Admissions FAQs

Yes, the Bloomberg School awards several competitive, merit-based scholarships to accepted students who are pursuing a full-time program. More information is available on our scholarships page.

The following programs require full-time work experience:

• Master of Applied Learning degrees (2 years)
• Master of Public Health (MPH) (2 years)
• MHS in Population, Family and Reproductive Health (2 years)
• MHS in Population, Family and Reproductive Health Online (2 years)
• ScM in Epidemiology (1 year)
• ScM in Genetic Counseling (from the Department of Health, Behavior and Society) (1 year)
• Doctor of Public Health (3 years)
• PhD in Epidemiology (1 year)

For all other degree options, public health work experience enhances an application but is not required. Work experience is not required for combined degrees, certificates, and other non-degree opportunities.

The Bloomberg School offers many programs that are eligible for STEM OPT extension. Review our STEM OPT Extension page for a full list of programs.

Yes. The Bloomberg School allows individuals to take one or two classes as a non-degree seeking student. This is known as a "Special Student Limited." The Office of Continuing Education Student Services handles the application process for non-degree seeking students.

Students applying to the following programs should apply via the Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS):

• Doctoral Programs
• Master’s Programs
• Residency Programs

Students applying to the following programs should apply via SOPHAS Express:

• Certificate Programs
• Bachelor's/Master's Programs (JHU undergraduates only)

Students applying for a Postdoctoral Fellowship should review the Postdoctoral Training Website and then use the Bloomberg School Application.

The SOPHAS application fee is $150 USD for the first designated school and $60 USD for each additional school.

Additional costs vary depending on the applicant and their situation. The required course-by-course credential evaluations* for all coursework and degrees completed outside of the U.S. and English-Speaking Canada is often very costly. There are also fees attached to official transcripts that must be sent to SOPHAS, as well as any test scores (if required).

_{* While WES is the preferred agency, BSPH will accept credential evaluations from ECE. Applicants should seek permission from the Admissions Office to use an agency other than ECE or WES before submitting an application. BSPH will only accept an evaluation from other agencies, when we have proof that WES and ECE are unable to complete the evaluation.}

It’s possible. The majority of fee waivers are processed through SOPHAS, and there is a limited number of fee waivers available. More information, including qualifications, can be found at SOPHAS Fees and Waivers.

Some departments are able to provide fee waivers. Please contact these departments or program offices for their specific processes:

• Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology - PhD only
• Department of Biostatistics
• Department of Environmental Health and Engineering
• Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology
• Master of Applied Science Office

Yes, you may apply to a maximum of three programs and/or concentrations per application cycle.

That said, the Bloomberg School recommends that you take your time researching our offerings and focus on the program that best suits your goals and interests.

Please be aware you will be required to pay separate application fees for each program to which you apply. You will also want to submit separate personal statements explaining your interest in each specific program.

Instructions for sending transcripts and academic records depend on the type of institution from which you earned course credits and/or a degree. Please carefully review the different categories in the SOPHAS Help Center.

Yes. You will need to use the SOPHAS transcript request form to request that a BSPH transcript be sent to SOPHAS.

Each academic program at the Bloomberg School determines its standardized test requirements. Once you decide on a degree program, review the standardized test lists to determine the required test(s).

Keep in mind, test results can take up to five weeks to reach SOPHAS. Please plan to take the appropriate test(s) well in advance of any application deadlines.

International students from countries where English is not the official language must submit the scores of an English language proficiency test. The Bloomberg School accepts TOEFL, IELTS Academic, Duolingo English Test, or Pearson Test for English (PTE) scores to fulfill this requirement. More information about this requirement and possible exemptions can be found on our international applicants page.

The Bloomberg School does not accept transfer credits. You are welcome to apply to any of our programs, but you will not be able to transfer any coursework or credits into that program.

No, applicants do not need to find a faculty adviser prior to applying. It is important to share your research interests in your Statement of Purpose. For PhD applicants, if there are faculty you are particularly interested in working with, you may also include their names.

Advisers are chosen for students based on the interests expressed in their application and faculty availability. Many current students have multiple faculty mentors in addition to their academic adviser.

After you submit your application and all the required materials are received and processed, your application will be marked complete and sent to the appropriate admissions review committee. The time it takes for the committee to make a decision varies depending on the department and program. You will be notified when a decision is reached.

Complete: Your application meets the SOPHAS requirements for admission (paid application fee, two letters of recommendation, and domestic transcripts).

Verified: SOPHAS has checked the information you entered for your domestic transcripts.

For explanations of all SOPHAS application statuses, visit Check Your SOPHAS Notifications and Status (SOPHAS Help Center).

Your application can be verified by SOPHAS without all of the Bloomberg Schools requirements being met. In addition to the two Letters of Recommendation and transcripts (for domestic applicants) that SOPHAS requires for verification, the Bloomberg School will typically require test scores, an additional letter of recommendation, and your credential evaluation (for international applicants).

Timing of scholarship awards notifications varies by department and program. Scholarship awards notifications will be sent from the program to which you are admitted.

Typically, all admitted students receive consideration for any available funding by their academic department. No application is required, and award notifications are sent directly by the departments. Excluding the Bloomberg Fellowship Program, all students admitted to the MPH program are also automatically considered for scholarship assistance by the MPH Program Office.

The Office of Financial Aid processes applications on a rolling basis as your file is complete. All completed financial aid applications received by our March 15 priority deadline will receive a financial aid notice in sufficient time to make your enrollment decision before the April 15 admission decision deadline.