School of Public Health
About the school
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 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 is an applicant for accreditation by the Council on Education for Public Health.
Vision
Health, well-being, and longevity for all
Mission
As part of an urban public University and safety-net health system, the VCU School of Public Health is committed to improving health and well-being for all populations through education, discovery, knowledge dissemination, and co-learning from the communities we serve. To fulfill this mission the VCU SOPH:
- Cultivates innovative thought leaders, creative scholars, informs communities and trains a diverse workforce equipped to serve Virginians, the nation and world.
- Leads research that is collaborative, rigorous, impactful and that promotes opportunities for all populations to have equitable health and well-being.
- Focuses on diverse populations with an emphasis on those who experience a disproportionate burden of illness or adverse outcomes to enhance opportunities for vibrant and healthy lives as a result of our education, research, practice, and service.
Departments and programs
The School of Public Health will have four founding departments: Biostatistics; Epidemiology; Health Policy; and Social and Behavioral Sciences. Degree 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 M.D.
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Healthcare Policy and Research
- Dual degree with MD
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Social and Behavioral Sciences
We are the only in Virginia …
- Tied to an academic health system with a teaching hospital, children’s hospital, NCI-designated cancer center, and a Center for Clinical Translational Science.
- Part of a robust health sciences campus, with programs in medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, and health professions.
- To offer a Master of Public Health program with a focus on cancer health equity science.
- Recognized as a minority serving institution.
And we were the first in Virginia to have an accredited public health program. It currently awards an MPH in three concentrations: applied public health, epidemiology, and cancer health equity science.
Interim founding dean
Vanessa B. Sheppard, Ph.D.
Interim Dean, School of Public Health
Professor and Theresa A. Thomas Memorial Chair in Cancer Prevention and Control
Associate Director, Community Outreach Engagement and Disparities Research
Massey Cancer Center
Virginia Commonwealth University
Contact information
For more information about the School of Public Health, email: soph@vcu.edu