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Master's Degree

Master of Arts in Public Health Biology (MAPHB)

interdepartmental program offered by Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Environmental Health and Engineering, and Molecular Microbiology and Immunology

Online | Part-Time | 23 years

About the MA in Public Health Biology Program

The Master of Arts in Public Health Biology (MAPHB) is a fully online, part-time degree program that provides concrete training in biology and public health with particular focus on the application of theory and methods of inquiry, designed for experienced professionals looking to advance their career or shift their career focus to a new field.

This program delivers the knowledge and tools necessary for graduates to become critically engaged in investigating and addressing longstanding and emerging public health issues that have local, national, and global import.

The program is interdepartmental, involving the active participation of the School’s three biological sciences-based departments: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Environmental Health and Engineering, and Molecular Microbiology and Immunology.

MA in Public Health Biology Program Highlights

The MAPHB fosters knowledge of and appreciation for the many ways that modern biological principles and research methods can be applied to the identification, treatment, and prevention of conditions of relevance to the health of the public. The program was designed from the start as a part-time, fully online program to meet the needs of working professionals.

1st

Fully online program at the Bloomberg School, launched in 2017

2-3

Years to completion for average student

1 on 1

Faculty mentorship for literature-based thesis

Flexible

Options for working professionals

What Can You Do With an MA In Public Health Biology?

The MAPHB provides its part-time students with a pathway to career opportunities or advancement in pre-college and college teaching, basic and clinical research, industry and governmental research organizations, or might lead to advanced graduate work. Visit the Graduate Employment Outcomes Dashboard to learn about Bloomberg School graduates' employment status, sector, and salaries.

Sample Careers

  • Laboratory Manager
  • Natural Resources Biologist
  • Life and Physical Science Technician
  • Biological Science Laboratory Technician
  • Research Biologist
  • Healthcare Administration
  • Project Manager
  • Biology Educator
  • College Instructor

Curriculum for the MA in Public Health Biology

The Master of Arts in Public Health Biology offers a flexible, fully online curriculum that is accessible to students around the world. The program is designed to provide a solid, conceptual basis for an understanding of the rationale, tools and approaches that are essential for addressing problems in public health. The flexible options allow students to tailor this curriculum to gain credentials for advancement in industry, academia or government, or meet requirements for entry into advanced degree programs in research.

Required coursework is offered from the three departments that jointly offer the MAPHB, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Environmental Health and Engineering, and Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, and also from the Departments of Biostatistics and Epidemiology. Students may take elective courses from online courses across the Bloomberg School. The program culminates in the writing of a literature-based scholarly thesis.

Browse an overview of the requirements for this master's program in the JHU Academic Catalogue and explore all course offerings in the Bloomberg School Course Directory.

Admissions Requirements

For the general admissions requirements see our How to Apply page. The specific program also requires:

Prior Work Experience

Not required but strongly encouraged

Prior Coursework

Background in the sciences, particularly in chemistry, biochemistry, or biology

Standardized Test Scores

Standardized test scores (GRE, MCAT) are optional for this program. The admissions committee will make no assumptions if a standardized test score is omitted from an application, but will require evidence of quantitative/analytical ability through other application components such as academic transcripts and/or supplemental questions. Applications will be reviewed holistically based on all application components.

Program Faculty Spotlight

Barry Zirkin
Professor
- Emeritus
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Barry Zirkin, PhD, is a reproductive biologist involved in studies of the effects of aging and environmental toxicants on testicular testosterone production and spermatogenesis.

Gary Ketner
Professor
Molecular Microbiology and Immunology

Gary Ketner, PhD, studies the fundamental molecular biology of DNA-containing human viruses and their role in preventing diseases of public health importance.   

Mark Kohr
Associate Professor
Environmental Health and Engineering

Mark Kohr, PhD, researches how male and female hearts differ in response to injury and environmental factors.

Roza Selimyan
Teaching Professor
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Roza Selimyan, PhD, leads the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department academic programs, where she focuses on connecting science, health, and education.

Tuition and Funding

The MAPHB tuition is charged on a per-credit basis, in addition to the fees applicable to part-time programs. MAPHB students that are taking a minimum of 6 credits/term are eligible for financial aid; additional information is available from the Office of Student Affairs within the Bloomberg School.

Contact Us

Questions about the program? We're happy to help.

Roza Selimyan, PhD
BMB Executive Director for
Academic Affairs and Education Programs

Erika Vaitekunas
Administrative Specialist

bsph.bmb@jhu.edu