Information" above.
- Who do I notify if I believe there is a problem with my stipend or my student account?
Answer: Contact your advisor who will guide you to the appropriate fiscal administrator or other administrative level.
- How do I access my official VCU transcripts?
Answer: See VCU Records and Registration under "Equity, Safety and Other VCU Resources" above.
- How do I access unofficial transcripts?
Answer: See GradTrak or eServices under "Electronic Resources and Information" above.
- What office do I contact about immunizations?
Answer: See VCU University Health Services under "Equity, Safety and Other VCU Resources" above.
- How do I obtain a GRTC pass?
Answer: See VCU Parking and Transportation under "Equity, Safety and Other VCU Resources" above.
- How do I apply for VA resident (i.e. in-state) tuition?
Answer: See VCU Records and Registration under "Equity, Safety and Other VCU Resources" above. - What do I do if I have questions about the impact of COVID-19 on my graduate training?
Answer: See the "Graduate Student Key COVID-19 Guidance, Messages and FAQs" above.
University and Medical School
Life in Richmond
We encourage our students and researchers to maintain a healthy work-life balance, and Richmond is a wonderful place to engage in that well-rounded lifestyle. As the capital of Virginia since 1779, Richmond attracts students, faculty and staff from around the globe. The city’s location affords easy day trips to destinations like Washington, DC, Virginia Beach, Colonial Williamsburg and the Blue Ridge Mountains, among others.
As a mid-sized city with a metropolitan population of 1.3 million, Richmond provides stimulating activities while maintaining its intimate feel and unique vibe. Vibrant neighborhoods offer distinct, diverse experiences, with no shortage of art galleries, museums, music venues, restaurants, breweries and parks. For the outdoor enthusiast, you can’t beat the offerings in the city’s riverfront parks and urban wilderness areas such as white-water rafting, hiking, mountain biking and festivals.
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