Prospective Students
Degree Programs
We offer the MHS, ScM, and PhD degree programs. Click below to find the right program for you.
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We appreciate your interest in Biostatistics at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Established in 1918, we are the oldest biostatistics department in the world and always rank among the most prestigious. You can learn more about us by visiting our research page and by perusing the rest of our site. These few FAQs will help to familiarize you with our discipline and department.
What is biostatistics?
Biostatistics involves the reasoning and methods for using data as evidence to address public health and biomedical questions. It is a scientific approach and a set of tools for designing studies and quantifying the resulting evidence, for quantifying what we believe, and for making decisions. Biostatistics is rapidly expanding because of exciting new problems in bioinformatics, genetics, neuroimaging, bioterrorism, environmental science, international health and health policy.
What is unique about Hopkins Biostatistics?
Founded in 1918, we were one of the first academic departments of statistical science in the world, and always have ranked among the best. We are a collegial group of 20 faculty and 40 PhD students working together to advance statistical science and public health. Our broad perspective on biostatistics ranges from foundations and methods for inference through application to the solution of public health and biomedical problems. We work with biomedical colleagues from Johns Hopkins as well as other top-rated schools of public health and medicine. Our PhD program provides the full mathematical rigor of mathematical statistics training in addition to methodologic and applications research relevant to bioscience.
What kinds of students do we seek?
Problem solvers and effective communicators. Mathematical aptitude, an ambition to discover, an interest in biological questions and good communication skills are prerequisites. We are flexible about prior coursework. Medical students are encouraged to consider our joint MD/PhD program.
What funding opportunities exist for PhD students?
We have funded training programs in Epidemiology and Biostatistics of Aging for PhD students who are US citizens or permanent residents.
In which careers do our graduates excel?
Because our training is both mathematically rigorous and biologically relevant, our graduates are in demand by academia, government and industry. Of our last 20 PhD graduates, 16 are faculty at leading universities, including Harvard, Brown, Berkeley, the University of Chicago and the University of Washington. PhD graduates can expect starting salaries of approximately $80,000 in academia and $100,000 in industry.
Application Requirements
- Bachelor's degree
- Completed School of Public Health application - see How to Apply
- GRE general score results
- Official transcripts (from all college-level institutions attended, regardless of number of credits earned or if the grades appear on your home institution's transcript)
- International academic records must undergo a credentials evaluation
- TOEFL results (if your most recent academic degree is from a university where English is NOT the primary language of instruction)
- Resume or curriculum vitae
- Three letters of recommendation
- Statement of purpose
PhD program application deadline: December 1
ScM and MHS programs application deadline: December 1
If you apply by these deadlines you will be considered for admission for the following September. For example: If you apply by December 1, 2018, you will be considered for the incoming class in September 2019.
For more information about admission requirements for the School of Public Health, please contact the School's Admissions Office.