The Master of Public Health (MPH) Program

It is the applicant’s responsibility to carefully read the instructions about applying to the fellowship program and the MPH program. The fellowship program application instructions are provided on the Initiative website, which will lead applicants to Submittable, the fellowship application submission platform. Please note that applicants must apply to both the fellowship program and the MPH program. Admissions requirements and application instructions for the MPH program are found on the MPH program website and questions may be submitted either by phone 410-955-1291 or email bsph.admission [at] jhu.edu (bsph[dot]admission[at]jhu[dot]edu). MPH applications are submitted through SOPHAS, the JHSPH application processing system. Questions related to SOPHAS can be directed to the JHSPH Admissions Office via email JHSPHadmiss [at] jhu.edu (JHSPHadmiss[at]jhu[dot]edu) or phone 410-955-3543

The application for the 2025 class will open in August of 2024. All fellowship applications must be submitted online through the fellowship website no later than the final deadline, Dec. 1, 2024. This includes submitting all required admissions materials for the MPH program through SOPHAS. No late fellowship applications will be accepted.

SOPHAS is the application processing system that the JHSPH utilizes for all of its program applications. For questions related to SOPHAS, please contact JHSPHadmissions [at] jhu.edu (JHSPHadmissions[at]jhu[dot]edu).

Submittable is the application platform the Bloomberg Fellows Program uses for the fellowship application cycle. Questions related to Submittable should be directed to Faria Zaman, Fellowship Officer via email fzaman2 [at] jhu.edu (fzaman2[at]jhu[dot]edu).

Yes, applicants must complete both the Bloomberg American Health Initiative fellowship application and the JHSPH MPH SOPHAS application. However, these are separate application processes. Fellowship applications are submitted via the Initiative’s website and Submittable and the MPH applications are submitted via SOPHAS. It is the applicant’s responsibility to carefully read both the fellowship website and the MPH program website instructions to understand and follow the application steps and processes for both the fellowship and the MPH programs.

To be considered for a Bloomberg Fellowship, applicants must apply and be accepted into the MPH program. Detailed information about admission requirements can be found here.

The MPH program requires specific prerequisites depending on an applicant’s background. Please note, for those applicants who are admitted to the MPH program and offered the fellowship, they must first complete all necessary prerequisites prior to starting the program in June. For more information about prerequisites, please contact the MPH program at bsph.admission [at] jhu.edu (bsph[dot]admission[at]jhu[dot]edu).

Please direct all MPH admissions related questions including standardized testing questions to the MPH Program Office. They can be reached via email at bsph.admission [at] jhu.edu (bsph[dot]admission[at]jhu[dot]edu) or by phone at (410) 955-1291.

Please contact the MPH program for guidance about GRE scores and other admissions questions via email at bsph.admission [at] jhu.edu (bsph[dot]admission[at]jhu[dot]edu) or by phone at (410) 955-1291.

Yes. Both part-time and full-time MPH applicants are eligible. Please note if you are interested in either the part-time or full-time MPH Program, the Bloomberg Fellows Program requires all Fellows to begin the program in June only.

No, late fellowship applications will not be accepted. All fellowship applications must be submitted online through the fellowship website no later than the final deadline, Dec. 1, 2022. This includes submitting all required admissions materials for the MPH program through SOPHAS.

No, email submissions of applications are not acceptable. All fellowship application forms must be submitted through the fellowship website.

No, once fellowship applications have been submitted, revisions and/or changes to applications are not accepted.

In this circumstance, the applicant may choose to accept admission and matriculate as a student, but will be responsible for tuition and expenses just like other students. The applicant will be considered for other scholarships as part of the typical application process and review. Because many activities of the Bloomberg American Health Initiative activities are open to all students, the student can still be involved in the Initiative.

No, the fellowship program does not consider applicants who are already matriculated students in the MPH program.

Applicants will hear about their admission decision to the MPH program on a rolling basis. For more information about MPH admissions notification, please contact the MPH program at bsph.admission [at] jhu.edu (bsph[dot]admission[at]jhu[dot]edu).

Those applicants who are admitted to the MPH program will be notified of their fellowship application decision during the month of March via email. Questions about the fellowship application should be directed to Faria Zaman at fzaman2 [at] jhu.edu (zaman2[at]jhu[dot]edu).

Bloomberg fellows enrolled full-time in the MPH program take leave of absence from their employer/collaborating organization to complete the program in 11 months. This arrangement is the responsibility of the Fellow to arrange directly with their collaborating organization. Fellows enrolled part-time are expected to continue working full-time with their collaborating organization during their studies. All Bloomberg Fellows in the MPH and DrPH programs are required to fulfill their Service Obligation following graduation.

Yes, Bloomberg Fellows must work with their respective collaborating organization to identify an appropriate practicum and capstone project that benefits both the fellow and the collaborating organization.

All fellows are required to attend a two-week orientation in June, which includes the MPH orientation, the fellowship orientation, and onsite coursework. All fellows are expected to participate in the annual Bloomberg American Health Summit, which is held during November or December. Fellows are also given opportunities to attend in-person training, and other events throughout the year, and these opportunities are announced in advance to allow for adequate planning. It will be up to the collaborating organization and the Fellow to determine the process for taking time away from work to attend events. Please note that during the changing and evolving COVID-19 pandemic, these events may be subject to change from in-person to virtual events.

Yes, there is a fellowship orientation for newly selected fellows, which is held in early to mid-June. The orientation is required of all incoming fellows and is typically held virtually via Zoom.

No, all selected Bloomberg Fellows must begin the program in June only. When applying to the MPH program, applicants should indicate June as the matriculation date.

No, the fellowship program expects selected fellows and collaborating organizations to submit the Letter of Commitment and the Grant Agreement at or before the deadline. Delays may result in withdrawal of the fellowship offer.

The fellowship stipend is provided to offset the costs of travel, books, and other fellowship related expenses for Bloomberg fellows. Please note the stipend is provided to Bloomberg Fellows in the MPH Program only.

The fellowship covers fees and tuition for up to 80 credits for the MPH program.

The collaborating organization pays the student during the year of service.

In general, the key requirements include (1) pursuing the MPH or DrPH degree in good faith; (2) participating in good faith in the chosen focus area during the program; (3) engaging with the collaborating organization during the period of study; and (4) working for at least one year with the collaborating organization in the chosen focus area (work must begin within 12 months following graduation). These requirements are outlined in the Grant Agreement that all Bloomberg Fellows sign upon acceptance to the program.

Yes, there are special enrichment opportunities for Fellows while at the School, including seminars, speakers, and other activities.

The Bloomberg Fellows Program does not permit deferment of fellowship offers. Fellowship offers must either be accepted or declined within the stated deadline.

Fellows in the MPH program begin in June and fellows in the DrPH program begin in August.

Bloomberg Fellows must take all courses for a letter grade unless a letter grade is not an option. Auditing courses are not permitted for courses taken to fulfill degree requirements.

Yes, all Bloomberg Fellows are required to take at least 5 in-person credits in Baltimore as part of their fellowship requirements. We believe it is important for Fellows to meet one another, the Initiative team, and faculty in person and experience the Bloomberg School as part of an enriching fellowship experience.

When applying to the fellowship, applicants must select either the MPH or DrPH program for which to apply. The Bloomberg Fellows program can only review and consider applications for either the MPH or the DrPH program, not both in a given application cycle.

Public or private organizations that wish to qualify as collaborating organizations must work on issues related to one of the five focus areas: (i) addiction and overdose; (ii) environmental challenges; (iii) obesity and the food system; (iv) risks to adolescent health; and (v) violence. These may be but are not required to be traditional public health organizations, such as health departments. For example, an organization that works on neighborhood development may have interest in training a staff member in the area of food systems. Similarly, organizations that seek to reduce levels of community violence may have interest in training a staff member in the area of violence prevention. 

The prospective collaborating organization completes the collaborating organization application form and pledges to employ the applicant following graduation for at least one year. The organizations are also invited to participate in various activities with the School during the course of the Fellow’s studies. After graduation, the organization remains part of the Bloomberg Fellows network and can participate in a range of activities.

Yes, fellows enrolled as part time students are expected to continue working full time with their collaborating organization throughout the program and the Service Obligation.

The Bloomberg Fellows program establishes a connection between the School, the Fellow, and the collaborating organization. The collaborating organization will be invited to participate in seminars, conferences, and other activities. We ask the collaborating organization to complete the application to ensure the organization is committed and supportive of this opportunity.

In addition, prior to admission, the collaborating organization will be asked to sign a letter of commitment to acknowledge the Fellow and pledge to employ the Fellow for at least one year following graduation.

Yes, fellowship applicants must be employed by their collaborating organization as well as during the full course of their studies and their Service Obligation, following graduation. Applicants should be employed by their collaborating organization for greater than one year.

Fellowship applications are reviewed and selected based on both the applicant and the collaborating organization. If a selected fellow changes their collaborating organization:

•    after being offered the fellowship, 
•    after accepting the fellowship offer, 
•    during the onboarding process, 
•    prior to starting the program, or 
•    within 6 months of starting the program, 

the fellowship offer will be rescinded. The candidate may reapply to the fellowship program the following year with their new collaborating organization. The new application will be reviewed according to the program’s standard review process and eligibility criteria; and admission into the program is not guaranteed. 
 

The collaborating organization will sign a letter of commitment with the School and pledge in good faith to employ the fellow for at least one year following graduation. Failure to offer this position as promised may affect the ability of the organization to have future staff participate in the Bloomberg Fellows program. If, however, circumstances change and the position is not available, the School will work with the Fellow to find an alternative placement in the focus area that would satisfy the requirement.

For accepted Bloomberg Fellows:

•    The Fellow must accept, sign, and fulfill the Grant Agreement.
•    The collaborating organization must sign the letter of commitment and pledge in good faith to employ the fellow for at least one year following graduation.

The Grant Agreement requires Fellows to:

•    Successfully complete the Master of Public Health degree program, and
•    Fulfill the Service Obligation, which is to continue working as a full-time employee with the collaborating organization in the chosen focus area of study for a period of one year following the completion of the Master of Public Health program. Employment must commence within one year of completing the degree requirements.

Failure to satisfy either of the above terms will require the Fellow to repay the full amount of the grant award within one hundred eighty (180) days of such failure. The Fellow may choose to enter into a loan arrangement (for a term not to exceed fifteen [15] years with an annual interest rate of 1%) with JHU to repay the grant or repay the grant in full from other sources.
 

The scholarship is structured as a grant that converts to a loan, with a standard repayment term (15 years) and a modest interest rate of 1%, if the terms of the Fellowship are not met.

Upon acceptance into the Bloomberg Fellows Program, Bloomberg Fellows will sign a Grant Agreement that explains the repayment terms and conditions that become effective if the grant converts to a loan.

The Bloomberg American Health Initiative is a new initiative, and we expect to make modifications to the program over time. The Initiative will provide important updates through this website and, to the extent possible, directly to prospective Bloomberg Fellows and collaborating organizations.

Yes, all Bloomberg Fellows and their collaborating organizations are expected to attend and participate in the annual Bloomberg American Health Initiative Summit. 

Please note that during the changing and evolving COVID-19 pandemic, the Summit may be subject to change from in-person to a virtual event.

The fellowship program does not consider applicants in dual or joint degree programs. The fellowship is specifically designed for those individuals interested in pursuing either an MPH or a DrPH degree at the Bloomberg School. 

The Bloomberg American Health Initiative is a major effort to make progress on five major challenges facing health in the United States: addiction and overdose, environmental challenges, food systems for health, risks to adolescent health, and violence. The Bloomberg Fellows Program is designed for individuals who are currently working with organizations on the front lines of one of these five focus areas. The organization’s work in the chosen focus area must be based in the United States, and the applicant’s work with this organization must be based in the United States.

Fellowship applicants do not have to be U.S. citizens; however, they must meet the fellowship eligibility criteria stated above.

The fellowship targets those individuals who are newly applying to either the MPH or DrPH programs. Matriculated students in the MPH or DrPH programs are not eligible for the fellowship.

Bloomberg Fellows in the MPH Program begin in June.

The Service Obligation is a commitment all Bloomberg Fellows must uphold, as stated in the fellowship grant agreement. It mandates that Bloomberg Fellows continue working with their Collaborating Organization for at least one year, following graduation. In doing so, the skills and knowledge gained through the program are applied to their collaborating organization and make meaningful impacts in public health.

For questions or inquiries related to the MPH program, email BloombergFellowsMPH [at] jhu.edu (BloombergFellowsMPH[at]jhu[dot]edu).

For questions or inquiries related to the DrPH program, email BloombergFellowsDrPH [at] jhu.edu (BloombergFellowsDrPH[at]jhu[dot]edu).