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SCHEV approves Joint School of Public Health

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The Joint School of Public Health (JSPH), an academic partnership between Old Dominion University (ODU) and Norfolk State University (NSU), has received approval from the State Council of Higher Education in Virginia (SCHEV). The school forges a unique collaboration between students and faculty across three campuses to promote health and well-being in Hampton Roads and beyond. The joint school is the only partnership of its kind in Virginia.

The roots of public health in Hampton Roads are deep, with a history of educational programs at NSU and ODU, including Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Eastern Virginia Medical School. The newly SCHEV-approved JSPH is part of Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University — the largest and most complex academic health sciences center in the commonwealth.

“We have a real opportunity to create and sustain transformational change in Virginia's communities where, for too long, we have seen serious health inequities," said ODU President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D. “The formation of the Joint School of Public Health, in partnership with Norfolk State University, will serve Hampton Roads well as we provide a growing pipeline of healthcare leaders, who are fully dedicated to building and maintaining healthy communities.” 

By partnering, the institutions will set a standard for collaboration that benefits the entire community. The school brings together the strengths and perspectives of an R1 research institution with a community-founded medical school and a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) recognized for excellence in health equity, focused teaching, research and community engagement.

“The JSPH at NSU and ODU is a unique partnership in academic public health. As the second HBCU to provide a school of public health, I am thrilled that our collaboration has reached this critical milestone. One of the many distinguishing characteristics of NSU as an HBCU is a longstanding commitment to health and wellness for everyone,” said NSU President Javaune Adams-Gaston, Ph.D. “This is a unique partnership between our two institutions that in time will show the power of regionalism…and how collaboration can be used to find solutions to improve wellness and health outcomes for everyone, especially in underserved communities.”

According to the Virginia Community Health Assessment, a number of health disparities across Hampton Roads show concerning trends, including elevated rates of avoidable hospitalizations, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, firearm-related injuries, poor outcomes of maternal and child health, and stroke, among others. The JSPH will serve the region by creating long-term sustainability of public health initiatives, educational opportunities and health equity activities.

"The Joint School of Public Health is an opportunity for some of the best and the brightest students, faculty and staff in our region to come together to address our most pressing needs around public health and health equity in Hampton Roads,” said Alfred Abuhamad, MD, executive vice president, Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at ODU and dean, Eastern Virginia Medical School at ODU. “Founded in the spirit of public service and collaboration, the Joint School is a testament to the value of partnership and to our commitment to this community and our shared future."

The JSPH aims to expand offerings in biostatistics, epidemiology, health policy and management, social and behavioral sciences, and environmental and occupational health. The school will focus on holistic and preventative perspectives of health for individuals and communities through transformative education, innovative research and proactive community engagement. Through competency-driven education, the JSPH will train the next generation of the public health workforce, preparing graduates for careers in public health departments, government and military service, healthcare systems and any other sectors where public health plays a role in promoting the well-being of individuals and communities.

“This is a historic moment for ODU, NSU and the broader Hampton Roads community. The approval of the Joint School of Public Health underscores the importance of a robust and innovative public health education to serve all communities across the commonwealth,” said Li-Wu Chen, Ph.D., the founding dean of the JSPH. “With a goal of transforming public health to promote health equity in mind, we are excited to offer students, faculty and community stakeholders expanded and enriched opportunities under the umbrella of a forward-thinking, collaborative joint school that brings together the expertise from partner institutions with a history of exceptional public health education, research and community engagement."

Within the JSPH, there will be two departments: the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Environmental Health, and the Department of Health Behavior, Policy and Management.

Degrees offered will include:

  • Bachelor of Science in Public Health (B.S.P.H.)
  • Bachelor of Science in Public Health with a major in Health Services Administration (B.S.P.H. – H.S.A.)
  • Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health (B.S.E.H.)
  • Master of Public Health
  • Master of Healthcare Administration (M.H.A.)
  • D. in Health Services Research

Next, the JSPH will seek Council on Education for Public Health accreditation, which includes a site visit and curriculum review. Programs within the school are individually accredited, including the Master of Public Health (first accredited in 2000 and renewed in 2020), but schoolwide accreditation shows commitment to rigorous and competitive educational experiences and research.