Designed for individuals interested in or already working in the medical, therapy or caregiving fields – either directly or indirectly working with older adults and elders – who want to graduate prepared to enter the workforce or develop the gerontological knowledge and skills needed to advance their career.

The M.S. in gerontology with the assisted living administration speciality area is the only National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards-accredited program in Virginia, and one of just 12 NAB-accredited programs in the nation.

Master of Science in Gerontology

Prepares students for immediate employment in aging services, with customized studies in specialized areas of interest; program can be completed online, in person or as a hybrid of the two.

Master of Science in Gerontology with a concentration in geriatric care management

Industry and labor experts have known for decades that there is an urgent, growing need for more Geriatric Care Managers. Within this rapidly growing field, these professionals play a crucial role for families and individuals during important life moments that impact health, care, and wellbeing.

Master of Science in Gerontology with a concentration in assisted living administration

Evidence from the field highlights assisted living administration as a career with a growing demand, high job satisfaction and many opportunities. Because many individuals working in these settings lack gerontological education, pairing administrative training with a Masters in Gerontology degree allows students to apply their knowledge of aging and older adults in ways that will not only enhance their success as an assisted living administrator, but will also enhance the sector as a whole through innovation, strong leadership and the promotion of elderhood.

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Master of Health Administration

Industry-specific master’s program combining rigorous business and management training with a competency-based focus on preparing graduates for the unique challenges of the health care and nonprofit sectors; features two years of on-campus classes followed by a yearlong industry residency.

Master of Health Administration/Juris Doctor from the University of Richmond (Dual degree)

Advanced study in health administration and law is available through a dual degree program co-sponsored by the department and the school of law at the University of Richmond. The program leads to the awarding of the Master of Health Administration and Juris Doctor degrees.

Master of Science in Health Administration

A 22-month blended program of on-campus classes and online learning designed for the mid-career health professional; does not include a residency but shares the M.H.A.’s concentration on both management training and health care industry competency

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The Ph.D. in Health Services Organization and Research program is designed to prepare individuals for careers in teaching, research and consulting at the highest level of capability in the field of health care organizational analysis and health services research.

Graduates will be competitive for positions at the nation’s top research and teaching institutions, governmental agencies and health care organizations.

Learn more about the Ph.D. in Health Services Organization and Research program.

The Graduate Certificate in Health Equity will prepare students to manage factors such as differences in income, education, social and physical environments and access to health care that contribute to health disparities in the U.S. Graduates will be able to identify and advocate for strategies to reduce these disparities and will gain an understanding of the historical context and existing research on the causes and impact of health disparities.

Learn more about graduate certificates in Health Administration.

The Graduate Certificate in Health Care Financial Management will help students apply financial concepts to their work in health care organizations. Current M.H.A. and M.S.H.A. students with an interest in health care finance are encouraged to apply for the certificate program. The program is also open to nondegree-seeking applicants working in health care who wish to strengthen their skillsets.

Learn more about graduate certificates in Health Administration.

The Graduate Certificate in Sustainability, Health, and Health Care program provides students with foundational knowledge about the interplay between climate change, human health, and the healthcare industry.

Students will learn how the consequences of climate change and the diverse ways in which healthcare facilities contribute to carbon emissions, waste, and air pollution, as well as steps public and private organizations are taking to mitigate these effects. Students will be prepared to contribute to actions that respond to the impact of climate change on patients and communities, increase the resilience of health care facilities, and mitigate the impact of the industry on climate change.

Graduates will be able to analyze specific problems, propose solutions, and outline implementation strategies that influence sustainable practices within healthcare organizations.

Learn more about graduate certificates in Health Administration.

The Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences undergraduate degree program fulfills all the general education requirements of VCU and qualifies graduates to take the national examination for medical laboratory science.

Medical laboratory scientists receive training in the following areas:

• clinical chemistry, the study of chemical reactions that occur in normal and diseased processes
• hematology, the study of the cellular elements of the blood and blood-forming tissues and hemostatic mechanism
• urine and body fluids analysis, the study of principles and practices of urinalysis
• kidney function, and analyses of cerebrospinal fluid and other body fluids
• microbiology, the study of microbiological aspects of infectious disease and the isolation and identification of pathogenic bacteria
• immunohematology, the application of theory and principles of blood banking, cell typing, compatibility testing and antibody identification
• immunology, the study of the immune system and the serological and molecular techniques used for diagnosing infectious disease.

Bachelor's Degrees Offered

• Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences
• Accelerated bachelor's-to-master's

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The Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences provides students with advanced theoretical and technical education and prepares them to assume roles as laboratory supervisors, educators and researchers. VCU will provide students with a superior, yet flexible, course of advanced study in medical laboratory sciences.

• Master of Science in medical laboratory sciences
  • advanced master's concentration
  • categorical concentration
  • concentration in public health laboratory sciences

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The Post-baccalaureate graduate certificate in patient counseling provides clinical education for pastoral care professionals, as well as other health care providers in the spiritual care of patients and families within an interdisciplinary context. This program is offered in the summer semester.

Learn more about the Certificate in Patient Counseling.

The Certificate in Professional Counseling (Post Master's) is designed for persons who hold a Master of Science or Master of Arts degree in counseling.

The intent is to assist students in meeting educational requirements for the licensed professional counselor in Virginia (LPC) or their Certified Rehabilitation Counselor credential (CRC). Applicants may also be interested in fulfilling the requirements to obtain their Certification in Substance Use Counseling (CSAC).

Learn more about the certificate in Professional Counseling

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Occupational Therapy Doctorate (O.T.D.)

The VCU Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD), Entry Level program is focused on preparing graduates to provide direct service in all occupational therapy practice settings. The OTD degree prepares graduates to employ evidence-based practice, be consumers and assistants in research, and contribute to program development in traditional and emerging areas of practice. Along with clinical practice it is anticipated that graduates will have greater opportunity for administrative and supervisory positions, and may be qualified for academic positions in occupational therapy programs or occupational therapy assistant programs.

Dual Degree OTD/Health Related Science, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

The dual-degree OTD-to-PhD program allows students to earn an entry-level OTD while simultaneously completing course credits in the interdisciplinary Health Related Sciences PhD program in the College of Health Professions. While the OTD prepares students clinically, the PhD degree provides additional training and mentorship in research. This program was designed to fill a growing need in the occupational therapy profession for scientists who are prepared to conduct high level research and mentor the next generation of researchers. Students who graduate from the dual degree program have the credentials and skills to practice as occupational therapists and to pursue careers in academia or clinical research settings.

Dual Degree OTD/Certificate in Aging Studies

The dual degree Occupational Therapy Doctorate and Certificate in Aging Studies program allows current OTD students to earn an occupational therapy doctorate degree with a Graduate Certificate of Aging Studies with a minimum of 116 credits rather than the 119 credits necessary if the two degrees were pursued separately.

PhD in Health Related Sciences

The Ph.D. in Health Related Sciences program provides a unique opportunity for health care providers interested in assuming leadership positions in teaching, research, and administration. Its hybrid design blends distance-based and traditional classroom experiences so students don't have to interrupt careers or move families to pursue doctoral education. Outstanding faculty from the school's nine departments enhance the interdisciplinary experience through excellence in teaching, research, and advising.

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A collaborative interdisciplinary program among faculty in the areas of exercise science, physical therapy, and physical medicine and rehabilitation that focuses on the development of teaching and research expertise in the applied science disciplines.

• Rehabilitation and Movement Science, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) with a concentration in applied physiology
• Rehabilitation and Movement Science, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) with a concentration in neuromusculoskeletal dynamics

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The M.S. in gerontology with the assisted living administration speciality area is the only National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards-accredited program in Virginia, and one of just 12 NAB-accredited programs in the nation.

With a mission of promoting optimal aging for individuals and communities, Gerontology graduates further the person-centered mission of the department, mainly in the areas of administration, education, advocacy, and entrepreneurship. Gerontology also oversees the Virginia Center on Aging (VCoA), a statewide agency that advances health, well-being, and equity for the elders of today and tomorrow. VCoA’s innovative research, critical education, and impactful service strive to make Virginia a place where its people can thrive at every age.

One hundred percent of gerontology students are employed following graduation. Our grads work across the network of aging services in areas such as:

• Administration, including assisted living and long-term care, government, business and nonprofit organizations.
• Policy and advocacy, where they challenge the biases that many people hold about the aging process and creating national initiatives like the viral #DisruptAgeism campaign.
• Social services and geriatric care management, providing assistance with service integration and management.
• Entrepreneurship, launching community programs like Richmond's East End Initiative to improve community wellness options for seniors.

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A premiere research department geared toward creating the most innovative, compassionate, and business-savvy leaders to reimagine health care. We have access to the amenities of a large institution with a small and student-centric atmosphere. We teach our students both the executive and technical skills needed to be well rounded leaders.

Our graduates become leaders of organizations across the entire health care industry, from providers and suppliers to nonprofits and insurers, in positions like:

• Hospital and clinic managers, directing both financial and health care operations.
• Executive officers at both Fortune 500 corporations and small, community businesses.
• Health care consultants, guiding individuals and companies through the turbulent health care market.
• Operations officers at mental health nonprofits, rehabilitation centers and technology companies.

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98% of VCU clinical lab sciences students are employed as medical laboratory scientists or pursuing an advanced degree within three months of graduation

Due to emerging technologies and knowledge of the human condition, the profession of medical laboratory sciences is forever challenging and rewarding. The shortage of medical laboratory scientists in the workforce has ensured job opportunities for our graduates and plentiful student scholarship offerings.

Seventy percent of all health care decisions require a testing component and VCU’s Medical Laboratory Sciences grads are the experts who make those tests happen at places like:

• Microbiology research centers, where they identify new strains of bacteria and help develop new antibiotics to treat them.
  Hematology labs, where they match blood donors with patients, treat blood disorders and analyze abnormal chemical elements found in patients.
• Hospital labs, where they perform specialized testing like PCR, cytogenics, electrophoresis, paternity testing, flow cytometry, mass spectrometry and cell marker technology.
• Immunology clinics, where they study and test immune system responses to foreign infections.

All VCU clinical laboratory sciences degrees are fully accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences.

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VCU Nurse Anesthesia prepares Registered Nurses for the evolving demands of CRNA practice through rigorous academics, clinical training, and advanced simulation. Utilizing a hybrid didactic and clinical model, students learn from expert faculty and gain experience in diverse health care environments.

One hundred percent of VCU Nurse Anesthesia graduates are employed within six months of graduation. They work in every health care setting with patients who require pain management, sedation or general anesthesia, including:

• Obstetrics, placing epidurals, providing care for caesarean sections, and caring for patients in labor.
• Operating rooms, preparing and caring for patients undergoing a wide range of surgeries, from cardiac surgery to organ transplants.
• Emergency clinics, providing lifesaving airway management to victims who need immediate care.
• Specialist offices, performing many services related to pain management, as well as sedation for procedures like colonoscopies, cosmetic surgeries and GYN procedures.

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VCU Occupational Therapy gives students a foundation to become life-long learners, use evidence-based practice, explore their interests in research, and prepare them for changes in science and technology that will impact the OT profession.

Occupational therapists help people of all ages to enjoy and participate in everyday activities at home, school, work and in the community. You'll find our OT grads in places like:

• Rehabilitation clinics, ensuring that injured veterans and people with stroke and brain injuries regain their daily function.
• Skilled nursing centers, improving the quality of life of older people.
• Schools, helping students remain actively engaged in education.
• Home and community, increasing opportunities to age in place, adjust to disability and participate in meaningful activities.

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The only program in the nation to offer an MS degree for a year of ACPE Accredited Clinical Pastoral Education. Ranked in top 3% out of 450 ACPE centers for research literacy.

The VCU Patient Counseling program offers clinical education for those interested in working as spiritual care professionals in health care. The program provides essential knowledge, education, and research literacy to prepare students for professional chaplaincy in health care and other settings.

Patient Counseling graduates are highly skilled emotional and spiritual caregivers. They work in:

• Hospitals, comforting patients and their families experiencing trauma or illness.
• Private and community health care facilities, helping individuals adjust to or recover from life-changing events.
• Mental health facilities, supporting individuals in recovery from addiction.
• Hospice, providing end-of-life counseling and bereavement services.

Accredited to offer CPE (I/II) and Certified Educator CPE by ACPE: The Standard for Spiritual Care & Education

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Established in 1931, VCU Physical Therapy is the first accredited physical therapy program in Virginia and one of the first in the country. It's one of the premier Doctor of Physical Therapy programs in the U.S. Located in the heart of Richmond's VCU Medical Center, the program provides students with easy access to state-of-the-art clinical and research facilities.

Physical therapists are evidence-based health care professionals who offer individuals cost-effective treatment that improves mobility, relieves pain and reduces the need for surgery and prescription drugs. They work in:

• Hospitals, aiding individuals regain mobility following illness or injury.
• Public and private schools, helping student athletes return to competitive form.
• Nursing homes, assisting the aging population in performing activities of daily living.
• Private offices, using exercises, hands-on therapy and equipment to ease clients’ pain.

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Virginia's only Bachelor of Science program concentrating on radiography, radiation therapy, and diagnostic medical sonography

As Virginia's only B.S. program with content specific to all modalities, you have the opportunity to prepare for the technical and professional demands of the 21st century. Through a combination of classroom, laboratory, and clinical education courses, graduates obtain all the knowledge, skills, and opportunities to enter their respective professions immediately upon graduation.

Radiographers, nuclear medicine technologists, radiation therapists, and diagnostic medical sonographers are a critical part of a patient's health care team. They may work in:

• Hospitals and health care facilities, producing high-quality diagnostic anatomical images.
• Women's health centers, providing mammograms to detect cancer or conducting sonographic exams.
• Cancer centers, using ionizing radiation to treat disease.

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Established in 1955 as one of the first programs in the U.S., VCU's master's-level rehabilitation and mental health counseling training program now ranks among the nation's top, according to the U.S. News & World Report. It's also one of the largest CACREP-accredited rehabilitation and mental health counseling graduate programs in the country.

More than 93 percent of our graduates are employed within six months of graduation. They work in places that include:

• Public vocational rehabilitation services, such as the Virginia Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services.
• Public community services boards and private nonprofit mental health, addiction and family agencies, providing case management, counseling and crisis intervention services.
• Private rehabilitation services, offering such services as job training and job placement.
• Veterans’ health services, helping vets transition from military to civilian life.

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The B.S. in Health Services Program is designed to prepare students to work as medical and health services providers, charged with planning, directing and coordinating medical and health services. Graduates will be prepared to work in diverse health care settings, such as hospitals, specific clinical areas or departments within those facilities, health management organizations or in medical practice groups.

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The Ph.D. in Health Related Sciences program provides a unique opportunity for health care providers interested in assuming leadership positions in teaching, research, and administration. Its hybrid design blends distance-based and traditional classroom experiences so students don't have to interrupt careers or move families to pursue doctoral education. Outstanding faculty from the school's nine departments enhance the interdisciplinary experience through excellence in teaching, research, and advising.

The Ph.D. in Health Related Sciences program prepares students to develop solutions to complex health problems by conducting rigorous research and analyzing data. This program was designed for experienced working health professionals who are passionate about a particular subject and are ready to expand their understanding of that topic through research. Through this program, students have the opportunity to gain expert-level knowledge in their area of practice while learning research skills which can ultimately improve the health and well-being of their communities.

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