Post-baccalaureate Programs
VERTICES is designed to provide intensive mentoring and research training for individuals from backgrounds underrepresented in biomedical science following graduation. In addition to having an individual research project, our program is unique in that it focuses on and nurtures a spirit of volunteerism throughout the 12 month training period.
The Vanderbilt Education Research and Training in Cancer and Leadership (VERTICAL) Program, funded by the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC), is a two-year postbaccalaureate program that provides mentored cancer research, professional development, and community engagement for college graduates underrepresented in science and medicine who intend to pursue a MD, PhD, or MD/PhD degrees. Our specific objectives are to provide 1) mentored research experiences; 2) a robust and individualized curriculum to support participants in acquiring the knowledge and skills to pursue higher education leading to future careers in cancer research or medicine; and 3) opportunities for community engagement to support a community of practice.
Our MS program is designed to cater to the individual needs of students, and to increase their competitiveness for admission to graduate and professional schools as students prepare for exciting careers in medicine and the biomedical sciences.