April 5, 2010
Public Health offers three new graduate degree programs
Beginning in fall 2010, the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health will begin offering three new master’s degree programs: the master of health science in social factors in health, the master of health science in health economics, and the combined bachelor of arts and master of health science in health policy. The programs are currently enrolling students.
The MHS in social factors in health is an advanced research degree for students with undergraduate exposure to social and behavioral sciences and/or public health who are interested in further training in theory and methods. The degree prepares students for doctoral training in public health or for work in public health research or policy. Offered by the Department of Health, Behavior and Society, the MHS in social factors in health focuses on integrating and applying a broad range of knowledge and analytical skills in social aspects of public health, with an emphasis on contemporary health problems.
The program consists of one and a half to two years of full-time study that combines classroom-based course work, seminars and independent study; development of a research plan and completion of a mentored research project; and a paper presenting original research. The final requirement is a presentation of the research by the student in a department seminar.
The MHS in health economics will provide students with a foundation in general health economics and evaluation methods necessary to promote the efficient and equitable allocation of health care resources in public health and to identify relevant regulatory policies, strategies and interventions. Graduates will be well-positioned to pursue doctoral training in economics and health policy or careers as analysts in both the public and private sectors.
This degree is offered jointly by the departments of International Health, and Health Policy and Management, and prospective participants apply to one of the two departments based on academic and career interests. Students from the two departments participate in a common core of classes spanning health economics, economic evaluation, econometrics, statistics and epidemiology and have an opportunity to specialize, based on interests and experience, by choosing from elective courses that focus on U.S. or non-U.S. settings.
The BA/MHS in health policy is offered by the Department of Health Policy and Management and is open to Johns Hopkins University undergraduates majoring in public health studies. Students may apply in their junior or senior year but must complete their bachelor’s degree before officially enrolling in the program.
The MHS in health policy is a professional program designed for individuals seeking specialized training in health policy in order to establish or expand their careers as health policy analysts. In addition to course work, students are required to complete a nine-month field placement in the health policy arena; the full-time employment will provide an opportunity for students to apply their theoretical academic training in a professional health policy setting and to gain skills essential to functioning as health policy analysts.
For more information about the Bloomberg School’s degree programs, go to www.jhsph.edu/academics.