MPH Capstone Schedule
- Academic Programs
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- Master of Applied Science (MAS) in Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality
- Master of Applied Science (MAS) in Population Health Management
- Master of Applied Science (MAS) in Spatial Analysis for Public Health
- Master of Arts (MA) in Geography and Environmental Engineering
- Master of Arts and Master of Science in Public Health (MA/MSPH)
- Master of Arts in Public Health Biology (MaPHB)
- Master of Bioethics (MBE)
- Master of Health Administration (MHA)
- Master of Health Science (MHS) - Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Master of Health Science (MHS) - Department of Epidemiology
- Master of Health Science (MHS) - Department of Mental Health
- Master of Health Science (MHS) - Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology
- Master of Health Science (MHS) in Environmental Health
- Master of Health Science (MHS) in Health Economics and Outcomes Research
- Master of Health Science (MHS) in Social Factors in Health
- Master of Health Science (MHS)
- Master of Health Science - Department of Biostatistics
- Master of Health Science - Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health
- Master of Health Science Online (MHS) - Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health
- Master of Health Science in Global Health Economics
- Master of Public Health (MPH)
- Master of Science (MS) in Geography and Environmental Engineering
- Master of Science (MS) in Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
- Master of Science (MS) in Toxicology for Human Risk Assessment
- Master of Science (ScM) - Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Master of Science (ScM) - Department of Biostatistics
- Master of Science (ScM) - Department of Epidemiology
- Master of Science (ScM) - Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology
- Master of Science (ScM) in Environmental Health
- Master of Science (ScM) in Genetic Counseling
- Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) in Geography and Environmental Engineering
- Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) in Health Education and Health Communication
- Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) in Health Policy
- Master of Science in Public Health - Department of International Health
- Master of Science In Public Health (MSPH) In Human Nutrition – Dietitian
- Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) in Global Disease Epidemiology and Control
- Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) in Health Systems
- Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) in Human Nutrition
- Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) in Social and Behavioral Interventions
- Master of Science in Public Health - Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health
- Doctoral Degrees
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Department of Biostatistics
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Department of Epidemiology
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Department of Mental Health
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Clinical Investigation
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Environmental Health
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Geography and Environmental Engineering
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Health Policy and Management
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Social and Behavioral Sciences
- Doctor of Philosophy - Department of International Health
- JHU-Tsinghua Doctor of Public Health
- Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)
- Combined / Dual Degrees
- Combined Bachelor's / Master's Programs
- Bachelor of Science in Engineering/Master of Science in Engineering (BS/MSE) Five-Year Program
- Bachelor's / Master of Health Science (Bachelor's/MHS) - Department of Mental Health
- Bachelor's / Master of Health Science (MHS) - Department of Epidemiology
- Bachelor's / Master of Health Science in Global Health Economics (Bachelor's/MHS) - Department of International Health
- Bachelor's / Master of Health Science in Social Factors in Health - Department of Health, Behavior and Society
- Bachelor's / Master of Science in Public Health - Department of International Health
- Bachelor's / Master of Science in Public Health - Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health
- Bachelor's / Master of Science in Public Health in Health Education and Health Communication - Department of Health, Behavior and Society
- Bachelor's/ Master of Health Science (Bachelor's/MHS) - Department of Environmental Health and Engineering
- Concurrent MHS Option for JHSPH Doctoral Students
- Concurrent Master's Programs for Doctoral Students
- Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Philosophy (MD/PhD)
- Certificate Programs
- Adolescent Health Certificate Program
- Bioethics Certificate Program
- Certificate Programs Start Terms and Application Due Dates
- Climate and Health Certificate Program
- Clinical Trials Certificate Program
- Community- Based Public Health Certificate Program
- Demographic Methods Certificate Program
- Environmental and Occupational Health Certificate Program
- Epidemiology for Public Health Professionals Certificate Program
- Evaluation: International Health Programs Certificate Program
- Food Systems, the Environment and Public Health Certificate Program
- Frequently Asked Questions for Certificate Programs
- Gender and Health Certificate Program
- Gerontology Certificate Program
- Global Health Certificate Program
- Global Health Practice Certificate Program
- Global Tobacco Control Certificate Program
- Health Communication Certificate Program
- Health Disparities and Health Inequality Certificate Program
- Health Education Certificate Program
- Health Finance and Management Certificate Program
- Health and Human Rights Certificate Program
- Healthcare Epidemiology and Infection Prevention and Control Certificate Program
- Humane Sciences and Toxicology Policy Certificate Program
- Humanitarian Health Certificate Program
- Injury and Violence Prevention Certificate Program
- International Healthcare Management and Leadership Certificate Program
- Leadership for Public Health and Healthcare Certificate Program
- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) Public Health Certificate Program
- Maternal and Child Health Certificate Program
- Mental Health Policy, Economics and Services Certificate Program
- Non-Degree Students General Admissions Info
- Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety Certificate Program
- Population Health Management Certificate Program
- Population and Health Certificate Program
- Product Stewardship for Sustainability Certificate Program
- Public Health Advocacy Certificate Program
- Public Health Economics Certificate Program
- Public Health Informatics Certificate Program
- Public Health Practice Certificate Program
- Public Health Preparedness Certificate Program
- Public Health Training Certificate for American Indian Health Professionals
- Public Mental Health Research Certificate Program
- Quality, Patient Safety and Outcomes Research Certificate Program
- Quantitative Methods in Public Health Certificate Program
- Requirements for Successful Completion of a Certificate Program
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- Current Scholars
- 2015 Scholars
- Jennifer I Manuel, PhD, MSW
- Joke Bradt, PhD
- Josiemer Mattei, PhD, MPH
- Justin Sanders, MD, MSc
- Linda Charmaran, PhD
- Nao Hagiwara, PhD
- Nynikka R. A. Palmer, DrPH, MPH
- Olayinka O. Shiyanbola, BPharm, PhD
- Sarah Ronis, MD, MPH
- Susan D. Brown, PhD
- Tara Lagu, MD, MPH
- Theresa Hoft, PhD
- Wynne E. Norton, PhD
- Yvonne Mensa-Wilmot, PhD, MPH
- 2016 Scholars
- A. Susana Ramírez, PhD, MPH
- Animesh Sabnis, MD, MSHS
- Autumn Kieber-Emmons, MD, MPH
- Benjamin Han, MD, MPH
- Brooke A. Levandowski, PhD, MPA
- Camille R. Quinn, PhD, AM, LCSW
- Justine Wu, MD, MPH
- Kelly Aschbrenner, PhD
- Kim N. Danforth, ScD, MPH
- Loreto Leiva, PhD
- Marie Brault, PhD
- Mary E. Cooley, PhD, RN, FAAN
- Meganne K. Masko, PhD, MT-BC/L
- PhuongThao D. Le, PhD, MPH
- Rebecca Lobb, ScD, MPH
- 2017 Scholars
- Allegra R. Gordon, ScD MPH
- Anita Misra-Hebert, MD MPH FACP
- Arden M. Morris, MD, MPH
- Caroline Silva, PhD
- Danielle Davidov, PhD
- Hans Oh, PhD
- J. Nicholas Dionne-Odom, PhD RN ACHPN
- Jacqueline Mogle, PhD
- Jammie Hopkins, DrPH, MS
- Joe Glass, PhD MSW
- Karen Whiteman, PhD MSW
- Katie Schultz, PhD MSW
- Rose Molina, MD
- Uriyoán Colón-Ramos, ScD MPA
- 2018 Scholars
- Andrew Riley, PhD
- Byron J. Powell, PhD, LCSW
- Carrie Nieman MD, MPH
- Charles R. Rogers, PhD, MPH, MS, CHES®
- Emily E. Haroz, PhD
- Jennifer Tsui, Ph.D., M.P.H.
- Jessica Magidson, PhD
- Katherine Sanchez, PhD, LCSW
- Kelly Doran, MD, MHS
- Kiara Alvarez, PhD
- LaPrincess C. Brewer, MD, MPH
- Melissa Radey, PhD, MA, MSSW
- Sophia L. Johnson, PharmD, MPH, PhD
- Supriya Gupta Mohile, MD, MS
- Virginia McKay, PhD
- 2019 Scholars
- Andrew Cohen, MD, PhD
- Angela Chen, PhD, PMHNP-BC, RN
- Christopher Salas-Wright, PhD, MSW
- Eliza Park MD, MS
- Jaime M. Hughes, PhD, MPH, MSW
- Johanne Eliacin, PhD, HSPP
- Lingrui Liu ScD MS
- Meaghan Kennedy, MD
- Nicole Stadnick, PhD, MPH
- Paula Aristizabal, MD
- Radhika Sundararajan, MD
- Sara Mamo, AuD, PhD
- Tullika Garg, MD MPH FACS
- 2020 Scholars
- Allison Magnuson, DO
- Ariel Williamson PhD, DBSM
- Benita Bamgbade, PharmD, PhD
- Christopher Woodrell MD
- Hung-Jui (Ray) Tan, MD, MSHPM
- Jasmine Abrams, PhD
- Jose Alejandro Rauh-Hain, MD
- Karen Flórez, DrPH, MPH
- Lavanya Vasudevan, PhD, MPH, CPH
- Maria Garcia, MD, MPH
- Robert Brady, PhD
- Saria Hassan, MD
- Scherezade Mama, DrPH
- Yuan Lu, ScD
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MPH Capstone Schedule
Key Dates and Deadlines
Timeline for online presentations, May 9-11, 2022
Complete 260.720: Communications Primer for the Public Health Sciences * | No later than Term 3 |
Submit online Capstone Information Form | By November 19, 2021 |
Submit final outline to capstone advisor | By February 4, 2022 |
Register for capstone course for Term 4 | By March 25, 2022 |
Submit first draft of project to capstone advisor | By March 18, 2022 |
Submit final draft of project to capstone advisor | By April 15, 2022 |
Upload only the capstone advisor approved final paper to drop box. Unapproved papers will not be accepted. | By May 2, 2022 |
Give oral presentation | May 9-11, 2022 |
*This course is only required for students who matriculated in June 2019 and after.
Timeline for Full-time presentations at May Capstone Symposium, May 14, 2022
Complete 260.720: Communications Primer for the Public Health Sciences (This is only applicable to students who matriculated in June 2019 and later) | No later than 3rd Term |
Submit Capstone Information Form | By November 19, 2021 |
Submit final capstone outline to capstone advisor | By February 4, 2022 |
Submit first draft of project to capstone advisor | By March 18, 2022 |
Register for capstone course for 4th Term | By March 18, 2022 |
Submit final draft of project to capstone advisor | By April 15, 2022 |
Upload only the capstone advisor approved final paper and slides to drop box. Unapproved papers will not be accepted. | By May 2, 2022 |
Give oral presentation | Saturday, May 14, 2022 |
(Tentative) Timeline for online presentations, August 1-3, 2022 session
Complete 260.720 Communications Primer for the Public Health Sciences * | No later than Term 4 |
Submit online Capstone Information Form | By Mon., April 18, 2022 |
Submit final outline to capstone advisor | By Mon., May 16, 2022 |
Submit first draft of project to capstone advisor | By Mon., June 27, 2022 |
Register for capstone course for Summer Term | By Fri., July 1, 2022 |
Submit final draft of project to capstone advisor | By Mon., July 11, 2022 |
Upload only the capstone advisor approved final paper to drop box. Unapproved papers will not be accepted. | By Mon., July 25, 2022 |
Give oral presentation | On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug 1, 2 and 3, 2022 |
*This course is only required for students who matriculated in June 2019 and after.
Timeline for online presentations, December 5-7, 2022 sessions
Complete 260.720: Communications Primer for the Public Health Sciences * | No later than Term 1 |
Submit Capstone Information Form | By Mon., August 22, 2022 |
Submit final capstone outline to capstone advisor | By Mon., September 12, 2022 |
Submit first draft of project to capstone advisor | By Mon., October 10, 2022 |
Register for capstone course for 2nd Term | By Fri., October 21, 2022 |
Submit final draft of project to capstone advisor | By Fri., November 4, 2022 |
Upload only the capstone advisor approved final paper to drop box. Unapproved papers will not be accepted. | By Mon., November 21, 2022 |
Give online presentation | Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec 5, 6 and 7, 2022 |
*This course is only required for students who matriculated in June 2019 and after.
Timeline for presentation at alternate venue
Students presenting at an alternate venue must adhere to the schedules above, as per the time of year in which the project is completed. Deadlines for completion of the oral presentation are August online, December online, or the May symposium date, depending on the period in which the student is graduating.
Step 1: Identify a capstone advisor, project, and format
You should start by identifying a faculty member whose research interests and expertise are in the topic area and/or methodology that you wish to pursue, and is available to advise the project. Your faculty advisor may serve as your capstone advisor, or they may have an initial discussion with you and then refer you to other faculty members. Another helpful strategy is to inquire with several faculty members about any current work of theirs that may lend itself to a potential capstone project. Other resources for identifying a potential capstone advisor are the MPH Program Office, the faculty directory (searchable by keyword) and Collexis.
A capstone project is suitable if it provides students the opportunity to apply the skills and competencies acquired in the MPH program to a problem likely encountered in public health practice and research. The topic and format of the capstone project is flexible and is developed through discussions between the student and capstone advisor. Possible options for format or design include:
Program Plan
The capstone project would involve developing a plan to implement a public health program. It would address critical issues such as management, fiscal, ethical and logistical issues.
Example Projects:
Program Evaluation
The capstone project would involve evaluating/monitoring an existing public health program, such as process evaluation, monitoring of outputs and outcomes, impact assessment and/or cost analysis.
Example Projects:
Policy Analysis
The capstone project would involve analyzing the public health implications of a current or proposed policy. The work could include perspectives on economics and financing, need and demand, politics/ethics/law, or quality/effectiveness.
Example Project:
Research Proposal
The capstone project would simulate a grant proposal or research plan. The project would include a clear statement of the research question, the specific aims of the proposal, review of literature, study design, methods of analysis, implications and significance of the work. The research question would be one that is encountered in professional work, such as the evaluation of a public health intervention.
Example Projects:
Research Report
The capstone project could involve the collection, analysis and/or interpretation of data to address a public health problem. The project could include sections on the research question, study design, data collection procedures, data analysis, interpretation and significance of findings.
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Primary Data Analysis: Work for the MPH capstone can also involve the collection of data. Data collection for capstone is usually in the context of an ongoing study, but it is also possible (although not recommended) for MPH students to initiate an original study under the guidance of a Johns Hopkins faculty member. In the latter case, the student should allow substantial lead time for research planning and IRB approval.
Research Report Example Projects:
- "Air Pollution and Health: Novel Insights on Black Carbon Toxicity and Air Pollution in the Coronavirus”
- “A comparison of total cost estimates between exclusive breastfeeding and use of breast milk substitutes in humanitarian contexts”
- “Trends in sleep problems and patterns among Japanese adolescents: 2004 to 2017 - ScienceDirect”
Research Report - Quantitative Analysis
Research Report - Qualitative Analysis
Policy Change/Advocacy
Example Project:
Training Program
Example Project:
Step 2: Determine if the project involves human subjects research
The Bloomberg School IRB Office is charged with assuring that human subject research studies conducted in the school comply with internal school policies and external regulations designed to protect human subjects. All students who plan to do human subjects research must have IRB approval before working with human data or samples and/or before contacting human subjects.
"Human subjects research" is broadly defined to include any activity involving living humans that seeks to test a hypothesis or answer a scientific question. This can include both secondary data analysis and research involving direct contact with subjects. The following resources are available to assist students with their IRB questions:
- Navigating the IRB : A Primer for Students and Postdoctoral Fellows. This is your first step in learning more about the IRB process. This IRB Office publication is designed to provide additional information about the IRB process.
- To determine if your project involves data from human subjects, you should complete the online IRB Worksheet. This worksheet will indicate any additional requirements to properly document IRB approval of your project.
- If a student is listed as a researcher on an ongoing, IRB-approved study at an external institution (other than JHU), the student must submit the following to the JHSPH IRB Office at jhsph.irboffice@jhu.edu:
- JHSPH IRB Determination Request Form (Primary [New] Data Collection or Secondary Data Analysis)
- Copy of the institution IRB approval letter that lists the student as an investigator
- Copy of the IRB-approved research study protocol
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Additional assistance is available from Thomas Bradsher at the IRB Office (tbradshe@jhsph.edu). The IRB office is located in room E1100. Please make sure that you've completed the IRB Worksheet before you contact the IRB Office.
If the IRB Office determines that you must submit a PHIRST application, you must do so by the date that your MPH Capstone Information Form is due. The IRB submission deadline for field experiences taking place during the Winter break and requiring IRB approval is November 15th.
Step 3: Submit the online MPH Capstone Information Form
Submit the online Capstone Information Form two terms prior to completion of the project. You will need to indicate such information as the name of your capstone advisor, a working title and the aims of your project, IRB status if applicable, etc.
Step 4: Register for the two-credit MPH Capstone Course
Students must register for the two-credit "MPH Capstone" course number in the term in which the project is completed and presented. Full-time students must register for this course in 4th Term. Part-time/online students must register for this course in Term 4 for a May graduation; Summer Term for an August graduation; or Term 2 for a December graduation.
Students who are doing a large amount of preliminary research for a project may want to register for additional "Special Studies/Research" units. You should consult with your capstone advisor prior to registering. When registering, you should select the capstone advisor as the "instructor" and select the number of academic units that you and your capstone advisor have agreed is appropriate for the research.
MPH Capstone Course Numbers
Capstone Advisor's Department | Capstone Course Number |
---|---|
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology | PH.120.800 |
Biostatistics | PH.140.800 |
Environmental Health | PH.186.800 |
Epidemiology | PH.340.800 |
Health, Behavior & Society | PH.410.800 |
Health Policy & Management | PH.300.840 |
International Health | PH.220.800 |
Mental Health | PH.330.800 |
Molecular Microbiology & Immunology | PH.260.800 |
Population, Family & Reproductive Health | PH.380.800 |
Special Studies/Research Course Numbers
Capstone Advisor's Department | SS/R Course Number |
---|---|
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology | PH.120.840 |
Biostatistics | PH.140.840 |
Environmental Health | PH.188.840 |
Epidemiology | PH.340.840 |
Health, Behavior & Society | PH.410.840 |
Health Policy & Management | PH.300.840 |
International Health, Health Systems | PH.221.840 |
International Health, Human Nutrition | PH.222.840 |
International Health, Disease Control | PH.223.840 |
International Health, Social & Behavioral | PH.224.840 |
Mental Health | PH.330.840 |
Molecular Microbiology & Immunology | PH.260.840 |
Population, Family & Reproductive Health | PH.380.840 |
Step 5: Work on the project and paper
Discuss an overall timeline for completing the various sections of your paper with your capstone advisor in preparation for submitting a first draft for their review. The first draft deadline is about five weeks before the final draft deadline, allowing time for revisions. Communicating with your capstone advisor about your progress, including any issues or concerns, is critical during this phase.
Your capstone advisor will review your final draft for any final edits and recommendations, and you will complete revisions as necessary.
Then submit the final, approved paper to the CoursePlus drop box. Your capstone advisor will submit an online approval directly to the MPH Program Office. Please note: Students may not participate in the oral presentation unless the final paper is submitted on time.
Resources:
Step 6: Give an oral presentation of your project
After the final paper and capstone advisor's approval are submitted, you will complete the oral component of the capstone project by giving a 10-minute presentation followed by 5 minutes of discussion. This will take place at the May MPH Capstone Symposium, scheduled online presentations or an alternate venue.
Resource:
Step 7: Capstone course completion, grading and awards
The MPH Program Office will submit grades for the MPH Capstone Course as follows:
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"Pass" grade for all students that submit an approved capstone paper and complete the oral presentation requirement.
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"Incomplete" grade will be posted for those students who do not complete the capstone project in the term for which they are registered.
The MPH Program Office also awards special honors to the best overall capstone projects. Nominations are accepted from capstone advisors and winners are selected by an awards committee based on the written project. The capstone award includes a plaque for excellence in public health professional practice. The student with the single overall best capstone project receives a $500 award.
Examples of MPH Capstone Topics and Papers
Capstone project papers submitted by Bloomberg School students from previous years can be found under Step 1 above to demonstrate the breadth of topics and formats that may be explored.
Capstone Symposia Programs
The following links are copies of the programs from MPH capstone symposia held here at the Bloomberg School in recent years.
- MPH Capstone Symposium Program 2022
- MPH Capstone Symposium Program 2021
- MPH Capstone Symposium Program 2020
- MPH Capstone Symposium Program 2019
- MPH Capstone Symposium Program 2018
- MPH Capstone Symposium Program 2017
- MPH Capstone Symposium Program 2016
- MPH Capstone Symposium Program 2015
- MPH Capstone Symposium Program 2014
MPH Capstone Award Recipients
Please click here to see the MPH Capstone Award Recipients from the last four years.