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Leading Community Health Reform
Make an Impact
This joint degree prepares students to integrate advanced nursing practice with population-based public health perspectives. Offered jointly through the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing and the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, the MSN (Public Health Nursing)/MPH Joint Degree equips students with advanced mastery of nursing theory and practice, while public health training provides a population-based, multidisciplinary team perspective. Students learn to work with and guide teams in the development of innovative, evidence-based, and culturally appropriate health care services for identified high-risk populations locally and globally.
Integrate Skills
The MSN (Public Health Nursing)/MPH Joint Degree is designed specifically for nurses seeking to link their clinical expertise and interests with population health in various local and global settings. With the joint degree, students acquire complementary skills, knowledge, and perspective of both disciplines. Topics include: epidemiology, health promotion, illness prevention, biostatistics, clinical care of marginalized populations (e.g. women and girls, LGBTQ, indigenous populations, sex workers), health systems, humanitarian health, environmental health, program development and implementation, management and leadership, and program evaluation, among others.
Certification
A new assessment methodology to achieve ANCC board certification in advanced public health nursing is in place. Although no exam is required, certification is through a portfolio. Information about the portfolio requirements is available at nursecredentialing.org.
Learn More from our Faculty and Students
Program Options
The MSN (Public Health Nursing)/MPH Joint Degree is flexible - requiring only one 8-week term onsite and the remaining courses online.
On-Campus Requirement for MPH
The summer 8-week term of the program requires students to be onsite at the East Baltimore campus for the Bloomberg School of Public Health courses. The remainder of the program may be taken online in authorized states.
Priority Application Deadline
Not accepting applications for Summer 2021.
Learn about the DNP Executive/MPH Dual Degree Program.
Curriculum
MSN/MPH Public Health Nursing
Curriculum includes nursing requirements and electives from each master's program allowing students to pursue specific interests. Program may be completed in 36 credits/65 units and provides 504 clinical hours. Students work closely with faculty academic advisers in the School of Nursing and the School of Public Health to plan individual academic curriculum.
Full Curriculum
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Summer Semester (18 Units)
- Environmental Health (5u)
- Public Health Policy (4u)
- Tools of Public Health Practice (1u)
- Introduction to Bioethics in PH Practice and Research (1u)
- Principles of Epidemiology (5u)
- Population Dynamics and Public Health (2u)
- Academic and Research Ethics at JHSPH (0u)
- Introduction to MPH Studies (0u)
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Fall Semester (1st and 2nd) (13 Credits / 11.5-13.5 Units)
- Philosophical, Theoretical & Ethical Basis of Advanced Nursing Practice (3cr)
- Public Health Nursing Theory and Practice (3cr & 5u)
- Elective (3cr)
- Statistical Reasoning in Public Health 1 (2cr & 3u)
- Statistical Reasoning in Public Health II (2cr & 3u)
- Building Collaborations Across Sectors to Improve Population Health (.5u)
- Communications Primer for the Public Health Sciences (1u) (1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th term)
- Foundational Principles of Public Health (.5u) (1st or 3rd term)
- Psychological and Behavioral Factors that Affect a Population’s Health (.5u) (1st or 3rd term)
- Systems Thinking: Concepts and Methods (.5u) (2nd or 4th term)
- The Social Determinants of Health (.5u) (2nd or 4th term)
- Globalization and Health: A Framework for Analysis (.5u) (2nd or 4th term)
- Principles of Negotiation and Mediation for Public Health Professionals (.5u) (2nd or 4th term)
- Applications of Negotiation and Mediation for Public Health Professionals (.5u) (2nd or 4th term)
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Spring Semester (3rd & 4th term) (6 Credits / 15 Units, 168 Clinical Hours)
- The Research Process and Its Application to Evidence-Based Practice (3cr)
- Population Based Public Health Nursing Interventions Practicum (3cr/168CL)
- Public Health Nursing Leadership & Management (3cr & 5u)
- Electives (options available in 3rd and 4th terms/8-12 units)
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Summer Semester (8 Credits / 5 Units, 168 Clinical Hours)
- Program Development and Evaluation in Health Care (2cr)
- Public Health Nursing Theory & Practice Practicum (3cr/168CL & 5u)
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Fall Semester (1st & 2nd term) (9 Credits / 11 Units, 168 Clinical Hours)
- Context of Healthcare for Advanced Nursing Practice (3cr)
- Public Health Nursing Leadership, Management, & Evaluation Capstone Practicum (3cr/168CL & 5u)
- Elective (3cr)
- Electives (options available in 1st and 2nd terms/6 units)
Part Time
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Summer Semester (8 Units)
- Public Health Policy (4u)
- Tools of Public Health Practice (1u)
- Introduction to Bioethics in PH Practice and Research (1u)
- Population Dynamics and Public Health (2u)
- Academic and Research Ethics at JHSPH (0u)
- Introduction to MPH Studies (0u)
- Communications Primer for the Public Health Sciences (1u) (1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th term)
- Foundational Principles of Public Health (.5u) (1st or 3rd term)
- Psychological and Behavioral Factors that Affect a Population’s Health (.5u) (1st or 3rd term)
- Building Collaborations Across Sectors to Improve Population Health (.5u)
-
Fall Semester (1st and 2nd) (4 Credits / 14.5-17 Units)
- Statistical Reasoning in Public Health 1 (2cr & 3u)
- Statistical Reasoning in Public Health II (2cr & 3u)
- Principles of Epidemiology (5u) OR PH 340.721 Epidemiologic Inference in Public Health
- Building Collaborations Across Sectors to Improve Population Health (.5u)
- PH Elective (options available in 1st and 2nd term/3u)
- Communications Primer for the Public Health Sciences (1u) (1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th term)
- Foundational Principles of Public Health (.5u) (1st or 3rd term)
- Psychological and Behavioral Factors that Affect a Population’s Health (.5u) (1st or 3rd term)
- Systems Thinking: Concepts and Methods (.5u) (2nd or 4th term)
- The Social Determinants of Health (.5u) (2nd or 4th term)
- Globalization and Health: A Framework for Analysis (.5u) (2nd or 4th term)
- Principles of Negotiation and Mediation for Public Health Professionals (.5u) (2nd or 4th term)
- Applications of Negotiation and Mediation for Public Health Professionals (.5u) (2nd or 4th term)
-
Spring Semester (3rd & 4th term) (3 Credits / 8 Units)
- The Research Process and Its Application to Evidence-Based Practice (3cr)
- Population Based Public Health Nursing Interventions Practicum (3cr/168CL)
- Public Health Nursing Leadership & Management (3cr & 5u)
- Electives (options available in 3rd and 4th terms/8-12 units)
-
Summer Semester (8 Credits / 5 Units, 168 Clinical Hours)
- Philosophical, Theoretical & Ethical Basis of Advanced Nursing Practice (3cr)
- PH Elective (options available in 1st and 2nd term/3u)
- Environmental Health (5u)
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Fall Semester (1st & 2nd term) (6 Credits / 5 Units)
- The Research Process and Its Application to Evidence-Based Practice (3cr)
- Public Health Nursing Theory and Practice (3cr & 5u)
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Spring Semester (3rd & 4th term) (3 Credits / 7 Units, 168 Clinical Hours)
- Public Health Nursing Leadership & Management (3cr & 5u)
- Population Based Public Health Nursing Interventions Practicum (3cr/168CL) *
- PH Elective (options available in 1st and 2nd term/4u)
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Summer Semester (5 Credits / 5 Units, 168 Clinical Hours)
- Program Development and Evaluation in Health Care (2cr)
- Public Health Nursing Theory & Practice Practicum (3cr/168CL & 5u)
* 5 units = 3.5 credits
4 units = 3 credits
3 units = 2.5 credits
2 units = 1.5 credits
1 unit = 1 credit
.5 unit = .5 credits
** Curriculum, credit hours, and sequencing are subject to change.
Course Schedules and Descriptions Academic Catalog Public Health Course Catalog
Frequently Asked Questions
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What time of year does this program begin?
The program begins in July of each year, combining the one-year Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a focus in Public Health Nursing and the 11-month Master of Public Health (MPH) into 18 months of full-time study. Part-time study is also available.
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Who should apply?
Nurses seeking to integrate advanced nursing practice with population-based public health perspectives and link their clinical expertise and interests with population health in various local and global settings. Nurses with an interest and/or experience in global and public health, including former Peace Corps Volunteers.
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What does this program teach me?
With the joint degree, students acquire complementary skills, knowledge, and perspectives of nursing and public health. Graduate work in nursing equips students with advanced mastery of nursing theory and practice, while public health training equips students with the knowledge and skills to tackle major public health problems locally and globally. Topics include: epidemiology, health promotion, illness prevention, biostatistics, clinical care of marginalized populations (e.g. women and girls, LGBTQ, indigenous populations, sex workers), health systems, humanitarian health, environmental health, program development and implementation, management and leadership, and program evaluation, among others.
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What does the coursework look like?
Two-thirds of the program includes core courses from each master's program; the remaining elective courses allow students to pursue curriculums customized to their specific interests, in such areas as: infectious diseases, child and adolescent health, health leadership and management, health systems and policy, humanitarian health, women’s and reproductive health, social and behavioral sciences, global environmental sustainability and health, and food systems and health. Courses include both theory and skills-based work, using a variety of assessments (e.g. quizzes, exams, papers, group work, presentations). Students will also undertake three practicums, with the opportunity of working with organizations locally or globally for extended periods of time in the implementation, assessment, and evaluation of public health interventions and programs.
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How many clinicals are in the MSN/MPH program and what are the placements?
There are 3 Practicums (clinicals) that can be completed in different locations or the student may have a continuity practicum.
We offer the following options for Practicum placements:• State of residence in authorized states
• Baltimore region
• Global opportunities -
What kind of job could I get after completing the program?
Former students have found jobs in local, state, and federal agencies, and national and international advocacy groups, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, and faith-based initiatives. Upon completing the program, students have gone on to design, implement, and evaluate behavior change programs for health agencies, as well as influence local and global strategies for health promotion and disease prevention in vulnerable populations, among other things.
Funding Opportunities
Scholarships & Grants
Grants are awards based on financial need that do not have to be repaid. Many students also benefit from scholarships and awards based on merit.
To be given consideration for a Merit Scholarship Award, you must be accepted for admission by March 1.
Loans
Many students will avail themselves of loans to help finance their School of Nursing Education. If necessary, we encourage you to borrow only what is absolutely essential to cover your educational costs.
Employment
Many students locate part-time employment to help pay education expenses. Numerous positions are available on campus and within various community-based organizations. These jobs provide students with opportunities to gain practical work experience. Most positions are funded through the Federal Work-Study Program.