john hopkins statistics phd

Applied Mathematics and Statistics, PhD

Whiting school of engineering, financial assistance.

The following special fellowships are awarded to one or more departmental PhD students each year:

• The Rufus P. Isaacs Fellowship, named in honor of a late member of the faculty acclaimed for his contributions to operations research.
• The Charles and Catherine Counselman Fellowship, generously endowed by Hopkins alumnus Charles Counselman.

Program Requirements

The objective of the department’s Ph.D. program is to produce graduates who are broadly educated in applied mathematics and statistics and who can work at the current frontiers of their chosen specialized disciplines. The introductory phase of graduate study acquaints the student with a spectrum of topics, provides an opportunity to fill gaps in their background, and affords a close view of the doctoral research process and of potential research areas and advisors. Continuation to advanced study and dissertation research is based upon favorable evaluation of preparedness and potential. The progress of students is evaluated at the end of every semester. The culmination of the program is the doctoral dissertation, representing an original and significant contribution to knowledge in applied mathematics.

In addition to fulfilling the university requirement of a minimum of two consecutive semesters of registration as a full-time resident graduate student, completion of academic ethics training and the responsible conduct of research course, the student must accomplish the following to obtain departmental certification for the Ph.D.:

• Pass the Introductory Examination, normally offered immediately before each semester.
• Pass the Ph.D. Candidacy Examination. This oral examination is normally taken in the third year of residency. The scope of the exam will be governed by a syllabus prepared by the student with the help of the student’s mentor or advisor.
• Pass the Graduate Board Oral Examination, normally taken in the third year of residence.
• Acquire and hone their teaching and research experience under the supervision of faculty by successfully completing either a TA or RA assignment every semester while a fulltime, resident student.
• Complete at least 12 one-semester courses of graduate work in a coherent program approved by the faculty advisor.
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of the utilization of computers in applied mathematics and statistics.
• Complete a program of original research and its clear exposition in a written dissertation. The dissertation must be approved by at least two faculty readers and be certified by them to be a significant contribution to knowledge and worthy of publication in scholarly journals. The candidate defends the dissertation in a public examination held under the auspices of the department.

Additional details on these items may be found on the department’s website.

Course Program

The most common way for students to gain the knowledge and skills to succeed in the Ph.D. program is through course work. In consultation with their advisor, each student will develop a program of proposed course work. The relevant courses for the Ph.D. are of three types: basic graduate-level courses, additional specialized courses appropriate to the student’s field of research, and an elective one year course selected to broaden the student in applied mathematics. To promote a well-rounded education and record, all full-time graduate students are expected to enroll in an appropriate number of courses for their stage in the program. Students are required to enroll in and attend EN.553.801 Department Seminar , every semester. Grades of B- or better (or equivalent level of performance in pass/fail courses) are expected of all department Ph.D. graduate students in their course work.

Basic Courses

All students are encouraged to master basic material in:

• probability ( EN.553.720 Probability Theory I ), statistics ( EN.553.730 Statistical Theory I ), and stochastic processes ( EN.553.626 Introduction to Stochastic Processes );
• optimization ( EN.553.761 Nonlinear Optimization I );
• matrix analysis ( EN.553.792 Matrix Analysis and Linear Algebra ); and
• discrete mathematics ( EN.553.671 Combinatorial Analysis EN.553.672 Graph Theory ).

Normally, a student will have completed at least eight basic courses by the end of the fourth semester of residence.

Specialized Courses

Each student takes advanced courses appropriate to the proposed area of dissertation research, with the approval of the research advisor.

Elective Courses

Students are encouraged to take additional elective course work, either covering one area in depth or covering two areas. Typical areas in other departments are biology, econometrics, mathematical economics, mathematical ecology, computational geometry, systems theory, health systems, mathematics, facility location, psychometrics, and physics. These courses may complement or supplement the student’s previous experience, but if a student has no previous experience in an area some elementary course work may be necessary as a prerequisite to acceptable graduate level courses.

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Offered By: Department of Biostatistics

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About the PhD in Biostatistics Program

The PhD in Biostatistics provides training in the theory of probability and statistics in biostatistical methodology. The program is unique in its emphasis on the foundations of statistical reasoning and data science. Students complete rigorous training in real analysis-based probability and statistics, equivalent to what is provided in most departments of mathematical statistics and in advanced data science.

PhD candidates are required to pass a comprehensive written examination covering coursework completed at the end of their first year. Research leading to a thesis may involve development of new theory and methodology, or it may be concerned with applications of statistics and probability to problems in public health, medicine or biology.

Application Fee Waivers: We are able to offer a limited number of application fee waivers. Learn about the eligibility criteria and how to apply for a waiver .

PhD in Biostatistics Program Highlights

Conduct and publish original research.

on the theory and methodology of biostatistics

Apply innovative theory and methods

to the solution of public health problems

Serve as an expert biostatistician

on collaborative teams of investigators addressing key public health questions

Teach biostatistics effectively

to health professionals and scientists as well as to graduate students in biostatistics

What Can You Do With a PhD In Biostatistics?

Visit the Graduate Employment Outcomes Dashboard to learn about Bloomberg School graduates' employment status, sector, and salaries. We have over 750 global alumni working in academia, government, and industry.

Sample Careers and Next Steps

• Tenure Track Faculty (e.g. Assistant Professor)
• Postdoctoral Fellow
• Data Scientist
• Statistician
• Biostatistician
• Machine Learning Engineer
• Mathematical Statistician
• Principal Investigator

Curriculum for the PhD in Biostatistics

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. 

Note to international applicants for Fall 2025 admission who have attended or are attending a university outside the U.S. or English-speaking Canada: Our Department is no longer able to review applications that contain unevaluated international transcripts. Applications will be forwarded to us for review only after our Admissions Office has received an official Course-by-Course Credential Evaluation from ALL schools attended from either WES or ECE ( view details regarding our School’s transcript evaluation requirements ). The time to complete an evaluation can be lengthy and we recommend you start the process two to three months in advance of our December 1 application deadline.

This specific program also requires:

Prior Coursework

Calculus and linear algebra; accepted applicants are also strongly encouraged to take real analysis before matriculating

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.

Vivien Thomas Scholars Initiative

The  Vivien Thomas Scholars Initiative (VTSI)  is an endowed fellowship program at Johns Hopkins for PhD students in STEM fields. It provides full tuition, stipend, and benefits while also providing targeted mentoring, networking, community, and professional development opportunities. Students who have attended a historically Black college and university (HBCU) or other minority serving institution (MSI) for undergraduate study are eligible to apply. To be considered for the VTSI, you will need to submit a SOPHAS application ,VTSI supplementary materials, and all supporting documents (letters, transcripts, and test scores) by December 1, 2024. VTSI applicants are eligible for an  application fee waiver , but the fee waiver must be requested by November 15, 2024 and prior to submission of the SOPHAS application.

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 .

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

Academic Administrator Mary Joy Argo 410-614-4454 [email protected]