Learn more about the School of Population Health by clicking the questions below.
In April 2023, VCU’s School of Public Health (then named School of Population Health) became the 15th school or college in VCU’s academic enterprise. Its students are pursuing master’s degrees in biostatistics and public health, and doctoral degrees in biostatistics, epidemiology, social and behavioral sciences, and health care policy and research.
Following the accrediting body’s acceptance of our application to transition accreditation categories, the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) granted approval for VCU’s School of Population Health to change our name to the School of Public Health, effective July 15, 2024.
As of April 2024, the School of Public Health (SOPH) is an applicant for accreditation by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). Find more on that here.
The American Public Health Association states, “Public health promotes and protects the health of all people and their communities. This science-based, evidence-backed field strives to give everyone a safe place to live, learn, work and play.”
Public Health is an important field of research and VCU has the team and resources to make a difference. As part of an urban public University and safety-net health system, we are committed to improving health and well-being for all populations through education, discovery, knowledge dissemination, and co-learning from the communities we serve. As we continue towards the accreditation process, our faculty, researchers and students will be counted among the experts in this field and contribute to the science and policies that help our communities thrive.
The School of Public Health at VCU was established in July 2023, bringing the founding departments of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Health Policy, and Social and Behavioral Sciences together under a unified focus on public and population health. The new school was developed in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic as part of VCU’s investment to increase the footprint of public health at the university.
The School of Public Health supports VCU’s mission of “research that promotes translational applications to improve the quality of human life” by strengthening and expanding academic programming and collaborative research in public health. The school provides students with the opportunity to engage in developing real-world solutions to overcome long-standing local, regional and national health inequities. In addition, the school’s faculty and students conduct research focused on improving the quality of life of all populations in Virginia.
The Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) is the accrediting body for schools and programs of public health. The Master of Public Health program has been accredited by CEPH since 1996. Becoming an accredited school of public health serves as an assurance to students, employers and the broader community that VCU maintains exceptional educational standards and prepares future public health professionals to address complex health challenges efficiently and effectively.
CEPH evaluates programs based on criteria such as curriculum, faculty, research opportunities and community engagement. In addition to recognizing the school’s academic rigor, CEPH accreditation enhances opportunities for collaboration, research funding and professional development. It signifies the school’s alignment with best practices and ensures that graduates are well-equipped to make meaningful contributions to the field of public health.
CEPH stands for the Council on Education for Public Health and is the body that accredits schools of public health and public health programs located outside of a school of public health. This is the accreditation employers tend to look for when hiring MPH graduates.
VCU currently has a CEPH-accredited program of public health because we were embedded in a School of Medicine. This means that, currently, only the MPH and associated dual degree programs are included in the CEPH accreditation. The MPH programs will continue operating in the same way.
Vision
Health, well-being, longevity, and equity for all.
Mission
VCU School of Public Health is committed to improving health, well-being, and equity for all populations through education, discovery, dissemination, and co-learning with the communities we serve.
To fulfill this mission, the VCU School of Public Health:
- Cultivates innovative thought leaders, nurtures diverse and creative scholars, and trains the next generation of researchers, educators and practitioners equipped to serve the people of Virginia, the nation, and the world.
- Conducts and translates rigorous research, implements science-informed practices, and disseminates solutions to prevent disease and promote health for all populations.
- Collaborates with communities, prioritizing those who experience a disproportionate burden of illness or adverse outcomes to enhance opportunities for vibrant, equitable and healthy lives.
There are four founding departments:
Degree and certificate programs include:
- Master of Public Health (MPH)
- Concentrations in Applied Public Health, Cancer Health Equity Science, and Epidemiology
- Dual degrees with MPH and MSW, MD, and PharmD programs
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Biostatistics
- Concentration in Genomics
- Master of Science (M.S.) in Biostatistics
- Concentrations in Genomics or Clinical Research in Biostatistics
- Graduate Certificate in Genomics Data Science
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Epidemiology
- Dual degree with MD
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Healthcare Policy and Research
- Dual degree with MD
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Social and Behavioral Sciences