Overview of the Program

The Master of Public Health (MPH) degree is a professional degree offered by Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS) in collaboration with Old Dominion University (ODU). The Program provides graduates with an understanding of the public health sciences and with knowledge and skills that can be utilized in healthcare management, population-based research and the community practice of public health.

The Program focuses upon four specialized tracks of Health Management, Epidemiology, Environmental Health and Health Promotion. Students complete both didactic and experience-based courses. A Community Practicum exposes students to community organizations supporting public health.

The MPH degree will be granted jointly by the two sponsoring institutions. Classes are taught in three Terms each year. Students are expected to take six to eight credits hours per Term. With this schedule, the required credit hours can be completed in two years.

The Program will benefit health professionals who are or will be working in private, government or community organizations with the following responsibilities: assessing health status or needs in populations, designing and implementing programs, managing administrative functions, conducting program evaluation and outcomes research, developing coalitions to meet community needs, marketing health services, analyzing the epidemiology of specific diseases and measuring or assuring the quality of healthcare and public health services and products.

Curriculum

The educational program currently includes 46 total credit hours. Beginning with students matriculating in August 2012, the intent is to reduce the curriculum to 42 credit hours. Core courses consist of 18 credit hours, including Introduction to Public Health Practice, Statistical Reasoning for Public Health, Principles of Epidemiology, Social Behavioral Sciences for Public Health, Public Health Administration and Management, and Principles of Environmental Health Science.

The remaining credit hours are earned through track-specific courses, Selectives, Community Practicum and a Capstone Seminar.

Academic Calendar

The MPH Program follows a three-semester based calendar that works in collaboration with both ODU and EVMS.

Sponsoring Institutions

Eastern Virginia Medical School is an academic institution dedicated to medical and health education, biomedical research and the enhancement of healthcare in eastern Virginia. Old Dominion University is a publicly funded university, established as an independent college in 1962 and as a university in 1969. EVMS and ODU have a long history of collaboration that includes several joint degree programs.

Classes are held on weekday evenings and/or on Saturdays on the EVMS and ODU campuses in Norfolk, Virginia. Courses are taught by faculty from both institutions.

Accreditation

The program has been fully accredited since 2000 by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). This accreditation was renewed in 2005 for seven years. The State Council on Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) approved the program in 1999.

MD/MPH Dual Degree Program

EVMS offers an MD/MPH Dual Degree Program leading to both Doctorate of Medicine and Master of Public Health degrees. View more information about the Dual Degree Program.

Certificate Programs

The Graduate Program in Public Health offers two graduate-level Continuing Education Certificates, for prospective students who desire to gain knowledge about the field of public health, or for working professionals and non-traditional learners who would are interested in refreshing or updating their skills, knowledge and abilities. Our Program currently offers the following Continuing Education (CE) Certificate:

• LEADERSHIP IN PUBLIC HEALTH

For more information about our Continuing Education Certificates, contact the MPH Program Coordinator at (757) 446-6120 or send email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Application to the Program

For details about Admission Requirements and additional information about application to the MPH Program, click here. For additional questions, contact either of the following: