MPH Program Curriculum

Students are required to complete a set of core courses, concentration courses, and professional development courses. The program supports flexible plans of study to address the needs of students pursuing complementary degrees and those who are already in the workforce as practicing professionals. Courses are delivered primarily in-classroom. A few courses have online options. Students can pursue either one or both of our MPH concentrations, infectious disease and community health promotion andn equity.

Students take advantage of courses offered across Virginia Tech, including a range of Graduate Certificates, to complement MPH courses.

Sample full-time MPH course sequencing*

Year 1 – Fall semester

Core courses:
- Foundations of Public Health
- Public Health Leadership and Interprofessionalism
- Epidemiology and Quantitative Methods in Public Health I
- Epidemiology and Quantitative Methods in Public Health II
- Lab for Epidemiology and Quantitative Methods in Public Health
Concentration course(s):
- Principles of Infectious Diseases (Infectious Disease concentration)
- Principles of Community Health Education (Community Health Promotion and Equity concentration)

Year 1 – Spring Semester

Core courses:
- Public Health Program Development and Evaluation
- Health Behavior and Health Education
- Public Health Policy and Administration
Concentration course(s):
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology (Infectious Disease concentration)
- Social Epidemiology and Health Inequality (Community Health Promotion and Equity concentration)
Professional preparation courses:
- Preparation for Public Health Practice I

Year 2 – Fall Semester

Core course:
- Environmental Health
Concentration courses:
- Public Health Infection Control and Prevention (Infectious Disease concentration)
- Methods in Community Health Engagement (Community Health Promotion and Equity concentration)
Professional preparation courses:
- Practicum

Year 2 – Spring Semester

Professional preparation courses:
- Public Health Integrative Learning Experience (ILE)
- Preparation for Public Health Practice II

*A 3-credit elective is required - the elective requirement can be fulfilled at any time during the program.

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MPH Program Concentrations
The Virginia Tech MPH Program currently offers two concentrations: Infectious Disease and Community Health Promotion and Equity. Students pursue one and have the option to pursue both concentrations.

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MPH Program Student Practicums
The Public Health Practicum is the individual experiential learning opportunity that serves as a bridge between a student’s academic training and applied public health practice. Activities meeting the practicum are mutually beneficial to both the site organization and the student. The student will develop products that demonstrate attainment of program foundational and concentration-specific competencies and are useful to the site organization. Practicum sites include domestic and international governmental, non-governmental, non-profit, industrial, for-profit settings, appropriate university-affiliated settings. The program works with the student to develop a practicum that is aligned with their academic goals and potential future public health career plans.
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MPH Public Health Practice Experience
The Public Health Practice Experience (PHPE) is the individual experiential learning opportunity that serves as a bridge between a student’s academic training and applied public health practice. Activities meeting the PHPE are mutually beneficial to both the PHPE site organization and the student. The student will develop products that demonstrate attainment of program foundational and concentration-specific competencies and are useful to the PHPE site organization. PHPE sites include domestic and international governmental, non-governmental, non-profit, industrial, for-profit settings, appropriate university-affiliated settings. The program works with the student to develop a PHPE that is aligned with their academic goals and potential future public health career plans.
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MPH Public Health Integrative Learning Experience
The Integrative Learning Experience (ILE) is the culminating experience required to complete the MPH degree. The intent is for the student to integrate program foundational and concentration-specific competencies through a team-based public health professional experience. Each student team works with an external partner organization on a public health project. ILE projects result in team and individual written products. Students engage in technical writing, personal reflections, and team presentations. The ILE places significant emphasis on teamwork, mentorship, and leadership development.