Population, Family and Reproductive Health, MSPH

MSPH Program Overview

The professional Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) program in Population, Family and Reproductive Health is intended for individuals with a baccalaureate degree who are interested in issues related to the Department's areas of interest. Faculty in the PFRH Department have expertise in health throughout the life course with a specific focus on certain populations and areas (https://publichealth.jhu.edu/departments/population-family-and-reproductive-health/research-and-practice/life-course-framework). MSPH students select courses related to these areas of study:

• Child and Adolescent Health
• Maternal, Fetal, and Perinatal Health
• Population and Health
• Women's, Sexual and Reproductive Health

The two-year curriculum allows students to integrate coursework in life course, population, program management, quantitative methods, and core areas with practical knowledge and skills. Additional courses may include program design and evaluation, advocacy, policy, and qualitative methods among others. The two-year curriculum is intended for students with less than 2 years of public health work experience.

MSPH students participate in a 680-hour supervised field placement in domestic and/or international settings during terms one and two of the second year. The field placement can start anytime after the end of term 4 of the first year. The field placement provides the opportunity to integrate formal classroom teaching with practical experience in the student's chosen field. There is no part-time option available for the two-year MSPH program.

Components of the MSPH program include a set of core departmental courses that provide a common theoretical foundation for the work of the entire department. These courses cover biological/developmental, demographic, and social science foundations. All professional MSPH students within the department complete an MSPH Essay and Presentation. The Essay and Presentation are culminating experiences for which students apply newly honed skills and put their academic experiences in perspective within the broader context of public health. 

Graduates of the MSPH program in PFRH go on to careers in organizations such as government ministries, nongovernmental health organizations, state and local health agencies, managed health care organizations, research institutions, health care delivery organizations, advocacy groups, and academic institutions. 

Bachelor's/MSPH

The Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, in conjunction with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, offers a major in Public Health Studies for undergraduates interested in careers in public health. The program focuses on the prevention of illness, disease, and healthcare inequalities, drawing on fundamental knowledge from biology and the social and behavioral sciences.

To build on the existing partnerships of BSPH with KSAS for dual bachelor/master’s degree programs, the Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health proposes offering early graduate school admission to JHU juniors/seniors. All majors are welcome. Admission will serve as entry to the two-year professional MSPH degree program in the Department.

The MSPH degree provides students with a broad foundation in public health as well as coursework in population, family and reproductive health; the program also includes real-world experience in the form of a field placement. The two-year MSPH degree program includes a full year of coursework, a minimum of 680 hours of a full-time field placement, and completion of an original essay and a public presentation of the essay content. The essay can take many forms, including that of a research report, literature review, policy analysis, or grant proposal. Students must begin their field placement during the summer term following the first year of coursework. Up to 16 credits of public health coursework completed inter-divisionally at BSPH toward their bachelor's degree may also apply toward the 128 credits required for an MSPH degree.

Applications for the MSPH dual degree programs are accepted any time until July 1st between a student’s junior and senior years. Students must be accepted prior to the start of their senior year classes. Applications are submitted through SOPHAS EXPRESS. GRE test scores are optional. Students need to achieve a GPA of 3.3 or higher at the time of their application. Admission is contingent on students maintaining the same or higher GPA during their senior year. 

Once students complete the bachelor's degree and meet all conditions to enter the MSPH degree program, admitted students will be automatically enrolled in BSPH starting the fall after completing the bachelor's degree. Students admitted into the dual degree program will receive co-advising from both Schools during their senior year as part of this unique experience.

MSPH Course Requirements

Course location and modality is found on the BSPH website.

MSPH students are required to meet schoolwide requirements, CEPH (Council on Education for Public Health) Learning Objectives (12), CEPH requirements (22), departmental requirements, and program competencies (5). During the first year of the MSPH degree program, students are required to successfully complete all five courses to meet the departmental MSPH competencies.

Schoolwide Requirements

Students must take PH.550.860 and either PH.306.663 or PH.306.665

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
PH.550.860	Academic & Research Ethics at JHSPH (Terms 1,2,3,4)	0
AND
PH.306.665	Research Ethics and integrity	3
OR
PH.340.683	Human Rights in Public Health Practice	2
OR
PH.221.616	Ethics and Global Public Health Practice	2

CEPH Learning Objectives

Many 0.5 and 1.0 credit 552 courses are listed for only one term but may be available in another term, but are not yet listed in the course catalogue as such.

1. Explain public health history, philosophy, and values.

   Course List

   Code	Title	Credits
   PH.380.624	Maternal and Child Health Legislation and Programs (Term 2)	4

2. Identify the core functions of Public Health and the 10 Essential Services.

   Course List

   Code	Title	Credits
   PH.380.624	Maternal and Child Health Legislation and Programs (Term 2)	4

3. Explain the role of quantitative and qualitative methods and sciences in describing and assessing a population’s health.

   Course List

   Code	Title	Credits
   PH.140.611	Statistical Reasoning in Public Health I (Must take 140.611 and 140.612)	3
   OR
   PH.140.621	Statistical Methods in Public Health I (Must take 140.621, 140.622 and 140.623)	4
   AND
   PH.224.690	Qualitative Research Theory and Methods	3
   OR
   PH.550.604	Qualitative Reasoning in Public Health	2
   OR
   PH.552.603	The Role of Qualitative Methods and Science in Describing and Assessing a Population's Health	0.5

4. List major causes and trends of morbidity and mortality in the US or other community relevant to the school or program.

   Course List

   Code	Title	Credits
   PH.340.721	Epidemiologic Inference in Public Health I	5

5. Discuss the science of primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention in population health, including health promotion, screening, etc.

   Course List

   Code	Title	Credits
   PH.340.721	Epidemiologic Inference in Public Health I	5

6. Explain the critical importance of evidence in advancing public health knowledge.

   Course List

   Code	Title	Credits
   PH.340.721	Epidemiologic Inference in Public Health I	5

7. Explain effects of environmental factors on a population’s health.

   Course List

   Code	Title	Credits
   PH.380.616	Child Health Epidemiology	3
   OR
   PH.552.607	Essentials of Environmental Health	0.5

8. Explain biological and genetic factors that affect a population’s health.

   Course List

   Code	Title	Credits
   PH.380.604	Life Course Perspectives on Health	4

9. Explain behavioral and psychological factors that affect a population’s health.

   Course List

   Code	Title	Credits
   PH.380.604	Life Course Perspectives on Health	4

10. Explain the social, political, and economic determinants of health and how they contribute to population health and health inequities.

    Course List

    Code	Title	Credits
    PH.380.604	Life Course Perspectives on Health	4

11. Explain how globalization affects global burdens of disease.

    Course List

    Code	Title	Credits
    Select one of the following:
    PH.380.600	Principles of Population Change	4
    OR
    PH.552.611	Globalization and Population Health	0.5

12. Explain an ecological perspective on the connections among human health, animal health, and ecosystem health (e.g., One Health).

    Course List

    Code	Title	Credits
    PH.552.612	Essentials of One Health	0.5

CEPH Requirements

C1. Apply epidemiological methods to settings and situations in public health practice.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
PH.340.721	Epidemiologic Inference in Public Health I	5

C2a. Select quantitative data collection methods appropriate for a given public health context.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
PH.340.721	Epidemiologic Inference in Public Health I	5

C2b. Select qualitative data collection methods appropriate for a given public health context.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
PH.224.690	Qualitative Research Theory and Methods	3
OR
PH.550.604	Qualitative Reasoning in Public Health	2
OR
PH.552.603	The Role of Qualitative Methods and Science in Describing and Assessing a Population's Health	0.5

C3a. Analyze quantitative data using biostatistics, informatics, computer-based programming and software, as appropriate.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
PH.140.611	Statistical Reasoning in Public Health I (Must take 140.611 and 140.612)	3
OR
PH.140.621	Statistical Methods in Public Health I (Must take 140.621, 140.622 and 140.623)	4

C3b. Analyze qualitative data using biostatistics, informatics, computer-based programming and software, as appropriate

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Select one of the following:
PH.224.690	Qualitative Research Theory and Methods	3
OR
PH.550.604	Qualitative Reasoning in Public Health	2
OR
PH.552.603	The Role of Qualitative Methods and Science in Describing and Assessing a Population's Health	.5

C4. Interpret results of data analysis for public health research, policy, or practice.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
PH.140.611	Statistical Reasoning in Public Health I (Must take 140.611 and 140.612)	3
OR
PH.140.621	Statistical Methods in Public Health I (Must take 140.621, 140.622 and 140.623)	4

C5. Compare the organization, structure, and function of health care, public health, and regulatory systems across national and international settings.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
PH.380.624	Maternal and Child Health Legislation and Programs	4

C6. Discuss the means by which structural bias, social inequalities, and racism undermine health and create challenges to achieving health equity at organizational, community, and societal levels.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
PH.380.604	Life Course Perspectives on Health	4

C7. Assess population needs, assets and capacities that affect communities' health.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
PH.380.640	Children in Crisis: An Asset-Based Approach to Working With Vulnerable Youth	3
OR
PH.380.742	Family - Health, Public Health and Policy	3

C8. Apply awareness of cultural values and practices to the design, implementation, or critique of public health policies or programs.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
PH.380.640	Children in Crisis: An Asset-Based Approach to Working With Vulnerable Youth	3
OR
PH.380.665	Family Planning Policies and Programs	4

C9. Design a population-based policy, program, project, or intervention.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
PH.380.640	Children in Crisis: An Asset-Based Approach to Working With Vulnerable Youth	3
OR
PH.380.665	Family Planning Policies and Programs	4

C10. Explain basic principles and tools of budget and resource management.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
PH.552.622	Creating, Implementing and Monitoring Budgets for Projects and Programs	1

C11. Select methods to evaluate public health programs

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
PH.380.611	Fundamentals of Program Evaluation	4

C12. Discuss the policy-making process, including the roles of ethics and evidence.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
PH.380.624	Maternal and Child Health Legislation and Programs	4

C13. Propose strategies to identify stakeholders and build coalitions and partnerships for influencing public health outcomes.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
PH.380.624	Maternal and Child Health Legislation and Programs	4

C14. Advocate for political, social, or economic policies and programs that will improve health in diverse populations.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
PH.380.740	Nutrition Programs, Policy and Politics in the United States: the Impact on Maternal, Child and Family Health	3
OR
PH.380.620	A Coalition-based SMART Approach to Public Health Advocacy	3

C15. Evaluate policies for their impact on public health and health equity. 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
PH.380.667	Women's Health Policy	3
OR
PH.380.768	Selected Topics in Women's Health and Women's Health Policy	4

C16. Apply leadership and/or management principles to address a relevant issue.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
PH.380.883	Lessons in Leadership: Applications for Population, Family and Reproductive Health	3

C17. Apply negotiation and mediation skills to address organizational and community challenges.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Must take both courses:
PH.552.623	Principles of Negotiation and Mediation for Public Health Professionals	0.5
AND
PH.552.624	Applications of Negotiation and Mediation for Public Health Professionals	0.5

C18. Select communication strategies for different audiences and sectors.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
PH.380.740	Nutrition Programs, Policy and Politics in the United States: the Impact on Maternal, Child and Family Health	3
OR
PH.380.620	A Coalition-based SMART Approach to Public Health Advocacy	3

C19. Communicate audience-appropriate (i.e., non-academic, non-peer audience) public health content, both in writing and through oral presentation .

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
PH.301.645	Health Advocacy	3
OR
PH.260.720	Communications Primer for the Public Health Sciences	1

C20. Describe the importance of cultural competence in communicating public health content.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
PH.301.645	Health Advocacy	3
OR
PH.260.720	Communications Primer for the Public Health Sciences	1

C21. Integrate perspectives from other sectors and/or professions to promote and advance population health.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
PH.552.625	Building Collaborations Across Sectors to Improve Population Health	0.5
AND
PH.550.602	Interprofessional Education Activity

C22. Apply a systems thinking tool to visually represent a public health issue in a format other than standard narrative.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
PH.221.654	Systems Thinking in Public Health: Applications of Key Methods and Approaches	3
OR
PH.552.626	Systems Thinking: Concepts and Methods	0.5

Departmental Requirements

Students must successfully complete master's seminar course in year one, field placement in year two, and master's essay in year two.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
PH.380.816	SS/R: Population, Family and Reproductive Health Master's Seminar This course is taken for 4 consecutive terms (1-4) during year one of MSPH degree program.	1

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
PH.380.810	Field Placement in Population, Family and Reproductive Health This course is taken in term 1 of year two	16
AND
PH.380.810	Field Placement in Population, Family and Reproductive Health This course is taken in term 2 of year two	16

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
PH.380.850	PFRH Master's Essay This course is taken in term 3 of year two	3 - 6
AND
PH.380.850	PFRH Master's Essay This course is taken in term 4 of year two	3 - 6

Departmental MSPH Requirements 

Students must take a minimum of five courses to meet departmental MSPH competencies in the first year of the program. A unique course must be selected for each of the following competencies:

1. Applying a life course framework to understand population health problems, including a multiple determinants framework for the health of populations across the life course;

2. Identifying and assessing the causes and consequences of population change using demographic methods;

3. Assessing the principal health concerns for populations, the associated population-based risk factors, and the relative impact of each risk factor;

4. Evaluating strategies to promote population health, including health services and systems delivery strategies used to address health concerns in populations;

5. Applying frameworks (beyond life course) for improving the health of populations.

Courses taken to meet the 12 CEPH objectives can also be used to meet the area of interest competencies and CEPH competencies.

Competency

1. Applying a life course framework to understand population health problems, including a multiple determinants framework for the health of populations across the life course.

   Course List

   Code	Title	Credits
   PH.380.604	Life Course Perspectives on Health (Terms 1,2)	4

2. Identifying and assessing the causes and consequences of population change using demographic methods.

   Course List

   Code	Title	Credits
   PH.380.600	Principles of Population Change	4
   OR
   PH.380.603	Demographic Methods for Public Health	4

3. Assessing the principal health concerns for the populations, the associated population-based risk factors, and the relative impact of each risk factor.

   Course List

   Code	Title	Credits
   Select one of the following:
   PH.380.623	Adolescent Health and Development	3
   PH.380.747	International Adolescent Health	3
   PH.380.616	Child Health Epidemiology	3
   PH.380.664	Reproductive and Perinatal Epidemiology	4
   PH.380.655	Social and Economic Aspects of Human Fertility	3
   PH.380.750	Migration and Health: Concepts, Rates, and Relationships	3
   PH.380.666	Women's Health	3

4. Evaluating strategies to promote population health, including health services and systems delivery strategies used to address health concerns in the relevant populations.

   Course List

   Code	Title	Credits
   Select one of the following:
   PH.380.665	Family Planning Policies and Programs	4
   PH.380.661	Clinical Aspects of Maternal and Newborn Health	3
   PH.380.667	Women's Health Policy	3
   PH.380.768	Selected Topics in Women's Health and Women's Health Policy	4
   PH.380.760	Clinical Aspects of Reproductive Health	3
   PH.221.627	Issues in the Reduction of Maternal and Neonatal Mortality in Low income Countries	4

5. Applying frameworks specific to the area of interest (beyond life course) for improving the health of the relevant populations.

   Course List

   Code	Title	Credits
   Select one of the following:
   PH.380.725	The Social Context of Adolescent Health and Development	3
   PH.380.642	Child Health and Development	3
   PH.380.744	Nutrition and Growth in Maternal and Child Health	3
   PH.380.655	Social and Economic Aspects of Human Fertility	3
   PH.380.750	Migration and Health: Concepts, Rates, and Relationships	3
   PH.380.668	International Perspectives on Women, Gender, and Health	3

For Program Policies, please visit the About the MSPH located on the Population, Family and Reproductive Health Program page.

According to the requirements of the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), all BSPH degree students must be grounded in foundational public health knowledge. Please view the list of specific CEPH requirements by degree type.

CEPH (Council on Education for Public Health) Competencies 

C1. Apply epidemiological methods to the breadth of settings and situations in public health practice

C2a. Select quantitative data collection methods appropriate for a given public health context

C2b. Select qualitative data collection methods appropriate for a given public health context

C3a. Analyze quantitative data using biostatistics, informatics, computer-based programming and software, as appropriate

C3b. Analyze qualitative data using biostatistics, informatics, computer-based programming and software, as appropriate

C4. Interpret results of data analysis for public health research, policy, or practice

C5. Compare the organization, structure, and function of health care, public health, and regulatory systems across national and international settings

C6. Discuss the means by which structural bias, social inequities, and racism undermine health and create challenges to achieving health equity at organizational, community, and societal levels

C7. Assess population needs, assets and capacities that affect communities’ health

C8. Apply awareness of cultural values and practices to the design or implementation of public health policies or programs

C9. Design a population-based policy, program, project, or intervention

C10. Explain basic principles and tools of budget and resource management

C11. Select methods to evaluate public health programs

C12. Discuss multiple dimensions of the policy-making process, including the role of ethics and evidence

C13.  Propose strategies to identify stakeholders and build coalitions and partnerships for influencing public health outcomes

C14. Advocate for political, social or economic policies and programs that will improve health in diverse populations

C15. Evaluate policies for their impact on public health and health equity

C16. Apply principles of leadership, governance, and management, which include creating a vision, empowering others, fostering collaboration, and guiding decision making

C17. Apply negotiation and mediation skills to address organizational and community challenges

C18. Select communication strategies for different audiences and sectors

C19. Communicate audience-appropriate public health content, both in writing and through oral presentation

C20. Describe the importance of cultural competence in communicating public health content

C21. Perform effectively in interprofessional teams

C22.Apply systems thinking tools to a public health issue

CEPH (Council on Education for Public Health) Learning Objectives 

1. Explain public health history, philosophy and values
2. Identify the core functions of public health and the 10 Essential Services
3. Explain the role of quantitative and qualitative methods and sciences in describing and assessing a population’s health
4. List major causes and trends of morbidity and mortality in the US or other community relevant to the school or program
5. Discuss the science of primary, secondary and tertiary prevention in population health, including health promotion, screening, etc.
6. Explain the critical importance of evidence in advancing public health knowledge
7. Explain effects of environmental factors on a population’s health
8. Explain biological and genetic factors that affect a population’s health
9. Explain behavioral and psychological factors that affect a population’s health
10. Explain the social, political and economic determinants of health and how they contribute to population health and health inequities
11. Explain how globalization affects global burdens of disease
12. Explain an ecological perspective on the connections among human health, animal health and ecosystem health (e.g., One Health)

Program Competencies 

All PFRH MSPH students must attain proficiency in five departmental MSPH competencies:

1. Apply a life course framework to understand population health problems, including a multiple determinants framework for the health of populations across the life course
2. Identify and assess the causes and consequences of population change using demographic methods
3. Assess the principal health concerns for populations, the associated population-based risk factors, and the relative impact of each risk factor
4. Evaluate strategies to promote population health, including health services and systems delivery strategies used to address health concerns in populations
5. Apply frameworks specific to the area of interest (beyond life course) for improving the health of populations