Reproductive Clinical Science, MS Information

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Admission

Candidates must have completed all undergraduate degree requirements and have been issued a bachelor’s degree prior to matriculating as an EVMS student. If the bachelor’s degree was issued by a U.S. college or university, as a general rule, it should be from a regionally accredited institution. However, the program may grant exceptions on a case-by-case basis. Official transcripts from the awarding institution must specify the date upon which the degree was issued. Graduate level course transfer credits will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Early Admissions due date: November 15
Regular Admission due date: February 1

Applicants must:

Have a grade point average of 2.75 (B-) or better.
Have successfully completed two semesters of college-level biology and chemistry with lab.
Submit two letters of recommendation (submitted by the reference electronically) from individuals who are acquainted with you academically and/or professionally. References from close friends and family members are unacceptable.
Submit a personal essay. Complete essay instructions are available inside the online application portal.

If you are applying as an experienced embryologist or andrologist, you must:

Currently work or have worked in clinical IVF or basic reproductive research as an embryologist, andrologist, nurse, physician or research scientist.
Complete a Reproductive Clinical Science MS Degree Program Skills Report Form and submit to the RCS program after application submission.

If you are applying with no experience, you must:

Shadow at an IVF facility and obtain a letter that lists what was observed.
Contact the program for more details and assistance.

International students, or applicants whose native language is not English, must take the TOEFL and receive a score equal to or greater than 550 for the paper-based test, 213 for the computer-based test or 80 for the iBT exam.

Technical Standards

The abilities and skills candidates and students must possess in order to complete the education and training associated with the master’s in Reproductive Clinical Science are referred to as technical standards. These abilities and skills are essential for clinical laboratory practice as an embryologist and/or andrologist.

Observation Skills Technical Standard
1. Demonstrate sufficient attention and accuracy in observation skills (visual, auditory and tactile) in the lecture hall, laboratory and/or online settings. Indicators include, but are not limited to, accurate visualization and discrimination of text, numbers, patterns, graphic illustrations and other imaging texts.
Communication Skills Technical Standard
1. Demonstrate effective communication skills with healthcare professionals and with people of varying cultures, ethnicities and personalities.
2. Indicators include, but are not limited to, these examples:
  - Clear, efficient and intelligible articulation of spoken English language.
  - Legible, efficient and intelligible written English language.
  - Accurate and efficient English language reading skills.
  - Accurate and efficient, expressive and receptive communication skills.
  - Ability to accurately follow directions (oral and written).
Critical Reasoning Skills Technical Standard
1. Demonstrate critical reasoning skills, including, but not limited to, intellectual, conceptual, integrative and quantitative abilities.
2. Indicators include, but are not limited to, these examples:
  - Demonstrate ability to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, integrate and synthesize information.
  - Demonstrate ability to acquire, retain and apply new and learned information.
Motor And Sensory Function Technical Standard
1. Demonstrate sufficient motor and sensory function to perform typical clinical laboratory duties.
2. Indicators include, but are not limited to, these examples:
  - Functional and sufficient sensory capacity (visual, auditory and tactile) to use laboratory equipment and perform procedures.
  - Execute motor movements that demonstrate safety and efficiency in the various learning settings (i.e., classroom, online and laboratories).
  - Physical stamina sufficient to complete the online didactic and some laboratory study, which will include prolonged periods of sitting.
Behavioral And Social Attributes Technical Standard
1. Demonstrate the behavioral and social attributes vital to participation in a professional program and service as a practicing laboratory professional.
2. Indicators include, but are not limited to, these examples:
  - Possess the emotional health required for full utilization of mental faculties (judgment, orientation, affect and cognition).
  - Ability to develop mature and effective professional relationships with faculty, patients, the public and other members of the healthcare team.
  - Possess personal qualities that facilitate effective therapeutic interactions (compassion, empathy, integrity, honesty, benevolence, confidentiality).
  - Demonstrate impartial motives, attitudes and values in roles, functions and relationships.
  - Ability to monitor and react appropriately to one’s own emotional needs and responses.
  - Display appropriate flexibility and adaptability in the face of stress or uncertainty associated with clinical encounters and clinical environments.
  - Compliance with standards, policies and practices set forth in the EVMS Student Handbook and the program handbook.