MPH Public Health Integrative Learning Experience

The Public Health Integrative Learning Experience (ILE) is a culminating experience option that fulfills the requirements of our Master of Public Health (MPH) degree. The intent is for students to further develop knowledge and skills in foundational public health areas as well as in their chosen MPH concentration through a team-based public health professional experience. Each student team spends the semester working 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. Students’ ILE projects showcase our program’s signature areas of One Health and rural/Appalachian health. 

A few of our current and past external partner organizations:

• Virginia Department of Health, New River Health District
• Mountain View Humane Spay/Neuter Clinic
• Town of Blacksburg
• Salem Presbyterian Church 
• Virginia Cooperative Extension Family Nutrition Program
• Plenty! Farm and Food Bank