Three New Graduate Degree Programs Offered

Beginning in the fall 2010, the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health will begin offering three new master’s degree programs, the Master of Health Science (MHS) in Social Factors in Health, the Master of Health Science (MHS) degree in Health Economics, and the combined Bachelor of Arts and Master of Health Science (BA/MHS) degree program in Health Policy. The new degree programs are currently enrolling students for the 2010-2011 academic year.

Master of Health Science (MHS) Program in Social Factors in Health

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 the theory and methods in this area. The degree prepares students for further 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 one half to two years of full-time study, combining classroom-based coursework, seminars and independent study, development of a research plan and completion of a mentored research project, and a master’s research paper presenting original research. The final program requirement is a presentation of the research by the student in a department seminar.

Master of Health Science (MHS) in Health Economics

The MHS in Health Economics will provide students with a solid 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. Such methods are important in designing and assessing preventive and curative services, and are relevant to health care systems around the globe. Graduates will be well positioned to pursue doctoral training in economics and health policy or careers as analysts in both the public and private sector.

This MHS is offered jointly by the departments of International Health and Health Policy and Management. Prospective students apply to one of the two departments based on academic and career interests. However, students from both departments participate in a common core of classes spanning health economics, economic evaluation, econometrics, statistics and epidemiology. Students 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.

Bachelor of Arts and Master of Health Science (BA/MHS) in Health Policy

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 BA before officially enrolling in the program.

The MHS in Health Policy is a professional master’s program designed to train 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. The placement consists of full-time employment in the health policy arena, which provides 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.

Additional information about the Bloomberg School’s degree programs is available at http://www.jhsph.edu/academics.

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