Pharm.D. Program Overview
Preparing future pharmacists for careers in clinical practice, industry, community health and beyond
Combining challenging coursework in clinical pharmacy, patient care and health systems with extensive hands-on practice in various settings, our Pharm.D. program prepares you with advanced skills in medication management, patient-focused decision-making and interdisciplinary collaboration. Emphasizing both clinical proficiency and patient-centered care, the program prepares you to excel in diverse pharmacy roles and make significant contributions to improving health outcomes.
Graduates of our Pharm.D. program are equipped for successful careers as clinical pharmacists, pharmacy leaders or researchers with the expertise to drive innovation and enhance patient care across various health care environments.
Degree Options
Four-year, full-time in-person program
At VCU you can earn a professional Doctor of Pharmacy degree (Pharm.D.) on its own or with one of three concentrations. The links below go to VCU Bulletin, the official source for course and academic program information.
The Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program offers students a dynamic and well-rounded curriculum designed to prepare future pharmacy leaders for careers in health care. Through a combination of coursework, hands-on learning and experiential rotations, students develop the knowledge, skills and clinical expertise to deliver exceptional medication therapy management and patient-centered care. This program emphasizes evidence-based practice and interprofessional collaboration, preparing graduates as skilled, compassionate and ethical pharmacists ready to make meaningful contributions improving patient outcomes and advancing the pharmacy profession.
The Pharm.D. with a concentration in digital health equips students to assess and deploy digital health solutions effectively, meeting the industry's move toward a technology-centric health care approach. With a focus on areas such as telehealth, electronic health records, data analytics and cutting-edge technologies including artificial intelligence, rapid prototyping and microelectronics, this concentration provides pharmacy students with essential skills for a variety of roles, from medical to regulatory affairs, drug development and clinical pharmacy practice. Students incorporate digital proficiency into their scientific and clinical expertise while enhancing their critical thinking, leadership and communication skills, crucial for navigating the complexities of the digital health landscape.
The Pharm.D. with a concentration in geriatrics prepares students to work with older adults in a variety of care settings. This concentration creates an avenue for students to deepen their understanding of what it means to provide age-friendly care. Students gain expertise in the fundamental principles of choosing and optimizing drug therapy for older adults with complex health care needs. This specialized training aims to equip pharmacists for effective practice in diverse pharmacy settings, such as community pharmacies, home health care, hospitals and long-term care facilities.
In contrast with the Pharm.D./Certificate in Aging Studies dual degree program, which focuses on the study of aging (gerontology), the geriatrics concentration focuses on geriatric pharmacotherapy.
The Pharm.D. with a concentration in pharmaceutical industry prepares students to enter a career in the pharmaceutical industry. With a focus on areas such as clinical trial design and operations, data analysis, lab research and scientific communication, this concentration is designed to offer students the required education and mentoring in all these areas so they are prepared to successfully attain fellowships and jobs in the pharmaceutical industry.
Dual Degree Opportunities
Are you a highly motivated and qualified pharmacy student interested in research in the pharmaceutical sciences or in additional business, public health or gerontology experience? Visit our Dual Degrees page to learn more about how you can broaden your expertise and career opportunities.
Career Paths
Where will your degree take you?
Pharmacists today have hundreds of career paths. 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.
Financial Resources and Support
VCU School of Pharmacy is dedicated to making a Pharm.D. degree more affordable for the pharmacists of tomorrow. Use the following links to see a breakdown of all fees and learn how aid and scholarships can help make your degree affordable.
Connect With Us
We offer multiple ways to help you get all the information you need about the Pharm.D. degree program.
pharmacy@vcu.edu
(804) 828-3000
(800) 330-0519 (toll-free)
Visit the Office of Admissions and Student Success directory page for specific contacts.
Student Voices
Community college student finds welcoming environment in VCU Pharm.D. program
Nontraditional student finds her place at VCU School of Pharmacy
Why VCU?
UNLIMITED Potential
At VCU School of Pharmacy, we're committed to an education that's focused on you, your goals and your unlimited potential. As a Pharm.D. student, you will:
- join a school that prioritizes culture and community focused on how to best support and serve you
- find balance with a four-day class schedule that puts your well-being first
- discover your community in one of more than 20 pharmacy student organizations
- engage in interprofessional education with other health sciences students and collaboration with faculty and staff, where you will learn from one another
- create a positive impact by serving your community through practice, community engagement and research pursuits
- take third- and fourth-year classes at our downtown Richmond campus or our Inova Campus, the only pharmacy school campus in Northern Virginia – less than 15 miles from our nation's capital
- immerse yourself in experiential learning locally, across the country or abroad through our international rotations
- identify and pursue your passion with an innovative curriculum that supports exploration
