- Apply
- Visit
- Give
- Ask
Ask Admissions
- Connect

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.
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
Additional Information
View the recording of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Executive Track, DNP Executive Track/MBA, and DNP Executive Track/MPH virtual information session.
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
View the Immersions and Symposium Calendar
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 (https://www.aacnnursing.org/Education-Resources/AACN-Essentials). 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.
-
How can I tailor my program to meet my interests?
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.
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. 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 organizational setting for your project. You should be able to identify how the MPH portion of the curriculum will contribute to achieving your personal and professional goals.
-
What should I do if I am unsure of where I will complete my scholarly project?If you are not currently working in a practice environment where a DNP project might be feasible, please contact the Office of Admissions, jhuson@jhu.edu, to discuss your options.
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.
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.
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.