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:
- Adolescent Health
- Child 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
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
PH.550.860 | Academic & Research Ethics at BSPH (Terms 1,2,3,4) | 0 |
AND | ||
PH.306.663 | Legal and Ethical Issues in Health Services Management | 3 |
OR | ||
PH.306.665 | Research Ethics and integrity | 3 |
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.
- 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 - 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 - Explain the role of quantitative and qualitative methods and sciences in describing and assessing a population’s health.
Course List Code Title Credits Must take 380.603 or 552.602; and 552.603 or 224.690 PH.380.603 Demographic Methods for Public Health (Terms 2,3) 4 Or PH.552.602 The Role of Quantitative Methods in Public Health (Term 2) 0.5 AND PH.552.603 The Role of Qualitative Methods and Science in Describing and Assessing a Population's Health .5 OR PH.224.690 Qualitative Research Theory and Methods 3 - 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 Select one of the following: PH.380.600 Principles of Population Change 4 OR PH.552.604 Causes and Trends in Morbidity and Mortality 0.5 OR PH.380.765 Preventing Infant Mortality and Promoting the Health of Women, Infants and Children 3 - Discuss the science of primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention in population health, including health promotion, screening, etc.
Course List Code Title Credits Select one of the following: PH.340.721 Epidemiologic Inference in Public Health I 5 - Explain the critical importance of evidence in advancing public health knowledge.
Course List Code Title Credits Select one of the following: PH.380.664 Reproductive and Perinatal Epidemiology (Term 4) 4 OR PH.552.606 The Critical Importance of Evidence in Advancing Public Health Knowledge 0.5 - Explain effects of environmental factors on a population’s health.
Course List Code Title Credits Select one of the following: PH.380.616 Child Health Epidemiology (Term 4) 3 OR PH.552.607 Essentials of Environmental Health 0.5 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 (Term 2) 4 OR PH.552.611 Globalization and Population Health 0.5 - 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 the breadth of settings and situations in public health practice.
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.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Select one of the following: | ||
PH.340.721 | Epidemiologic Inference in Public Health I | 5 |
OR | ||
PH.380.611 | Fundamentals of Program Evaluation | 4 |
C2b. Select qualitative data collection methods appropriate for a given public health context.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Select one of the following: | ||
PH.224.690 | Qualitative Research Theory and Methods (Terms 1,3) | 3 |
PH.550.604 | Qualitative Reasoning in Public Health (Terms 1,2) | 2 |
PH.552.603 | The Role of Qualitative Methods and Science in Describing and Assessing a Population's Health (Term 1) | 0.5 |
PH.380.611 | Fundamentals of Program Evaluation | 4 |
C3a. Analyze quantitative data using biostatistics, informatics, computer-based programming and software, as appropriate.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Must take either both courses in the 140.611 series, or all three courses in the 140.621 series | ||
PH.140.611 | Statistical Reasoning in Public Health I | 3 |
AND | ||
PH.140.612 | Statistical Reasoning in Public Health II | 3 |
OR | ||
PH.140.621 | Statistical Methods in Public Health I | 4 |
AND | ||
PH.140.622 | Statistical Methods in Public Health II | 4 |
AND | ||
PH.140.623 | Statistical Methods in Public Health III | 4 |
C3b. Analyze qualitative data using biostatistics, informatics, computer-based programming and software, as appropriate
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Select one of the following: | ||
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 |
OR | ||
PH.224.691 | Qualitative Data Analysis | 3 |
C4. Interpret results of data analysis for public health research, policy, or practice.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Must take either both courses in the 140.611 series or all three courses in the 140.621 series: | ||
PH.140.611 | Statistical Reasoning in Public Health I | 3 |
AND | ||
PH.140.612 | Statistical Reasoning in Public Health II | 3 |
OR | ||
PH.140.621 | Statistical Methods in Public Health I | 4 |
AND | ||
PH.140.622 | Statistical Methods in Public Health II | 4 |
AND | ||
PH.140.623 | Statistical Methods in Public Health III | 4 |
C5. Compare the organization, structure, and function of health care, public health, and regulatory systems across national and international settings.
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.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
PH.380.604 | Life Course Perspectives on Health | 4 |
C7. Assess population needs, assets and capacities that affect communities' health.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Select one of the following: | ||
PH.380.640 | Children in Crisis: An Asset-Based Approach to Working With Vulnerable Youth | 3 |
PH.222.642 | Assessment of Nutritional Status | 3 |
PH.410.620 | Program Planning for Health Behavior Change | 3 |
PH.410.654 | Health Communication Programs I: Planning and Strategic Design (AND) | 4 |
AND | ||
PH.410.655 | Health Communication Programs II: Implementation and Evaluation | 4 |
C8. Apply awareness of cultural values and practices to the design or implementation of public health policies or programs.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Select one of the following: | ||
PH.380.640 | Children in Crisis: An Asset-Based Approach to Working With Vulnerable Youth | 3 |
PH.380.665 | Family Planning Policies and Programs | 4 |
PH.380.771 | Understanding and Changing International Reproductive Health Policy | 3 |
C9. Design a population-based policy, program, project, or intervention.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Select one of the following: | ||
PH.380.640 | Children in Crisis: An Asset-Based Approach to Working With Vulnerable Youth | 3 |
PH.380.665 | Family Planning Policies and Programs | 4 |
C10. Explain basic principles and tools of budget and resource management.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
PH.552.622 | Creating, Implementing and Monitoring Budgets for Projects and Programs | 1 |
C11. Select methods to evaluate public health programs
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
PH.380.611 | Fundamentals of Program Evaluation | 4 |
PH.410.654 | Health Communication Programs I: Planning and Strategic Design (AND) | 4 |
AND | ||
PH.410.655 | Health Communication Programs II: Implementation and Evaluation | 4 |
C12. Discuss multiple dimensions of the policy-making process, including the role of ethics and evidence.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Select one of the following: | ||
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.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Select one of the following: | ||
PH.380.624 | Maternal and Child Health Legislation and Programs | 4 |
C14. Evaluate policies for their impact on public health and health equity.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Select one of the following: | ||
PH.380.740 | Nutrition Programs, Policy and Politics in the United States: the Impact on Maternal, Child and Family Health | 3 |
PH.380.771 | Understanding and Changing International Reproductive Health Policy | 3 |
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.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Select one of the following: | ||
PH.380.771 | Understanding and Changing International Reproductive Health Policy | 3 |
PH.380.667 | Women's Health Policy | 3 |
PH.380.768 | Selected Topics in Women's Health and Women's Health Policy | 4 |
C16. Apply principles of leadership, governance, and management, which include creating a vision, empowering others, fostering collaboration, and guiding decision-making.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Select one of the following: | ||
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.
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.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Select one of the following: | ||
PH.380.620 | A Coalition-based SMART Approach to Public Health Advocacy | 3 |
PH.410.650 | Introduction to Persuasive Communications: Theories and Practice | 4 |
PH.410.651 | Health Literacy: Challenges and Strategies for Effective Communication | 3 |
PH.301.645 | Health Advocacy | 3 |
PH.224.692 | Methods in Formative Research and Human Centered Design for Intervention Development | 4 |
PH.410.654 | Health Communication Programs I: Planning and Strategic Design | 4 |
AND | ||
PH.410.655 | Health Communication Programs II: Implementation and Evaluation | 4 |
C19. Communicate audience-appropriate public health content, both in writing and through oral presentation.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Select one of the following: | ||
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.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Select one of the following: | ||
PH.301.645 | Health Advocacy | 3 |
OR | ||
PH.260.720 | Communications Primer for the Public Health Sciences | 1 |
C21. Perform effectively in interprofessional teams
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
PH.552.625 | Building Collaborations Across Sectors to Improve Population Health | 0.5 |
AND Must Participate in an Interprofessional Education Event |
C22. Apply systems thinking tools to a public health issue.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
PH.221.654 | Systems Thinking in Public Health: Applications of Key Methods and Approaches | 3 |
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.
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 |
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 |
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:
-
Applying a life course framework to understand population health problems, including a multiple determinants framework for the health of populations across the life course;
-
Identifying and assessing the causes and consequences of population change using demographic methods;
-
Assessing the principal health concerns for populations, the associated population-based risk factors, and the relative impact of each risk factor;
-
Evaluating strategies to promote population health, including health services and systems delivery strategies used to address health concerns in populations;
-
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
- 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 - Identifying and assessing the causes and consequences of population change using demographic methods.
Course List Code Title Credits Select one of the following: PH.380.600 Principles of Population Change (Term 2) 4 PH.380.603 Demographic Methods for Public Health (Terms 2,3) 4 - 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 (Term 3) 3 PH.380.747 International Adolescent Health (Term 4) 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 - 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.380.624 Maternal and Child Health Legislation and Programs (Term 2) 1 4 PH.380.665 Family Planning Policies and Programs (Term 3) 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 - 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 (Term 4) 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
- Explain public health history, philosophy and values
- Identify the core functions of public health and the 10 Essential Services
- Explain the role of quantitative and qualitative methods and sciences in describing and assessing a population’s health
- List major causes and trends of morbidity and mortality in the US or other community relevant to the school or program
- Discuss the science of primary, secondary and tertiary prevention in population health, including health promotion, screening, etc.
- Explain the critical importance of evidence in advancing public health knowledge
- Explain effects of environmental factors on a population’s health
- Explain biological and genetic factors that affect a population’s health
- Explain behavioral and psychological factors that affect a population’s health
- Explain the social, political and economic determinants of health and how they contribute to population health and health inequities
- Explain how globalization affects global burdens of disease
- 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:
- Apply a life course framework to understand population health problems, including a multiple determinants framework for the health of populations across the life course
- Identify and assess the causes and consequences of population change using demographic methods
- Assess the principal health concerns for populations, the associated population-based risk factors, and the relative impact of each risk factor
- Evaluate strategies to promote population health, including health services and systems delivery strategies used to address health concerns in populations
- Apply frameworks specific to the area of interest (beyond life course) for improving the health of populations