• General Background
• FAQ
• Objectives
• Students Responsibilities
• Curriculum
• Other Opportunities
• Further Information

The Johns Hopkins PhD program in Bioethics and Health Policy is distinguished from other bioethics training programs in two ways:

1. It focuses on bioethics as it relates to questions in public health and health policy (rather than, for example, medical ethics). Thus students consider ethical issues in population health practice, research, and policy such as domestic and international research ethics, genetic screening policy, HIV screening, and social justice/resource allocation.
2. Our program provides rigorous training in empirical research methods. By the end of their training, students in this program are prepared to provide not only normative recommendations regarding ethics and public health policy but also to function as independent researchers conducting empirial bioethics research related to public health and health policy.

General Background

This concentration is designed for students who want bioethics to be the distinguishing characteristic of their careers in public health.  Students complete the Departmental core requirements, including courses in health policy, epidemiology, and biostatistics.  Specifically for this concentration, students also are required to complete coursework in bioethics, moral philosophy, and public health law.  These requirements are satisfied, in part, through the Department of Philosophy of the Johns Hopkins University and the Kennedy Institute of Ethics at Georgetown University. 

Original doctoral research conducted by students focuses on analyzing empirical information (primary or secondary data) about specific areas of public health or health policy and examining the ethical implications of their findings.  Students are required to have a theoretical ethics chapter in their dissertations in addition to the other chapters traditionally required. 

Faculty associated with this concentration include: Drs. Faden, Kass, Sugarman, and Taylor.

PhD FAQ

1.  How does this program differ from other bioethics programs?

There are two defining features of our bioethics program: it is housed within a department of health policy and within a school of public health, and it provides rigorous training in empirical research methods. Being housed in a school of public health and within our school’s department of Health Policy and Management orients our program toward the examination of moral questions in the context of health and public policy. Students and faculty in our program study and conduct independent research on broad public policy dilemmas such as how HIV screening programs should be designed, whether insurance companies should engage in genetic testing, whether federal dollars ought to be spent on stem cell research, or how informed consent procedures could be improved. Our program, thus, differs from a medical ethics program, which would focus more on the bedside dilemmas of individual clinicians with their patients. The program differs, too, from one housed within a department of philosophy, which would focus more on foundational issues in moral philosophy. Second, since we provide training in empirical research methods, we are an appropriate choice for students who either want to conduct independent research as part of their careers, or want to be able to critically read the research literature. Training is provided in both quantitative and qualitative techniques, with particular emphasis on health problems with both moral and public policy significance. Students typically are expected to collect their own (primary) data for the dissertation or to conduct an original secondary analysis of data collected by other researchers.  

2.  What are the admission requirements?  Are there specific prerequisites for the program?

The PhD program in bioethics and health policy is a track within the Department of Health Policy and Management (HPM), division of Health and Public Policy. Applicants apply for admission to the Department of HPM, and should consult the Department’s website regarding general information and admissions requirements for doctoral programs .  Applications are reviewed both by a committee of the Department of HPM and a committee from the bioethics track.

Several aspects of each application are examined, and no single piece of information is ever the sole factor in the decision. The admissions committee reviews GRE scores, past academic performance, letters of recommendation, relevant experience as it pertains to the field, and the applicant’s personal statement. While there are no specific prerequisites, some background in bioethics, health policy, or research is helpful in order to have a demonstrated commitment to and a better understanding of the field.

3.  What kind of course work does the program include?  How long does it take to complete the program?

The first two years of the program are spent completing course work in public health, moral philosophy, and bioethics, and the remainder of the program is devoted to the doctoral dissertation. The first year of course work is taken at the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and includes courses in health policy, epidemiology, biostatistics, public health law, and bioethics. The second year of course work includes two courses in moral philosophy at the Philosophy Department of the Johns Hopkins Krieger School of Arts and Sciences and two courses in bioethics from Georgetown University’s Kennedy Institute of Ethics. For the dissertation, students conduct original research on a topic of relevance to bioethics and health policy. Most students complete the program in 4-6 years.

4.  How many students are accepted each year?

Admission to the Ph.D. program in Bioethics and Health Policy is very competitive. Traditionally, 1-2 students are accepted each year. The program is small and is generally kept to between 4-7 students total. The bioethics program is part of the Department of HPM however, which is larger. Thus, doctoral students who enter our program in bioethics and health policy are part of a cohort of approximately 20 new students annually in the Department as a whole, each of whom is also in a smaller program of the Department. Our students take their qualifying exams at the end of their first year in the program, along with all the other first year doctoral students in the Department of HPM, and only begin to specialize in the second year of the program.

5.  Is financial aid available?

Yes, financial aid is available, but on a limited basis. Scholarships follow the Department of HPM scholarship policy. Federally funded grants are also available to eligible students. For more information, check the HPM Financial Aid Information Page.

6.  What types of careers do your graduates have?

Graduates of the program can go on to any number of possible careers.  Previous students now have careers in public policy, academia, private organizations, and the federal government. 

7. Are there other activities related to bioethics going on at Johns Hopkins?

The PhD program in bioethics and health policy is just one of many programs ongoing in bioethics at Johns Hopkins, and just one of many programs affiliated with the Berman Institute at Johns Hopkins University.  The Berman Bioethics Institute was established in 1995 and supports educational and research programs and interactions among all divisions of the Johns Hopkins University: Public Health, Medicine, Nursing, and Arts & Sciences.  Please visit the Berman Institute website for further information about other academic programs, research activities, seminars, and resources available through The Berman Institute. 

Objectives of the PhD program in Bioethics and Health Policy

• To increase scholars’ capacity to recognize and analyze a moral dilemma in public health practice, research, and health policy;
• To increase scholars’ capacity to further normative and empirical scholarship concerning moral dilemmas in public health practice, research, and health policy;
• To increase scholars’ capacity to further public policy debate concerning moral dilemmas in public health practice, research, and health policy;
• To train scholars who understand the methods and tools of public health and health policy, and the important public health challenges and health policy dilemmas facing our nation and our world;
• To cultivate a community of scholars who are collegial, respectful, and uphold standards of professional integrity in interactions with each other and the community at large.

Student Responsibilities

All doctoral students in the Bioethics and Health Policy program are expected to

• Complete the required coursework for a) the School of Public Health , b) the Department of Health Policy and Management, and c) the Bioethics track
• Complete at least 300 hours of research assistance, working on at least two different research projects
• Pass the written departmental qualifying examination, generally at the end of the 1 st year
• Pass the departmental and school-wide preliminary oral examinations, generally taken at the beginning of the 3 rd year
• Complete dissertation research and writing and pass the final oral examination, generally after 4-6 years in the program

Curriculum

Required Doctoral Coursework

Students in the Bioethics and Health Policy PhD program are required to take courses in public health, health policy, and bioethics. For the public health requirement, students take course work in epidemiology and biostatistics. For health policy, students complete a core set of doctoral courses in policy, health services research, and behavioral science, as well as an additional policy elective. For bioethics, students take one year of moral philosophy (at Homewood or Georgetown), one year of bioethics methods (half at JHSPH and half at Georgetown), and introductory and advanced bioethics courses at JHSPH and at Georgetown. All requirements are delineated below.

Additional Doctoral Coursework

Other Opportunities Available to Bioethics PhD Students

Research Hours

All doctoral students in HPM are expected to complete at least 300 hours of paid or unpaid research relating to two different projects by the end of the second year. This research may be conducted either on- or off-campus, but at least 50% of the work must be on-campus. A full description of the research hours requirement is in the HPM Student Handbook.

Most students will find opportunities to take part in research with their graduate advisor or other faculty at the Berman Institute. Research with other faculty at JHSPH or within the University is also widely available. Students are encouraged to find a faculty member whose research matches his/her interests and to inquire about research opportunities.

Advanced Seminars on Bioethics

Advanced seminars on bioethics are held weekly either in Baltimore or Washington. Bioethics PhD students may participate in these seminars after completing their first year of coursework. Doctoral students must be willing to attend the seminar for the entire academic year. Attendance is guaranteed only for one year per student, but participation for a second year is possible. There are limited numbers of slots for doctoral students; Thus students participation may be limited to one year to allow all students to have this opportunity.

The Committee on Human Research, the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at JHSPH, has positions available for student representatives to sit on each of its two committees. This requires a 2 years commitment. Interested students should contact the Director of the Office of Research Subjects, located in E1100 in the Wolfe Street building.

Johns Hopkins Hospital Ethics Committee Observership

The Johns Hopkins Hospital Ethics Committee is part of the Ethics Committee and Consultation Service at the Johns Hopkins Hospital . The committee provides advice and consultation for patients and their families dealing with difficult medical care choices. Students interested in clinical ethics or ethics committees can obtain permission to observe the committee’s meetings.

Berman Institute Semi-Annual Faculty Research Retreat

The Berman Institute (BI) Semi-Annual Faculty Research Retreat is an informal, closed “professional meeting” where BI faculty present their research in-progress for discussion and critique. The retreat, usually held in Baltimore in the fall and spring of each year, provides an opportunity for students and post-doctoral fellows to interact with faculty, learn about their research, and to share their perspectives on scholarly activity at the BI.

NIH Joint Seminar in Bioethics

The NIH Joint Seminar in Bioethics is a semester-long seminar comprised of faculty and students from the NIH Department of Clinical Bioethics, Georgetown University 's Kennedy Institute of Ethics, and the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics. Slots are limited but may be filled by PhD students in the Bioethics and Health Policy program at JHSPH. Participation in the seminar requires a commitment to attend all sessions that occur on Tuesday afternoons ( 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm ).  The location of the seminar rotates among the three sites (NIH, Georgetown and JHSPH).  

Robert H. Levi Lecture in Bioethics and Public Policy

The Robert H. Levi Lecture is a public lecture every other year, and is part of the Robert H. Levi Leadership Program in Bioethics and Public Policy made possible by a gift to the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics from the Levi family.  The lectures focus on current topics of important to the nation; goal of the program is to raise the level of ethical discourse about critical issues in medicine and social policy, both in the community and among those who have the practical responsibility for their resolution. 

Shallenberger Medical Ethics Lecture

The Shallenberger Medical Ethics lecture, sponsored by the Johns Hopkins Hospital Ethics Committee and Consultation Service, is an annual lecture given by a guest lecturer. The lecture is held each spring in Johns Hopkins Hospital ’s Hurd Hall.

David Barap Brin Lecture in Medical Ethics

The David Barap Brin Lecture in Medical Ethics is an annual, honorary ethics lecture through the Johns Hopkins Medical School and Hospital. Prior to the lecture, the Brin lecturer often meets with students/fellows and the Brin family for lunch. The lecture is sponsored by the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center and usually occurs during the 3rd term.

The Committee on Human Research is the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. Through presentations and open conversation, the CHR monthly Brown Bags are informal talks connecting the CHR with faculty, staff and students who conduct human subject research. Meetings occur throughout the year on Wednesdays from 12:15 pm – 1:15 pm .

Berman Institute of Bioethics Seminars

Berman Institute of Bioethics Seminars are brown-bag lunch meetings sponsored monthly by the Institute. Seminar presenters are bioethics scholars invited from other institutions who come to discuss works in progress. Topics for presentation/discussion range from ethical issues of medical technology and stem cell research to bioethics and national security.  The seminars are open to all. Starting in the fall of 2007, they will be held on Mondays. Be sure to check the Institute’s calendar of events for a schedule.

Further Information

For further information on the Bioethics Ph.D. program, consult the Bioethics Ph.D. Program FAQ; you may also contact Nancy Kass, Sc.D. or Holly Taylor, M.P.H., Ph.D.

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