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MPH Admissions Frequently Asked Questions

The mission of the public health program is to protect, improve, and promote population health in Southwest and Southside Virginia, the Commonwealth, Central Appalachia, the Nation, and the world by training future public health leaders through learning, discovery, and engagement in public health. The program is grounded in the One Health approach, recognizing the dynamic interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health. One Health encompasses the interdisciplinary efforts of medical, veterinary, and public health professionals to protect, promote, and improve health.

The MPH Program offers two concentrations: infectious disease and community health promotion and equity.

This is a 42-credit program that requires a two-year plan of study for a full-time student. The program readily accepts part time students and offers flexible plans of study to address the needs of part-time and simultaneous degree students.

The Public Health Program received its 7-year re-accreditation from the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), the accreditation body for schools and programs in public health, on September 7, 2018. The accreditation term extends until December 31, 2025. 

No. However, this program does require a Public Health Integrative Learning Experience, which includes an individual academic deliverable and team presentation. The integrative learning experience is the final course a student will take prior to graduation.

In addition to our full- (two year) and part-time MPH students, MPH students enroll as DVM/MPH (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) in the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, MD/MPH (Medical Doctor) in partnership with the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, and PhD/MPH, MS/MPH, and MA/MPH from other graduate programs at Virginia Tech.

Program staff and faculty work with mid career professionals to help them integrate their MPH coursework into the demands of their work environment. The majority of MPH courses are scheduled during the 9am-5pm timeframe.

The MPH degree is not an online program. The majority of courses are offered in the classroom, with some offered online.

In the fall 2021 class, the approximate average GPA of enrolled students was 3.3.

Full-time (two year) MPH students begin the program in the fall semester. There is no application process for spring enrollment for full-time students. Part-time MPH students will be considered for spring or summer enrollment on a case-by-case basis.

The application process varies between MPH degree program. Steps to apply can be found on the particular degree program's page here. Required materials for all programs include, personal statement, resume/CV, transcripts, TOEFL scores (as applicable), and letters of recommendation.

The MPH Program no longer requires applicants to submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test scores. This decision applies to all of our MPH programs (e.g., full- and part-time MPH, accelerated undergraduate to MPH, and dual and simultaneous degrees). GRE and other test scores submitted as supplemental material will not be considered, or even viewable, during application review. You can read more about our decision to eliminate the GRE application requirement here. 

The MPH Program follows the Graduate School tuition rates and fees, which are available from the University Bursar's website (bursar.vt.edu). The cost of the MPH degree includes graduate tuition and fees and an additional MPH supplemental fee.

You can find a list of virtual and in person recruitment events on our website here. If you would like to schedule an in person or virtual visit, please contact us by email at phs@vt.edu.

The MPH Program is not able to offer funded positions to students at admission. MPH students are responsible for securing funding to enroll in the program. More information on MPH tuition, financial aid, and funding can be found on our website here. 

The MPH Program is not a U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) STEM Designated Degree Program.

The Virginia Tech Graduate School requires that all non-U.S. citizens or non-U.S. permanent residents demonstrate English proficiency to ensure they enter the university with sufficient English skills necessary to function in a graduate program. A TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) (a minimum TOEFL score of 90 (IBT) required) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) (a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 required) test score is the most common way international applicants demonstrate English proficiency. English proficiency can also be demonstrated through a conferred bachelor’s degree from an accredited university where English is the medium of instruction. More information can be found on the Graduate School's website here. 

The Virginia Tech Graduate School requires a 3.0 GPA in the last 60 credit hours award. Applicants that hold a GPA under 3.0 may be admitted provisionally if additional application requirements (letters of recommendation, personal statement) are reviewed positively by the MPH Admissions Committee. 

We accept any service that offers a certified translated transcript, including WES. 

For non-U.S./Canadian (English-speaking) academic transcripts, applicants should not send transcripts to SOPHAS. Applicants should email non-English speaking transcripts (official transcript and certified translated transcript) to Becky Jones (bjones57@vt.edu).  

  • Note: Make sure that all critical and identifying marks on the transcripts have been scanned and are legible. These include the institution's name, applicant name, course names, and grades received. It is important that both the front and back of the transcripts are scanned as the information provided on the back of the transcripts concerning credit hours, the institution's grading scale, etc. will be reviewed. Please ensure that the files are in Word (.doc) or PDF format.

SOPHAS offers fee waivers on a first-come, first-served basis for applicants that meet certain criteria. Please find more information about the fee waivers and the qualification requirements here. 

The Virginia Tech Graduate School will waive the supplemental application fee for prospective MPH students who meet certain criteria. The waiver criteria can be found here. The waiver application can be found here. Please request a waiver, if applicable, before paying the supplemental application fee. If you are provided a fee waiver, please forward us (phs@vt.edu) the application fee waiver email from the Graduate School. 

There are no prerequisite courses or majors required for admission into our MPH program. Students enter the MPH program holding a variety of undergraduate degrees and having taken many different courses, from the sciences to the liberal arts. The MPH curriculum is set so that traditional public health areas are covered for all students. 

No. Prospective students do not need to find and secure a faculty advisor before applying to the MPH program. 

Yes, you can apply to the MPH program during your final year of study. 

Yes, MPH students are able to apply to the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine's DVM program while an MPH student. If accepted into the DVM program during the first year of the MPH, the student can finish MPH requirements as a DVM/MPH student.

There are different application instructions for each of our graduate degree programs. Please note: application fees for all programs are non-refundable. Please find application instructions for each degree program on the following pages - 

 

We welcome international student applicants to apply to our degree programs.