Undergraduate Public Health Program
Learn from Experts
Work closely with faculty to gain hands-on, real-world experience by applying health concepts across diverse populations, systems, and environments.
Study Where it Matters Most
Develop a deeper understanding of community health challenges while engaging directly with rural and Appalachian communities.
Gain Perspective in the College of Veterinary Medicine
Study the interconnected health of humans, animals, and the environment while learning to think broadly and collaborate across fields to address health-related issues
Discover Flexible Pathways and an Accelerated Option
Acquire a strong liberal arts foundation with career-focused coursework that can be paired with a related second major or explore the accelerated Master of Public Health option.
Find a Strong and Supportive System to Help You Succeed
Benefit from a dedicated advising team and a strong network of mentors and peers.
The public health major provides a flexible curriculum that can be tailored to a student's career goals. Public health students take 42 credits in the Pathways General Education program and 43 credits in the major. The 35 remaining elective credits can be used to fulfill pre-requisites for pre-professional health programs, a double major, minor(s), or to study abroad. Students are prepared to enter the workforce through both coursework and a required 80-hour practicum that provides hands-on public health experience.
The Public Health major is for students who are interested in pursuing a career in public health or continuing their education after their undergraduate degree.
Public Health Minor
The Public Health minor option is 18-credits and pairs well with many undergraduate majors at Virginia Tech.
Pre-Veterinary Professions Option in Public Health
The Pre-Veterinary Professions option allows students to study public health while taking the prerequisite courses required for veterinary medicine programs.
The Pre-Medical Professions option allows students to study public health while taking the prerequisite courses required for professional health programs, such as medicine, dentistry, physician assistant, and nursing.
The Public Health Program welcomes VT undergraduate students looking to change their major or add a second major in public health. Contact phadvising@vt.edu to set up an Explore Public Health appointment.
The Public Health Program offers an Accelerated Master of Public Health (MPH) degree for Virginia Tech undergraduate students. Accelerated MPH students take graduate-level courses during their senior year and finish the MPH in one additional year, saving time and money.
Kristi Lewis
PhD, MPH, MEd, CPH
Director, Undergraduate Public Health Program
Collegiate Professor of Public Health
klewiskl@vt.edu
262 Wallace Hall
295 West Campus Dr.
Ela Austin
PhD, MPH, CPH
Associate Dean of Public Health Programs
elaaustin@vt.edu
262 Wallace Hall
295 West Campus Dr.
Katie Cross
MSEd
Director of Advising
kammons@vt.edu
262 Wallace Hall
295 West Campus Dr.
Angela Mathias
MAEd
Undergraduate Academic Advisor
mathias@vt.edu
262 Wallace Hall
295 West Campus Dr.