Frequently Asked Questions

Admissions

What are the admission requirements?
Can I apply electronically?
Can I transfer units from another institution? 
If admitted, can I defer my start date?
Is it possible to complete the part-time/Internet-based MPH while working full-time?
What is the difference between the part-time/Internet-based MPH and the MPH I would receive if I came to the campus to study?
What are the program costs?
Is financial aid available?
Are scholarships available?
Are there other opportunities for financial aid?
Is there funding for part-time/Internet-based students?
How many units is the program?
What are the residency requirements?
Can I be exempt from any courses?
When does the program start?
Can I take courses before being admitted into the MPH program?
Do I need to buy a laptop computer?
What areas of specialization are available within the MPH degree?

What are the admission requirements?

1. Application. All applicants must submit the online application available through the School’s Admissions Office, which includes the submission of:
   1. Curriculum vitae (CV) or Resume
   2. Personal Statement

Application instructions are available on the admissions website. (At this time, JHSPH is not participating in SOPHAS).

2. Transcripts from each academic institution beyond high school.  All academic transcripts from institutions outside of the U.S. must be evaluated by a U.S.-based external credentialing service.
   
3. Three letters of recommendation (forms provided in online application materials).  It is suggested that both professional and academic letters of recommendation be submitted.
   
4. Standardized test scores. Official scores of the GRE, MCAT, GMAT, or LSAT are required of all MPH applicants.
   
   
   • Applicants who do NOT clearly demonstrate strong quantitative skills are not admitted into the program.
   • Applicants may elect to have their applications reviewed without standardized test scores if they have earned an advanced degree beyond the baccalaureate. However, in doing so applicants will be putting themselves at a significant disadvantage for admission into the program unless their admission materials clearly demonstrate significant quantitative and analytical skills. This is particularly true for applicants with medical degrees earned outside of the U.S.
   • Applicants who request to have their applications reviewed without standardized test scores will likely not be awarded a scholarship.
    
5. Coursework. All matriculating Master of Public Health (MPH) students shall have successfully completed at least one college-level course in each of the following areas
   1. Mathematics (e.g., calculus, algebra, statistics)
   2. General Biology
   3. Health-related science (e.g., nutrition, microbiology, anatomy or physiology), OR another biology course
      
6. English language proficiency. Applicants from countries where English is not the primary language must submit official scores of the TOEFL. A minimum TOEFL score of 250 on the computer-based test, 600 on the paper-based, or 100 on the Internet-based test is required for admission into the MPH program. A list of countries that require TOEFL is available. Applicants may also submit IELTS scores with a minimum score of 7.0.
   
7. Experience. A minimum of two years of full-time, post-baccalaureate health-related work experience is required of all applicants who have not earned a doctoral degree. This requirement may be waived for applicants to the MPH combined degree programs (except for the combined MPH/MBA degree, which does require the two years of health-related work experience).

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Can I apply electronically?

Yes. You may apply online by completing the application form.

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Can I transfer units from another institution?

Unfortunately, we do not accept any transfer credit for the MPH program.

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If admitted, can I defer my start date?

Once admitted to the MPH program, deferrals can be requested. A letter or email should be addressed to the MPH Admissions Coordinator requesting a deferral of enrollment. Deferrals are granted for one year beyond the initial date of admittance to the program. Students who request a deferral must pay the non-refundable $600 enrollment deposit before a deferral will be granted.

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Part-time/Internet Format

Is it possible to complete the part-time/Internet-based MPH while working full-time?

Yes, most part-time/Internet based students work full-time. This format was designed specifically to accommodate full-time or part-time work schedules. Students can complete up to 80 percent of the program in an online format, but must earn at least 20 percent of their units in a face-to-face format. The inherent flexibility of an Internet-based course allows students to fit the course into their own schedules. The courses can be accessed anywhere, anytime, as long as the student has reliable Internet access.

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What is the difference between the part-time/Internet-based MPH and the MPH I would receive if I came to the campus to study? 

Nothing. The degree you receive is the same whether you study full-time, part-time, or via the Internet. The strategies you use to master the competencies are different, but the skills you must master are the same. The MPH program at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health has been accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health.

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Funding

What are the program costs?

For part-time/Internet-based students, Bloomberg School tuition is $892 for each academic unit.  Full-time tuition is $10,704 per term (2011-12 academic year). For tuition purposes, students registered for 12 or more units are considered full-time.

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Is financial aid available?

The School does have a Financial Services Office, whose primary role is to help students apply for financial aid.

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Are scholarships available?

All accepted applicants are reviewed for merit-based scholarships from the MPH program. There are no additional forms that you need to submit in order to be considered. The scholarships are highly competitive and only a small proportion of accepted students receive scholarship support. Scholarship decisions will be sent out in mid-to-late March.

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Are there other opportunities for financial aid?

The School maintains a Student Funding Resource Office and the MPH Program has gathered some helpful funding information.

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Is there funding for part-time/Internet-based students?

Part-time/Internet-based students may contact the Office of Student Funding Sources to find out more about grants, fellowships, and other external funding sources.

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General

How many units is the program?

MPH students are required to successfully complete 80 credit units for graduation.

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What are the residency requirements?

Full-time students are required to complete the program in one academic year (July-May). This intensive schedule will require students to live in the Baltimore-metropolitan area to complete coursework on schedule. There are no residency (within the State of Maryland) requirements for completing the part-time/Internet-based MPH program. However, 16 of the 80 units must be earned in a face-to-face environment. These units can be earned through intensive Summer/Winter Institutes, the Barcelona Institute, a term of full-time study in Baltimore, or by taking a course anywhere that Bloomberg School faculty offer courses.

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Can I be exempt from any courses?

If you have expertise in a particular area of study and would like to challenge a course requirement, you may waive the course and substitute a different class upon the advice and consent of program faculty. See the Student Program Manual for more information.

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When does the program start?

The MPH program starts with an orientation session that all students are required to attend in order to officially matriculate into the program. If a student is unable to begin the program at the designated time, deferring enrollment may be a possibility. Full-time students begin the program in late June. Part-time/Internet-based students begin in January or early June in Baltimore, or in November in Barcelona, Spain.

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Can I take courses before being admitted into the MPH program?

Students can enroll in courses as a Special Student Limited (SSL).  No more than 16 units may be accumulated by a SSL.  These units can be applied to the MPH program but does not ensure admission into the program.

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Do I need to buy a laptop computer?

Students are encouraged to bring their laptops to campus. With the increasing use of technology on campus and in courses, laptop computers are as essential as textbooks. A survey of previous MPH students confirms the importance of having a laptop while on campus. Our School does have computer labs and printers available for student use. Personal computers must meet the required specifications to participate in online courses.
Hewlett Packard offers exclusive discounts to Johns Hopkins faculty, staff, and students for personal purchases.
Apple Purchasing also offers discounts to Johns Hopkins faculty, staff, and students for personal purchases.

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What areas of specialization are available within the MPH degree?

In addition to the ten academic departments at the School that offer coursework, the MPH Program offers concentrations that will allow students the opportunity to supplement the core MPH curriculum with coursework in a specialty area.

  Some of our recent graduates have taken positions as  

•    Scientific Review Administrator, NIAID, NIH
•    Director, Outreach & Patient Recruitment, National Cancer Institute
•    Epidemiologist, NIH
•    Medical Officer, Food & Drug Administration
•    Director of Health Education, Garrett County Health Department
•     District Health Director, Virginia Department of Health
•    Senior Health Program Officer, Medical Care Development
•    International Protocol Operations Coordinator, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
•    Director, Health Economics & Outcomes Research, AstraZeneca
•    Director of Health & Social Services, City of Blantyre, Malawi
•    Senior Manager, Ministry of the Environment, Singapore

    The Office of Career Services provides students with assistance in identifying potential employment opportunities, resume development and career planning.

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