MSPH in Health Systems | Johns Hopkins | Bloomberg School of Public Health

About the MSPH in Health Systems Program

The Health Systems MSPH Program prepares students to take on leadership and management roles in health policy and planning, health financing and management, and monitoring and evaluation of health programs. Our graduates contribute to strengthening health systems through the implementation of equitable and cost-effective interventions for improving access, quality, and efficiency of health services for underserved populations.

This is a STEM designated program. Eligible F-1 visa students can receive an additional 24 months of work authorization, beyond the initial 12 months of post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT).

Apply by January 15 for an August start.

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Information Session Video Watch. Recorded Dec. 12, 2023

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MSPH in Health Systems Program Highlights

Students are trained in monitoring and evaluation of large-scale programs, health policy analysis, comparative health systems analysis, and implementation research. Students also receive a strong background in key areas such as primary health care, maternal and child health, and health financing.

Global Network

Practicum opportunities around the world

Health Equity

Study how to expand access and improve equity in low- and middle-income countries

Health Policy

Examine institutional capacity, sustainability, and systems governance

STEM Designated

Eligibility for a 24-month STEM OPT extension

Meet our MSPH alumni

Prianca Reddi, MSPH '20

"Overall this program broadened my understanding of the complexities and nuances that comprise a health system. Through the engaging classroom discussions, robust methods curriculum, and hands-on experiences of the program, I’ve learned skills that are needed to look at evidence and ask the right questions at the right time."

Current job title

Public Health Advisor, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Job description

After graduating from the MSPH Health Systems program, I joined the CDC as a Presidential Management Fellow. I work within CDC’s Center for Global Health in the Division of Global Health Protection, focusing on strengthening surveillance and emergency response systems internationally.

What Can You Do With a Graduate Degree In Health Systems?

Alumni enjoy careers in academia, government and nongovernment sectors, and industry. Graduates become public health practitioners who provide technical assistance to public health researchers and public health managers in the design, implementation and evaluation of programs to address public health problems facing underserved populations in the US and abroad. Visit the Graduate Employment Outcomes Dashboard to learn about Bloomberg School graduates' employment status, sector, and salaries.

Organization	Job Title
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention	Public Health Advisor
Clinton Health Access Initiative	Access to Medicines and Diagnostics Program Manager
Catholic Relief Services	Regional Technical Advisor for Health and HIV for West Africa
ORISE Research Fellow	Emergency Response and Recovery Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Innovations for Poverty Action	Research Coordinator in Tanzania
Harvard Medical School, Department of Psychiatry at the Cambridge Health Alliance	Research Coordinator

Graduate Employment Outcomes Dashboard Filter by degree and/or department to view program-specific results

Curriculum for the MSPH in Health Systems

The practicum experience and capstone paper allow students to apply the knowledge gained through academic coursework to solving pressing health problems and challenges in global health and to make meaningful contributions to the health of underserved populations. Students have the opportunity to work on faculty projects and to be placed within a number of organizations across the world, including the School’s wide array of international collaborators.

Browse an overview of the requirements for this master's program in the JHU Academic Catalogue, explore all course offerings in the Bloomberg School Course Directory, and find many more details in the program's Student Handbook.

Courses Available in the Following Areas:

Health policy and planning
Health financing and management,
Monitoring and evaluation of health programs
Primary health care
Maternal and child health
Injury prevention
Non-communicable diseases
Humanitarian health
Gender, health equity, and social justice

Admissions Requirements

For general admissions requirements, please visit the How to Apply page.

Prior Coursework

Students should have a prior degree in biological or health sciences or, alternatively, in management or social science. Some prior international or health systems experience is highly desired.

Standardized Test Scores

Standardized test scores are required for this program. This program accepts the following standardized test scores: GRE. Applications will be reviewed holistically based on all application components.

Program Faculty Spotlight

Sara Bennett

Professor

International Health

Sara Bennett, PhD, MPhil, examines health policy and systems in low- and middle-income countries with a focus on institutional capacity, sustainability, and systems governance.

Abdulgafoor M. Bachani

Associate Professor

International Health

Abdulgafoor M. Bachani, PhD ’11, MHS ’08, studies how to address burden of and preventing injury and disabilities, and to expand access to rehabilitation services.

Ligia Paina

Assistant Professor

Ligia Paina, PhD ’14, MHS ’08, studies how to improve health systems policies and programs so they provide equitable, quality care and are responsive to poor and marginalized communities.

Bryan N. Patenaude

Associate Professor

International Health

Bryan Patenaude, ScD ’17, MA, researches the sustainability, efficiency, and equity of public health programs and health systems in low- and lower-middle-income countries.

Tuition and Funding

The Master’s Tuition Scholarship is available to students in good academic standing in a two-year, full-time master’s program. The MTS is a 75% reduction in tuition for year two of an eight-term program.

Additionally, Johns Hopkins University, thanks to support from Bloomberg Philanthropies, offers need-based scholarships for students enrolled in an MSPH program. These need-based scholarships, which cover up to 50% of tuition costs in the first year of study, will enable the best and brightest students with an interest in public health to obtain the highest-quality professional public health education available. Students who are first-generation graduate students, and have exceptional undergraduate academic records, will be prioritized for this need-based scholarship.

To be considered for an MSPH need-based scholarship, applicants should submit their SOPHAS application and supporting documents by the January 15 application deadline, along with the CSS profile to the Financial Aid Office using code 5315 no later than February 15. Applicants should indicate their interest in the scholarship by answering “yes” to the school specific question in their SOPHAS application for the MSPH program of their choice.

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