The mission of the VCU M.P.H. program is to engage students in an experiential, learner-centered environment, collaborate with public health partners in Central Virginia to promote health equity and community wellness, and foster life-long inquiry and discovery in interdisciplinary, translational research that improves human health. The program provides a rigorous generalist curriculum to help students develop analytic and critical reasoning skills necessary to improve population health. The VCU M.P.H. program is closely linked with local, state and national public health organizations and professionals and features two required practical experiences to enhance the student's appreciation of the application of public health principles to practice. VCU public health departments and the program's professional public health partners offer opportunities for part-time student employment. The majority of graduates are employed by state and local health departments, university research teams, nonprofit organizations and private companies, while some pursue further graduate or clinical study.