The overarching goal of the MPH Program is to provide students with a population perspective on health. The Johns Hopkins MPH Program is designed to:
Students are required to complete a core MPH curriculum that comprises approximately 45-50 of the 80 credits required for graduation. Students have flexibility to customize the remaining elective credits of their curriculum to their areas of interest to achieve an appropriate balance between depth and breadth.
Orientation: Online or Onsite in Baltimore, MD. End of May/Early June.
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
600 N. Wolfe Street
Baltimore, MD 21205
Orientation: Onsite in Baltimore, MD. Beginning of July.
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
600 N. Wolfe Street
Baltimore, MD 21205
Orientation: Onsite in Barcelona, Spain. Early November.
Universitat Pompeu Fabra
Ciutadella Campus
Merçè Rodoreda Building
Ramon Trias Fargas, 25-27
08005 Barcelona
Orientation: Online early January.
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
600 N. Wolfe Street
Baltimore, MD 21205
Orientation: Onsite in Kyoto, Japan. Mid-March.
iHope International
Kyoto daiichiseimei-Izumiya Bldg., 5F
Akinonocho 513, Nakagyo-ku
Kyoto 604-0847 Japan
MPH students have flexibility in choosing courses and putting together their academic schedule of courses. Students can mix and match online courses, intensive learning Institute courses, on-site courses at our East Baltimore campus, as well as Johns Hopkins courses at other sites.
While part-time/online students have four years to complete the degree requirements, students typically earn the degree in two-three years by taking, on average, one-three courses per term. Some students may complete the degree in as little time as one year utilizing full-time student status. Part-time students have incredible flexibility in designing and planning their curriculum with many choices of courses as well as modalities of instruction (online or onsite in 8-week terms or intensive institute courses).
Our part-time/online MPH Program can be taken completely online or also include onsite courses.
*For international students:
The definitive course directory can be found here, and the current year courses in this catalogue should be used for planning. New students should familiarize themselves with the academic calendar for the term dates and registration periods.
Each credit represents, on average, about a three to four-hour time commitment during each week of the eight-week term. A median course load per 8-week term for a part-time student is about 5-6 credits. Therefore, part-time students can expect an average of 15-18 hours' worth of course-related work per week. Full-time students must be registered for 12 or more credits each term to maintain full-time status. Assuming that each credit of a course equals about three to four hours' worth of work per week, full-time students can expect to dedicate approximately 36 hours of work per week to their MPH courses. No student may exceed 22 credits in a single term.
Required core area courses should be completed early in the program, and the epidemiology core course must be completed during the first year of study. If elective courses have prerequisites, these will be listed in the course description. Some course content, such as biostatistics, is delivered in a specific sequence of courses. Certificates may have specific sequences that participants should follow. The capstone is to be completed at or near the end of the program.
Many of MPH program credits will be in elective courses, and even some of the core courses can be chosen from among a variety of options. Here are some places to look for guidance in choosing electives:
The School offers certificate programs in specific areas of study. MPH students may pursue a certificate program; however, a student in a concentration area should check with the concentration directors to ensure that there is no substantial overlap between the concentration and certificate requirements. For more information, see the BSPH website and contact the faculty sponsors of the certificate programs listed on the website.
Concentrations and certificate programs differ in that concentrations are intended specifically for MPH students and incorporate faculty advising and the capstone experience within the concentration.
Detailed information about each concentration can be found on the MPH website and in the student manual for full-time students. Part-time/online students are able to take concentration courses as electives and possibly may participate in the concentration.
Summer Institutes in Baltimore
The Summer Institutes offer short intensive courses in the following areas:
The course schedules for the various Summer Institutes are typically published online in February.
Global Tobacco Control Institute in Baltimore
Two weeks of intensive courses held in Baltimore in October are considered to be part of the 1st Term. Offerings are for students pursuing the Global Tobacco Control Certificate.
Fall Institute in Barcelona, Spain
Fall Institute is comprised of several short courses offered in November and is part of 2nd Term. While the Institute is hosted by the Health Policy & Management Department, the courses offered are from multiple departments and the offerings vary from year to year. Courses are held at Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona and taught in English. The schedule is typically available in late June.
Winter Institute in Baltimore
A variety of one- and two-week courses are offered in January. Typically, the offerings include courses in Data Analysis, Tropical Medicine, Native American Health, Health Emergencies, Quality Improvement, and Health Communication, among others. The schedule is typically available in September.
Winter Institute in Washington, DC
All-day courses from one to four days long, pertaining to Health Policy, are offered in January. Courses are held at a Johns Hopkins satellite campus in the DuPont Circle area of Washington. The schedule is typically available in September.
SOURCE is the community engagement and service-learning center for the Johns Hopkins University (JHU) Schools of Public Health, Nursing, and Medicine. Its mission is to engage the Johns Hopkins University health professional schools and Baltimore communities in mutually beneficial partnerships that promote health and social justice. There are multiple ways to engage in a practicum experience through SOURCE supported activities. However, not all SOURCE projects meet the practicum requirements. Subscribe to the SOURCE Weekly Service Scoop to learn more about the latest community involvement opportunities in Baltimore City.
Each MPH student is assigned a faculty adviser. The role of the adviser is to discuss the student's academic program and progress including their choice of courses considering their educational and professional goals. The student's adviser is their first point of contact with the faculty, but students are encouraged to reach out and form relationships with other faculty members as interests evolve. A Faculty Directory is available online.
Once a student is assigned an adviser, they should be proactive in contacting them at least once a term. Since faculty advisers are also busy with research studies, lecturing, and frequent travel, the best way to initiate contact is to send their adviser an email to see if they can schedule a time to meet or talk by phone at a mutually convenient time.
Students should use the MPH program office as a source for advice on the day-to-day details of the program, questions regarding program requirements, school policies or administrative procedures.
For specific questions about academic rules and regulations, especially concerning the grading systems, pass/fail options, and add/drop policies, please consult BSPH Academic Policies.
The Johns Hopkins MPH Program is governed by the MPH Executive Board composed of faculty from all departments of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Marie Diener-West, PhD
MPH Program Chair
Professor, Biostatistics
mdiener@jhu.edu
Randy Bryant, PhD
MPH Associate Chair
Professor, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
fbryant1@jhu.edu
David Chin, MD
MPH Associate Chair
Distinguished Scholar, Health Policy & Management
dchin5@jhu.edu
R osa Crum, MD
MPH Associate Chair
Professor, Epidemiology
rcrum1@jhu.edu
Megan Davis, DVM, PhD, MPH
MPH Associate Chair
Associate Professor, Environmental Health and Engineering
mdavis65@jhu.edu
David Dowdy, MD
Associate Dean for Education (ex officio)
Associate Professor, Epidemiology
ddowdy1@jhmi.edu
Dylan Jackson, PhD
MPH Associate Chair
Assistant Professor, Population, Family & Reproductive Health
dylan.jackson@jhu.edu
Sukon Kanchanaraksa, PhD
MPH Associate Chair
Director, Center for Teaching & Learning Associate Scientist, Epidemiology
skanchan@jhu.edu
Ryan Kennedy, PhD
MPH Associate Chair
Assistant Professor, Health, Behavior & Society
rdkennedy@jhu.edu
Gary Ketner, PhD
MPH Associate Chair
Professor, Molecular Microbiology & Immunology
gketner1@jhu.edu
Sabriya Linton, PhD
MPH Associate Chair
Assistant Professor, Mental Health
slinton1@jhu.edu
John McGready, PhD
MPH Associate Chair
Associate Scientist, Biostatistics
jmcgrea1@jhu.edu
Andrea Ruff, MD
MPH Associate Chair
Associate Professor, International Health
aruff1@jhu.edu
Jon Vernick, JD, MPH
MPH Associate Chair
Professor, Health Policy & Management
jvernic1@jhu.edu
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
615 N. Wolfe Street, Room W1015
Baltimore, MD 21205
410-955-1291 (phone); 888-548-6741 (toll free)
410-955-4749 (fax)
mphprog@jhu.edu
Paul Whong
Senior Program Manager
pwhong@jhu.edu
Jacob Shaw
Sr. Academic Coordinator, Part-time/Online Students
jshaw46@jhu.edu
Jill Janofsky
Academic Coordinator, Full-time Students
jjanofs2@jhu.edu
April Tong
Academic Coordinator, Part-time/Online Students
atong1@jhu.edu
Sharese Essien
Sr. Admissions Coordinator
sessien1@jhu.edu
Pam Sodano
Sr. Administrative Coordinator
psodano1@jhu.edu
Hannah Gleason
Program Coordinator
hgleaso1@jhu.edu
Paulani Mui
Practicum Coordinator, Office of Public Health Practice
pmui1@jhmi.edu
Madison Brubaker, MPH
MPH Practicum Coordinator, Office of Public Health Practice
mbrubak6@jhu.edu
Course location and modality is found on the BSPH website.
Note: A repeated course may only count once toward the 80-credit requirement. Courses taken for audit do not count towards the 80-credit requirement for graduation.
Special Note on Courses Taken at BSPH While Not Formally Matriculated as an MPH Degree Seeking Student: A limited number of course credits taken at Johns Hopkins prior to matriculation into the MPH Program (e.g., up to 16 as a special student) can be applied toward the 80 total credits, provided the courses were completed not more than 5 years prior to the date of matriculation into the MPH Program.
Students must meet minimum academic standards to remain in the MPH Program. A student’s failure to meet any of the criteria below is grounds for being placed on academic warning and/or being dismissed from the program.
Maintaining the highest level of academic and research integrity is an important responsibility of our faculty and students. To help achieve this goal, all students are required to complete the PH.550.860 Academic & Research Ethics at JHSPH course. The course examines academic and research ethics at BSPH through a series of online interactive modules:
Students are automatically registered into the Academic and Research Ethics course (PH.550.860) when they matriculate into the MPH program. All BSPH students are required to complete this non-credit course by the end of the period in which they are registered.
The BSPH Policy and Procedure Memorandum for Students for Academic Ethics can be found here.
The core curriculum and associated components of the MPH Program includes grounding in foundational public health knowledge in the profession and science of public health and factors related to human health. All MPH graduates will demonstrate public health competencies that are informed by the critical disciplines in public health (including: biostatistics, epidemiology, social and behavioral determinants of health, management sciences, public health problem-solving, computer applications, demography, environmental health, biological sciences, and public health policy) as well as cross-cutting and emerging public health areas.
The core curriculum also provides an opportunity to apply the skills and competencies acquired during the program to practical public health problems through the MPH practicum experience and the MPH capstone course and project.
The following are required of MPH students, but are not formal courses:
In addition to the above courses, students must also complete additional courses to satisfy the MPH foundational knowledge learning objectives and public health foundational competencies. The tables on the following pages list courses that satisfy the foundational knowledge and competency areas and when they are offered.
Course schedules are subject to change; please check the course directory for the most up-to-date course listing information.
In some exceptional circumstances, students may be granted a modification of some core requirements if they can demonstrate and document that they have previously acquired the associated core competencies. Even if a modification is granted of a core course, 80 credits are still required for graduation. Modifications or exceptions can only be granted in the following core areas:
All other core requirements must be completed with the approved course options only.
Students must select 5 additional general competencies that they plan to develop – separate from the Foundational Public Health competencies. These five additional competencies may expand or enhance the foundational competencies but cannot be the same as them. Students select their 5 additional competencies from among the > 60 competencies listed in courses required by any of the 12 MPH Concentration Areas.
The Competency Table must be completed and submitted as part of your curriculum plan. You will submit the curriculum plan online. All courses that you select to meet your 5 additional competencies must be completed for degree completion and graduation eligibility.
As you progress through the MPH program, if your course selections change, you must upload a new curriculum plan and competency table to show how these requirements will continue to be met.
Please check here for updated, detailed information on Concentration Competencies and related courses.
Typically, 40-45 credits of an MPH student’s curriculum are based on courses from the required core curriculum. The remainder of the total of 80 credits required for graduation can be accomplished either through a customized program or through one of twelve multidisciplinary concentration areas.
The MPH customized program is for students who desire an understanding of a broad spectrum of public health problems. It is designed for students who want versatility in designing their MPH course electives and may have academic objectives that do not fit precisely into the concentration areas. Students who customize their program of study complete the core MPH requirements and then choose elective courses for the remaining credits (approximately 35-40) in consultation with their faculty academic advisers.
There are 12 multidisciplinary concentration areas. The concentration areas are designed for students wishing to have a guided curriculum in an area and the opportunity to interact with other students and faculty who share similar academic interests. Students who elect a concentration must complete several required course credits (approximately 20 credits) as specified by the concentration area over and above the MPH core course requirements.
The pie charts below illustrate the approximate distribution of academic credits associated with a customized plan or an optional concentration. The exact number of credits varies depending on the courses chosen to satisfy core requirements and the specific requirements of the concentration.
The required Goals Analysis will be completed as part of the Introduction to MPH Studies course and consists of two parts:
The Goals Analysis is intended to be a living document, one which you and your adviser review and update as you make changes in focus and direction throughout the MPH program.
The intent of the MPH practicum requirement is to engage students in activities aligned with their career goals, as well as activities that demonstrate application of public health concepts and critical thinking relevant to the student’s area of specialization. Students will seek out activities that further develop their skill set and add new tools to their professional toolkit. Upon completion of the program, the student will be able to provide evidence of application of these skills to potential employers.
Organizations or agencies that can serve as practicum sites may include local and state public health agencies, community-based organizations, international non-governmental agencies and organizations, data coordinating centers for clinical trials, and BSPH Centers. The Practicum Experience must have some engagement in the larger public health practice implications of the work. This could be completed in a variety of ways, as appropriate to the individual projects. Some examples include, but are not limited to, collaboration with others (e.g., end users, data collectors, etc.) to provide/prepare for data analysis and interpretation, partnerships with other public health organizations (e.g., state health department, community organizations) related to study design or implementation; and obtaining input on the work from stakeholders (population impacted by project, other professionals/researchers completing similar work).
Activities completed prior to matriculation to the MPH program do not count towards the MPH practicum requirement.
| Address | Description |
|---|---|
| https://publichealth.jhu.edu/offices-and-services/office-of-public-health-practice-and-training | Practicum Website |
| https://my.jhsph.edu/Resources/SearchTools/pos/Pages/home.aspx | Practicum Opportunity Site |
| https://publichealth.jhu.edu/offices-and-services/office-of-public-health-practice-and-training/the-mph-practicum | Practicum Examples |
The following criteria reflect the minimum practicum requirements. Approval from the MPH Practicum Team is required prior to the student initiating each practicum experience. A practicum experience:
Students will need to identify distinct learning objectives for the practicum that address learning and application in at least five competencies competencies from this list.
A detailed outline of all steps that students must follow to complete the MPH Practicum, including registration instructions, can be found on the MPH Practicum website as well as in the MPH program manual. All Students must receive approval from the MPH Practicum Team prior to initiating each practicum experience.
Ways to Complete the Practicum Requirement
To meet the practicum requirement, the total practicum hours must be at least 100 hours; one may combine multiple experiences of less than 100 hours, to meet the total.
Completion of the PH.300.615 The Tools of Public Health Practice course (required for all MPH students) with a grade of C or higher will earn students 10 practicum hours.
Some courses have a real-world practice component, connecting students to outside organizations/agencies. In some cases, the course is centered on a fully developed practice experience that fulfills the practicum requirement for all students who complete the course (i.e. Baltimore Community Practicum, PHASE Internship, and the Health Policy Institute). Other courses may have limited availability or may not fully meet the 100-hour minimum requirement.
For courses that do not fulfill the entire 100-hour practicum requirement, students must combine experiences to complete the practicum requirement in full. Students are expected to complete courses in their entirety with a final letter grade of “C” or better to count towards the practicum requirement.
The most current listing of approved practicum courses can be found here.
Students may complete customized practicum experiences coordinated by a BSPH faculty member or in partnership with an outside BSPH preceptor.
Projects with a BSPH faculty member: Projects are developed and coordinated by the BSPH faculty member who may or may not serve as the Preceptor (e.g. in conjunction with a course, research study, grant, etc.). Some potential practicum projects with faculty may be established projects and are listed on the Practicum Opportunity Site. Students can also arrange other experiences with a faculty member.
Projects with an outside non-BSPH preceptor: Projects can be developed in other settings through their own connections, networks, prior work experience, etc. According to the CEPH accreditation document, “Applied practice experiences may involve governmental, non-governmental, non-profit, industrial and for-profit settings or appropriate university-affiliated settings. To be appropriate for applied practice experience activities, university-affiliated settings must be primarily focused on community engagement, typically with external partners. University health promotion or wellness centers may also be appropriate.” 1
Examples of customized projects include but are not limited to:
Students may utilize the resources below to identify practicum experiences.
Practicum Opportunity Site – Office of Public Health Practice and Training
The Practicum Opportunity Site (POS) lists various potential practicum opportunities (including projects with outside organizations, with BSPH faculty, and practicum courses) that have been identified and vetted by the School’s Practicum Team.
SOURCE
SOURCE is the community engagement and service-learning center for the Johns Hopkins University (JHU) Schools of Public Health, Nursing, and Medicine. Its mission is to engage the JHU health professional schools and Baltimore communities in mutually beneficial partnerships that promote health and social justice. There are multiple ways to engage in a practicum experience through SOURCE supported activities, including the SOURCE Service Scholars program, Baltimore Action Projects, Connection Community Consultants, and working directly with a SOURCE partner organization on a project. NOTE: Not all SOURCE projects meet the practicum requirements. Subscribe to the SOURCE Weekly Service Scoop to learn more about the latest community involvement opportunities in Baltimore City.
Office of Public Health Practice and Training
The Office of Public Health Practice and Training (Practice Office) is a schoolwide office dedicated to promoting excellence in public health practice at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. It works in partnership with students, staff, faculty, academic departments, centers, programs, community partners and alumni. The Practice Office also coordinates the MPH practicum. Any questions pertaining to the MPH practicum should be directed to the MPH Practicum Coordinator in the Practice Office. The MPH Practicum Coordinator can provide feedback/guidance on project ideas and also holds regular office hours throughout the year, during which students can drop by for advice.
Certificate Programs
There are a few certificate programs that include their own practicum requirement in the curriculum (e.g. Community-based Public Health, and Quality, Patient Safety, and Outcomes Research). The certificate practicum may fulfill the MPH practicum requirement, upon approval from the practicum team. Please note: Some certificates may have separate practicum paperwork that will need to be completed in addition to what you must submit for the MPH practicum.
Key Contact for Practicum
Paulani Mui, MPH Practicum Coordinator
Ph: (410) 502-8952 | Email: practice@jhu.edu
The MPH Capstone project is a requirement for graduation for students in the Master's of Public Health Program and is to be completed at the end of or within the final two terms of the program. The MPH Capstone is an opportunity for students to work on public health projects that are of interest to them. The goal is for students to synthesize, integrate and apply the skills and competencies they have acquired throughout the entire MPH program. Completion of the MPH capstone project requires completion of the course, PH.260.720 Communications Primer for the Public Health Sciences , and both a written and oral component to your project.
The project is done under the direction of a faculty member, the MPH capstone adviser. The capstone adviser will often be the student's adviser but does not have to be. Students can identify another faculty member to supervise the capstone, if more appropriate. The capstone adviser must have a primary or joint appointment in the School of Public Health. Department affiliation for any faculty member in the School can be determined by going to the Faculty Directory. If you are uncertain as to your capstone adviser’s departmental affiliation, check with your adviser or the MPH Program office.
After identifying a capstone adviser and capstone topic, students are expected to communicate regularly with their capstone adviser about their progress. The iterative process between a student and capstone adviser is an important component in the development and completion of the written project. Please see the capstone completion timeline for specific deadlines.
The capstone project can take many forms including one of the designs below, an expansion of a course, or an internship or practicum opportunity. The overarching principle used to determine if a capstone project is suitable is whether it provides students the opportunity to apply the skills and competencies acquired in the MPH program to a problem likely to be encountered in public health practice. The topic and format of the capstone project is flexible and is developed through discussions between the student and capstone adviser. Some examples of formats or designs for the capstone project include:
Literature Review
The capstone project would be an analysis of an important public health problem through a survey of current literature on the topic. The project would include sections that clearly describe and assess the problem and its magnitude, evaluate its causes and determinants, and discuss prevention and intervention strategies.
Program Plan
The capstone project would involve the development of a plan to implement a public health program. It would address critical issues such as management, fiscal, ethical and logistical issues.
Program Evaluation
The capstone project would involve the evaluation/monitoring of an existing public health program, such as process evaluation, monitoring of outputs and outcomes, impact assessment, and/or cost analysis.
Policy Analysis
The capstone project would involve analysis of the public health implications of a current or proposed policy. The project could include perspectives on economics and financing, need and demand, politics/ethics/law, or quality/effectiveness.
Research Proposal
The capstone project would simulate a grant proposal or research plan. The project would include a clear statement of the research question, the specific aims of the proposal, review of literature, study design, methods of analysis, implications and significance of the work. The research question would be one that is encountered in professional work such as the evaluation of a public health intervention.
Research Report
The capstone project could involve the collection, analysis, and/or interpretation of data to address a public health problem. The project could include sections on the research question, study design, data collection procedures, data analysis, interpretation, and significance of findings.
Secondary data analysis
Typically, the capstone research report is in the form of a secondary data analysis, using an existing data set. Please note that the appropriate IRB approval may need to be obtained for any project that uses data gathered from human subjects. Even in cases where the data is de-identified, a determination should be sought from the IRB office (see IRB section for further information).
Primary data analysis
Work for the MPH capstone can also involve the collection of data. Data collection for a capstone is usually in the context of an ongoing study. It is typically not feasible to initiate a new study involving primary data collection and requires special approval in the rare cases where feasible.
Using a course project as an MPH capstone project
Some courses in the School of Public Health require projects that could serve as a basis for an MPH capstone project. Students may use their work from any project-oriented course as a starting basis for their capstone but must build and expand on it for the final capstone project. Building on a project from a course may be helpful to some students because it provides additional structure and support. If a project from a course is used as a starting point for the capstone, the previous work must be placed in the list of references and the adviser will need a copy of the student's original paper. There are numerous courses in the School that are project oriented which could serve as a starting point for the capstone.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Complete PH.260.720: Communications Primer for the Public Health Sciences | No later than 4th Term |
| Submit online Capstone Information Form | By early May |
| Submit final outline to capstone advisor | By late May |
| Register for capstone course for Summer Term | See academic calendar |
| Submit first draft of project to capstone advisor | By 3rd week of June |
| Submit final draft of project to capstone advisor | By 3rd week of July |
| Upload only the capstone advisor approved final paper and End of Program Goals Analysis to drop box. Unapproved papers will not be accepted. | By one week before presentation date |
| Give oral presentation | August (see website for current year's date) |
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Complete PH.260.720: Communications Primer for the Public Health Sciences | No later than 1st Term |
| Submit online Capstone Information Form | By early August |
| Submit final outline to capstone advisor | By 3rd week of September |
| Register for capstone course for Summer Term | See academic calendar |
| Submit first draft of project to capstone advisor | By 3rd week of October |
| Submit final draft of project to capstone advisor | By mid-November |
| Upload only the capstone advisor approved final paper and End of Program Goals Analysis to drop box. Unapproved papers will not be accepted. | By one week before presentation date |
| Give oral presentation | December (see website for current year's date) |
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Complete PH.260.720: Communications Primer for the Public Health Sciences | No later than 3rd Term |
| Submit online Capstone Information Form | By early December |
| Submit final outline to capstone advisor | By early February |
| Register for capstone course for Summer Term | See academic calendar |
| Submit first draft of project to capstone advisor | By mid-March |
| Submit final draft of project to capstone advisor | By mid-April |
| Upload only the capstone advisor approved final paper and End of Program Goals Analysis to drop box. Unapproved papers will not be accepted. | By one week before presentation date |
| Give oral presentation | May (see website for current year's date) |
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Complete PH.260.720: Communications Primer for the Public Health Sciences | No later than 3rd Term |
| Submit online Capstone Information Form | By early December |
| Submit final outline to capstone advisor | By early February |
| Register for capstone course for Summer Term | By mid-March |
| Submit first draft of project to capstone advisor | By late March |
| Submit final draft of project to capstone advisor | By 3rd week of April |
| Upload only the capstone advisor approved final paper and End of Program Goals Analysis to drop box. Unapproved papers will not be accepted. | By one week before presentation date |
| Give oral presentation | May (see website for current year's date) |
Students presenting at an alternate venue must adhere to the schedules above, as per the time of year in which the project is completed. Deadlines for completion of the oral presentation are August online, December online, or the May symposium date, depending on the period in which the student is graduating.
The MPH Capstone Awards Committee bestows special honors to the best overall capstone projects. Nominations are accepted from capstone advisers. The winners will be selected by the awards committee based on the written project. Each capstone award winner receives a plaque for excellence. The student with the single overall best capstone project will also receive a $500 award.
Course location and modality is found on the BSPH website.
Note: A repeated course may only count once toward the 80-credit requirement. Classes taken for audit do not count towards the 80-credit requirement for graduation.
Special Note on Courses Taken at BSPH While Not Formally Matriculated as an MPH Degree Seeking Student: A limited number of course credits taken at Johns Hopkins prior to matriculation into the MPH Program (e.g., up to 16 credits completed as a special student/non-degree student) can be applied toward the 80 total credits, provided the courses were completed not more than 5 years prior to the date of matriculation into the MPH Program.
Students must meet minimum academic standards to remain in the MPH Program. A student’s failure to meet any of the criteria below is grounds for being placed on academic warning and/or being dismissed from the program.
Maintaining the highest level of academic and research integrity is an important responsibility of our faculty and students. To help achieve this goal, all students are required to complete the PH.550.860 Academic & Research Ethics at JHSPH course. The course examines academic and research ethics at BSPH through a series of online interactive modules:
Students are automatically registered into the Academic and Research Ethics course (PH.550.860) when they matriculate into the MPH program. All BSPH students are required to complete this non-credit course by the end of the period in which they are registered.
The BSPH Policy and Procedure Memorandum for Students for Academic Ethics can be found here.
All new online/part-time MPH students will be awarded the Welch Scholarship. This award is in honor of the Bloomberg School’s 100th anniversary and our founding dean William Henry Welch. The Welch Scholarship is designated for tuition costs and is disbursed incrementally for each credit (up to 80 credits). This funding can be used for online, in-person or institute courses.
Please note that the Welch Scholarship is not part of Federal Financial Aid and does not have the same eligibility guidelines. The Welch Scholarship will be automatically applied up to 12 credits.
If a part-time/online MPH program student takes more than 12 credits in any Term or Institute, they will pay the full-time tuition rate for those additional credits.
The core curriculum and associated components of the MPH Program includes grounding in foundational public health knowledge in the profession and science of public health and factors related to human health. All MPH graduates will demonstrate public health competencies that are informed by the critical disciplines in public health (including: biostatistics, epidemiology, social and behavioral determinants of health, management sciences, public health problem-solving, computer applications, demography, environmental health, biological sciences, and public health policy) as well as cross-cutting and emerging public health areas.
The core curriculum also provides an opportunity to apply the skills and competencies acquired during the program to practical public health problems through the MPH practicum experience and the MPH capstone course and project.
The following are required of MPH students, but are not formal courses:
In addition to the above courses, students must also complete additional courses to satisfy the MPH foundational knowledge learning objectives and public health foundational competencies. The tables on the following pages list courses that satisfy the foundational knowledge and competency areas and when they are offered.
Course schedules are subject to change; please check the course database for the most up-to-date course listing information.
In some exceptional circumstances, students may be granted a modification of some core requirements if they can demonstrate and document that they have previously acquired the associated core competencies. Even if a modification is granted of a core course, 80 credits are still required for graduation. Modifications or exceptions can only be granted in the following core areas:
All other core requirements must be completed with the approved course options only.
Students must select 5 additional general competencies that they plan to develop – separate from the Foundational Public Health competencies. These five additional competencies may expand or enhance the foundational competencies but cannot be the same as them. Students select their 5 additional competencies from among the > 60 competencies listed in courses required by any of the 12 MPH Focus Areas.
The Competency Table must be completed and submitted as part of your curriculum plan. You will submit the curriculum plan online. All courses that you select to meet your 5 additional competencies must be completed for degree completion and graduation eligibility.
As you progress through the MPH program, if your course selections change, you must upload a new curriculum plan and competency table to show how these requirements will continue to be met.
Please check here for updated, detailed information on Focus Area Competencies and related courses.
The purpose of the MPH Individualized Goals Analysis requirement is to:
The required Goals Analysis will be completed as part of the Introduction to MPH Studies course and consists of two parts:
Complete a self-assessment by:
Students should work with their academic network adviser to complete their curriculum plan and submit the online Core Curriculum Confirmation Form to the MPH Program office.
The Goals Analysis is intended to be a living document, one which you and your advisor review and update as you make changes in focus and direction throughout the MPH program.
The intent of the MPH practicum requirement is to engage students in activities aligned with their career goals, as well as activities that demonstrate application of public health concepts and critical thinking relevant to the student’s area of specialization. Students will seek out activities that further develop their skill set and add new tools to their professional toolkit. Upon completion of the program, the student will be able to provide evidence of application of these skills to potential employers.
Organizations or agencies that can serve as practicum sites may include local and state public health agencies, community-based organizations, international non-governmental agencies and organizations, data coordinating centers for clinical trials, and BSPH Centers. The Practicum Experience must have some engagement in the larger public health practice implications of the work. This could be completed in a variety of ways, as appropriate to the individual projects. Some examples include, but are not limited to, collaboration with others (e.g., end users, data collectors, etc.) to provide/prepare for data analysis and interpretation, partnerships with other public health organizations (e.g., state health department, community organizations) related to study design or implementation; and obtaining input on the work from stakeholders (population impacted by project, other professionals/researchers completing similar work).
Activities completed prior to matriculation to the MPH program do not count towards the MPH practicum requirement.
| Address | Description |
|---|---|
| https://publichealth.jhu.edu/offices-and-services/office-of-public-health-practice-and-training | Practicum Website |
| https://my.jhsph.edu/Resources/SearchTools/pos/Pages/home.aspx | Practicum Opportunity Site |
| https://publichealth.jhu.edu/offices-and-services/office-of-public-health-practice-and-training/the-mph-practicum | Practicum Examples |
The following criteria reflect the minimum practicum requirements. Approval from the MPH Practicum Team is required prior to the student initiating each practicum experience. A practicum experience:
Students will need to identify distinct learning objectives for the practicum that address learning and application in at least five competencies from this list.
A detailed outline of all steps that students must follow to complete the MPH Practicum, including registration instructions, can be found on the MPH Practicum website as well as in the MPH program manual. All Students must receive approval from the MPH Practicum Team prior to initiating each practicum experience.
Ways to Complete the Practicum Requirement
To meet the practicum requirement, the total practicum hours must be at least 100 hours; one may combine multiple experiences of less than 100 hours to meet the total.
Completion of PH.300.615 The Tools of Public Health Practice course (required for all MPH students) with a grade of C or higher will earn students 10 practicum hours.
Some courses have a real-world practice component, connecting students to outside organizations/agencies. In some cases, the course is centered on a fully developed practice experience that fulfills the practicum requirement for all students who complete the course (i.e., Baltimore Community Practicum, PHASE Internship, and the Health Policy Institute). Other courses may have limited availability or may not fully meet the 100-hour minimum requirement.
For courses that do not fulfill the entire 100-hour practicum requirement, students must combine experiences to complete the practicum requirement in full. Students are expected to complete courses in their entirety with a final letter grade of “C” or better to count towards the practicum requirement.
The most current listing of approved practicum courses can be found here.
Students may complete customized practicum experiences coordinated by a BSPH faculty member or in partnership with an outside BSPH preceptor.
Projects with a BSPH faculty member: Projects are developed and coordinated by the BSPH faculty member who may or may not serve as the Preceptor (e.g., in conjunction with a course, research study, grant, etc.). Some potential practicum projects with faculty may be established projects and are listed on the Practicum Opportunity Site. Students can also arrange other experiences with a faculty member.
Projects with an outside non-BSPH preceptor: Projects can be developed in other settings through their own connections, networks, prior work experience, etc. According to the CEPH accreditation document, “Applied practice experiences may involve governmental, non-governmental, non-profit, industrial and for-profit settings or appropriate university-affiliated settings. To be appropriate for applied practice experience activities, university-affiliated settings must be primarily focused on community engagement, typically with external partners. University health promotion or wellness centers may also be appropriate.” 1
Examples of customized projects include but are not limited to:
Students may utilize the resources below to identify practicum experiences.
Practicum Opportunity Site – Office of Public Health Practice and Training
The Practicum Opportunity Site (POS) lists various potential practicum opportunities (including projects with outside organizations, with BSPH faculty, and practicum courses) that have been identified and vetted by the School’s Practicum Team.
SOURCE
SOURCE is the community engagement and service-learning center for the Johns Hopkins University (JHU) Schools of Public Health, Nursing, and Medicine. Its mission is to engage the JHU health professional schools and Baltimore communities in mutually beneficial partnerships that promote health and social justice. There are multiple ways to engage in a practicum experience through SOURCE supported activities, including the SOURCE Service Scholars program, Baltimore Action Projects, Connection Community Consultants, and working directly with a SOURCE partner organization on a project. NOTE: Not all SOURCE projects meet the practicum requirements. Subscribe to the SOURCE Weekly Service Scoop to learn more about the latest community involvement opportunities in Baltimore City ().
Office of Public Health Practice and Training
The Office of Public Health Practice and Training (Practice Office) is a schoolwide office dedicated to promoting excellence in public health practice at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. It works in partnership with students, staff, faculty, academic departments, centers, programs, community partners and alumni. The Practice Office also coordinates the MPH practicum. Any questions pertaining to the MPH practicum should be directed to the MPH Practicum Coordinator in the Practice Office. The MPH Practicum Coordinator can provide feedback/guidance on project ideas and also holds regular office hours throughout the year, during which students can drop by for advice.
Certificate Programs
There are a few certificate programs that include their own practicum requirement in the curriculum (e.g. Community-based Public Health, and Quality, Patient Safety, and Outcomes Research). The certificate practicum may fulfill the MPH practicum requirement, upon approval from the practicum team. Please note: Some certificates may have separate practicum paperwork that will need to be completed in addition what you must submit for the MPH practicum.
Key Contact for Practicum
Paulani Mui, MPH Practicum Coordinator
Ph: (410) 502-8952 | Email: practice@jhu.edu
The MPH Capstone project is a requirement for graduation for students in the Master's of Public Health Program and is to be completed at the end of or within the final two terms of the program. The MPH Capstone is an opportunity for students to work on public health projects that are of interest to them. The goal is for students to synthesize, integrate and apply the skills and competencies they have acquired throughout the entire MPH program. Completion of the MPH capstone project requires completion of the course PH.260.720 Communications Primer for the Public Health Sciences and both a written and oral component to your project.
The project is done under the direction of a faculty member, the MPH capstone advisor. The capstone advisor will often be the student's advisor but does not have to be. Students can identify another faculty member to supervise the capstone, if more appropriate. The capstone advisor must have a primary or joint appointment in the School of Public Health. Department affiliation for any faculty member in the School can be determined by going to the Faculty Directory. If you are uncertain as to your capstone advisor’s departmental affiliation, check with your advisor or the MPH Program office.
After identifying a capstone advisor and capstone topic, students are expected to communicate regularly with their capstone advisor about their progress. The iterative process between a student and capstone advisor is an important component in the development and completion of the written project. Please see the capstone completion timeline for specific deadlines.
The capstone project can take many forms including one of the designs below, an expansion of a course, or an internship or practicum opportunity. The overarching principle used to determine if a capstone project is suitable is whether it provides students the opportunity to apply the skills and competencies acquired in the MPH program to a problem likely to be encountered in public health practice. The topic and format of the capstone project are flexible and developed through discussions between the student and capstone advisor. Some examples of formats or designs for the capstone project include:
Literature Review
The capstone project would be an analysis of an important public health problem through a survey of current literature on the topic. The project would include sections that clearly describe and assess the problem and its magnitude, evaluate its causes and determinants, and discuss prevention and intervention strategies.
Program Plan
The capstone project would involve the development of a plan to implement a public health program. It would address critical issues such as management, fiscal, ethical and logistical issues.
Program Evaluation
The capstone project would involve the evaluation/monitoring of an existing public health program, such as process evaluation, monitoring of outputs and outcomes, impact assessment, and/or cost analysis.
Policy Analysis
The capstone project would involve analysis of the public health implications of a current or proposed policy. The project could include perspectives on economics and financing, need and demand, politics/ethics/law, or quality/effectiveness.
Research Proposal
The capstone project would simulate a grant proposal or research plan. The project would include a clear statement of the research question, the specific aims of the proposal, review of literature, study design, methods of analysis, implications and significance of the work. The research question would be one that is encountered in professional work such as the evaluation of a public health intervention.
Research Report
The capstone project could involve the collection, analysis, and/or interpretation of data to address a public health problem. The project could include sections on the research question, study design, data collection procedures, data analysis, interpretation, and significance of findings.
Secondary data analysis
Typically, the capstone research report is in the form of a secondary data analysis, using an existing data set. Please note that the appropriate IRB approval may need to be obtained for any project that uses data gathered from human subjects. Even in cases where the data is de-identified, a determination should be sought from the IRB office (see IRB section for further information).
Primary data analysis
Work for the MPH capstone can also involve the collection of data. Data collection for a capstone is usually in the context of an ongoing study. It is typically not feasible to initiate a new study involving primary data collection and requires special approval in rare cases where feasible.
Using a course project as an MPH capstone project
Some courses in the School of Public Health require projects that could serve as a basis for an MPH capstone project. Students may use their work from any project-oriented course as a starting basis for their capstone but must build and expand on it for the final capstone project. Building on a project from a course may be helpful to some students because it provides additional structure and support. If a project from a course is used as a starting point for the capstone, the previous work must be placed in the list of references and the advisor will need a copy of the student's original paper. There are numerous courses in the School that are project oriented which could serve as a starting point for the capstone.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Complete PH.260.720: Communications Primer for the Public Health Sciences | No later than 4th Term |
| Submit online Capstone Information Form | By early May |
| Submit final outline to capstone advisor | By late May |
| Register for capstone course for Summer Term | See academic calendar |
| Submit first draft of project to capstone advisor | By 3rd week of June |
| Submit final draft of project to capstone advisor | By 3rd week of July |
| Upload only the capstone advisor approved final paper and End of Program Goals Analysis to drop box. Unapproved papers will not be accepted. | By one week before presentation date |
| Give oral presentation | August (see website for current year's date) |
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Complete PH.260.720: Communications Primer for the Public Health Sciences | No later than 1st Term |
| Submit online Capstone Information Form | By late August |
| Submit final outline to capstone advisor | By 3rd week of September |
| Register for capstone course for Summer Term | See academic calendar |
| Submit first draft of project to capstone advisor | By 3rd week of October |
| Submit final draft of project to capstone advisor | By mid-November |
| Upload only the capstone advisor approved final paper and End of Program Goals Analysis to drop box. Unapproved papers will not be accepted. | By one week before presentation date |
| Give oral presentation | December (see website for current year's date) |
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Complete PH.260.720: Communications Primer for the Public Health Sciences | No later than 3rd Term |
| Submit online Capstone Information Form | By early December |
| Submit final outline to capstone advisor | By early February |
| Register for capstone course for Summer Term | See academic calendar |
| Submit first draft of project to capstone advisor | By mid-March |
| Submit final draft of project to capstone advisor | By mid-April |
| Upload only the capstone advisor approved final paper and End of Program Goals Analysis to drop box. Unapproved papers will not be accepted. | By one week before presentation date |
| Give oral presentation | May (see website for current year's date) |
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Complete PH.260.720: Communications Primer for the Public Health Sciences | No later than 3rd Term |
| Submit online Capstone Information Form | By early December |
| Submit final outline to capstone advisor | By early February |
| Register for capstone course for Summer Term | By mid-March |
| Submit first draft of project to capstone advisor | By late March |
| Submit final draft of project to capstone advisor | By 3rd week of April |
| Upload only the capstone advisor approved final paper and End of Program Goals Analysis to drop box. Unapproved papers will not be accepted. | By one week before presentation date |
| Give oral presentation | May (see website for current year's date) |
Students presenting at an alternate venue must adhere to the schedules above, as per the time of year in which the project is completed. Deadlines for completion of the oral presentation are August online, December online, or the May symposium date, depending on the period in which the student is graduating.
The MPH Capstone Awards Committee bestows special honors to the best overall capstone projects. Nominations are accepted from capstone advisors. The winners will be selected by the awards committee based on the written project. Each capstone award winner receives a plaque for excellence. The student with the single overall best capstone project will also receive a $500 award.
For a full list of program polices, please visit the MPH website where students can find our full-time and part-time/online student manuals.
All students must select 5 general competencies that they wish to achieve during their MPH program. Students can either choose one of the 12 concentration areas listed below and their associated 5 competencies. Alternatively, students may customize their elective coursework and choose their 5 general competencies from among the 60 total competencies listed below.
Please see the link to the IIHMR curriculum here.
According to the requirements of the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), all BSPH degree students must be grounded in foundational public health knowledge. Please view the list of specific CEPH requirements by degree type.