MHS in Health, Behavior and Society (Social Factors in Health) Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health

The MHS in Social Factors in Health is an advanced research degree for students with undergraduate exposure to social and behavioral sciences and/or public health who are interested in further training in the theory and methods in this area.

The program is intended to prepare students either for further doctoral training in public health or to work in a public health research or policy position. The focus of the MHS in Social Factors program in the Department of Health, Behavior and Society is on integrating and applying a broad range of knowledge and analytical skills in social aspects of contemporary public health problems.

The program consists of one and one-half to two years of full-time study, combining classroom-based coursework, seminars and independent study, development of a research plan and completion of a mentored research project, and a master’s research paper presenting original research.

The final program requirement is a research presentation by the student in a department seminar. The research project, planned with the guidance of the student’s academic advisor, may begin after successful completion of 64 credits, typically at the end of the first year, and must include the equivalent of 600 hours of activity, in a paid or unpaid position.

Course of Study

Students will complete a minimum of 96 total units of credit hours, in six or seven full-time terms over a year and a half of study, graduating at the end of the second year.

In the first year, the four full-time terms of study will consist of academic coursework in classroom and seminar settings. A total of 64 academic units must be completed prior to beginning the research practicum. Students must register for 16 or more credits each term, to hold full-time status in the School. All required courses must be taken for a letter grade. It is anticipated that students will complete a significant portion of their research practicum activities during the summer between the first and second year.

In the second year, students will register full-time (16+ credits per term) for a course of study that will include remaining courses, as well as an independent study with their advisor as they develop their research plan, complete their research practicum, and write their research paper. They will also attend at least two terms of the MHS in Social Factors seminar in their second program year. Students may be eligible to complete all requirements for graduation by the end of the second term of their second year, depending on the timing of their research practicum and final approval of their paper.