Addiction Studies: Intermediate

Program Overview

The Intermediate Certificate is aimed at students who are interested in gaining a solid graduate-level foundation of knowledge across essential areas of addiction science, but do not want or need experience in conducting addiction-related research, nor advanced coursework related to special topics in addiction such as working with specific populations, the formulation of addiction policy, or the specifics of pharmacological treatments for addiction.  Such students may range from healthcare workers to law enforcement officials who want to understand the basis for and impacts of addiction. 

In addition, this intermediate level graduate certificate would be an excellent way for students in such programs as psychology, rehabilitative counseling, and pharmacology / toxicology to enhance their knowledge of addictions.  Such students may enroll in a certificate programme while pursuing other graduate degrees at VCU.

The curriculum consists of three 4-credit courses (12 credits) covering essential/foundational topics in the field of addiction:  the Biological Basis Of Addiction; Psychosocial Issues and Approaches to the Treatment of Addiction; and Public Health Issues and Approaches to Addiction.   Students will be exposed to an international perspective, as the courses are offered collaboratively with King’s College London and the University of Adelaide.  

Upon successful completion of these core 12 credits, the student is awarded a Graduate Certificate in International Addiction Studies: Intermediate Concentration. This is equivalent to a Graduate Certificate in International Addiction Studies at the University of Adelaide and a PostGraduate Certificate in International Addiction Studies at King’s College London.  All three universities confer this Certificate.

Contact Information

Mary Loos, Ph.D.
VCU Program Director
E-mail: meloos@vcu.edu

Addiction Studies: Advanced

Program Overview

The Advanced Certificate is aimed at students who are interested in developing an in-depth knowledge of addiction science which goes beyond fundamental topics to include an understanding of addiction in special populations (youth, the mentally ill, pregnant women), the formulation of addiction policies and major policy issues facing the world today, and biomedical treatments for addiction. This program provides an in-depth opportunity to explore and critically analyze current issues and controversies in the field, without the need to complete an original research project as required for the related M.S. program.  Students likely to benefit from the program may include clinicians working with substance abuse or dependence, counselors interested in improving their use of evidence-based treatment or policy makers who want to ensure the implementation of evidence-based policy and prevention.  In addition, students pursuing such programs as psychology, rehabilitative counseling, and pharmacology / toxicology may wish to enroll in this programme as well as a way to enhance their competency in the field of addictions. 

The curriculum consists of the six 4-credit courses (24 credits) required of students in the Master’s program: Biological Basis of Addiction; Treatment of Addiction: Psychosocial Interventions; Public Health Issues and Approaches to Addiction; Addiction Policy; Treatment of Addiction: Pharmacology; and Treatment of Addiction:  Critical Issues.  Only the two research related courses, Research Methods and the Research Project, are not required.   Students will be exposed to an international perspective, as the courses are offered collaboratively with King’s College London and the University of Adelaide (Australia). The Advanced Certificate in International Addiction Studies at VCU is equivalent to a Graduate Diploma in International Addiction Studies at the University of Adelaide or a PostGraduate Diploma in International Addiction Studies at King’s College London.  All three universities confer this Certificate.

The Advanced Certificate may be pursued on either a part time or full time basis.  Five of the six courses are offered between August and May with one course required during the summer session. 

Contact Information

Mary Loos, Ph.D.
VCU Program Director
E-mail: meloos@vcu.edu

Clinical Genetics

Program Overview

The Graduate Certificate in Clinical Genetics is designed to train students on the principles of inheritance, the basis of inheritance, how inheritance influences risk in human disease, and the technology and methods involved in testing for genetic disorders. The Certificate Program is ideal for individuals who are interested in the genetic counseling profession, including those who seek to enhance their competitive status for admission to genetic counseling MS programs. Those with PhD degrees who have had their training in other scientific disciplines, but are now interested in clinical diagnostic fellowships, are also well-suited for this certificate program. The program is also appropriate for health care providers who are interested in learning more about clinical genetics. 

Contact Information

Heather Creswick, MS, CGC
Director for the Certificate Program in Clinical Genetics
E-mail: heather.creswick@vcuhealth.org

Genomics Data Science

Program Overview

With the advent of sequencing technologies, genomic data science became a broad and interdisciplinary field with multiple points of entry, including biology, genetics and genomics, computer science, informatics, statistics and biostatistics, and others. As such, entry into the field can be confusing, especially for those looking to pursue further training, education or careers in this field. The purpose of the Graduate Certificate in Genomics Data Science is to serve as a single point of entry for those interested in Genomic Data Science. The Genomic Data Science field is defined as four domains: 1) Biological principles of genomic science; 2) Data analysis/Statistical training; 3) Principles of sequencing and bioinformatics; 4) Computational principles and software tools. This program consists of 18 credits across multiple disciplines that can be completed in as few as two semesters.

Contact Information

Ekaterina Smirnova, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
E-mail: ekatarina.smirnova@vcuhealth.org 

Medical Physics

Premedical Health Sciences

Program Overview

The Premedical Health Sciences Certificate Program (CERT) of Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine (SOM) is a one-year, graduate-level program for individuals seeking to enhance their qualifications for admission into professional school, including Medical, Dental, and Veterinary School. Students who successfully complete the Certificate Program also have an opportunity to apply for admission to a Master of Science (M.S.) or Ph.D. degree program within the School of Medicine.

Administration of the Certificate Program is centralized within the School of Medicine, with required and elective courses based in specific Departments. 

Contact Information

CERT Office

E-mail: premedcert@vcuhealth.org

Phone: 804-828-9501