Program Overview
The Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) in Health Policy is a professional degree program designed for individuals seeking specialized academic training in health policy in order to establish or expand their careers in health policy. The interdisciplinary faculty associated with the program are recognized for excellence in policy analysis, health services research, public health practice, and teaching. The faculty are actively involved in formulating and implementing health policy at the federal, state, and municipal levels.
The program requires one academic year of full-time, residential academic coursework, followed by a 9-month field placement in a professional public health setting. Through their coursework, students acquire a solid foundation in public health policy along with substantive knowledge of the U.S. public health and healthcare delivery system, as well as key health and public policy issues. The required curriculum and field placement experience provide students with a rich understanding of U.S. health/public health policy; knowledge of the process by which public policy decisions are made; training in basic quantitative and analytic methods; and the skills needed to critically assess and apply research findings to the development, implementation and analysis of health/public health policy.
In addition to the core requirements, the program offers professional development and flexibility for students to pursue their individual interests in the health/public health policy arena. Elective courses may be selected from those offered within HPM or any other department in the Bloomberg School.
Program Director: Beth Resnick, DrPH, MPH
Assistant Director: David Earle, MLA
Sr. Academic Coordinator: Mary Wisniewski
The Johns Hopkins University, in conjunction with the Bloomberg School, offers a combined Bachelor's degree and Master of Science in Public Health in Health Policy (MSPH) degree. The combined degree programs have been tailored to prepare students for a career in health policy.
JHU undergraduate students have the unique opportunity to seek early admission to the MSPH degree. The combined Bachelor's/MSPH program emphasizes a solid foundation in public health policy along with substantive knowledge of the U.S. public health and healthcare delivery system. Students in this program will receive co-advising from both schools to optimize their academic experience.
Successful applicants to the Bachelor's/MSPH are recommended to take at least one math or statistics course and at least one writing-intensive course during undergraduate study.
Requirements
Bachelor's/MSPH degree applications should be submitted through SOPHAS Express by July 1st between the junior and senior years. Bachelor's/MSPH students must be accepted before the start of their senior year. Please note that admitted Bachelor's/MSPH students must complete their Bachelor's degree before formally matriculating in the Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Bachelor's/MSPH applicants must submit the following:
- Transcripts from Johns Hopkins University and, if applicable, transcripts from any other college-level institutions students have attended.*
- Three letters of recommendation.
- Resume or curriculum vitae.
- Statement of purpose and objectives.
*You may upload unofficial transcripts in the document section to expedite the application review process; however, admitted students must submit an official transcript before they can matriculate into the program.
For more information on the Bachelor's/MSPH program, contact Assistant Director David Earle, or visit our website.

