Admission decisions are made by an admissions committee comprised of faculty members from each of the major collaborating departments: Exercise Science, Physical Therapy and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Applicants must have completed at least one of the following: a master’s degree in a related area, 30 hours of postbaccalaureate work (e.g. course work at 500 level or greater), or a first professional degree program. Admission decisions are made only on the basis of a completed application packet.

Applicants for admission to the program must complete an admission packet that includes the VCU Application for Graduate Study as well as supplementary program materials. Admission packets are available from:

Graduate School
Virginia Commonwealth University
Moseley House
P.O. Box 843051
Richmond, VA 23284-3051
(804) 828-6916
www.graduate.vcu.edu

or

Office of Doctoral Studies
Virginia Commonwealth University
P.O. Box 842020
Richmond, VA 23284-2020
(804) 827-2657
www.soe.vcu.edu

The entrance requirements fall into the following three categories. All criteria must be completed for consideration for admission.

Academic criteria

A completed VCU Graduate School Application.
An official and up-to-date copy of all transcripts of the applicant’s undergraduate and graduate record indicating that the applicant has completed the minimum required prerequisite course work.
Official and current scores (within the past five years) for the general test of the GRE. Older scores may be submitted and consideration will be based upon the time elapsed since last formal schooling, occupation success and research ability.
Priority for admission will be given to the applicants who have attained at least 3.5 in all graduate work attempted and a combined verbal and quantitative score on the GRE of a minimum of 1,000. If the TOEFL is required, a minimum score of 100.

External criteria

A professional resume indicating an applicant’s educational and career experience as well as evidence of research potential.
Completed reference forms from three individuals capable of evaluating the applicant’s academic and research potential.

Written expression

A personal statement in which the applicant discusses his or her personal career goals and the manner in which this doctoral program would enhance those goals.

Applicants being considered for admission must complete an interview with a Ph.D. admissions committee representative and/or research faculty member with whom the student would like to work.

The applicant is encouraged to check the status of his or her application packet to ensure that all components of the packet have been received. Inquiries should be made to the Office of Doctoral Studies. The Admissions Committee will not review incomplete packets.