Welcome
The VCU School of Medicine offers a wide range of Master's degree programs in research-based and applied biomedical sciences, public health and other areas. Master's students typically train under the guidance of faculty mentors and perform research or clinical work while taking advanced courses in a specific degree program. Most students complete their degrees in two years.
Graduates of our programs can be competitive for further academic training, such as Ph.D. or M.D. programs, or may pursue research or other positions in academia, biotechnology or health care settings.
Master’s Programs
Need more information? Please explore below for major research areas, administrative contacts and application information for all M.S. programs in the VCU School of Medicine.
International Program in Addiction Studies
Research areas
- Global burden and prevention findings
- Addictions policy
- Latest treatment recommendations
Program contact
Mary Loos, Ph.D.
Program Director
meloos@vcuhealth.org
804-828-8019
Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology
Research areas
- Central nervous system circuit function
- Glial cell biology
- Molecular mechanisms of neuropsychiatric disorders
Program contact
Kimberle Jacobs, Ph.D.
Program Director
kimberle.jacobs@vcuhealth.org
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Research areas
- Bioactive lipids, metabolism in health and diseases
- Cancer biology
- Neuroscience
Program contact
Tomasz Kordula, Ph.D.
Program Director
tomasz.kordula@vcuhealth.org
Department of Biostatistics
Program highlights
- Design studies
- Create and maintain research databases
- Report statistical evidence
Program contact
Yongyun Shin, Ph.D.
Chair, Admissions Committee
804-827-2069
yongyun.shin@vcuhealth.org
Department of Human and Molecular Genetics
Research areas
- Human, medical and public health genetics and genomics
- Genetic principles as applied to clinical management, pathophysiology, disease prevention
- Differential diagnosis, genetic testing, population screening
Program contact
Tahnee Causey, M.S., LCGC
Program Director
tahnee.causey@vcuhealth.org
804-628-4078
Department of Human and Molecular Genetics
Research areas
- Complex disorders
- Tumor biology and metastasis
- Cancer gene therapy
- Muscular dystrophy
- Epigenetics
Program contact
Rita Shiang, Ph.D.
Program Director
rita.shiang@vcuhealth.org
804-628-4083
Department of Radiation Oncology
Program highlights
- Clinical rotations
- Directed research and thesis
- Radiation dosimetry, radiobiology and physics of diagnostic imaging
Program contact
William Song, Ph.D., DABR, FAAPM
Program Director
william.song@vcuhealth.org
Department of Microbiology and Immunology
Research areas
- Immunology
- Molecular pathogenesis
- Molecular biology
Program contact
Martha VanMeter
Office Services Specialist
martha.vanmeter@vcuhealth.org
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Research areas
- Drugs of abuse and alcohol
- Neuroscience
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular
- Gastrointestinal pharmacology
Program contact
Keith L. Shelton, Ph.D.
Director of Graduate Education
keith.shelton@vcuhealth.org
Department of Physiology and Biophysics
Research areas
- Molecular biophysics
- Cardiovascular
- Gastrointestinal
- Chemical senses
Program contact
Christina I. Kyrus, M.S.
Program Coordinator
cikyrus@vcu.edu
804-628-5506
Department of Family Medicine and Population Health
Program highlights
- Concentrations in applied public health and epidemiology
- Opportunities for dual programs
- Integrated learning capstone project
Program contact
Lisa Anderson, M.P.H.
Director of Educational Programs
lisa.anderson@vcuhealth.org
804-628-2512
Financial Support
Due to limited resources, M.S. students do not typically receive direct financial support for tuition and fees, but M.S. students are eligible for travel grants from the School of Medicine and the Graduate School. Please see VCU Student Accounting for the most recent information on tuition and fees. U.S. citizens and permanent residents should contact the School of Medicine Financial Aid Office for information on financial aid.
VCU School of Medicine Financial Aid OfficeFor more information about specific programs, please fill out our graduate education contact form.