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Graduate Training Programs in Clinical Investigation

How to Apply

All applicants to GTPCI degree programs must complete the Bloomberg School's general application for graduate admission. Please review the School's How to Apply page regarding application requirements.

Below is application information specific to the GTPCI degree programs. Please read carefully.

Applications will be reviewed holistically based on all application components.

Application Deadline

March 1st of the upcoming academic year  

Statement of Purpose and Objectives

The statement of purpose and objectives should address the following:

  • Background information relevant to the applicant's interest in the GTPCI program
  • Long-term career goals
  • How the GTPCI program is seen as advancing these goals
  • Interactions to date with potential mentors within the sponsoring clinical division or department including any prior or ongoing research experience and/or plans for identifying and selecting a mentor/preceptor for the program's research requirement
  • Which of the four GTPCI pathways (General Clinical Investigation, Data Science, Disease-Specific Studies, or Health Services Research) is most congruent with your career goals (if you unsure, this can be stated and then once accepted, members of the GTPCI Academic Committee will help advise you on the most appropriate pathway)

Official Test Scores

Successful applicants possess a strong academic record with particular emphasis on excellent quantitative skills, which are reflected in transcripts and standardized test scores. MCAT and USMLE scores are required of all applicants who have taken these examinations. Non-physicians from other allied health (such as Dentistry, Nursing, or Pharmacy) are required to submit applicable test scores as evidence of professional qualifications or licensure. If applications do not include objective evidence of excellent quantitative skills, we may request additional data.  

MCAT scores - Have AAMC electronically send the scores to SOPHAS

USMLE scores - Have official scores sent directly to the Bloomberg School, either by email: bsph.admissions@jhu.edu OR mail delivery: 615 N. Wolfe Street, E1002 Baltimore, MD 21205

Letter Details

PhD applicants who currently hold a Postdoctoral Fellowship or Jr. Faculty appointment within a JHU Clinical Department, one of the letters should be from the Division or Departmental Director (or Training Program Director) indicating any financial support (stipend, tuition) being provided during the didactic year, and confirming support for two additional years of research training.

The letter of support must specifically state, "I (we) understand that the GTPCI program requires at least three years of support for completion of coursework and thesis research. We will support Dr. XXX with a fellowship stipend or salary for three years, and protect his/her time so that full-time (i.e. at least 80% of time inclusive of holiday and weekend clinical activities) is available for coursework the first year, and at least 80% time is available for research in the second and third program years. Tuition charges for the program will be handled by...” (indicate source of support, or applications pending).

A second letter should be from an identified mentor (or potential mentor) if established from the sponsoring department or division. If a preceptor has not yet been identified for any reason, the second letter should be from the candidate explaining the circumstances. Letters from others who may have first-hand knowledge of the candidate's abilities (either clinical or research) are encouraged.

PhD applicants who have not yet spent at least six months in the sponsoring JHU division or department, the second (and other) letters may come from individuals outside JHU who have first-hand knowledge of the candidates' abilities (either clinical or research).

MHS applicants who currently hold a Postdoctoral Fellowship or Jr. Faculty appointment within a JHU Clinical Department, one of the letters should be from the Division or Departmental Director (or Training Program Director) indicating the financial support (stipend, tuition) to be provided during the didactic year, and confirming at least 80% protected time (inclusive of holiday and weekend clinical activities) for nine months of full-time didactic training.

MHS applicants outside of the JHU institutions, one letter must indicate financial support from their home organization or government, as GTPCI does not provide financial assistance for MHS students. Full-time pursuit of the MHS degree is expected, so students will successfully complete all required coursework and the comprehensive exam within one academic year (a nine-month period, September – May). 

International Applicants

All international applicants should carefully review the information found on the Office of Admissions Services International Applicants page to ensure they are submitting all required supporting documents.

The GTPCI program may sponsor a student visa for one year of full-time study to complete the MHS program. Ordinarily, visa sponsorship for PhD applicants will be the responsibility of the sponsoring home clinical department, but in unusual and appropriate situations the GTPCI may sponsor or co-sponsor a visa or visa extension for a PhD student. This would be determined on a case-by-case basis. Please consult the Office of International Services for proof of funding and other requirements.

Please check with the U.S. Department of State to determine adequate visa processing times or travel advisories.

Foreign applicants are not entitled to U.S. Federal Aid, therefore they must be sponsored financially by their home organization or government. 

ECFMG certification is required of all physician applicants for thesis-requiring degrees, since clinical credentials are usually needed to undertake clinical investigation. If ECFMG credentials are not available, applicants may request their application be reviewed with equivalent documentation such as: GRE scores, MCAT scores, or transcripts of prior coursework. Applicants from outside the U.S. must submit GRE scores. Some exceptions may be justified, and will be considered on a case by case basis.