Concentration in Bioethics and Health Policy
Offered By: Department of Health Policy and Management
Onsite | Full-Time | 4 - 5 years
About the Concentration in Bioethics and Health Policy
The concentration in Bioethics and Health Policy is designed for students who want bioethics to be the distinguishing focus of their career in public health. This program differs from other bioethics doctoral programs in two important ways: first, it focuses on bioethics and it relates to moral questions in public health and health policy rather than in clinical decision-making or bedside dilemmas; and, second, it provides rigorous training in quantitative and qualitative empirical research methods.
Original doctoral research conducted by students in the bioethics program involves analyzing primary or secondary empirical data about specific areas of public health, health policy, or health research, and examining the ethical implications of the issue or study results. By the end of their training, students are prepared to provide not only normative recommendations regarding ethics and public health policy, but also are equipped to function as independent researchers, conducting empirical research related to bioethics, public health and health policy.
Students enrolled in the Bioethics and Health Policy concentration participate in a variety of educational opportunities in bioethics and health policy, including lectures and seminars sponsored by the Berman Institute of Bioethics, the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions and collaborations with the Kennedy Institute of Ethics, Georgetown University. Students take courses within the Department of Health Policy and Management and the Bloomberg School, as well as the Johns Hopkins Krieger School of Arts and Sciences and Georgetown University.
What Can You Do With a Graduate Degree In Bioethics And Health Policy?
The program prepares students for successful research careers as bioethicists. Former students have gone onto careers in academia, government, research-oriented non-profits, and the private sector. Visit the Graduate Employment Outcomes Dashboard to learn about Bloomberg School graduates' employment status, sector, and salaries.
View a list of selected recent graduates and dissertation titles for the PhD Concentration in Bioethics and Health Policy.
Curriculum for the Concentration in Bioethics and Health Policy
Browse an overview of the requirements for this PhD program in the JHU Academic Catalogue and explore all course offerings in the Bloomberg School Course Directory.
Admissions Requirements
For general admissions requirements, please visit the How to Apply page.
Prior Graduate Degree
Not required, but highly recommended.
Prior Work Experience
Not required, but successful applicants generally have 2-3 years of full-time work experience in a related field.
Standardized Test Scores
Standardized test scores are not required and not reviewed for this program. If you have taken a standardized test such as the GRE, GMAT, or MCAT and want to submit your scores, please note that they will not be used as a metric during the application review. Applications will be reviewed holistically based on all required application components.
Brendan Saloner, PhD,
evaluates policies to promote access to health care and a stronger safety net for underserved groups, particularly for people who use drugs.
Tuition and Funding
Per the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the JHU PhD Union, the minimum guaranteed 2025-2026 academic year stipend is $50,000 for all PhD students with a 4% increase the following year. Tuition, fees, and medical benefits are provided, including health insurance premiums for PhD student’s children and spouses of international students, depending on visa type. The minimum stipend and tuition coverage is guaranteed for at least the first four years of a BSPH PhD program; specific amounts and the number of years supported, as well as work expectations related to that stipend will vary across departments and funding source. Please refer to the CBA to review specific benefits, compensation, and other terms.
Need-Based Relocation Grants
Students who are admitted to PhD programs at JHU starting in Fall 2023 or beyond can apply to receive a need-based grant to offset the costs of relocating to be able to attend JHU. These grants provide funding to a portion of incoming students who, without this money, may otherwise not be able to afford to relocate to JHU for their PhD program. This is not a merit-based grant. Applications will be evaluated solely based on financial need. View more information about the need-based relocation grants for PhD students.
Contact Us
Questions about the program? We're happy to help.
HPM_Admissions@jhu.edu