Master of Public Health Degree Program

The Master of Public Health (MPH) is a professional degree that prepares graduates to practice public health in local, state, regional, national, and global settings. The Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) accredits schools and programs in public health to ensure that their curriculum is appropriate to effectively prepare students to enter the public health workforce. Requirements include a supervised practice experience where the student assumes job functions in public health. Additionally, participation in a final culminating experience demonstrating competence in the field is required. Students in other graduate or professional degree programs often add the MPH degree to broaden their training and job prospects.

In order for students to fully appreciate and assimilate the content, the 42-credit program is designed as a two-year, four-semester experience for full-time students with options for part-time, accelerated, dual, and simultaneous degree studies. The program intentionally sequences the courses to ensure continuity in course materials and effective preparation for public health practice. Students formulate their plan of study with faculty advisors to include 22 core credits, 9 concentration credits, and 8 professional preparation credits. The MPH degree program offers two concentrations: infectious disease and community health promotion and equity.

The program encourages students to make the most of their Virginia Tech MPH experience by completing additional public health-related Virginia Tech graduate courses, seeking additional skill-building opportunities, pursuing graduate certificates and working closely with faculty on research and service projects.