The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health is the oldest and largest institution of its kind. The Bloomberg School is dedicated to protecting health and saving lives by pioneering research, deploying its knowledge and expertise in the field, and educating tomorrow’s scientists and practitioners.

Johns Hopkins is one of the most competitive medical schools in the United States. In fact, it has one of the lowest acceptance rates in the country—only 3%. It’s not easy to get into Johns Hopkins, but if you know what you’re up against and prepare accordingly, you can give yourself a fighting chance at getting your foot in the door.

First things first: understand that there are two types of students who attend Johns Hopkins: (1) those who get in and (2) everyone else. The difference between these two groups is that one group understands how to navigate the admissions process, while the other group doesn’t.

It’s important to note that “getting in” means something different for every applicant. For some people it means getting accepted into a specific program at John Hopkins; for others it means being accepted into any program at John Hopkins; for others still it might mean getting accepted into an MD-PhD program or escaping from prison after serving time for stealing millions from your employer (we heard about this once).

We’re going to help you figure out what “getting in” means for you and then give you some tips on how to make it happen!

Johns Hopkins DRPH Overview

The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health was founded in 1916 by William Welch and John D. Rockefeller. It is the oldest and largest institution of its kind. The Bloomberg School is dedicated to protecting health and saving lives by pioneering research, deploying its knowledge and expertise in the field, and educating tomorrow’s scientists and practitioners. The faculty, students, and alumni are driving the improvement of public health on a global scale.

Consistently rated number one in “U.S. News and World Report,” the Bloomberg School has over 100 different centers and institutes that cover every specialty from human nutrition to mind-body research. The public health degree programs afford the opportunity for both faculty members and students to conduct research in a wide array of disciplines, with ongoing studies in more than 90 countries. The results of this research have been used to formulate policy.

Getting into Johns Hopkins can be quite an ordeal but with the right information, there is no telling how much easy the process could be. CollegeLearners affords you a plethora of up-to-date information on DrPH acceptance rate, what GPA is needed for Johns Hopkins, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg school.

How to Apply

In addition to standard School application materials, DrPH applicants should also possess:

• MPH or equivalent degree*
• Work experience: a minimum of 3 years of professional, full-time public health experience in the applicant’s area of interest by the Dec. 1st application deadline

* The DrPH Program will accept a health-related master’s degree as qualification for applying to the DrPH Program; however, students who have not completed an MPH may need to take additional coursework concurrent with the 57 didactic credits required for the DrPH (see the core course section of this website). For examples of other master’s degrees with which students have entered the program, see our FAQ.

All application materials will be carefully considered in the admissions process, with special emphasis on applicants’ practice experience and promise as a public health leader.

Students should identify only one program concentration (and track where relevant) when applying for the DrPH in SOPHAS. If the Custom Track is preferred, a separate question in the SOPHAS admissions form asks applicants to describe briefly a) their proposed area of study; b) their academic goals; and c) 6-8 courses they could take at the Bloomberg School.

Visit the Admissions Office to learn more about the online application process.

Scores

Official GRE/GMAT Scores

Standardized test scores are not required and not reviewed for this program. If you have taken a standardized test such as the GRE, GMAT, or MCAT and want to submit your scores, please note that they will not be used as a metric during the application review. Applications will be reviewed holistically based on all required application components.

Johns Hopkins DRPH Acceptance Rate

Johns Hopkins DRPH Departments & Programs

Johns Hopkins Admission Program

Applications for the June 2021 start in the Schoolwide DrPH Program open in August 2020. Applications are processed through the online portal Schools of Public Health Application Services (SOPHAS application).

Johns Hopkins DRPH Application Deadline 

Deadline to submit application in SOPHAS and to take the GRE or GMAT: December 1

Deadline to apply for Bloomberg Fellowship: December 1

Supporting document deadline (transcripts & WES evaluations if relevant; letters of recommendation): December 15

Review of applications: December through February; interviews are conducted on an ad hoc basis–not receiving a request for an interview is not indicative of an admissions decision and vice versa.

Communication of offers: Early March

Johns Hopkins DrPH Program Structure

Advanced integrative coursework

A typical accredited DrPH program requires roughly a one to two-year long intensive multidisciplinary coursework in advanced research methodology – similar to a Ph.D in some countries. Additionally, as a distinction and addition to a Ph.D., DrPH students also take advanced courses to gain analytical skills in leadership, management, systems thinking, enabling change, communications, and health policy.

Public health leadership practice experience

DrPH students are also required to complete a public health practice experience as a critical part of their DrPH program. Students apply the skills learned in public health practice to gain leadership experience and hone their skills through hands-on and a field-based culminating public health experience.

Most universities require a rigorous comprehensive exam at the end of first two-years of coursework and a public health practical experience before a candidate may be advanced to the dissertation phase. For example, the DrPH programs at Tufts and Harvard require a Qualifying Exam taken at the end of the first year.

Dissertation

DrPH students are required to complete and defend an applied public health practice-related dissertation during their candidacy phase, usually after the comprehensive and qualifying exams.

Our next cohorts begin in June 2022 and June 2023.

EVENTS

Each year, we hold multiple webinars and events to share information about our School’s programs and to connect with you about any questions you may have.

Schoolwide DrPH Informational Webinars

Our program chair, Professor Janice Bowie, offers informational webinars covering an overview of the DrPH program curriculum, major milestones, concentration/track options and format, tips for submitting a strong application, along with a Q&A that covers many common questions applicants have about our program.

Upcoming Webinars (RSVP required)

Our upcoming webinars will be held on the following dates and times:

• Wednesday, July 21, 2021; 10-11am EDT
• Friday, September 24, 2021, 12-1 pm EDT

To RSVP (required): please complete this online RSVP form. You will receive a link at the email you registered a day before the webinar.

Recording:

Recordings of our upcoming webinars will be posted here when they become available.

Bloomberg School of Public Health Virtual Open Houses:

During the fall, the School will hold virtual Open Houses to provide applicants the opportunity to learn more about the School’s programs and services. A representative from the Schoolwide DrPH Program will be on hand to answer general questions about the program and DrPH Program faculty will discuss the program during dedicated concentration breakout sessions. Additional information and registration details (RSVP required) are available on the Admissions website.

Johns Hopkins DRPH Tuition And Funding

Students enrolled in the DrPH program finance their graduate studies through a variety of funding options ranging from paying out of pocket, to utilizing employer tuition remission benefits, financial aid, external scholarships, and military funding.

As students within a part-time program, DrPH students pay per credit. The current per credit tuition rate for Academic Year 2021-2022 is US $1,233*. This would be an approximate tuition cost of $78,912 for the program (for a minimum of 64 credits). Additional information regarding tuition and fees can be found on the School’s Tuition & Fees page. 

*Tuition rates for the following academic year are reassessed and approved each spring.

Bloomberg American Health Initiative

The Bloomberg American Health Initiative will offer funding for 8-10 Bloomberg Doctoral Fellows whose areas of research and practice align with one of the Initiative’s five focus areas. Given that only approximately 8% of applicants who apply for the fellowship receive it, applicants should plan for additional funding options when applying to the DrPH. Interested students must apply for both the DrPH program and the Fellowship (two separate applications) by December 1, 2021 in order to be considered for funding beginning in 2022. For further details regarding eligibility and the application process, please visit the Bloomberg American Health Initiative website.

Additional Funding Opportunities

Additional funding opportunities may be found in the School’s Funding Opportunities database according to a student’s specific background and areas of interest.

Financial Aid

Contact the Financial Aid Office for more information on loans or federal aid. The Financial Aid Office also provides information regarding cost of attendance.

Online John Hopkins DRPH Program 

Students should be aware of additional state-specific information for online programs.

At a minimum, incoming schoolwide DrPH students should plan to spend approximately one week in June in Baltimore to take one Summer Institute course and to attend Orientation. Additional Summer Institute courses of interest are offered starting throughout the month of June. The DRPH Program Office will circulate a schedule of these courses during the onboarding process, should students wish to take additional Summer Institute courses.

DrPH Bloomberg Fellowship recipients may have additional orientation requirements in Baltimore; please coordinate these dates with the Bloomberg Fellowship Office.

Johns Hopkins DRPH Program Requirements 

In addition to standard school application materials, DRPH applicants should also possess:

• MPH or equivalent degree*
• Work experience: a minimum of 3 years of professional, full-time public health experience in the applicant’s area of interest
• Official GRE or GMAT test scores from exams taken within the last 5 years

* The DrPH Program will accept a health-related master’s degree as qualification for applying to the DrPH Program; however, students who have not completed an MPH may need to take additional coursework concurrent with the 57 didactic credits required for the DrPH (see the core course section of this website). For examples of other master’s degrees with which students have entered the program, see our FAQ.

All of the factors listed above will be carefully considered in the admissions process, with special emphasis on applicants’ practice experience and promise as a public health leader.

Students should identify only one program concentration (and track where relevant) when applying for the DrPH in SOPHAS. If the customized program is preferred, a separate question in the SOPHAS admissions form asks applicants to describe briefly a) their proposed area of study; b) their academic goals; and c) 8-10 courses they could take at JHSPH.

Johns Hopkins GRE waiver 

The DrPH Program no longer offers waivers for the GRE/GMAT. Previous waivers are only valid for the admissions cycle in which they were granted. Official scores from an exam taken within the last 5 years must be received through the SOPHAS application; no expired scores will be accepted.

Johns Hopkins GRE score requirement

Johns Hopkins DrPH Cost

The Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) program at Johns Hopkins University is part of the Bloomberg School. The 64-credit program may be completed in as little as four years, however, students have a maximum of 9 years to finish required courses, a comprehensive examination, and the completion/defence of a dissertation. DrPH specializations include Environmental Health, Health Equity and Social Justice, Health Policy and Management, and Implementation Science. Students can also choose a customized course plan. Foundational courses address the opioid epidemic; public policy and advocacy; and promotion, learning and leading in education. Applicants must hold an MPH (or equivalent) degree, a minimum of three years of public health experience and they must submit their GRE or GMAT test scores. Johns Hopkins is approved by the Maryland Higher Education Commission to offer reciprocity agreements.

School Name	No. of Credits	Total Cost
Johns Hopkins University	64	$72,192

Universities offering DrPH degrees

United States

Some of the universities offering DrPH in the USA are listed below.

• Boston University School of Public Health
• Capella University
• City University of New York (CUNY) Graduate Center
• Claremont Graduate University School of Community & Global Health
• Colorado School of Public Health
• Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health
• Drexel University School of Public Health
• East Carolina University at the Brody School of Medicine
• East Tennessee State University College of Public Health
• Florida A & M University Institute of Public Health
• Georgia Southern University Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health
• Georgia State University School of Public Health
• Harvard School of Public Health
• Jackson State University School of Public Health
• Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
• Loma Linda University School of Public Health
• Morgan State University School of Community Health and Policy
• New York Medical College School of Public Health
• Oakwood University
• Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine
• Ponce Health Science University
• SUNY Downstate Medical Center
• Texas A&M Health Science Center School of Rural Public Health
• The George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services
• Tufts University School of Medicine (Tufts Public Health)
• Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine
• Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
• University at Albany, SUNY School of Public Health
• University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health
• University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health
• University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health
• University of California, Los Angeles School of Public Health
• University of California, Berkeley
• University of Georgia College of Public Health
• University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health
• University of Iowa College of Public Health
• University of Kentucky’s College of Public Health
• University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey School of Public Health
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Gillings School of Global Public Health
• University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth, School of Public Health
• University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center School of Public Health
• University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health
• University of South Florida College of Public Health
• University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health
• Walden University College of Health Professions

United Kingdom

• Brunel University of West London
• Imperial College London School of Public Health
• London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
• Chester University
• Teesside University

Asia

• Department of Community Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia
• Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia
• Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Malaysia
• Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya
• School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center
• College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila
• Department of Public Health Nursing, Faculty of Public health, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
• Department of Public Health, Faculty of Public health, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand
• Faculty of Public health, Thammasat University, Lampang, Thailand

Australia

• James Cook University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.
• LaTrobe University School of Public Health.
• University of Wollongong School of Health Science.
• University of New South Wales School of Public Health and Medicine (Future Health Leaders Program).
• Monash University School of Public Health.
• Flinders University School of Public Health.
• Curtin University.

France

• University of Paris-Saclay
• Paris Descartes University
• University of Bordeaux
• University of Lorraine

Germany

• University of Bremen
• Bielefeld University

Canada

• University of Toronto Dalla Lana School of Public Health

Johns Hopkins DRPH Career Expectation

Sample Careers

• Tenure Track Faculty
• Environmental Health Engineer
• Public Health Flight Commander
• Emergency Preparedness Specialist
• Senior Bio-surveillance Specialist
• Senior Policy Advisor & Staff Director
• President & CEO, Medical System
• Federal Data Strategy Analyst
• Chief Data Scientist
• VP Organizational Excellence & Quality
• Nurse Manager
• Chief Impact & Equity Officer
• City Police Chief
• Senior Counsel for Elder Justice
• COO & Deputy Health Commissioner
• Lead, Population Health Informatics

Johns Hopkins University is an elite institution of higher learning, and their rigorous application process reflects that. Their acceptance rate is less than 10%, which means that only 1 out of every 10 applicants will be admitted to the school. If you’re interested in applying, you’ll need to make sure that your application is as strong as possible by getting all of your high school classes done early, taking the SAT prep course, and writing a stellar personal statement about why you want to go to Johns Hopkins.