About the School
Rated among the nation's top professional graduate programs, the VCU School of Pharmacy
is at the scientific forefront in Pharmacy, Pharmaceutics, and Medicinal Chemistry
education and research.
Established in 1898, the School has a long history of pioneering changes in the
field of Pharmacy. Throughout the past century Pharmacy practice has changed dramatically,
from the art and science of compounding and dispensing medicine to a valuable information
resource in drug management for patients and health care professionals.
The School saw a need for advanced education to meet the challenges of change. And
in 1955 NIH funded the first graduate training program in the nation at the School
of Pharmacy. An increased emphasis was placed on the need for practical experience
as part of the education curriculum. In 1971, VCU was one of the first in the nation
to provide a 640 hour clerkship program, requiring all pharmacy student to spend
their final year in a practice setting under the supervision of faculty preceptors.
Over 25 years later, this program has stood the test of time and has served as a
model for many schools nationwide.
The development of a comprehensive drug evaluation research program in 1987 and
the Pharm.D./Ph.D. program in 1982 has also attracted national attention. A new
research facility opened its doors in 1984. Since then extramural funding for research
and development has topped $3 million annually.
The professional degree program from the School is the Doctor of Pharmacy Program (Pharm.D.) which leads to a career as a pharmacist.
Further academic options can be sought through the School's graduate program in
pharmaceutical sciences. The graduate program leads to an M.S., a Ph.D., and postdoctoral
study. Areas of concentration include Pharmacy, Pharmaceutics
and Medicinal Chemistry. In
addition, the School of Pharmacy provides unique continuing education opportunities.
A history of attracting outstanding faculty combined with a commitment to excellence
in education and research has earned the School of Pharmacy a leadership position
under the direction of Dean Victor A. Yanchick, Ph.D.
