Public Health Degree

The public health program at Virginia Commonwealth University prepares students for careers as a public health program manager, educator, nutritionist, epidemiologist, biostatistician, environmental health scientist, and more. The program focuses on planning, managing, and evaluating public health care services, as well as functioning as public health officer. Program courses include: epidemiology, biostatistics, public health principles, preventative medicine, health policy and regulations, health care service, public health law enforcement, health economics and budgeting, and professional standards and ethics. Get more details below including other Virginia colleges that offer public health degrees.

The Public Health program at Virginia Commonwealth University is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health for more than 29 years.

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Virginia Commonwealth University

3094 Colonial Ave, Roanoke, VA

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is one of the top research universities in the United States.  It is an urban university, with its two campuses located in the heart of Richmond, Virginia.  The two main campuses for VCU are Monroe Park Campus and MCV Campus.  Additionally, the university has the VCU Medical Center, along with its health sciences schools and a Level 1 Trauma Center, providing health care in 200 specialties.

In addition to advancing research and providing health care, VCU offers more than 200 academic degree programs and educates the community work force.

VCU receives more than $200 million in sponsored research funding, and offers academic research in many departments and disciplines including the VCU Center for Clinical & Translational Research, several VCU Centers and Institutes, as well as several VCU Core Laboratories.

History

Virginia Commonwealth University was founded in 1838 with the creation of the Medical College of Virginia, as a medical department of Hampden-Sydney College.  In 1854 the Medical College of Virginia became independent.  In 1860 it became state affiliated.

In 1939, the university's school of social work and public health became the Richmond Professional Institute, which became an independent state institution in 1962.  In 1968, there was a merging of the Richmond Professional Institute and the Medical College of Virginia to form what is now known as Virginia Commonwealth University.

Academics

Virginia Commonwealth University offers fall, spring and summer sessions and students may enroll for classes throughout the year.

Colleges and Schools

Virginia Commonwealth University has many Centers and Institutes that serve as its colleges and schools for study and research, and also provide health care and student resources.

• Center for the Study of Biological Complexity
• Brand Center
• Evans-Haynes Burn Center
• Campus Learning Center
• Business and Engineering Career Center
• University Career Center
• Center for Biobehavioral Clinical Research
• Center for Cultural Experiences in Prevention
• Center for Environmental Studies
• Center for Human Simulation and Patient Safety
• Center for Human-Animal Interaction
• Center for Public Policy
• Center for Teaching Excellence
• Center on Health Disparities
• Center on Human Needs
• Child Development Center
• Clark Hill Institute
• Center for Clinical and Translational Research
• Clinical Research Center
• Clinical Research Center for Periodontal Diseases
• Commonwealth Educational Policy Institute
• Commonwealth Poll
• Center for Corporate Education
• Center for Craniofacial Care
• Curriculum Innovation Resource Center (CIRC)
• Da Vinci Center for Innovation in Product Design and Development
• Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies
• Center for Drug Studies
• Virginia Council for Economic Education
• Employment Support Institute
• Goodwin Research Laboratory
• Virginia Area Health Education Centers Program
• Pauley Heart Center
• Inger and Walter Rice Center for Environmental Life Sciences
• Center for Institutional Effectiveness
• Center for Judaic Studies
• Mass Spectrometry Resource for the Study of Biological Complexity
• Massey Cancer Center
• Mid-Atlantic Twin Registry
• Minimally Invasive Surgery Center
• Molecular Imaging Center
• Mood Disorders Institute
• Department of Neurosurgery
• Harold F. Young Neurosurgical Center
• Obesity Surgery Center
• Philips Institute of Oral and Craniofacial Molecular Biology
• Partnership for People with Disabilities
• Center for Psychological Services and Development
• Rehabilitation Research and Training Center
• Rice Center for Environmental Life Sciences
• Risk and Insurance Studies Center
• Center for Sports Leadership
• Institute for Structural Biology and Drug Discovery
• Student Media Center
• Training and Technical Assistance Center
• Hume-Lee Transplant Center
• Transportation Safety Training Center
• Virginia Center for Urban Development
• VCU Injury & Violence Prevention Program
• Virginia Adult Learning Resource Center
• Virginia Center on Aging
• Virginia Family Business Forum
• Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics
• Virginia Institute for Social Services Training Activities
• C. Kenneth and Dianne Harris Wright Virginia Microelectronics Center
• Virginia Real Estate Center
• Virginia Treatment Center for Children
• Wellness Resource Center
• Williamson Institute for Health Studies
• Institute for Women's Health
• Writing Center

Student Life

There are more than 400 student organizations at VCU, ranging from student government to professional development, leadership, volunteer service opportunities, political involvement, and more. There are many activities and events offered to students throughout the year through the University Student Commons and Activities (USC&A).  The USC&A also accommodates events and meeting planning, among many other student services.  Student Affairs provides many resources and amenities to students on the VCU campuses.

The Break Point is a games room located in the University Student Commons where students can enjoy many recreational activities.

Fraternities and Sororities

There are 35 different chapters of fraternities and sororities offered at VCU, all governed by four governing councils.  The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life at VCU provides overall direction of the Greek community.

Athletics

Many "Rams" athletes who studied and trained at VCU have gone on to play professional sports. The VCU "Rams" teams compete in several intercollegiate sports to include:

Men's Sports

• Baseball
• Basketball
• Cross Country
• Golf
• Soccer
• Tennis
• Track & Field

Women's Sports

• Basketball
• Cross Country
• Field Hockey
• Soccer
• Tennis
• Track & Field
• Volleyball

Community Life

The VCU Department of Residential Life & Housing assists students in finding on-campus housing or off-campus accommodations.

There are many ways to become involved in community programs at VCU, as well as many ways to enjoy arts, culture and local attractions.  The Anderson Gallery has many art shows throughout the year, and the Singleton Center offers musical and theatrical performances.  The annual international festivals held on campus provide intercultural experiences to VCU students.

There are also many things to do in and around Richmond, the capital city of Virginia, which is listed as one of the "best places to live and work in America."  There are many parks around the city, some along the James River.

The city is rich in arts and culture, and one of its most popular attractions is the "First Fridays Art Walk."  This program showcases more than 40 art galleries and venues in the downtown Richmond area on the first Friday of each month.  The downtown area also boasts many top restaurants and venues for shopping and entertainment.

Students Enrolled in the Public Health Program

Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. Virginia Commonwealth University offers a master's degree program in public health.

Students by Gender (2019)

Students by Race (2019)

Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.

Career Options for Graduates

Medical and Health Services Managers

Description

Plan, direct, or coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations, public health agencies, or similar organizations.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, medical and health services managers employment is expected to grow at a rate of 16.9% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Roanoke, VA
  • Total Employment: 360
  • Average Hourly Rate: $53.08
  • Average Annual Salary: $110420

Health Educators

Description

Provide and manage health education programs that help individuals, families, and their communities maximize and maintain healthy lifestyles. Collect and analyze data to identify community needs prior to planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating programs designed to encourage healthy lifestyles, policies, and environments. May serve as a resource to assist individuals, other healthcare workers, or the community, and may administer fiscal resources for health education programs.

Community Health Workers

Description

Assist individuals and communities to adopt healthy behaviors. Conduct outreach for medical personnel or health organizations to implement programs in the community that promote, maintain, and improve individual and community health. May provide information on available resources, provide social support and informal counseling, advocate for individuals and community health needs, and provide services such as first aid and blood pressure screening. May collect data to help identify community health needs.

Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary

Description

Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.

Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).