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.

.

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.

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

George Mason University started in 1957 with just 17 students. Student numbers have since grown to over 40,000 students from all 50 states and 130+ different countries. 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, which aims to make healthcare more accessible to low-income patients in Fairfax County.

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 pursuing their MPH can pursue research opportunities focused on the underserved in Lynchburg, work with Hope and Live in Guatemala, and work with the Mixteco in Richmond.

Old Dominion University College of Health Sciences

1019 W 41st Street, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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, 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 the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024), medical and health services managers in Virginia earn slightly more than the national average. The field is also predicted to see the most growth in the near future. 

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 11th OVERALL. 

Virginia’s population continues to grow. The U.S. Census Bureau’s 2024 population estimate (as of July 1, 2024) put Virginia at over 8.8 million residents. 

Health insurance coverage has improved since the early 2010s, but gaps remain. The Census QuickFacts shows 8.3% of Virginians under the age of 65 lack health insurance, and Virginia Health Care Foundation/Urban Institute estimates Virginia’s nonelderly uninsured rate was 7.6% in 2023, which was about 530,000 people. 

Life expectancy in Virginia is 79.1, and per-capita personal health care spending was $10,625 in 2023, which was up from $10,124 in 2022. Public coverage is also a major part of Virginia’s health care system. As of May 2025, Virginia had over 1.7 million people enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP.Key preventable and behavioral health challenges remain important targets for public health work. Recent Virginia BRFSS-based estimates show that 16% of adults (ages 18-64) reported their health as fair/poor in 2023, and 21.9% reported having been told they have a depressive disorder. Virginians also reported an average of 5.4 days of “mental health not good” in the past 30 days. Additionally, obesity is a significant statewide concern. One Virginia obesity fact sheet reported 34.2% of adults have obesity, and Virginia ranks 23rd among states on that measure.

Information last updated: December 2025

Sponsored Online Public Health Programs

University and Program Name	Study Length	Test Requirement	Number of Credits
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Master of Public Health (MPH) info AD	As few as 20 months	No GRE Required	42
George Washington University Master of Public Health info AD	As few as 12 months	No GRE Required	45
George Washington University Doctor of Public Health info AD	36 months	No GRE Required	48
George Washington University Master of Health Administration info AD	As few as 24 months	No GRE Required	50
Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Institute of Health Professions Masters of Health Administration info AD	12-24 Months	No GMAT or GRE Required	36

info AD