Epidemiology, MHS

Master of Health Science Degree Programs

Master of Health Science (MHS) degree programs begin 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 and BA/MHS degrees are similar with regard to the required coursework, but they differ in the entrance requirements.

The MHS degree is designed for anyone 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 any undergraduate programs as long as they have had some scientific, biologic, research, or laboratory experience and have met the prerequisite courses. The BA/MHS program is open only to undergraduate students at the Johns Hopkins University who are already enrolled in the Public Health Studies undergraduate program. 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, ScM, and BA/MHS programs require that students complete at least 64 credits of coursework with a cumulative average GPA of 2.75 or higher, successfully pass the Department Comprehensive Examination, produce a thesis of their own work, and present their work in a public setting via Poster Presentation. Students work closely with their thesis advisers to develop their research question and design their projects.

https://www.jhsph.edu/departments/epidemiology/degree-programs/

BA/MHS

The BA/MHS degree is designed for undergraduate students at Johns Hopkins University who are majoring in Public Health Studies and who are already interested in pursuing an advanced degree through the combined degree program at JHSPH. The Bachelor of Arts (BA) and the Master of Health Science (MHS) combined degree program prepares students for further graduate work or prominent careers in research and science. The benefit of the BA/MHS is that it allows Johns Hopkins University undergraduates (only) to take JHSPH courses during their undergraduate program and apply up to 16 credits accumulated as undergraduates in the MHS program. Students who complete the BA at JHU, become MHS candidates and follow the MHS program, with a compressed version of the master’s degree encouraged.

Academic Advising

Master’s students are each assigned a group academic adviser in their first year of the program. The Group Master Adviser is an academic adviser who meets with a group of advisees regularly to discuss academic issues, progress, development, and goals in the degree program.

The Group Master Adviser is a faculty member in the Department of Epidemiology but may/may not be in the advisee’s Track. At the beginning of the 4th term of the first year, the Track Director, with input from the student, will assign the student a thesis adviser. The thesis adviser may be a faculty member with a primary or joint appointment in the Department of Epidemiology. If the thesis adviser has a joint appointment in the Department, a faculty member with a primary appointment in the department must co-advise with the thesis adviser, and serve as the primary adviser of record.

All Master’s students are required to meet with their thesis adviser at least once in the 4th term of their first year. Students should work with their thesis advisers to develop a timeline for completing their thesis research by the required deadlines. Students are expected to begin thesis research in the summer after their first year.

Academic Year 2020-21_{Applies to MA, MAS, MHA, MHS and MSPH}

Due Dates for Summer Conferral (August 28, 2020)

JUNE 19, 2020 

• Special Project, Scholarly Report, Paper or Thesis has been submitted to the Department Chair or Adviser

August 28, 2020

• Department Chair has:
  • Indicated in writing to the Office of Records and Registration that all degree requirements have been fulfilled
  • Certified the student's eligibility for award of degree

Due Dates for Fall Conferral (December 31, 2020)

October 23, 2020

• Special Project, Scholarly Report, Paper or Thesis has been submitted to the Department Chair or Adviser

December 18, 2020

• Department Chair has:
  • Indicated in writing to the Office of Records and Registration that all degree requirements have been fulfilled
  • Certified the student's eligibility for award of degree

Due Dates for Spring Conferral (May 27, 2021)

April 9, 2021

• Special Project, Scholarly Report, Paper or Thesis has been submitted to the Department Chair or Adviser

APRIL 30, 2021

• Department Chair has:
  • Indicated in writing to the Office of Records and Registration that all degree requirements have been fulfilled
  • Certified the student's eligibility for award of degree

Degree Program Requirements

Course location and modality is found on the JHSPH website.

Residency / Registration Requirement

A minimum of 64 credits is required to complete either the MHS degree. The residency requirement is four consecutive terms of at least 16 credits each. Residency must be completed during the first year of the program. Other than for BA/MHS students, the MHS and ScM degree programs usually require two years of full-time registration to complete the required coursework and thesis.

Non-Class Requirements

TRACK-SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES MASTERS

Each Track holds journal clubs, research-in-progress meetings, and other activities, those Track students are expected to attend (list included in this Student Handbook). These activities are opportunities to engage and interact with Track faculty, fellow students, and post-doctoral fellows, and to participate and present in the topic area of the Track.  All master’s students are expected to participate in their Track. If a student for some reason wishes to switch tracks during the course of their degree, they must schedule a meeting with the Senior Academic Program Manager, Frances Burman (FranBurman@jhu.edu) to ascertain whether a switch is feasible to still meet graduation requirements in time and to complete a formal form.

QUARTERLY MASTER’S MEETINGS

The Master’s Program Director hosts quarterly meetings with all of the first and second-year Master’s students. These meetings provide a forum to learn about academic policies and deadlines, and for students to raise questions and concerns, and for all to hear the answers. All Master’s students are expected to attend.

Core Coursework (Required for All Epidemiology MHS and BA/MHS Students)

The Masters Level Core Requirements listed by year and term for all Epidemiology Master of Health Science students. A minimum of 64 credits is required to complete either masters degree. To broaden perspective and to enhance the student’s capabilities for work in public health or disease-related fields, at least 12 credits of coursework are required in courses from at least one department outside the student’s primary department. At least 6 of these credits must be taken in the JHSPH. Full-time students should register for a minimum of 16 credits and a maximum of 22 credits each term.

Cells to Society Courses [CEPH Core Requirements]

A full list of courses and term offerings is located online. Epidemiology degree students are required to complete these 8 of the 12 sessions. Each course is 0.5 credits and is offered only online. Many of these courses can be used as introductions to full-term courses offered in multiple modalities throughout the year.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
PH.552.601	Foundational Principles of Public Health	0.5
PH.552.603	The Role of Qualitative Methods and Science in Describing and Assessing a Population's Health	0.5
PH.552.607	Essentials of Environmental Health	0.5
PH.552.608	Biologic, Genetic and Infectious Bases of Human Disease	0.5
PH.552.609	Psychological and Behavioral Factors That Affect A Population's Health	0.5
PH.552.610	The Social Determinants of Health	0.5
PH.552.611	Globalization and Population Health	0.5
PH.552.612	Essentials of One Health	0.5

REQUIRED CORE COURSEWORK

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
First Term		Credits
Summer Before Year 1
Online Incoming Epi Students 2020 Orientation includes:
Introduction to Online Learning
Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence Prevention Training (Title IX)
Unconscious Bias Training
First Term
PH.140.621 or PH.140.651	Statistical Methods in Public Health I or Methods in Biostatistics I	4
PH.340.751	Epidemiologic Methods 1	5
PH.340.860	Current Topics in Epidemiologic Research	1
Select recommended and elective courses to total 16 credits per term		6
	Credits	16
Second Term
PH.140.622 or PH.140.652	Statistical Methods in Public Health II or Methods in Biostatistics II	4
PH.340.752	Epidemiologic Methods 2	5
PH.340.860	Current Topics in Epidemiologic Research	1
PH.550.865	Public Health Perspectives on Research 1	2
Select recommended and elective courses to total 16 credits per term		4
	Credits	16
Third Term
PH.140.623	Statistical Methods in Public Health III	4
PH.140.653	Methods in Biostatistics III	4
PH.340.753	Epidemiologic Methods 3	5
PH.340.860	Current Topics in Epidemiologic Research	1
Select recommended and elective courses to total 16 credits per term		2
	Credits	16
Fourth Term
PH.140.624 or PH.140.654	Statistical Methods in Public Health IV or Methods in Biostatistics IV	4
PH.340.723	Epidemiologic Practice Methods for Population Health Research	2
PH.340.820	Thesis Research Epidemiology (varies)	1 - 3
PH.340.860	Current Topics in Epidemiologic Research	1
Select recommended and elective courses to total 16 credits per term		8
Department Comprehensive Examination
Pass Parts A&B - immediately following Fourth Term
	Credits	16-18
Second Year
First Term
PH.340.820	Thesis Research Epidemiology (with thesis adviser, credits variable)	1 - 22
	Credits	1-22
Second Term
PH.340.820	Thesis Research Epidemiology (with thesis adviser, credits variable)	1 - 22
	Credits	1-22
Third Term
PH.340.820	Thesis Research Epidemiology (with thesis adviser, credits variable)	1 - 22
	Credits	1-22
Fourth Term
PH.340.820	Thesis Research Epidemiology (with thesis adviser, credits variable)	1 - 22
	Credits	1-22
	Total Credits	68-154

1	May be waived if student holds MPH from a CEPH accredited program in past 10 yrs

COURSES THAT MEET THE "OUTSIDE TRACK REQUIREMENT"

All students must complete one introductory topical epidemiology course outside of the chosen track. Choices below:

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Select one of the following:		3-4
PH.340.616	Epidemiology of Aging (Term 1)
PH.340.731	Principles of Genetic Epidemiology 1 (Term 1)
PH.340.682	Pharmacoepidemiology Methods (Term 2)
PH.330.603	Psychiatric Epidemiology (Term 2)
PH.340.624	Etiology, Prevention, and Control of Cancer (Term 2)
PH.340.627	Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases (Term 2)
PH.340.645	Introduction to Clinical Trials (Term 2)
PH.340.699	Epidemiology of Sensory Loss in Aging (Term 3)
PH.340.607	Introduction to Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology (Term 3)
PH.340.680	Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology (Term 4)
PH.380.664	Reproductive and Perinatal Epidemiology (Term 4)
PH.340.666	Foundations of Social Epidemiology (Term 4)
Total Credits		3-4

DEPARTMENT-WIDE RECOMMENDED COURSES

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
PH.340.860	Current Topics in Epidemiologic Research (Term 1-4, credits variable) 1	1
PH.340.770	Public Health Surveillance (Term 2) 2	3
PH.340.769	Professional Epidemiology Methods (Term 3)	4
PH.340.840	Special Studies and Research Epidemiology (Term 1-4, credits variable) 1	1 - 22

1	1 term, can be taken in any term 1 through 4
2	Recommended for all four terms during year 2

Specific track requirements will be cross-referenced with the catalog and course system before listing below.

Track Course Requirements

Each track requires additional coursework as below and the course content is covered on the annual Comprehensive Exams.

Cancer Epidemiology

Courses Required for Masters Students in Cancer Epidemiology

First Year

Term 1:   PH.340.731 Principles of Genetic Epidemiology 1

Term 2:   PH.340.732 Principles of Genetic Epidemiology 2
                  PH.340.624 Etiology, Prevention, and Control of Cancer

Second Year

Term 1:  ME.510.706  Fundamentals of Cancer: Cause to Cure or PH.120.624 Cancer Biology

Term 2:  ME.510.706  Fundamentals of Cancer: Cause to Cure or PH.180.650 Fundamentals of Clinical Oncology for Public Health Practitioners

Term 3:  PH.180.640 Molecular Epidemiology and Biomarkers in Public Health

Recommended courses for masters students in Cancer Epidemiology 

[Terms and offerings change each year. Always check the course directory for the most up-to-date offerings]

Term 1:   PH.340.616 Epidemiology of Aging  3 cr
                 PH.340.660 Practical Skills in Conducting Research in Clinical Epidemiology and Investigation   3 cr
                 PH.340.728 Advanced Methods for Design and Analysis of Cohort Studies  5 cr
Term 2:   PH.340.774 Advanced Theory and Methods in Epidemiology  4 cr
                  PH.140.630 Introduction to Data Management 3 cr
                  PH.180.650 Fundamentals of Clinical Oncology for Public Health Practitioners  3 cr
                  PH.330.603 Psychiatric Epidemiology  3 cr
                  PH.340.645 Introduction to Clinical Trials  3 cr
                  PH.340.666 Foundations of Social Epidemiology* 3 cr (alt yrs  offered 4th term)
                  PH.340.682 Pharmacoepidemiology Methods  3 cr* alternates every other year online (4) and in-person (2)

Term 3:  PH.340.606 Methods for Conducting Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses  4 cr
                 PH.340.694 Power and Sample Size for the Design of Epidemiological Studies  1 cr

Term 4:  PH.140.632 Introduction to the SAS Statistical Package  3 cr
                 PH.340.680 Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology  4 cr
                 PH.120.624 Cancer Biology  3 cr
                 PH.380.664 Reproductive and Perinatal Epidemiology  4 cr

Cardiovascular and Clinical Epidemiology

Courses Required for masters students in Cardiovascular and Clinical Epidemiology

Required Courses for Students focusing in Cardiovascular Epidemiology
First Year

(Students WITHOUT a background in biology or medicine:PH.260.600 Introduction to the Biomedical Sciences (offered over the summer prior to enrollment) OR PH.550.630 Public Health Biology
AND PH.340.855 SS/R: Biological Basis of Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology 
AND PH.340.730 Assessment of Clinical Cardiovascular Disease (alternate years 3rd term))

Term 1:  PH.340.871 Welch Center Research Seminar (2 terms required)

Term 2:  PH.340.871 Welch Center Research Seminar (2 terms required)
                 PH.340.645 Introduction to Clinical Trials

Term 3:  PH.340.871 Welch Center Research Seminar (2 terms required)
                 PH.340.607 Introduction to Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology

Term 4:  PH.340.871 Welch Center Research Seminar (2 terms required)
                 PH.340.803 Advanced Topics in Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology
 

Second Year

please consider recommended courses appropriate to augment your knowledge in fields of interest

Required Courses for Students focusing in Clinical Epidemiology

First Year

(Students WITHOUT a background in biology or medicine:)
PH.260.600 Introduction to the Biomedical Sciences (offered over the summer prior to enrollment) ORPH.550.630 Public Health Biology

Term 1:  PH.340.871 Welch Center Research Seminar (2 terms required)

Term 2:  PH.340.871 Welch Center Research Seminar (2 terms required)
                PH.340.645 Introduction to Clinical Trials
                PH.340.620 Principles of Clinical Epidemiology

Term 3:  PH.340.871 Welch Center Research Seminar (2 terms required)

Term 4:  PH.340.871 Welch Center Research Seminar (2 terms required)

Second Year

please consider recommended courses appropriate to augment your knowledge in fields of interest

Recommended courses for masters students in Cardiovascular and  Clinical Epidemiology

[Terms and offerings change each year. Always check the course directory for the most up-to-date offerings]

Course number / Course Name / Credits 

Term 1:  PH.340.687 Epidemiology of Kidney Disease   2

                 PH.340.731 Principles of Genetic Epidemiology 1   4

                 PH.340.616 Epidemiology of Aging   3 (alternates online and in-person every other year)

Term 2:   PH.340.624 Etiology, Prevention, and Control of Cancer  4

                  PH.340.627 Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases 4
 

Term 3:   PH.180.640 Molecular Epidemiology and Biomarkers in Public Health 4 

                  PH.340.606 Methods for Conducting Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses* 4 *usually taken in Year 2 

Term 4:  PH.340.644 Epidemiology of Diabetes and Obesity 3 

Skills Courses (can be taken Year 1 or later with commensurate progress in Biostats series)

Term 4:  PH.340.600 Stata Programming (4th term, 2 credits) 2

Term 4:  PH.140.632 Introduction to the SAS Statistical Package 3

Advanced Methods Courses (recommended in Year 2, review course catalog for prerequisites)

Term 1: PH.140.641 Survival Analysis 3

               PH.140.776 Statistical Computing 3

               PH.340.660 Practical Skills in Conducting Research in Clinical Epidemiology and Investigation 3 

Term 2:  PH.340.717 Health Survey Research Methods 4

Term 3: PH.140.655 Analysis of Longitudinal Data 4

               PH.140.664 Causal Inference in Medicine and Public Health I 4

Recommended courses for Master's students with a focus in Cardiovascular Epidemiology

Term 1:  PH.140.651 Methods in Biostatistics I 4

Term 2:  PH.140.652 Methods in Biostatistics II 4

                 PH.340.620 Principles of Clinical Epidemiology 2

Term 3:  PH.140.653 Methods in Biostatistics III 4

Term 4:  PH.140.654 Methods in Biostatistics IV 4

Recommended courses for Master's students with a focus in Clinical Epidemiology 

Term 2:  PH.309.712 Assessing Health Status and Patient Outcomes 3
 

Term 3:  PH.340.607 Introduction to Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology 4

                 PH.340.730 Assessment of Clinical Cardiovascular Disease 2
 

Term 4: PH.340.803 Advanced Topics in Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology 2 

                PH.340.855 SS/R: Biological Basis of Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology 2 *
     (Incoming students with a U.S. medical degree will be waived automatically. Other students who believe they may qualify for a waiver from the requirement based on their previous course work should consult with the track director)

Clinical Trials and Evidence Synthesis

Courses Required for Masters Students in Clinical Trials and Evidence Synthesis

First Year

Term 2:  PH.340.645 Introduction to Clinical Trials  3

Term 3:  PH.340.633 Data Management in Clinical Trials  3

Term 4:  PH.340.648 Clinical Trials Management  3

Second Year

Term 3:  PH.340.606 Methods for Conducting Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses  4
                 PH.140.655 Analysis of Longitudinal Data  4

Recommended courses for masters students in Clinical Trials and Evidence Synthesis

Course number / Course Name / Credits 

[Terms and offerings change each year. Always check the course directory for the most up-to-date offerings]

Term  1:  PH.140.651 Methods in Biostatistics I 4
                 PH.221.722 Quality Assurance Management Methods for Developing Countries 4
                 PH.340.653 Epidemiologic Inference in Outbreak Investigations 3
                 PH.340.660 Practical Skills in Conducting Research in Clinical Epidemiology and Investigation 3
                 PH.340.728 Advanced Methods for Design and Analysis of Cohort Studies 5
                 PH.390.631 Principles of Drug Development 2
                 PH.390.673 Ethical and Regulatory Issues in Clinical Research 3
                 PH.317.600 Introduction to the Risk Sciences and Public Policy 4

Term 2:  PH.140.630 Introduction to Data Management 3
                 PH.140.652 Methods in Biostatistics II 4
                 PH.340.717 Health Survey Research Methods 4
                 PH.410.710 Concepts in Qualitative Research for Social and Behavioral Sciences 3

Term 3:  PH.140.634 Non-Inferiority and Equivalence Clinical Trials 2
                 PH.140.642 Design of Clinical Experiments 3
                 PH.140.653 Methods in Biostatistics III 4
                 PH.223.664 Design and Conduct of Community Trials 4
                 PH.340.694 Power and Sample Size for the Design of Epidemiological Studies 1
                 PH.340.775 Measurement Theory and Techniques in Epidemiology 4
                 PH.140.664 Causal Inference in Medicine and Public Health I 4

Term 4:  PH.140.654 Methods in Biostatistics IV 4
                 PH.140.632 Introduction to the SAS Statistical Package 3
                 PH.140.656 Multilevel Statistical Models in Public Health 4
                 PH.221.616 Ethics of Public Health Practice in Developing Countries 2
                 PH.223.705 Good Clinical Practice: A Vaccine Trials Perspective 4
                 PH.224.691 Qualitative Data Analysis 3
                 PH.390.675 Outcomes and Effectiveness Research 3

Summer Inst PH.330.621 Mixed Methods for Research in Public Health 2

Environmental Epidemiology

Course Required for Masters Students in Environmental Epidemiology

First Year

Term 4:  PH.340.680 Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology

Recommended courses for masters students in Environmental Epidemiology

Course number / Course Name / Credits 

[Terms and offerings change each year. Always check the course directory for the most up-to-date offerings]

Term 1: PH.182.615 Airborne Particles 4
                PH.187.610 Public Health Toxicology 4
                PH.188.680 Fundamentals of Occupational Health 3
                PH.317.600 Introduction to the Risk Sciences and Public Policy 4

Term 2:  PH.182.625 Principles of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene 4
                 PH.317.610 Risk Policy, Management and Communication 3
                 PH.340.624 Etiology, Prevention, and Control of Cancer  4
                 PH.340.717 Health Survey Research Methods 4

Term 3:  PH.180.601 Environmental Health 5
                 PH.180.640 Molecular Epidemiology and Biomarkers in Public Health  4
                 PH.317.605 Methods in Quantitative Risk Assessment 4

Term 4:  PH.188.681 Onsite Evaluation of Workplace and Occupational Health Programs 5
                 PH.317.615 Topics in Risk Assessment 2

Epidemiology of Aging

Courses Required for Masters Students in Epidemiology of Aging

First Year

Term  1:  PH.340.616 Epidemiology of Aging

Recommended courses for masters students in Epidemiology of Aging

Course number / Course Name / Credits 

[Terms and offerings change each year. Always check the course directory for the most up-to-date offerings]

First Year

each term PH.330.802 Seminar on Aging, Cognition and Neurodegenerative Disorders 1

Term 1:PH.140.641 Survival Analysis 3
                PH.380.604 Life Course Perspectives on Health 4

Term 2:  PH.340.620 Principles of Clinical Epidemiology 2
                 PH.340.666 Foundations of Social Epidemiology 3
                 PH.380.603 Demographic Methods for Public Health 4

Term 3:  PH.340.699 Epidemiology of Sensory Loss in Aging 3
                 PH.260.665 Biological Basis of Aging++  3

Term 4:  PH.330.623 Brain and Behavior in Mental Disorders 3
                 PH.140.656 Multilevel Statistical Models in Public Health 4
                 PH.330.618 Mental Health in Later Life++ 3
++offered every other year

Second Year

Term 1:   PH.330.657 Statistics for Psychosocial Research: Measurement 4
                  PH.340.728 Advanced Methods for Design and Analysis of Cohort Studies  5

Term 2:   PH.140.658 Statistics for Psychosocial Research: Structural Models 4
                  PH.309.605 Health Issues for Aging Populations  3

Term 3:   PH.140.655 Analysis of Longitudinal Data 4

General Epidemiology and Methodology

Courses Required for Masters Students in General Epidemiology and Methodology

First Year

Term 1:  PH.340.731 Principles of Genetic Epidemiology 1  4 (recommended for year 1 but may be taken in year 2, satisfies the out-of-track requirement as well)

Term 2:  PH.340.645 Introduction to Clinical Trials   3 (recommended for year 1 but may be taken in year 2)

Second Year

CHOOSE AT LEAST TWO  of these 3 courses in PH research skills:

Term 1:  PH.340.660 Practical Skills in Conducting Research in Clinical Epidemiology and Investigation  3 
Term 2:  PH.340.717 Health Survey Research Methods 4
Term 3:  PH.340.648 Clinical Trials Management  3

Recommended courses for masters students in General Epidemiology and Methodology

[Terms and offerings change each year. Always check the course directory for the most up-to-date offerings]

Master's Students with a Methodology Focus:

Term 1:  PH.330.657 Statistics for Psychosocial Research: Measurement 4
                PH.340.646 Epidemiology and Public Health Impact of HIV and AIDS 4
                PH.340.616 Epidemiology of Aging 3
                PH.340.653 Epidemiologic Inference in Outbreak Investigations 3

Term 2:  PH.140.658 Statistics for Psychosocial Research: Structural Models 4
                 PH.183.631 Fundamentals of Human Physiology 4
                 PH.260.631 Immunology, Infection and Disease 3
                 PH.330.603 Psychiatric Epidemiology 3
                 PH.340.620 Principles of Clinical Epidemiology 2
                 PH.340.624 Etiology, Prevention, and Control of Cancer 4
                 PH.340.666 Foundations of Social Epidemiology* 3
                 PH.340.732 Principles of Genetic Epidemiology 2 3

Term 3:  PH.140.640 Statistical Methods for Sample Surveys 3
                 PH.180.640 Molecular Epidemiology and Biomarkers in Public Health 4
                 PH.222.647 Nutrition Epidemiology 3
                 PH.224.690 Qualitative Research Theory and Methods 3
                 PH.309.616 Introduction to Methods for Health Services Research and Evaluation I 2
                 PH.340.607 Introduction to Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology 4
                 PH.340.609 Concepts and Methods in Infectious Disease Epidemiology 3
                 PH.340.733 Principles of Genetic Epidemiology 3 3

Term 4:  PH.140.656 Multilevel Statistical Models in Public Health 4
                 PH.224.691 Qualitative Data Analysis 3
                 PH.309.617 Introduction to Methods for Health Services Research and Evaluation II 2
                 PH.340.641 Healthcare Epidemiology 4
                 PH.340.677 Infectious Disease Dynamics: Theoretical and Computational Approaches 3
                 PH.340.680 Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology 4
                 PH.380.664 Reproductive and Perinatal Epidemiology 4
                 PH.390.675 Outcomes and Effectiveness Research 3

*alternates online and in-person every other year
++ alternate year course

Second Year courses:

Term 1:  PH.340.728 Advanced Methods for Design and Analysis of Cohort Studies 5

Term 2: PH.340.774 Advanced Theory and Methods in Epidemiology 4

Term 3: PH.140.664 Causal Inference in Medicine and Public Health I 4
               PH.140.655 Analysis of Longitudinal Data 4
               PH.340.606 Methods for Conducting Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 4
 

Recommended statistical programming computing courses:

Term 1:  PH.140.776 Statistical Computing 3

Term 4:  PH.140.632 Introduction to the SAS Statistical Package 3
                 PH.340.600 Stata Programming 2
 

Master's Students with a Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety Focus:

Strongly Recommended courses for Masters Students with a Pharmacoepidemiology Focus:

Term 1:  PH.317.600 Introduction to the Risk Sciences and Public Policy 4
                PH.390.631 Principles of Drug Development 2

Term 2: PH.317.610 Risk Policy, Management and Communication 3

Term 3: PH.140.664 Causal Inference in Medicine and Public Health I 4
               PH.340.684 Pharmacoepidemiology: Drug Utilization 3  (alternate year format)
               PH.221.610 Pharmaceuticals Management for Under-Served Populations 3

Term 4:  PH.410.680 Social Ecological Approaches to Health Regimen Adherence in Chronic Conditions 3

Recommended courses for Masters Students with a Pharmacoepidemiology Focus:

Term 1:  PH.317.605 Methods in Quantitative Risk Assessment 4
Term 4:  PH.317.615 Topics in Risk Assessment 2

the following courses are offered outside of JHSPH and require interdivisional registration and instructor permission

AS.410.651 Clinical Development of Drugs and Biologics 4
AS.410.627 Translational Biotechnology:From Intellectual Property to Licensing 4
ME.330.809 Analytic Methods for Clinical Pharmacology variable
NR.110.508 Clinical Pharmacology 3

Individualized Focus:

Students designing their own educational programs should, in conjunction with their advisor, choose three to four graduate-level courses (taken for a letter grade) in their field from among the offerings of the University in addition to taking the GEM Required courses listed above.

Genetic Epidemiology

Courses Required for Masters Students in Genetic Epidemiology

First Year

Term 1:  PH.340.731 Principles of Genetic Epidemiology 1  4  

Term 2:  PH.340.732 Principles of Genetic Epidemiology 2  3

Term 3:  PH.340.733 Principles of Genetic Epidemiology 3  3

Term 4:  PH.340.734 Principles of Genetic Epi 4: Emerging and Advanced Methods 2

Second Year

Term 1: PH.120.602 Concepts of Molecular Biology (Pass/Fail, or Grade)  4

Recommended courses for masters students in Genetic Epidemiology

Analytic Methods Courses (ideal for year 2):

Term 1:   PH.140.641 Survival Analysis 3
                 PH.140.651 Methods in Biostatistics I* 4
                 PH.140.776 Statistical Computing 3

Term 2:   PH.140.638 Analysis of Biological Sequences 3
                 PH.140.652 Methods in Biostatistics II 4
                 PH.140.778 Advanced Statistical Computing 3
                 PH.340.774 Advanced Theory and Methods in Epidemiology* 4

Term 3:  PH.140.644 Statistical Machine Learning: Methods, Theory, and Applications 4
                 PH.140.653 Methods in Biostatistics III 4
                 PH.140.655 Analysis of Longitudinal Data 4

Term 4:  PH.140.688 Statistics For Genomics 3

Biology and Molecular Methods Courses:

Term 1:  PH.260.611 Principles of Immunology I 4

Term 2:  PH.260.612 Principles of Immunology II 4
                 PH.183.631 Fundamentals of Human Physiology 4 (*For non-physician trained students only)

Term 3:  PH.180.640 Molecular Epidemiology and Biomarkers in Public Health 4

Term 4:  PH.120.608 Gene Editing, therapy and Manipulation 3

Topic-Specific Electives:

Term 3:   PH.340.775 Measurement Theory and Techniques in Epidemiology 4

Term 4:  PH.330.619 Psychiatric Genomics 3
                 PH.415.624 Ethical, Legal and Social Implications in Genetics and Genomics Over Time 3 (offered in alternate years) 

Infectious Disease Epidemiology

Courses Required for Masters Students in Infectious Disease Epidemiology

First Year

Term 1:  PH.340.653 Epidemiologic Inference in Outbreak Investigations  3 

Term 2:  PH.340.627 Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases 4

Term 3:  PH.340.609 Concepts and Methods in Infectious Disease Epidemiology 3

Students must complete at least one course in each of the four disciplinary sections below. Additional courses would be recommended.

Section one: General Electives: choose 1

Term 1:    PH.340.646 Epidemiology and Public Health Impact of HIV and AIDS 4
                   PH.340.641 Healthcare Epidemiology 4

Term 2:     PH.223.662 Vaccine Development and Application 4

Term 3:     PH.182.640 Food- and Water- Borne Diseases 3
                    PH.223.663 Infectious Diseases and Child Survival 3
                    PH.223.687 Vaccine Policy Issues 3
                    PH.260.656 Malariology 4
                    PH.340.612 Epidemiologic Basis for Tuberculosis Control 2

Term 4:     PH.223.682 Clinical and Epidemiologic Aspects of Tropical Diseases 4
                    PH.223.689 Biologic Basis of Vaccine Development 3
                    PH.223.705 Good Clinical Practice: A Vaccine Trials Perspective 4
                    PH.340.651 Emerging Infections 2
                    PH.380.761 Sexually Transmitted Infections in Public Health Practice 4
                    PH.380.762 HIV Infection in Women, Children, and Adolescents 4
 

Section two: Skills in Research: choose 1

Term 1:     PH.340.660 Practical Skills in Conducting Research in Clinical Epidemiology and Investigation 3
Term 2:     PH.340.717 Health Survey Research Methods 4

Section three:  Biology and Pathogenesis of Disease: choose 1

Term 1:     PH.260.623 Fundamental Virology 4
                    PH.260.636 Evolution of Infectious Disease 3
                    PH.340.654 Epidemiology and Natural History of Human Viral Infections 6
Term 3:     PH.260.627 Pathogenesis of Bacterial Infections 4
                    PH.260.650 Vector Biology and Vector-Borne Diseases 3

Section four: Immunology: choose one set (recommended to complete in year two)

either:

Term 1:  PH.260.611 Principles of Immunology I 4
and 2:     PH.260.612 Principles of Immunology II* 4 cr each
 *students requesting pass/fail for these two courses only must seek permission from their adviser and the track director

OR

Term 2:  PH.260.631 Immunology, Infection and Disease 3

Department Comprehensive Examination

A two-day written Department comprehensive examination is administered to all students enrolled in Department degree programs in late May of the first academic year. For Academic Year 2019-20, this will be Wednesday and Thursday, May 27 - 28, 2020. All students are required to sit for the exam on the scheduled dates—no alternate exams will be offered.

By the time of the examination, students should have completed 64 credits (one full year of residence), the required first-year coursework in their Track and with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75, and these courses:

• Course List

  Code	Title	Credits
  PH.340.751	Epidemiologic Methods 1	5
  PH.340.752	Epidemiologic Methods 2	5
  PH.340.753	Epidemiologic Methods 3	5
  Select one of the following Biostatistics series:		16
  PH.140.621 & PH.140.622 & PH.140.623 & PH.140.624	Statistical Methods in Public Health I and Statistical Methods in Public Health II and Statistical Methods in Public Health III and Statistical Methods in Public Health IV
  PH.140.651 & PH.140.652 & PH.140.653 & PH.140.654	Methods in Biostatistics I and Methods in Biostatistics II and Methods in Biostatistics III and Methods in Biostatistics IV

The first day of the exam (Part A) includes testing on the following topics:

• Knowledge and application of epidemiologic concepts and methods (and related biostatistics)
• History of epidemiology
• Contemporary issues in public health
• Research ethics

The second day of the exam (Part B) is Track-specific, and tests knowledge of concepts and methods presented in the required courses and activities for each Track, as well as the Department core courses as applied to the Track. 

Students must pass both Part A and Part B of the comprehensive examination. Master’s students must attain at least a 70% on each Part A and Part B to pass. A repeat examination may be allowed but is not guaranteed. If a repeat is granted, it must be completed before starting the second academic year. Failure to pass one or both sections of the comps may result in dismissal from the master’s program or from the Department. Further policies are located on the next tab.

Master’s Thesis (MHS and BA/MHS)

Master of Health Science (MHS) students must complete a satisfactory thesis in their Track. The thesis must be approved by two members of the Department's faculty, including the thesis adviser. The thesis may be a critical review of the literature pertaining to a specific area of interest, secondary data analysis, program or project proposal, or original research. It is expected that the student will meet with their thesis adviser throughout the duration of the research project.  MHS students planning on a May graduation must adhere to all program deadlines. The School’s Policy and Procedures Memorandum (PPM) for the MHS degree program is available here, “Academic_Programs_08_Master_of_Health_Science_Degree_071417.”  Students should follow the written guidelines for the preparation of the thesis. The thesis is a requirement for partial fulfillment of the MHS degree.

MASTER’S THESIS EXPECTATIONS

Epidemiology BA/MHS and MHS student theses will be evaluated in the following areas by both the faculty thesis adviser(s) and the second reader. In addition, the thesis adviser(s) will evaluate student quarterly progress detailed in point 5 below.

Each student must register for 4 terms of Thesis Research Epidemiology with their thesis adviser in their second year. The thesis adviser(s), in consultation with the thesis reader, each student will be evaluated on whether their thesis shows:

1. Their understanding of the current state of the knowledge about the public health problem studied for the thesis, demonstrated by the student’s descriptions and discussions of:
   1. The descriptive epidemiology of the public health problem. For example, its prevalence and distribution in the population, its risk factors (e.g., modifiable, non-modifiable, comorbidities, social, environmental risk factors, etc.).
   2. The biology, physiology, and natural history of the public health problem, if relevant.
   3. The contemporary questions about the public health problem, including new directions in research on the public health problem (including technology, diagnosis, methodologic challenges).
   4. The impact of the public health problem in the real-world, with specific discussions about sub-populations or vulnerable populations that are particularly affected by the problem.
2. The student’s ability to integrate and synthesize the current body of literature on the public health problem, demonstrated by:
   1. Preparation of a comprehensive literature review (systematic review, if appropriate see separate document).
   2. Interpretation of findings from multiple research papers and understanding of the full body of research relevant to the public health problem.
   3. Interpretation of the student’s own findings within the context of the current body of literature.
   4. Use or evaluation of proper study design, measurement of exposures and/or outcomes, biases and confounding, biostatistical methods and application.
   5. Explanation and interpretation of epidemiologic findings for a non-epidemiologist audience.
   6. Identify next steps and future questions that need to be addressed.
   7. Articulation of how the student’s findings could be applied in order to affect or diminish the problem at a population (or sub-population) level.
3. The student’s ability to prepare a thesis that is:
   1. Logically structured and organized; and
   2. Includes figures that illustrate important findings, with proper formatting (e.g. legends, labeled axes, appropriate titles, etc.); and
   3. Includes tables that convey important findings, organized and formatted efficiently (e.g. appropriate titles, headings, footnotes, legends, etc.).
4. The student’s ability to write a thesis that is grammatically accurate, including:
   1. Correct punctuation and spelling; and
   2. Easily readable by epidemiologists; and
   3. Appropriately and adequately referenced citations; and
   4. The student’s own original work (please see Plagiarism modules).
5. The student’s thesis adviser will evaluate the student on student professionalism, documented by:
   1. Keeping appointments with the thesis adviser and being on time.
   2. Being prepared and organized at each meeting with the thesis adviser, which includes creating and sending an agenda before the meeting.
   3. Demonstrating appropriately paced progress on the thesis research.
   4. Preparing the thesis document.

The expectation is that the student will improve in all aspects of their research during the course of the thesis work and work will show growth across the year culminating in the final thesis.

Master’s Poster Session

All Master’s students are required to participate in the Master’s Poster Symposium held at the end of their 2nd year. Participation is a requirement for partial fulfillment of the BA/MHS and MHS degrees. Each student should prepare a 3’x4’ portrait-oriented poster of their thesis work (no other work can be presented,) and gain the approval of the poster from their adviser(s) before presenting. Although the work done for the poster will represent the Master’s student’s thesis, the adviser(s), and any other research colleagues, should be included as co-authors. In addition, any funding sources that supported the research directly or indirectly should be cited on the poster (in consultation with thesis adviser(s)). Additional guidelines for the creation of a scientific poster will be disseminated to students at the quarterly Master’s meetings. Students are expected to follow these guidelines.

Students should carefully proofread their poster prior to submitting for printing. Students should carefully proofread their poster prior to submitting for printing.  Students are welcome to utilize the printing service they wish, but two local recommendations are:

https://phdposters.com  (Campus Pick-up Available)

FedEx Print & Ship: ​Carnegie Building Room #170
600 N. Wolfe St.
Baltimore, MD 21287
410-502-7637
usa5032@fedex.com

A poster title and abstract should be submitted to Frances Burman (FranBurman@jhu.edu) prior to the Master’s Poster Symposium for inclusion in the program. Attendees at the Master’s Poster Symposium include peers, staff, and faculty.

Students who will not graduate in May are still required to present a poster. This poster must be approved by their adviser(s) and presented to the Master’s Program Director at least three weeks prior to the date by which the Department must certify student eligibility for award of degree to the School’s Office of Records and Registration. Students graduating in August or December must contact the Master's Program Director by July 1 (August graduation) or November 1 (December graduation) to indicate their plans to graduate and determine a poster presentation date.

The Policy and Procedures Manual for the Master of Health Science

The Department of Epidemiology reserves the right to augment the PPM for JHSPH. 
The Admissions and Credentials Committee handles most policy concerns as described above.  The Curriculum Committee handles exceptions to requirements.

For concerns and changes to advising, tracks, course requirements, etc please see the academic policies for the department.

Compressed vs. Regular MHS Timeframes

Ideally formulated for the BA/MHS students, the compressed vs. regular timeframe permits highly focused, on-campus students the opportunity to complete the degree requirements for the MHS program in a 14 month period.  

Any student interested in completing the compressed program should discuss their research and career goals with the senior academic program manager and the BA/MHS co-directors.

MHS Compressed Timeline

Summer prior to enrolling: Meet with Academic Program Manager to connect with faculty for possible research projects.  Begin discussing ideas for research.

Enrollment – Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health:

First – Fourth terms:   Attend JHSPH Orientation in August
Complete all course requirements and work on thesis proposal
During January, get approval from adviser on hypothesis and dataset and
     submit paperwork for IRB approval
During Third and Fourth terms: complete coursework and work on research for thesis
Take written comprehensive exam (last Wednesday and Thursday at end of May)

Regular MHS timeline

Enrollment – Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health:

First – fourth terms:    Attend JHSPH Orientation
Take course requirements and identify adviser during third term
During fourth term, identify research hypothesis and data set Take written comprehensive exam (last Wednesday and Thursday at end of May)

During summer, complete IRB application and begin research

Fifth – eighth terms:   Masters Tuition Scholarship can be awarded for full-time students for up to 4 terms

Take any remaining required or recommended coursework
Complete thesis
Prepare and present poster of research project at end of April
MHS Graduation is May of year two

Comprehensive Examination Grading Policy

The completed Comprehensive Examination is graded by Department of Epidemiology faculty according to a rubric determined by the Comprehensive Examination Committee. Final results are distributed to students via CoursePlus by mid-July. Students who wish to view their exam should set up an appointment with the Senior Academic Coordinator, Ebony Moore (eamoore@jhu.edu).

Master’s students whose results fall below 70% are allowed to formally request in writing a re-grade of specific questions. Re-grade requests must include a justification for a change in points allocated for each question being contested; requests without appropriate justification will not be considered. Re-grade requests must have the adviser’s endorsement, and that they need to have reviewed and approved the student’s request. Re-grade requests are handled by the faculty on the Comprehensive Examination Committee. Adviser-approved requests can be e-mailed to the current year’s Comprehensive Examination Committee Chair and must include a cc to the adviser. For approved requests, a new score will be assigned for each question that is re-graded. This score may be equal to, greater than, or less than, the original score awarded and cannot be contested a second time.

Master’s students planning to matriculate into our doctoral program need to have passed at the doctoral level (75%) in order to not sit for comps a second time, should they matriculate within the three years following graduating from a Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Epidemiology Master’s Degree.

Comprehensive Examination Retake Policy

Students who do not pass the Comprehensive Exam at the appropriate level for their degree program may be granted an opportunity for a retake in August following the May Exam. Students who do not pass the Comprehensive Exam at the appropriate level are not automatically granted a retake. To request a retake, students must submit an official request within two weeks of notification of the not passing grade. This request should include a detailed timeline and study plan, to make the case for passing a retake. This request and plan must be endorsed by, and developed with, the adviser. Retake requests are reviewed via the Department’s Admissions and Credentials Committee. Adviser-approved requests can be e-mailed to the current year’s Admissions and Credentials Committee Chairs and must include a cc to the adviser and Senior Academic Program Manager (Frances Burman). For approved requests, students are granted one retake only, and it must be in August following the May Exam. A student cannot continue in the degree program without passing the Comprehensive Examination at the appropriate level, prior to the start of the second year.

Recommendations for Special Studies versus Thesis Research

Special Studies and Research in Epidemiology, PH.340.840.xx, is offered during terms 1, 2, 3, and 4. Thesis Research, PH.340.820.XX is offered terms S, 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Special Studies and Research: PH.340.840.XX

All first year MHS and ScM students should take 1 credit special studies and research each term during terms 1 -3.

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

Thesis Research: PH.340.820.XX

Masters students take 340.820 once they begin working on their research thesis.  Students should begin registering for thesis research during fourth term of the first year once their adviser selection is confirmed.

Calculating credits 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 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.

How to 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 partial load of courses with approval of the faculty mentor.
• Students must meet with the faculty mentor before or during add/drop to discuss objectives. 

Adviser / Advisee Manual

Please review the CEPH Competencies located: https://e-nextcatalog.jhu.edu/public-health/ceph-requirements/index.html