MSPH Timeline
Students complete the PFRH MSPH degree in two years. The first year involves intensive coursework. In the summer and fall of the second year, students complete a field placement. During the final two terms of the program, students write and present a culminating master’s essay and take additional courses. Though not required, many students plan their elective coursework to earn certificates offered by PFRH and other Departments in the School. Full PFRH MSPH program requirements are outlined in the JHU Academic Catalogue.
Year 1: Terms 1-4: Intensive coursework
In addition to taking biostatistics, epidemiology, ethics, and other courses to meet Council on Education in Public Health (CEPH) requirements, PFRH MSPH students complete coursework to meet five program competencies. For competencies where there are multiple options, students’ course selections may be guided by area of interest:
🔵 Child and Adolescent Health
🟢 Maternal, Fetal and Perinatal Health
🟣 Population and Health
🟡 Women’s, Sexual and Reproductive Health
1. Apply a life course framework to understand population health problems, including a multiple determinants framework for the health of populations across the life course
380.604 Life Course Perspectives on Health 🔵🟢🟣🟡
2. Identify and assess the causes and consequences of population change using demographic methods
Choose 1 course
380.600 Principals of Population Change 🔵🟢🟣🟡
380.603 Demographic Methods for Public Health 🔵🟢🟣🟡
3. Assess the principal health concerns for populations, the associated population-based risk factors, and the relative impact of each risk factor
Choose 1 course
380.664 Reproductive and Perinatal Epidemiology 🟢🟡
380.666 Women’s Health 🟡
380.616 Child Health Epidemiology 🔵
380.623 Adolescent Health and Development 🔵
380.747 International Adolescent Health 🔵
380.750 Migration and Health: Concepts, Rates and Relationships 🟣
4. Evaluate strategies to promote population health, including health services and systems delivery strategies used to address health concerns in populations
Choose 1 course
380.665 Family Planning Policies and Programs 🔵🟡
380.661 Clinical Aspects of Maternal and Newborn Health 🔵🟢
221.627 Issues in the Reduction of Maternal and Neonatal Mortality in Low Income Countries 🟢
380.665 Family Planning Policies and Programs 🟣
221.627 Issues in the Reduction of Maternal and Neonatal Mortality in Low Income Countries 🟣
380.667 Women’s Health Policy 🟡
380.768 Selected Topics in Women’s Health and Women’s Health Policy 🟡
380.760 Clinical Aspects of Reproductive Health 🟡
5. Apply frameworks (beyond life course) for improving the health of populations
Choose 1 course
380.655 Social and Economic Aspects of Human Fertility 🟢🟣🟡
380.744 Nutrition and Growth in Maternal and Child Health 🔵🟢
380.725 The Social Context of Adolescent Health and Development 🔵
380.642 Child Health and Development 🔵
380.668 International Perspectives on Women, Gender and Health 🟡
Year 2: Terms 1-2 (Fall): Field Placement
Learn more about field placement opportunities and read first-hand accounts from PFRH students about their experiences in local and global organizations.
MSPH student Elena Kern during her 2023 field placement in Quito, Ecuador
MSPH student Shae Nicolaisen presents to city leadership during her 2024 field placement in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
Year 2: Terms 3-4 (Spring):
Master’s Essay and remaining coursework
Watch additional recordings of PFRH master’s essay presentations
Learn more about additional courses offered and recommended by PFRH