Welcome
The VCU School of Medicine offers a wide range of Master's degree programs with research training opportunities in cancer, neuroscience, drug addiction, microbiology, medical physics and other areas. Additionally, our Genetic Counseling and Medical Physics programs offer substantial clinical training opportunities. Master's students typically train under the guidance of faculty mentors and perform research or clinical work while taking advanced courses. 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 information
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 information
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 information
Tomasz Kordula, Ph.D.
Program Director
tomasz.kordula@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 information
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 information
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 information
Martha Van Meter
Office Services Specialist
martha.vanmeter@vcuhealth.org
Apply through VCU Graduate Admissions
Learn about the program including the Oral Biology concentration
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Research areas
- Drug and alcohol abuse
- Neuroscience
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular
- Gastrointestinal pharmacology
Program information
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 information
Christina I. Kyrus, M.S.
Program Coordinator
cikyrus@vcu.edu
804-628-5506
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.