If you’re interested in public health and either live in or plan to move to Virginia, you’ll have multiple academic institutions that offer MPH programs to choose from.

Several of these local universities offer both online and on-campus Master of Public Health (MPH) programs, which may help prepare you to enter the field of public health or progress in your career if you’re already a working professional in the field.

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The above Master of Public Health programs in Virginia are accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). CEPH strives to provide excellence in public health education. Institutions and programs accredited by CEPH meet rigorous academic standards to obtain and maintain this accreditation.

MPH programs in Virginia are available on campus, online or in a hybrid format of the two. This allows students to complete their studies full time or part time if they’re already employed.

There are eight schools in Virginia offering master’s in public health programs that are accredited by CEPH. 

111 W. Congress Street, Charles Town, WV

American Public University System grew from a need for an online education solution for students in the military. The educational focus was to prepare students for leadership roles and an upward progression both in their careers in the military and after their service has ended. What was initially called American Military University became the American Public University in 2002 to accommodate a broader audience. The university focuses exclusively on providing online higher education programs and currently offers over 190 academic programs to students all over the world.

Although American Public University does not have a campus in Virginia, their MPH programs are entirely online, meaning they can be completed from within the state.

Email: info@apus.edu

825 Fairfax Ave, Norfolk, VA

Eastern Virginia Medical School is one of the only schools of medicine and health professions in the country born out of a grassroots effort. In the 1960s, civic leaders wanted to improve healthcare in the Hampton Roads area. At the time, it was the largest metropolitan area in the country without a medical school. They collaborated with the community as well as local businessman and philanthropist Henry Clay Hofheimer II to establish the Eastern Virginia Medical School Foundation. 

Since its inception, the school has been part of pioneer work in the medical field, including the birth of the nation’s first child conceived through in vitro fertilization and the region’s first pediatric cochlear implant.

Email: mphinfo@evms.edu

4400 University Drive, MS: 5B7, Fairfax, VA

George Mason University started in 1957 with just 17 students. Student numbers have since grown to over 37,000 students from all 50 states and 130 different countries. The Biomedical Research Laboratory on Mason’s Science and Technology Campus is one of only 13 Biosafety Level 3 labs nationwide. 

In 2010, The College of Health and Human Services at George Mason University received a $1.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration. The grant was used to launch the Mason Partners for Access to Health Care program aimed at making healthcare more accessible to low-income patients in Fairfax County.

Email: gch@gmu.edu

1971 University Boulevard, Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University is deeply committed to the mission of “Training Champions for Christ.” The University was founded in 1971 by Rev. Jerry Falwell, who dreamed of creating a school that trains professionals who love God in order to step up to their calling. Liberty University has a humanitarian aid program that sends students to areas devastated by hurricanes, fires and floods.

Liberty University students who pursue their MPH can work on research opportunities that focus on the underserved of Lynchburg, work with Hope and Live in Guatemala, and work with the Mixteco in Richmond.

Email: On-campus learning: residentgraduate@liberty.edu

Online learning: luograd@liberty.edu

Old Dominion University College of Health Sciences

5115 Hampton Boulevard, Norfolk, VA

Old Dominion College was founded in 1930 as an extension of the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg (the second oldest university in the United States) and Virginia Polytechnic Institute in Blacksburg. By 1962, Old Dominion College had evolved into a four-year school and was granted independence. In 1964, Old Dominion College offered its first graduate programs and became Old Dominion University.

Old Dominion University’s Master of Public Health (MPH) program became fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) in June 2000. 94% of Old Dominion University graduates are employed or pursuing additional education within six months of graduation.

Email: gradadmit@odu.edu

200 Jeanette Lancaster Way, Charlottesville, VA

The University of Virginia was founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson. At the time, it was only the 10th medical school in the United States. The medical building, called the Anatomical Hall, was completed in 1826. Here, the first full-time professor of medicine provided theoretical courses on medicine. A dispensary and infirmary were built in the following years to give students practical experience while providing medical care for local residents. The University of Virginia Hospital opened in 1901.

The University of Virginia’s Medical School is ranked 10th in the country among state-assisted medical schools. It also has over 25 research centers, ranging in focus from cancer to neurodegenerative diseases and vaccine development.

Email: phsdegrees@virginia.edu

One Capitol Square, 830 E. Main Street, Richmond, VA

Virginia Commonwealth University was founded in 1838 as the Richmond Department of Medicine which was endorsed by the Medical Department of Hampden-Sydney College. After. In 1854, the school separated from the Department of Medicine and independently became the Medical College of Virginia. The school name changed again to Virginia Commonwealth University when it merged with Richmond Professional Institute in 1968. Today, Virginia Commonwealth University is the largest employer in Richmond and the number one hospital in the area.

More than 90% of MPH graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University were either employed within six months of graduation or pursuing further study.

Email: lisa.s.anderson@vcuhealth.org

205 Duckpond Drive, Blacksburg, VA

Virginia Tech had its first student in 1872. It started as a small college located in the old Olin and Preston Institute near where the Alumni Mall is today. Virginia Polytechnic Institute became Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in 1970. This is still the official name of the university, but it is now commonly referred to as Virginia Tech.

Virginia Tech is in the top 5% of universities in the United States for research expenditures and is one of two Virginia universities in the top 50.

Email: phs@vt.edu

Online MPH programs in Virginia allow working professionals to further their studies while working. Online MPH programs give those already working the flexibility to develop their knowledge and skills according to their schedules.

American Public University, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Liberty University and Old Dominion University all offer online (or partially online) options for students to complete their master’s in public health. George Mason University, the University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University and Virginia Tech offer on-campus courses.

From the table of salaries and projected job growth data provided by O*NET OnLine, environmental health specialists and medical and health services managers in Virginia earn slightly more than the national average. The field of biostatistics is predicted to see the most growth in the near future. Similarly, there is likely to be a growing demand for medical and health services managers in the coming years.

*Estimate not released/provided by O*NET 

While some specializations for individuals with an MPH in Virginia may have an annual income that’s slightly lower than the nation’s average, based on the chart above, all fields are predicted to see an increase in job opportunities. Additionally, specializing in some roles—including environmental health or healthcare administration—could actually mean you might earn higher than the national average annual income when you work in these fields in Virginia. Some specializations, including biostatistics and healthcare administration, may give you a wider range of job opportunities in the state.

Public health graduates have numerous options and avenues to pursue in Virginia when looking for the right organization to work with, both locally and internationally. A range of job portals can be used to look for work in your specialized field. Here is a list of some organizations that can be used as a starting point for your job search:

In Sharecare’s well-being index—an index that focuses on providing insight into the nation’s health and well-being to identify risks and opportunities for growth—Virginia currently ranks 14th. When it comes to how residents’ health is affected by social factors, Virginia ranked 13th according to Sharecare’s 2019 State Rankings Report.

According to the United States Census Bureau’s 2020 Demographic Analysis, Virginia’s estimated population on July 1, 2019, was just over 8.5 million. Between 2009 and 2017, there was a decrease in the number of individuals between 19 and 64 who did not have health insurance. Although most of the population does have health insurance, there is a need for public health efforts to address issues like obesity and behavioral problems. 

Life expectancy in Virginia is 79.4, and residents spend an average of $7,556 per year on healthcare expenses. The average medicare spending by enrollee is $8,936, and 12% of the Virginia population is covered by Medicaid/CHIP. 17% of adults self-report their health as poor or fair, and 12.7% self-report as having 14+ days of poor mental health per month.

A number of schools offer master’s degrees in public health, both online and on campus. An MPH can help you launch your Virginia career in public health or progress further if you are already a professional working in the field.

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA

 Information last updated February 2021

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University and Program Name	Study Length	Test Requirement	Number of Credits
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