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Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Executive Track/Master of Public Health (MPH) Dual Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Executive Track/Master of Public Health (MPH) Dual Degree

EXPAND YOUR EXPERTISE

The dual DNP Executive/MPH dual degree offered through the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing and the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health integrates cutting-edge nursing and population health frameworks to prepare nurse leaders to address the most critical public health challenges of our time.

AMPLIFY YOUR IMPACT

This program will position you to take on executive roles that employ systems-level thinking to improve population health and advance health equity. You will tackle local and global health challenges by shaping policy, interventions, and quality improvements to create lasting change.

STREAMLINE YOUR FOCUS

This streamlined online dual degree option allows students to complete the program in 3 years. Specializations and a combined DNP/MPH project enable you to tailor the program to your needs, and shape your trajectory – with leading experts by your side.

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The Combined Power of Nursing and Population Health

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical need for advanced nurses in areas of public health and leadership. Combining its two world-leading programs, Johns Hopkins is uniquely positioned to provide its DNP/MPH students an unparalleled education to prepare them for national and global health leadership roles. Students will work side by side with experts, have access to cutting-edge resources, and will be ready to respond to the needs of a dynamic and evolving global health landscape. View media from the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing COVID resources.

The DNP Executive Track is designed for nurses who already hold a master’s degree in a nursing specialty from a fully-accredited institution and want to take the next step. Graduates of the DNP Executive Track are prepared to create and lead new models of care delivery for communities locally and globally.

Specialization

Students have the opportunity to specialize in their own areas of interest by tailoring their public health elective coursework. These elective courses, in combination with foundational public health and nursing coursework, will enhance the knowledge base for the combined DNP/MPH project that students undertake in their third year of the program.

Additional Information

View the recording of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Executive Track (or DNP/MBA or DNP/MPH) virtual information session (curriculum overview with faculty).

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View the recording of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Executive Track (or DNP/MBA or DNP/MPH) virtual open house (including student panel).

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DNP Executive/MPH Projects

The combined DNP/MPH project offers students the opportunity to synthesize their knowledge and skills in nursing and population health to develop, implement, and assess a quality improvement project in a real-world setting. The Track Coordinator, Cecília Tomori, PhD, with a joint appointment at both schools, serves as a mentor in this cumulative process. This project fulfills criteria for the DNP Executive project as well as the MPH Capstone project.


Read more about DNP Executive projects here

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Priority Application Deadline

Summer Entry
November 1, January 15

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Request Information

Speak with an admissions officer to learn more about our program.

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Additional Program Options

Learn about our Master's and Doctoral program offerings.

Degrees & Programs

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Requirements

Admission Criteria

  • Master's Degree in Nursing from an accredited college or university
  • Scholastic GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • RN licensure
  • Three Letters of Recommendation (2 professional and 1 academic preferred)*
  • Official Transcripts (from all post-secondary schools)
  • GRE Scores Waived for Summer 2021 application cycle
  • Current Resume/CV
  • Goal statement/project proposal (demonstrating commitment to nursing practice and scholarly pursuit)
  • Two years of healthcare experience
  • Interview with faculty (if moved forward by admissions committee)
  • Applicants who earned fewer than 552 clinical hours as part of their advanced nursing coursework should email jhuson@jhu.edu for information about the best pathway to your DNP**
  • Students should have an identified clinical site for conducting scholarly project at the time of matriculation
  • TOEFL or IELTS if English is not your first language

Information for applicants with international education

Admissions Application
 

*References should be recent, written for the purpose of your application to this program and from professors who know you as a student or employers who know you as a professional in a job setting preferably in a supervisory role. Personal references from colleagues, friends, or family members do not meet the requirement.

** Applicants are required to have 375 clinical hours as part of their advanced nursing coursework. Students who have between 375 and 552 clinical hours will have to complete additional clinical hours as part of a practicum. If you have an entry-to-practice Master’s degree, earned fewer than 552 clinical hours as part of your advanced nursing coursework, or hold a Master’s specialty in education, please email jhuson@jhu.edu to discuss your educational background with an Admissions Counselor.

Prerequisites

DNP Prerequisite Course

  • Graduate Level Biostatistics (3 credits): Demonstrates evidence of statistical literacy and statistical reasoning enabling students to critically read and evaluate healthcare literature. Course must be completed at a regionally accredited college or university with a letter grade of B or better.
     

MPH Prerequisite Courses

  • One math course (ex. Algebra, Calculus, Statistics)
  • One introductory general biology course
  • One health-related science (ex. Nutrition, Microbiology, or Anatomy and Physiology) OR a second biology course
     

Student Sponsorship

This program does not qualify for F-1 or J-1 student sponsorship. Legal Permanent Residents and non-immigrants who are otherwise physically present in the U.S. and in a status that allows for full or part-time study, may pursue this program.

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Curriculum

First Year (Credits)

  • Summer Term (Term Totals: 7.5 SON cr)
    •  Principles of Epidemiology or Epidemiologic Inference in PH (5 PH cr)  (Summer Institute)
    •  Social and Behavioral Foundations of Primary Health Care (4 PH cr)
    •  The Tools of Public Health Practice (1 PH cr)
    •  Academic and Research Ethics at JHSPH (0 cr)
     
  • Fall Term (Term Totals: 12 SON cr)

    •    Organizational and Systems Leadership for Quality Care (2 NR cr)


    Term 1 (1st half Fall 1)

    •    Statistical Reasoning in Public Health (3 PH cr)
    •    Population Dynamics and Public Health (2 PH cr)
    •    Foundational Principles of Public Health (0.5 PH cr)
    •    The Role of Qualitative Methods and Science in Describing and Assessing a Population's Health (0.5 PH cr)

    Term 2 (2nd half Fall 1)

    •  Statistical Reasoning in Public Health II (3 PH cr)
    •  Life Course Perspectives on Public Health (4 PH cr)
    •  The Social Determinants of Health (0.5 PH cr)

  •  Spring Term (Term Totals: 12.5 SON cr)
    Term 1 (1st half Spring 1)

    •   Problem Solving in Public Health (4 PH cr)
    •   Environmental Health (5 PH cr)
    •   Principles of Negotiation and Mediation for Public Health Professional (0.5 PH cr)
    •   Applications of Negotiation and Mediation for Public Health Professionals (0.5 PH cr)

    Term 2 (2nd half Spring 1)

    •   Communications Primer for the Public Health Sciences (1 PH cr)
    •   PH Elective (3 PH cr)
    •   PH Elective (3 PH cr)

  Second Year (Credits)

  • Summer Term (Term Totals: 9 SON cr, 112 pr)
    •  Problem Discovery (3 NR cr) (112 hrs practicum)
    •  Health Information Systems and Patient Care Technologies (2 NR cr)
    •  Public Health Biology (3 PH cr)
    •  PH Elective (3 PH cr)
     
  • Fall Term (Term Totals: 8.5 SON, 0 pr)
    •  Nursing Inquiry for Evidence-Based Practice (3 NR cr)

    Term 1 (1st half Fall 2)
    •  Building Collaborations Across Sectors to Improve Population Health (0.5 PH cr)
    •  Psychological and Behavioral Factors That Affect a Population's Health (0.5 PH cr)
    •  PH Elective (3 PH cr)

    Term 2 (2nd half Fall 2)
    •  Systems Thinking in Public Health: Applications of Key Methods and Approaches (3 PH cr)
    •  Globalization and Population Health (0.5 PH cr)

  • Spring Term (Term Totals: 8 cr, 112 pr)
    •  Translating Evidence into Practice (3 NR cr)
    •  Project Advancement (3 NR cr) (112 hrs practicum)
    •  Advanced Nursing Health Policy (2 NR cr)
     

Third Year (Credits)

  • Summer Term (Term Totals: 7 SON cr)
    •  PH Elective (4 PH cr)
    •  PH Elective (3 PH cr)
    •  PH Elective (3 PH cr)
     
  • Fall Term (Term Totals: 7.5 SON cr, 112 pr)
    •  Project Application (3 NR cr, 112 hrs practicum)
    •  Health Finance (2 NR cr)

    Term 1 (1st half Fall 3)
    •  Biologic, Genetic and Infectious Bases of Human Disease (0.5 PH cr)

    Term 2 (2nd half Fall 3)
    •  Health Literacy: Challenges and Strategies for Effective Communication (3 PH cr)

  • Spring Term (Term Totals: 8 SON cr, 112 pr)

    •  Project Evaluation and Dissemination (3 NR cr, 112 hrs practicum)
    •  Clinical Data Management and Analyses (2 NR cr)

    Term 1 (1st half Spring 3)
    •  Managing Health Services Organizations (4 PH cr)

JHSON Course Schedules and Descriptions     JHSON Academic Catalog     JHSPH Course Directory

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Tuition & Other Costs

(Summer 2021 - Spring 2022)

Tuition: $37,8951
Per credit cost: $1,6202
Matriculation fee: $500 (one time only fee for first-time enrolled JHU students)
Total Billed Expenses: $38,395

Estimated Other Expenses3

Room and Board: $21,024
Books & Supplies: $1,500
Loan fees: $1,819
Personal Expenses: $2,868
Travel Expenses: $5,112
Total Expenses: $70,718

1Tuition is shown for the progression of the academic plan for a first year student. Students are billed per credit $1,620 and those who enroll in additional credit will be billed more while those enrolling in less credits have less charges.

2The $1,620 cost per credit includes the Bloomberg School of Public Health Welch Scholarship.

3Amounts for other expenses vary based upon student's selection of books, supplies, and living arrangements.

Billed expenses are subject to change without prior notice. Changes to a student’s program or course load may result in additional tuition charges and fees.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is a DNP-MPH?

    The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a doctoral degree for nurses at the highest level of nursing practice. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has proposed that the DNP degree will be the level of entry for all advanced practice nurses by 2015. All nurses who are contemplating starting a DNP program are encouraged to read the AACN white paper proposal: http://www.aacnnursing.org/DNP. American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2015). The doctor of nursing practice: Current issues and clarifying recommendations. Washington, DC: AACN. The three year DNP-MPH is a dual degree program offered collaboratively with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Students’ scholarly projects will examine clinical outcomes through the lens of prolonging life and improving quality of life across systems.

  • How can I see what specialized elective courses are available for the MPH portion of the program?

    DNP/MPH students may tailor their public health electives to meet their individual interest areas and needs.  Individual elective courses may be chosen from among online courses listed under:

    •    Areas of concentration
    •    Certificate programs
    •    Online courses listed under the JHSPH course directory.

    Your advisor will support you in developing your individualized plan of study to meet your goals.

  • I see the School of Public Health has a lot of Certificates available – can I use my electives in the MPH program towards one of those certificates?

    Yes, as a student in a degree program at JHSPH, you may take courses towards earning a certificate as long as it fits within your curriculum schedule.  Completion of a certificate may also be accomplished after the DNP/MPH degree is earned.

  • Will I be taking classes with just my cohort, or will students in other MPH programs be taking classes with me?
    Besides your home cohort at JHSON, you will likely share a large number of courses with your peers at JHBSPH, and especially with students who share similar interests with you as you sharpen your focus. Students at JHBSPH have a wide range of possibilities in tailoring their coursework, and full-time as well as part-time plans of study. Therefore, you will share classes with some of these students more than some others.
  • How much time per week should I expect to spend in this program.
    The Johns Hopkins University adheres to a policy about workload per credit. Your individual plan will vary by term and your elective choices. Please see the plan of study for an estimate.
  • What kind of students are you looking for/what does your ideal applicant look like?
    The ideal candidate is a Masters-level nurse* with a strong interest in public health, who is looking to equip themselves with the knowledge, skills and practice to take up an executive role in healthcare. The candidate will have a strong academic and professional preparation, and will be prepared to undertake rigorous training from two nationally leading programs at Johns Hopkins. The candidate will be ready and eager to take advantage of the exceptional opportunities offered by these programs and employ their training to create impactful change to improve population health and health equity.
     
  • What if I have been out of school for a while and don’t have an academic recommender?
    Your work in a professional setting also reflects your academic preparation and demonstrates your knowledge, skills, and interests in healthcare. In place of an academic recommender, select a reference from your professional setting who is most familiar with your academic preparation, interests, and demonstrated abilities.
  • How specific does my project proposal have to be when I apply?
    You should develop a preliminary project plan that integrates your interests in nursing and population health. This plan should highlight your interests, background knowledge, and overall objectives, however it need not have specific details of the intervention you will design. The project plan will form a key component of your letter of application and will help the Admissions Committee learn about your preparation and goals for the program. Your project proposal will substantially evolve as you undertake your training, engage in specific coursework designated for the DNP project and discuss your plans with your Advisor. It is important to be able to speak to the support you expect to receive from your clinical setting for the implementation portion of your project. You should be able to identify how the MPH portion of the curriculum will contribute to achieving your personal and professional goals.
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Funding Opportunities

Scholarships

The School of Nursing sets aside a limited amount of merit-based funds for students who demonstrate strong academic ability, leadership skills, outstanding community service, and other personal strengths and accomplishments. These merit awards are granted for achievement, not financial need. There is no separate application to apply for a scholarship. Each student is considered upon applying for admission. Scholarships range from $10,000 to $30,000.

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Other Funding Sources

All funding opportunities should be pursued to meet your educational costs. There are organizations that provide scholarship awards ranging from $100 to full tuition and stipend awards. Begin your search early. Application deadlines are typically 6-9 months in advance of the academic year.

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Loans and Loan Forgiveness/Repayment Assistance Options

Loans are an important component of assisting students in meeting their educational expenses. Student Financial Services encourages individuals utilizing loans to fully understand the terms of each loan and borrow only what is needed. We also advise individuals to research loan repayment and employment options which can assist in meeting loan repayment obligations.  Student Financial Services has gathered a list of loan forgiveness and repayment assistance options that can be explored via the link below.

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