Frequently Asked Questions

If I am not currently part of the Hopkins system, can I apply to the program?
You are eligible to apply for the MHS in Clinical Investigation or the Science of Clinical Investigation Course Sequence.

Where should I look for funding?
Funding for GTPCI student usually comes from a variety of sources. Stipends and tuition can be provided from some NIH training grants or other external training funds. Some departments have used internal funds to support GTPCI students or obtained special fellowships from pharmaceutical companies. Many career development awards, including the GCRC's CAP Award and the NIH K23 Award, are suitable sources of support, but may be difficult to obtain before completing the first year of the program. Finally there are some training awards that are targeted to specified populations (e.g. women, minorities, etc.) which are available to qualified individuals.

SOCI coursework can be supported by the University's Tuition Benefit Program for full time faculty and staff. Five places in each class are reserved for post-doctoral fellows who cannot identify any source of support. These tuition "scholarships" are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Interested fellows can apply for a tuition waver by sending a letter describing the student's academic standing and reasons for wanting to take the SOCI series to the Sr. Program Coordinator in the GTPCI office.

Do I have to be in my second year of fellowship when I begin the didactic year of the GTPCI program?
No, ideally GTPCI students should have completed most of their required clinical subspecialty training before entering the didactic year so that the subsequent time for research is minimally interrupted. Thus, for medical subspecialties requiring two years of clinical training, the didactic year is best delayed until the third fellowship year. In unusual circumstances, a student may begin the program and his clinical fellowship concurrently, but this is not desireable. Contact the Program Coordinator for clarification.

If I apply for a PhD or ScM and decide to leave, can I receive the MHS if I have completed the didactic year and comprehensive exam?
No. Only students who are accepted into the MHS degree program will be eligible to receive a MHS degree.

Is there an early application review option?
Our application deadline is March 1 of the year in which you intend to begin the didactic program. Early admission decisions can be provided for outside applicants to Johns Hopkins' clinical fellowship programs, in time for the applicant to know his/her status before matching deadlines. Such early admission applications must be accompanied by a letter from the department director or training program director, pledging full support for stipend and tuition for the program.