Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Clinical Investigation

How to Apply

All applicants to GTPCI degree programs should complete the Bloomberg School's general application for graduate admission.

You can apply online at http://www.SOPHAS.org.

  • Application fee: $135 to submit the online application form
  • Applications for the academic year must be received by MARCH 1st of that year
  • Official transcripts from ALL academic training (undergraduate, medical and any graduate school) are required; these should be sent directly from the appropriate institution to SOPHAS
  • At least two letters of reference should be electronically submitted through SOPHAS; letters are required (the online recommendation forms can not be used in lieu of letters)

PhD Applicants

The PhD program is designed for candidates who currently hold a postdoctoral fellowship or junior faculty appointment within a Johns Hopkins School of Medicine clinical department. Therefore, 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 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.

For 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 candidate's abilities (either clinical or research).

International Applicants

Applicants from countries where English is not the primary language must submit official scores of the TOEFL. A minimum TOEFL score of 100 on the internet-based test or 600 on the paper-based test is required for admission into the MHS or PhD program.

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 generally 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.

*The General Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is given year-round in supervised computer facilities in the U.S., Canada, and many other countries. The paper-based General Test is offered in areas of the world where computer-based testing is not available.

International Academic Records

Regardless of citizenship, language or home country, if you attended a post-secondary institution outside of the United States, you must have your academic records evaluated by the World Education Services, Inc (WES). SOPHAS strongly encourages applicants to first create the SOPHAS application. Once you have your 10 digit SOPHAS ID, you are able to use the WES-SOPHAS application form.

WES also offers a 10% discount for students having records evaluated for the SOPHAS application.

You may contact WES at:

Bowling Green Station
PO Box 5087
New York, NY 10274 USA
212-966-6311