Frequently Asked Questions
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General
Our school offers degrees from entry level through the doctorate. Our programs include:
- Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Master of Science (M.S.) in Pharmaceutical Sciences in four concentrations
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Pharmaceutical Sciences in four concentrations
- Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)
- Four dual degree programs
For more information, click through the links above to learn more about each program and how to apply or contact our admissions office.
- Undergraduate: Email us at pharmsci@vcu.edu
- Graduate: Email us at pharmsciadmit@vcu.edu
- Pharm.D.: Email us at pharmacy@vcu.edu
- Pharmacy Technician: Email us at pharmacytech@vcu.edu
Funding your degree is an important aspect of planning for your education. There are various avenues through which you can secure financial assistance — scholarships, grants, student loans, work-study programs, assistantships and fellowships. It's important to explore all of your options for funding your degree.
Use the following links to understand what your attendance costs will be and how aid and scholarships can help make your degree affordable:
Still have questions? We're also here to help! Contact our admissions office who can help guide you.
- Undergraduate: Email us at pharmsci@vcu.edu
- Graduate: Email us at pharmsciadmit@vcu.edu
- Pharm.D.: Email us at pharmacy@vcu.edu
- Pharmacy Technician: Email us at pharmacytech@vcu.edu
Yes, our school offers extensive opportunities and experiences for students interested in research. Whether you aspire to pursue a career in academia, industry or clinical practice, engaging in research during your time at VCU School of Pharmacy can provide you with invaluable skills, knowledge and experiences that will set you apart in the field. If you're interested in learning more about research opportunities at our school, we encourage you to reach out to our faculty members or learn more about what we offer on our Student Research Opportunities page.
Our school provides comprehensive resources tailored to support the academic, professional and personal needs of students. These resources are designed to enhance your educational experience, foster your professional development and promote your overall well-being throughout your time in our program. Additionally, all students are assigned an advisor to connect you to the right support if you aren’t sure what is available.
Visit our Info for Current Students page to learn more.
Life for our students is a blend of academics, professional development and meaningful opportunities to connect with peers, faculty and the School of Pharmacy community. While your days may be filled with classes, labs and studying, you will also have an opportunity to engage in extracurricular activities and opportunities that will enrich your overall experience. To learn more, visit this Why VCU? page.
VCU Residential Life and Housing is the go-to resource for undergraduate housing at VCU, including information about VCU's housing application, move-in dates and options for on-campus housing, including living-learning communities. On-campus housing is not available for graduate and professional students.
VCU Off-Campus Housing is a comprehensive resource that provides listings, helpful tips and important information to help you find the perfect place. Whether you're searching for an apartment or roommate, the site has what you need to make your off-campus housing search easy and successful.
We're here to help answer any questions you may have about applying to the VCU School of Pharmacy. Contact our admissions office, and we'll be happy to work with you and get you everything you need to know to make your application successful.
- Undergraduate: Email us at pharmsci@vcu.edu
- Graduate: Email us at pharmsciadmit@vcu.edu
- Pharm.D.: Email us at pharmacy@vcu.edu
- Pharmacy Technician: Email us at pharmacytech@vcu.edu
Pharmacy Technician Training Program
Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists in dispensing prescription medications to customers and health care professionals. Their responsibilities range from filling prescriptions to preparing complex medications, such as chemotherapy treatments, making them vital to patient health. Pharmacy technicians typically work in pharmacies and hospitals.
Our 6-to-9 month part-time program consists of a total of 400 hours of coursework, including lectures, simulations and experiential hours. The program is broken out into:
- 160 hours self-paced online learning
- 80 hours of scheduled live and virtual simulations
- 160 hours of experiential (on-the-job) training
Our program enrolls about ten students per class.
The program fee is $2,500. This fee includes:
- Access to our online learning management system (LMS), ASHP PharmTech Ready didactic curriculum along with videos, virtual simulations, in-person simulations, assessments, and readings.
- Ongoing guidance from the staff and availability to answer questions during the program.
- Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam Voucher: included in the cost of the program upon successful completion of program within the 6-to-9 month program scheduled timeline (or in the timeframe agreed upon by the learner and course director). Failure to meet these requirements may render the learner ineligible for an exam voucher. If you require a modification to the 6-to-9 month program timeline, please email the program director prior to your course start date.
There are no refunds available for the Pharmacy Technician Training Program.
The following options are available to pay for the program:
- Payment in full upon acceptance into the program
- Payment of $1,250 upon acceptance into the program and $1,250 prior to the first scheduled simulation (approximately 4-6 weeks into the program)
- Employer sponsored – The employer pays upfront for the student to enroll into the program while employed for employer
By the date of enrollment, those interested in enrolling in this program must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have an unofficial or official high school diploma or GED certificate
- Complete our math and reading assessments successfully prior to acceptance into the program
- Exhibit English language proficiency (reading, writing and speaking)
- Exhibit basic computer skills and have access to high-speed internet
- Successfully complete criminal background screening, drug screening and vaccination documentation
- To become a licensed pharmacy technician in Virginia, candidates must have a clean record with no history of drug-related offenses
- Be eligible for registration as a pharmacy technician trainee per the Virginia Board of Pharmacy regulations (cost: $20)
- See the Pharmacy Technician Trainee Registration Site and select "Pharmacy Technicians and Trainees" from the Forms drop-down menu.
This program adheres to VCU's general policy governing admission and enrollment, including its nondiscrimination statement.
Our program starts every January, April and September.
In addition to training pharmacy technicians for all settings, our program provides a unique hands-on experience in compounding through our Center for Compounding Practice and Research, effectively preparing individuals for roles as pharmacy technicians in hospital settings.
We're here to help answer any questions you may. Email us at pharmacytech@vcu.edu or complete the Pharmacy Technician Request for Information Form.
Undergraduate Program
Visit the VCU first-year application requirements page to learn about admissions requirements and more.
Our undergraduate program's curriculum will cover foundational math and science subjects, as well as more in-depth courses on drug manufacturing, research and development, health professions and drug discovery. You'll also engage in this coursework alongside hands-on lab work, internships and a capstone project. These experiences are designed to build a solid understanding of pharmaceutical sciences, preparing you for entry-level roles in the life sciences industry, research and development labs, or government labs – or for further educational opportunities in a graduate or professional health sciences program.
This is an in-person degree program that welcomes full-time and part-time students. Full-time students can graduate in four years.
There are many career paths for pharmaceutical sciences majors. The VCU School of Pharmacy has a diverse curriculum, experiential opportunities and the right support to help you along the path you choose.
Learn more about what careers are available to you when you earn this degree.
Use the following links to understand what your attendance costs will be and how aid and scholarships can help make your degree affordable.
We're here to help answer any questions you may have. Email us at pharmsci@vcu.edu or complete the B.S. Request for Information Form.
Graduate Program
To be considered for our M.S. and Ph.D. programs, you'll need a bachelor’s degree in a related area, an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (some exceptions apply), an official transcript, letters of recommendation, a statement of intent and proof of English proficiency (if applicable).
To get all of the details about admission requirements to your program of interest, click through using the links below:
The curriculum for our graduate programs includes research methodologies, specialized topics in pharmaceutical sciences and extensive lab work. These advanced courses are designed to deepen your knowledge and expertise, preparing you for specialized roles in research, academia or leadership in industry and government agencies.
For full-time students, an M.S. takes one to two years, and a Ph.D. can take four to six years.
We're here to help answer any questions you may have.
- Pharmaceutical sciences graduate program: Email us at pharmsciadmit@vcu.edu or complete the Graduate Request for Information Form
- Pharmaceutical engineering graduate program: Email us at pharmeng@vcu.edu
Pharm.D. Program
To be considered for our Pharm.D. program, you'll need letters of recommendation and an official transcript with a minimum of 52 semester hours of required prerequisite courses successfully completed. Dual degree programs have additional requirements.
To get all of the details about admission requirements to your program of interest, click through using the links below:
We use a holistic admissions process, considering many factors including personal experiences, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation and academic records to admit well-rounded students. Here are some tips to strengthen your application:
- Schedule an appointment: Meet with our admissions office to get personalized advice and understand the application review process.
- Attend an info session or event: Join us to learn about our programs, hear from current students and ask questions.
- Learn more about your program of interest: Check our website for application deadlines, admission requirements and details about the curriculum.
- Submit strong letters of recommendation: Choose recommenders who can speak about your interest in pharmacy, character and experiences. Consider faculty, former employers, or health care professionals.
- Engage in community activities: Volunteer regularly and participate in student organizations. Our most compelling applicants are those who can demonstrate an interest in helping others. Health care-related experience is not required but is beneficial. List these experiences on your PharmCAS application, particularly if they demonstrate leadership experience. Having a full picture of your responsibilities, even if they're not health care-related, helps the admissions committee see what you're able to balance.
- Apply early: Applying early increases your chances of admission, as we admit students on a rolling basis. Furthermore, more scholarship funds are available the earlier you apply.
In our Pharm.D. program, you will take a variety of courses that provide a strong foundation in the sciences and prepare you for a career in a variety of roles in pharmacy. Some of the core subjects you will study include medicinal chemistry, pharmacokinetics, drug therapy management, pharmacy law and patient care. Learn more about what to expect in pharmacy school.
95% of students complete a Pharm.D. degree in four years. Dual Pharm.D. degree programs may take five to seven years (including the Pharm.D. degree) depending on the combination.
Yes, our four-day school week gives students more flexibility to work, which many of our students take advantage of. Balancing work and study requires good time management and organizational skills. For students who work, it is essential to plan a schedule carefully to ensure you can meet your academic requirements while also fulfilling your work commitments. Some students find it helpful to work on-campus or in roles related to their field of study, as these positions may offer more flexibility and relevant experience. We strongly encourage students who are planning to work to speak with their academic advisor who can provide guidance on how to balance these responsibilities and make the most of your time as a student.
With a Pharm.D. degree comes a wide range of career opportunities in different settings — community pharmacy practice, research, industry, regulatory affairs, academia and others. To learn more about all the potential career paths and opportunities you can have with a pharmacy degree, visit our Career Paths page or contact our Office of Admissions and Student Success, whose team offers career counseling and networking events to help you explore and prepare for your future in pharmacy.
Experiential rotations are a vital component of our pharmacy school curriculum, providing students with invaluable hands-on experience in real-world health care settings. All Pharm.D. students complete eight, five-week experiential rotations during the fourth year of their studies. These rotations offer students the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in practical pharmacy settings under the guidance and supervision of experienced preceptors.
Through these immersive experiences, you will develop the skills, confidence and professionalism necessary to excel as a pharmacist and make a positive impact on patient care. Visit our Experiential Education page to learn more.
Becoming a licensed pharmacist involves several steps. After earning a Pharm.D., you must pass the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) and, in most cases, a state-specific exam. The school hosts an all-day study prep in the spring of P4 year. For some careers, completing a residency may also be required.
During your final year as a Pharm.D. student, we offer comprehensive support, guidance and resources to assist with obtaining licensure and transitioning into a career in pharmacy.
Learn more about how to become a pharmacist.
We offer multiple ways to help you get all the information you need about the Pharm.D. degree program.
- Email us at pharmacy@vcu.edu
- Call us at (804) 828-3000 or toll-free at (800) 330-0519
- Schedule an appointment with an admissions counselor
- Complete a student interest form