Accelerated UG/MPH Degree Program (for VT non-public health majors)
The Public Health Program offers an Accelerated Undergraduate (UG) to Master of Public Health (MPH) Degree Program for exceptional Virginia Tech UG students from any major who wish to start taking graduate-level (MPH) coursework during their UG senior year and then finish the MPH degree with just one additional year of study.
If you are a public health major, you can find information about the Accelerated BSPH/MPH degree for public health majors here.
- Students interested in the UG/MPH will complete a Minor in Public Health using a defined path for Accelerated UG/MPH Students (see curriculum tab below).
- Students will apply to the MPH program during the spring of their junior year (March 1) and be admitted to the UG/MPH in time to enroll in MPH courses beginning in the fall semester of their senior year.
- Students will take 12 MPH credits during their senior year that can double-count both for undergraduate and graduate credit.
- A minimum grade of B must be earned in each course to be double counted. Courses must not be taken pass-fail if a graded option is available.
- Virginia Tech undergraduate students from any major may apply.
- Applicants must hold an undergraduate GPA of 3.5 in the last 60 credit hours. Applicants with a GPA below a 3.5 may be provisionally accepted, but must have a 3.5 GPA by the end of the spring semester of junior year.
- Students must complete two undergraduate public health courses (PHS 2004 Introduction to Public Health, 3 credits; PHS 3634 Epidemiological Concepts of Health and Disease, 3 credits) by the spring of their junior year. These courses are taken only for undergraduate credit.
- A minimum grade of B must be earned in each course for the student to be considered for the UG/MPH.
- Applicants must apply in spring (March 1) of their junior year.
- Applicants must submit the complete MPH application through the online Virginia Tech Graduate School admissions website.
- Please note: application fees are non-refundable
- The Virginia Tech Graduate School waives the application fee for prospective students that meet certain criteria. The waiver criteria can be found here.
- Students will apply for the same year that the bachelor's degree is awarded.
- For example, if you graduate in spring 2023, you will select the application round: degree seeking 2023.
- Application materials include:
- Personal statement
- Your statement should be 800 words and address the following:
- 1) What interests and excites you about public health?
- 2) How have your life experiences related to public health? Don’t limit yourself to your resume.
- 3) Why did you choose the specific Virginia Tech MPH concentration(s)?
- 4) Why do you believe resiliency is an important attribute to have while participating in an educational program and for life after graduation? Provide examples of how you have exhibited resilience and what you learned.
- Your statement should be 800 words and address the following:
- Resume or CV
- Transcripts, unofficial
- 3 academic or professional letters of recommendation, to be completed in the online application, or mailed or emailed to the department.
- Personal statement
- Selected applicants may be invited for interview prior to final admissions decision.
- Upon acceptance, complete and submit the Graduate School's Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Degree and Course Designation form (found on the Graduate School website here under "Admissions").
Note: This is the current curriculum. The program may revise curriculum based on student feedback, course changes, and other factors.
- By Undergraduate Junior Year - Spring Semester
- It is expected that prospective UG/MPH students complete two undergraduate public health courses by the end of spring of their junior year before applying to the program. Students that have not taken these courses before the spring semester of junior year, but have a demonstrated interest in public health by taking other public health-related courses, have public health experience, etc. should discuss their coursework/experience with the program and may be given the option to take these courses after junior year completion. However, all UG/MPH students are required to take these courses. These courses only count for undergraduate credit. A minimum grade of B must be earned in each course for the student to be considered for the Accelerated UG/MPH Program.
- PHS 2004 - Introduction to Public Health (3 credits)
- PHS 3634 - Epidemiological Concepts of Health and Disease (3 credits)
- It is expected that prospective UG/MPH students complete two undergraduate public health courses by the end of spring of their junior year before applying to the program. Students that have not taken these courses before the spring semester of junior year, but have a demonstrated interest in public health by taking other public health-related courses, have public health experience, etc. should discuss their coursework/experience with the program and may be given the option to take these courses after junior year completion. However, all UG/MPH students are required to take these courses. These courses only count for undergraduate credit. A minimum grade of B must be earned in each course for the student to be considered for the Accelerated UG/MPH Program.
- Undergraduate Senior Year
- Twelve credits total will be taken in the senior year and count to both the undergraduate and graduate degrees. A minimum grade of B must be earned in each course to be double counted. Courses must not be taken pass-fail if a graded option is available. Students will participate in the MPH advisor assignment process Fall of their Undergraduate Senior Year
- Undergraduate Senior Year – Fall Semester (5 credits)
- PHS 5054 - Public Health Leadership and Interprofessionalism (2 credits)
- PHS 5334 - Principles of Infectious Disease (Infectious Disease concentration) (3 credits) OR PHS 5204 - Principles of Community Health Education (Community Health Promotion and Equity concentration) (3 credits)
- Undergraduate Senior Year – Spring Semester (7 credits)
- PHS 5034 - Health Behavior and Health Education (3 credits)
- PHS 5064 - Public Health Program Development and Evaluation (3 credits)
- PHS 5935 - Preparation for Public Health Practice I (1 credit)
- Undergraduate Senior Year – Fall Semester (5 credits)
- Twelve credits total will be taken in the senior year and count to both the undergraduate and graduate degrees. A minimum grade of B must be earned in each course to be double counted. Courses must not be taken pass-fail if a graded option is available. Students will participate in the MPH advisor assignment process Fall of their Undergraduate Senior Year
- Summer after Undergraduate Graduation – Officially an MPH student
- MPH Summer Session
- PHS 5964 - Practicum (3 credits) - students must register and pay tuition for Practicum in the summer session
- MPH Fall Semester (14 credits)
- PHS 5004 - Foundations of Public Health (1 credit)
- PHS 5025 - Epidemiology and Quantitative Methods in Public Health I (3 credits)
Note: This course is held the first half of the semester - PHS 5026 - Epidemiology and Quantitative Methods in Public Health II (3 credits)
Note: This course is held the second half of the semester - PHS 5024 - Epidemiology and Quantitative Methods in Public Health Lab (1 credit)
- PHS 5014 - Environmental Health (3 credits)
- PHS 5324 - Public Health Infection Control and Prevention (Infectious Disease concentration) (3 credits) OR PHS 5XXX - Methods in Community Health Engagement (Community Health Promotion and Equity concentration) (3 credits)
- MPH Spring Semester (13 credits)
- PHS 5044 - Public Health Policy and Administration (3 credits)
- PHS 5314 - Infectious Disease Epidemiology (Infectious Disease concentration) (3 credits) OR PHS 5254 - Social Epidemiology and Health Inequalities (Community Health Promotion and Equity concentration) (3 credits)
- PHS 5936 - Preparation for Public Health Practice II (1 credit)
- PHS 5934 - Public Health Integrative Learning Experience (ILE) (3 credits)
- XXX XXXX - Required elective (3 credits)
- PHS 5044 - Public Health Policy and Administration (3 credits)
- MPH Summer Session
- MPH Degree Completion and Graduation – Total 42 credits