Master of Public Health 

Introduction to the Master of Public Health Program

History    •    Mission & Goals   •   Brochure   •   Community Advisors

Program Description

The Master of Public Health Program is a nationally accredited degree program that provides graduate professional training in quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, translational and community-based research, and community engagement strategies to improve the health of individuals and populations. The program focuses on the competencies professionals need to address health and health care issues and includes a range of interdisciplinary courses on social behavioral health, health policy, program planning and evaluation, and environmental health, as well as epidemiology and biostatistics. Students complete a minimum of 42 credit hours of course work: at least 24 credit hours of core courses, 12 credit hours of approved courses in a track or concentration, a field placement in a community health setting, and the remaining credit hours in a elective courses from across the university. Created in 2003, the program draws upon the strengths of UVA faculty within the Schools of Medicine, Arts & Sciences, Nursing, Law, Business, Education, and Architecture as well as the larger university community. Graduates are prepared for a variety of positions in health care and research, community health, and health policy.

There are two tracks, or areas of specialization, within the program:

The MPH program requires 3 or 4 semesters of full-time coursework, depending on each student's educational background and career goals.  Each student, in consultation with their MPH faculty advisor, identifys a concentration and develops a plan of study that addresses the student's professional interests, needs, and goals, which is subject to the approval of the MPH Faculty Committee.

Students registered in dual MPH programs (eg, MD/MPH, JD/MPH) register as full-time MPH students in the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences for 2 semesters.  UVA faculty, physicians, and others with advanced degrees who would like to pursue an MPH degree can petition for special part-time status or a 1-Year plan of study that includes a fall/spring/summer curriculum.