MHS in Epidemiology
Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health
Key Information
Campus location
Baltimore, USA
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
1 year
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
USD 59,184 / per year *
Application deadline
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Earliest start date
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* additional fees may apply. Scholarships are available
Scholarships
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Introduction
The Master of Health Science (MHS) degree is designed for students interested in gaining knowledge and training in Epidemiology who may not have had significant prior work experience in the field. MHS candidates may apply directly from undergraduate programs as long as they have had some scientific, biologic, research, or laboratory experience and have met the prerequisite courses. MHS students may fulfill the thesis requirement by completing a systematic literature review, performing secondary data analysis, or completing a program or project proposal.
The MHS degree program begins in late August/early September, with the first year devoted to coursework followed by research and thesis, usually requiring an additional year in residence. The MHS program requires that students complete at least 64 credits of coursework with a cumulative 2.75 GPA (B or higher average), successfully pass the written comprehensive exams, and produce a publishable quality manuscript of their own work. Students work closely with their advisers to develop their research questions and design their projects.
The MHS and ScM degrees are the same in regard to the required coursework, but they differ in the entrance and some thesis requirements.
The deadline for applications is March 1. Applications are on a first-come, first-served basis. The average review time from completed application to decision-in-hand is less than eight days, so applicants are encouraged to apply well before March 1. Applications for Fall 2021 started being reviewed in mid-November 2020.
Curriculum
Coursework
A minimum of 64 credits is required to complete either a Master’s degree. The basic curriculum includes the three Epidemiologic Methods courses (340.751, 340.752, 340.753), a Biostatistics Sequence, Research Ethics and Perspectives, and overview/ survey courses, as well as electives deemed appropriate toward providing an academic framework and base for guided research.
Core Coursework (required for ALL master's students)
To address breadth, the National accreditor for schools of public health (Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)) has twelve “Introductory Public Health Knowledge Learning Objectives” in which all students must complete didactic coursework, and the “Cells to Society” courses to help programs meet this requirement.
For Epidemiology degree programs, five of the twelve competencies are covered through required Epidemiology Core Coursework. All students need to complete the eight indicated Cells to Society Course by the end of Year One.
Special Studies and Research in Epidemiology, PH.340.840.xx, is offered during terms 1, 2, 3, and 4.
- Who should enroll (as per the grid):
- All first year MHS and ScM students
- Any doctoral students conducting an independent study
- Any doctoral student who has not yet passed the Preliminary Oral Exam
- How credits are calculated for a variable credit course:
- Students must remember that the 1 – in class, 2 hours – outside of class still apply: e.g. Students should think about the time the faculty member will be involved in guiding them (see faculty contact hours below) as well as how much time the student uses to conduct outside readings and work.
- What constitutes the faculty contact hours:
- Individual one-on-one meetings
- Faculty revisions of writing projects (Faculty members spend a lot of time editing, proofreading, and otherwise providing written feedback to students.)
- Mentoring and networking preparation and discussion.
- Time spent in group settings with faculty mentor e.g. journal clubs or weekly “lab/group” meetings. Students should make every effort to attend the group meetings for their track and adviser.
- What activities count for independent study or special studies and research: This is the time to be creative. The following are some of the kinds of uses of the time:
- Directed readings and discussion leading up to preparing for the research proposal.
- Literature searches and meta-analyses.
- Secondary data analysis.
- Self-guided focused study on a particular methodology or a disease of interest.
- How should students register:
- Students must communicate intent to register with the faculty mentor in writing, prior to registering for credits and receive confirmation of the fact of the special studies, the content/activities to be conducted, and the number of credits.
- Students may take 1-3 credits while taking a full load of courses.
- Students may take up to 8 credits per term while taking a partial load of courses with the approval of the faculty mentor.
- Students must meet with the faculty mentor before or during add/drop to discuss objectives.
Gallery
Career Opportunities
- Epidemiologist
- Data Analyst
- Health Communications Specialist/Health Educator
- Laboratory Supervisor
- Programmer
- Research Coordinator