Reproductive Clinical Science, PhD Information

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Admission

Candidates must have completed all master’s degree requirements and have been issued a master’s degree prior to matriculating as an EVMS student. If the master’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 transfer credits will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Listed below are the requirements for application and admission into the RCS PhD program. If you have any questions or concerns about these requirements, please contact the program.

Applicants must:

Have a Master of Science degree in one of the following areas: Clinical Embryology, Biology, Molecular Biology, Developmental Biology, Reproductive Sciences or Biochemistry. Other Master of Science Degrees may be acceptable; contact the program to inquire.
Have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (B) or higher in the master’s degree.
Prerequisites: Have successfully completed a master’s in Clinical Embryology and Andrology or in an acceptable master’s with one semester of each of the following:
- Biochemistry
- Introductory Biostatistics
- Molecular Cellular Biology
- Genetics or Developmental Biology
Be an established clinical embryologist/andrologist with at least three years of embryology experience. Submit letters of support from employers indicating level of experience and willingness to allow applicant to perform research projects in their current position.
Submit three 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 not acceptable.
Submit GRE scores
Letters of Support to Conduct Research
- Submit a letter of support from your employer, lab director or medical director stating that you will be allowed to conduct research where you work as part of the PhD in RCS.
- This letter is a separate letter from the letters of Recommendation.
Submit a personal essay that will persuade the faculty that your past experiences will provide the foundation for success in graduate school. The statement will also be reviewed as an example of your ability to communicate effectively.

International students, or applicants whose native language is not English, must take the TOEFL exam.

Technical Standards

The abilities and skills candidates and students must possess in order to complete the education and training associated with Reproductive Clinical Science PhD program 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.