Program
Overview
Program Overview
Completed Application Deadlines
December 1 for summer entry
Focusing on Public Health
The MSN-NP/MPH program at the Johns Hopkins University integrates advanced nursing practice and management with a population-based perspective toward improving the delivery of nursing services in various local and international settings.
If your professional interests lie in the intersection of evidence-based, clinical practice, the societal factors that impact care, and the public health implications of how services and treatment are organized and provided, you will experience the rare opportunity to tailor your program of study through this joint offering from the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing and the Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Those who earn a Hopkins MSN-NP/MPH joint degree:
- Develop, implement, and evaluate innovative healthcare programs and policies
- Provide primary care that includes health promotion and prevention of specific disorders and injury
- Identify, treat, or refer for treatment of health problems
- Take positions in government at international, national, and local levels; community organizations; universities; and the private sector
Graduates of the program receive a single diploma signed by the Deans of the School of Nursing and Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Program
Requirements
Program Requirements
Students may apply for full- or part-time study.
The school seeks individuals who will bring to the student body the qualities of scholarship, motivation, and commitment. The Admissions Committee is interested in each applicant as an individual and will consider both academic potential and personal qualities. Therefore, school records, test scores, recommendations, and essays about goals and interests are important.
Recommendations about a student's character, intellectual curiosity, seriousness of purpose, and range of extracurricular activities are considered.
Selection factors include:
- Bachelor of Science degree in nursing
- Scholastic Grade Point Average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from an accredited college or university
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores within the past five years (for MSN/MPH and MSN/MBA applicants only)
- Demonstrated commitment to nursing practice and scholarly pursuit
- Community service and professional commitment
- Interview with faculty member*
- Written expression of goals
- Letters of recommendation
- Applicants must submit evidence of current nursing licensure. Students must have or obtain Maryland Registered Nurse licensure for matriculation
*Interview with a faculty member may or may not be requested.
Additionally, applicants for the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program
- Will be exceptional students who are carefully chosen based on a number of factors including previous experiences. Direct care acute care experiences will be required;
OR - Will be required to attend part time during their first year in the program while working as a staff nurse in a critical care unit full time (more than 36 hours per week), and will not begin NP clinical courses until their second year.
Transfer of Credit
Transfer of credit is granted on an individual basis. The decision is based on equivalent content (for required courses), credit allotment and satisfactory completion of courses. You may petition for permission to substitute a course from another college or university by submitting a request to the Office of Admissions and Student Services along with the complete course syllabus.
Up to 6 credits of graduate course work taken at Johns Hopkins University or elsewhere may be accepted for transfer. Course work must have been completed within the last five years. Course work at the undergraduate level will not be considered for advanced standing credit.
Admissions
Procedures
Admissions Procedures
Start Early
Students are strongly encouraged to complete the application process early. Candidates for admission will be notified of a decision in writing after all the application documents are received and the Admissions Committee's review.
Note: The admissions committee for the Public Health Nursing, Nurse-Midwifery Track consists of representatives from both Johns Hopkins University and Shenandoah University.
Follow all instructions carefully to avoid delays in the processing of application materials. To expedite the application process, students may submit all supporting documentation, including official transcripts and recommendations, in sealed envelopes in one package (test scores excluded). Application supporting documentation may also arrive separately. Before a final admission decision can be made, all supporting documentation must be received.
Submit
- Completed and signed application form
- Signed statement acknowledging the School's Ethics Policy
- $75 non-refundable application fee
(Make check or money order payable to "Johns Hopkins University") - Goal statement
- Three recommendations:
- At least one recommendation from an academic source (current or previous professor)
- Remaining two recommendations may be from either an academic or professional source (employment/volunteer supervisor)
- Recommendations should be enclosed in sealed envelopes with the recommender's signature across the envelope flap
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended (including Johns Hopkins University)
- Current résumé
- Official GRE scores, if applying to the MSN/MPH or MSN/MBA programs, sent to the School of Nursing (School code: 5767)
- Verification of current RN license, all RN's must obtain a Maryland RN license and present verification by the time of matriculation
Note: Due to changing clinical site regulations, students are required to undergo a criminal background check prior to matriculation. The School will provide information about this process to accepted students.
Applicants Who Have Studied Abroad
International applicants and applicants who have completed courses outside of the United States must submit:
More information for international applicants
Office of International Student, Faculty, and Staff Services
Curriculum
Curriculum
(Adult, Pediatric, Family and Adult Acute Care tracks are similar in design. Students take track appropriate content for the track.
Nursing Requirements
NR.110.500 Philosophical, Theoretical, and Ethical Basis for Nursing
This course will explore the conceptual, theoretical, and ethical bases of nursing. Selected conceptual models and frameworks of nursing and ethics will be analyzed with emphasis on implications for nursing practice. This course is designed to provide students with frameworks, concepts, and personal and professional exercises for approaching nursing practice issues and to enhance the student's understanding of theoretical, conceptual and ethical issues in nursing and in health care and to respond to them specifically.
NR.110.502 Physiological/Pathophysiological Basis for Advanced Nursing Practice I
This course focuses on the interrelationship between normal physiology and pathophysiology across the lifespan. It is designed to expand the student's understanding of the pathophysiology underlying dysfunction in selected diseases that advanced practice nurses may commonly encounter in their patient populations. Using an integrative approach, representative alternations in physiologic function common throughout the lifespan are addressed. Completion of this course will enable the student to analyze and address physiologic challenges of practice. In addition, it will provide foundational knowledge for use in research involving issues that impact clinical practice. Weekly lecture/discussions are organized based on systems and cover topics from the cellular level up to major organ systems.
Prerequisites: Undergraduate anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology.
NR.110.503 Applications of Research to Practice
This course prepares students for clinical, management, or education leadership roles in health care through translation of the best available evidence into practice within organizations and application of research for nursing practice. Students will develop skills and knowledge needed to review and synthesize the strength of evidence available, and recommend practice changes if indicated. Topics covered include: a review of the research process (including theoretical framework, design, and analysis, research design hierarchy), research critique, rating and synthesizing the strength of evidence, decision making for practice, research and research translation opportunities (outcomes, evaluation research, quality improvement, cost-effectiveness analysis), risk adjustment, measurement, research ethics and organizational change.
Prerequisite: NR 110.501
NR.110.504 Context of Healthcare for Advanced Practice Nursing
This three credit course examines the scope and status of professional roles and responsibilities of nurses prepared for advanced clinical and managerial placements in diverse health care settings. Course content and activities will focus on understanding forces driving contemporary health care and enhancing skills in outcomes evaluation, as well as efficient and effective function in a continuous change health care environment.
NR.110.508 Clinical Pharmacology
This course focuses on the clinical uses and mechanisms of action of drug groups used in altered states of physiological function. Pharmacological mechanisms, drug interactions, side effects and contraindications will be presented as bases for clinical judgment and management of patients.
NR.110.549 Advanced Health Assessment and Measurement
This course provides an introduction to the skills of advanced history taking and physical assessment. Lectures are designed to help the students apply their knowledge of physical assessment to both primary and acute care settings. Emphasis is placed on differentiation between normal and abnormal findings, recognition of common health problems, and the process of critically thinking through problems.
Pre/corequisites: NR 110.502, 110.508, 110.536 and/or 110.537
NR.110.546 Health Promotion & Disease Prevention
This course introduces the student to current issues, theories and research in health promotion and disease prevention related to individuals, families, aggregates and communities. The role of the advanced practice nurse in risk assessment, counseling, education and screening will be emphasized. Students, taking the course for 2 credits, will have the opportunity to apply course content to the development and implementation of an individual or community-based educational project designed to promote health and prevent disease. The first hour of each class will focus on the theoretical issues of health promotion and disease prevention. Practicum students in the second hour will examine the clinical issues relevant to health promotion throughout the lifespan. A case study approach will be emphasized.
NR.110.537 Health Assessment and Measurement: Pediatric Variations
This course provides an intensive and comprehensive introduction to the skills of history taking and advanced physical assessment for the pediatric patient. Lecture and clinical experiences are designed to help the student apply their knowledge of physical assessment of pediatric clients to the primary care setting. Emphasis is placed on the differentiation between normal and abnormal findings, recognition of common health problems, development of a differential diagnosis and the process of critically thinking through problems related to child health.
Pre/corequisites: NR 100.502, 100.508, 110.549, and 100.589 or 100.555
NR.110.589 Human and Family Development through the Lifespan
This course provides an overview of major concepts, theories, and research related to human development across the lifespan from the prenatal period to death. Simultaneously, major theories and research related to family development across the lifespan are also examined. Significant factors that influence individual and family development functioning are also studied. A variety of assessment tools for assessing development and functioning of individuals and families as well as strategies for intervening with individuals and family are examined. The role of the APN in assessment, implementing intervention, and evaluating outcomes aimed at promoting optimal human development and family functioning are critically examined and discussed.
NR.110.547 Diagnosis, Symptom and Illness Management I - Adult
This course provides didactic content to prepare the Advanced Practice Nurse to provide primary and/or acute care to adults, including older persons, experiencing health problems in one or more body systems. Nurse practitioner students focus on health care for all populations, with particular emphasis on underserved and those from other cultures. Students also emphasize health promotion and disease prevention, screening of adult and older populations, and providing culturally competent care. Didactic content addresses comprehensive diagnosis and management of common health problems, including appropriate diagnostic procedures, laboratory tests, and follow-up care for patients with both acute and chronic conditions. Professional, ethical, and legal issues are also addressed.
Pre/corequisites: NR.110.502, 110.508 (Primary Care NPs), 110.549, 110.536/537, 110.572 (ACNP only)
NR.110.548 Diagnosis, Symptom and Illness Management I - Pediatrics
This course provides didactic information to prepare the pediatric or family nurse practitioner student to provide primary care for the pediatric population, from birth through adolescence. Emphasis is placed on integration of nursing process and theory with techniques of clinical health assessment and management of infants, children and adolescents. Didactic content addresses comprehensive diagnosis and management of common health problems, including appropriate diagnostic procedures, laboratory tests, and follow-up care for patients with both acute and chronic conditions. The course has a strong focus on health promotion, disease prevention, the care of underserved populations, and culturally competent care.
Pre/corequisites: NR.110.502, 110.508, 110.537, and 110.549
NR.110.557 Diagnosis, Symptom and Illness Management II - Adults
This course expands on knowledge obtained in Diagnosis, Symptom, Illness I and continues to provide a foundation for the student to think criticallyabout symptoms, differential diagnoses, diagnostic evaluation, and the management of common episodic and chronic health conditions throughout the adult lifespan including young adults, adults and older adults. The course emphasizes evidence based practice, health promotion and disease prevention as well as illness care that is based on age, gender, culture, ethnicity, and psycho-social issues. The unique perspective the nurse practitioner brings to the patient encounter, as well as interprofessional collaboration with colleagues, and knowledge of specialty referral are important elements of the course.
Prerequisites: NR.110.502, 110.508, 110.536, 110.547, and 110.549
Corequisites: NR.110.551 and 110.589
NR.110.558 Diagnosis, Symptom and Illness Management II: Pediatrics
This course provides didactic information to prepare the pediatric or family nurse practitioner student to provide primary care for the pediatric population, from birth through adolescence. Emphasis is placed on integration of nursing process and theory with techniques of clinical health assessment and management of infants, children and adolescents. Didactic content addresses comprehensive diagnosis and management of common health problems, including appropriate diagnostic procedures, laboratory tests, and follow-up care for patients with both acute and chronic conditions. The course has a strong focus on health promotion, disease prevention, the care of underserved populations, and culturally competent care.
Prerequisites: NR.110.502, 110.508, 110.537, 110.548, 110.549
Corequisites: NR.110.552, 110.589
NR.110.551 Advanced Practice in Primary Care I: Adult/Gero
This course provides clinical experience in adult and geriatric health care settings (ages 16 to 100). It emphasizes the integration of theory, anticipatory guidance, health promotion and disease prevention, and clinical decision making throughout the entire spectrum of the adult lifespan. Students will perform comprehensive and episodic clinical assessments, including appropriate diagnostic testing and therapeutic interventions. Management of both stable, chronic illness and treatment of acute, episodic health problems will be accomplished with the direction of clinical preceptors. Students will work with faculty, nurse practitioners, and physician preceptors in a variety of primary care clinical practicum sites including college health services, health maintenance organizations, community based clinics, long-term care, assisted living, continuing care retirement communities, occupational health settings, and private practices. Clinical placements are arranged by faculty with individual preceptors. Preceptors and students arrange mutually convenient clinical hours. A minimum of 196 clinical hours are required this semester. Periodic clinical seminars will review diagnostic and treatment regimens in a case study format. Information presented will focus on the collection of subjective and objective data, pertinent laboratory findings, diagnostic tests, differential diagnoses and a plan for therapeutic intervention. Cases will focus on underserved, vulnerable and elder patient populations.
Prerequisites: NR.110.502, 110.508, 110.549, 110.536, 110.547
Corequisites: 110.557, 110.589
NR.110.552 Advanced Practice in Primary Care I: Pediatrics
This course provides clinical experience in pediatric health care settings (infant through adolescent). It emphasizes the integration of theory, development, health promotion and disease prevention, and clinical decision making. Students will perform comprehensive and episodic clinical assessments, including appropriate diagnostic testing and therapeutic interventions. Management of both stable, chronic illness and treatment of acute, episodic health problems will be accomplished with the direction of clinical preceptors. Clinical placements are arranged by faculty with individual preceptors. A minimum of 14 clinical hours per week are required. A two hour weekly clinical seminar will review diagnostic and treatment regimens in a case study format. Information presented will focus on the collection of subjective and objective data, pertinent laboratory findings, diagnostic tests, differential diagnoses and a plan for therapeutic intervention.
Prerequisites: NR.110.502, 110.508, 110.549, 110.537, 110.548
Corequisites: NR.110.558, 110.589
NR.110.553 Advanced Practice in Primary Care II: Adults
This course prepares students to diagnose, treat and follow up common illnesses in adolescents/adults. It integrates biomedical, psychological, social and nursing aspects of care. Emphasis is on: 1) defining a model of advanced nursing practice in various clinical settings and 2) longitudinal experience in the primary care management of selected clients, including underserved populations, in collaboration with other health care professionals. Clinical seminars will emphasize critical diagnostic and management information.
Prerequisite: NR 110.551
NR.110.554 Advanced Practice in Primary Care II: Pediatrics
This course further prepares students to diagnose, treat and follow up common illnesses of increasing complexity in children and adolescents. It integrates biomedical, psychological, social and nursing aspects of care. Emphasis is on: 1) refining a model of advanced practice nursing in various clinical settings, and 2) longitudinal experience in the primary care management of selected clients, including underserved populations, in collaboration with other health care professionals. Clinical seminars will emphasize critical diagnostic and management information.
Prerequisite: NR.110.552
NR.110.569 Advanced Practice in Women's Health
This course provides clinical experience in ambulatory obstetric and gynecologic health care settings. It emphasizes the integration and application of theory, health promotion, disease prevention, the diagnostic process, and clinical decision making to women's health issues. Students will perform comprehensive clinical assessments, including appropriate diagnostic testing and therapeutic interventions. Management of routine prenatal, postnatal, and gynecologic care and health problems will be accomplished with the direction of clinical preceptors. A weekly seminar will utilize a case study format to review and analyze the diagnostic (process) and treatment regimens. While cases will focus on diverse populations of women, there will be an emphasis on women from underserved populations.
Prerequisite: NR.110.551
NR.110.583 Family as a Unit: Clinical Integration
This course integrates theory and research in clinical applications of the care of families by nurse practitioners. Students will provide care to adults and children within their family context ideally in one clinical setting under the guidance of a clinical preceptor. Emphasis is on applying theory and research to families with members experiencing complex health problems. Related professional issues will be explored in the clinical seminar.
Prerequisites: NR.110.551, 110.552, and 110.569. Pre/corequisite: NR.110.503
NR.110.560 Program Development and Evaluation in Health Care
This course is an introduction to the basic methods of program evaluation. Emphasis is given to designs that are popular and feasible in health care settings, and to programs for vulnerable populations. Consultant and group facilitation skills are described and assessed.
Prerequisites: There are no pre- or corequisites but recommended prior or concurrent courses include introductory graduate-level courses in descriptive and inferential statistics and research design.
*110.549, 110.551, 110.552, 110.553, 110.554, 110.569, 110.583, and 110.560 have a clinical component.
Joint Requirements
NR.500.601 Theory and Practice of Public Health Nursing - Didactic
Analysis of theories relevant to nursing and public health will assist the student in the identification of the unique role of public health nursing across settings. Students will explore the role and function of public health nursing in primary and secondary prevention in the community, state and nation. Special emphasis will be placed on assessing the community as client and developing models of community-based health promotion and prevention.
NR.500.602 Public Health Nursing Theory & Practice - Practicum
Students enrolled in this course conduct a community assessment and write a proposal to address or prevent a risk factor or health problem in that population/community. The practicum is conducted in a community agency or established program. (Total of 168 hours)
Prerequisites: NR.500.601, 500.604, 500.605, PH.340.601, PH.140.611 & 612 OR PH.140.621, 622 & 623
NR.500.605 Public Health Nursing Leadership & Management
This didactic course is focused on the analysis, integration and application of principles of leadership and management to health care organizations and to population-based efforts across the health care delivery system. Special emphasis is placed on the practical skills needed for nurses to succeed as leaders and managers in today's local, state, national and international health care environment.
Prerequisite: NR 500.601
NR.500.606 Public Health Nursing Leadership, Management, & Evaluation Capstone Practicum
Field placements are used to develop expertise in the appropriate match of evaluation techniques with programs and in the use of strategic assessment, management and leadership techniques. Placements are in settings where community/public health nursing services are managed and/or health policy is analyzed, developed or implemented. Particular emphasis is placed on public-private partnerships as integral components of health care reform, and the need for today's community/ public health nurse to flexibly and creatively integrate public and private sector strategies. Weekly practicum conferences complement field experience.
Prerequisites: NR 110.560 and 500.601, 602, 605, PH.340.601, PH.140.611 & 612 OR PH.140.621, 622, & 623
*Credit for joint courses are applied to both the MSN and the MPH requirements.
**500.602 and 500.506 have a clinical component.
Quantitative Sciences
PH.140.611-612 Statistical Reasoning in Public Health
-or-
PH.140.621-623 Statistical Methods in Public Health
-or-
PH.140.651-654 Methods in Biostatistics I-IV
Public Health Requirements
PH.300.645 Making Changes Through Policy
PH.300.603 Tools of Public Health Practice and Decision Making
PH.180.601 Environmental Health
PH.340.601 Principle of Epidemiology
PH.550.867 Introduction to MPH Studies-MPH Individualized Goals and Analysis
PH.380.755 Population Dynamics and Public Health
NR 110.589 Social and Behavioral Sciences Requirement
Quantitative Sciences Requirement -3 options
Biological Sciences Requirements – 15 options
Management Sciences Requirement – 6 options
Sample Courses
of Study
Sample Courses of Study
The curriculum includes core courses from each master’s program, 500 clinical hours, and begins each July. Credit for joint courses is applied to both the MSN (credits) and MPH (units) requirements.
Full-time
Summer I (18 unites)
Principles of Epidemiology (5 units)
Making Change through Policy (4 units)
Environmental Health (5 units)
Introduction to MPH Studies (1 unit)
Population Dynamics and Public Health (2 units)
MPH Individual Goals Analysis (P/F)
Tools of Public Health Practice and Decision Making (1 unit)
Fall I (14 credits)
Clinical Pharmacology (3 credits)
Physiology/Pathophysiology I (3 credits)
Advanced Health Assessment and Measurement* (2 credits), Adults (1 credit), Pediatrics (1 credit)
Diagnosis, Symptom, and Illness Management I—Adults (2 credits), Pediatrics (2 credits)
Spring I (11 credits/5 units)
Advanced Practice in Primary Care I Adults or Pediatrics* (4 credits)
Human and Family Development through the Lifespan (3 credits)
Diagnosis, Symptom, and Illness Management II—Adults (2 credits), Pediatrics (2 credits)
Public Health Electives (5 units)
Summer II (7 credits)
Advanced Practice in Women’s Health* (4 credits)
Context of Healthcare for Advanced Practice Nursing (3 credits)
Fall II (14 credits/17 units)
Advanced Practice in Primary Care I Pediatrics or Adults* (4 credits)
Philosophical, Theoretical, and Ethical Basis for Nursing (3 credits)
PHN: Theory and Practice (3 credits/5 units)
Statistical Reasoning in Public Health I and II (4 credits/6 units)
Public Health Electives (6 units)
Spring II (10 credits/13 units)
Family as a Unit—Clinical Integration* (4 credits)
Applications of Research to Practice (3 credits)
PHN: Leadership and Management (3 credits/5 units)
Public Health Electives (8 units)
Summer III (6 credits/7 units)
PHN: Theory and Practice Practicum (3 credits/5 units)
PHN/NP Capstone (1 credit/2 units)
Program Design and Evaluation (2 credits)
* Course includes a clinical component
Tuition
Tuition
Tuition and Other Costs| Billed Expenses (July 2013 - May 2014) | | Tuition: | $52,630* (full-time per year) | | Per credit cost: | $1,385 | | Matriculation fee: | $500 (onetime only fee for first-time enrolled JHU students) | | Health Insurance: | $2,959** | | Health Fee: | $450 | | | Estimated Other Expenses*** | | Room and Board: | $15,026 | | Books/Supplies: | $2,320 | | Personal Expenses: | up to $1,650 | | Travel Expenses: | up to $4,114 |
*Full-time: 16 credit hours per semester
**All students must have health coverage. Purchase of the School’s plan is optional.
***Amounts for other expenses vary based upon student's selection of books, supplies, and living arrangements.
Billed expenses are subject to change without prior notice. |
More
Info
More Information
Program is designed for nurses seeking to integrate nurse practitioner clinical practice with a population-based public health perspective. The MSN-NP/MPH is designed specifically for nurses seeking to link their clinical interests with public health practice. This combined program prepares nurse practitioners with a focus in community health, and knowledge of population-based public health science and practice.
Nurses in advanced practice often return to school at a later time for a degree in public health to make their approach to individual health problems more comprehensive. Obtaining the joint degree at the outset, students acquire the complementary skills, knowledge and perspective of both disciplines. Graduate education in nursing equips students with advanced mastery of nursing theory and practice, while public health training provides a population-based, multi-disciplinary team approach.
The programs include core courses from each school's masters program. The remaining courses fulfill each program's requirements. Students choose a patient population (adult, pediatrics, or family) focus in the nurse practitioner program. Graduates are eligible to apply for American Nurses Credentialing Center, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) or American Academy of Nurse Practitioners certification.
Students must complete a total of 41 credits for Adult NP and Pediatric NP, and 51 credits for Family NP at the School of Nursing as well as 60 didactic units at the School of Public Health. Students will work closely with faculty academic advisers in the School of Nursing and the School of Public Health to plan individual academic curriculum. The program consists of a total of 500 clinical hours. Students have five years to complete the program from the date of matriculation. The MSN/MPH begins in July of each year.
