Program Details

1. Pass all Required Core courses (B or above). Students with C grades must re-take courses. The tutorial support of students with remedial coursework by students in Pathobiology is excellent. We have never had an academic crisis with students.
2. The 3 required rotations must be completed during the first year. Each research rotation will be about 3 months in length, with the exception of summer rotations. A full-time summer rotation (July-August) will be about 2 months in length, should the student decide to matriculate early (beginning of July). Below is a general suggested schedule for your rotations for August matriculation:
   • Rotation 1: Mid-September through December (approx. 14 weeks – you have 2 holiday weeks during this time)
   • Rotation 2: January through March (approx. 14 weeks – 1 week for Spring Break in March)
   • Rotation 3: April through June (approx. 12 weeks)
3. Successfully pass the Doctoral Board Oral Examination (DBO) exam with no outstanding conditions. The (DBO) exam tests the breadth and depth of the graduate student’s scientific knowledge and readiness to begin thesis research. These exams are administered by the Pathobiology program through an oral examination committee comprised of 5 faculty members. The exam takes place during October of their second year, after the student has completed all required first year courses.
4. Required Annual meetings between the PhD student and their advisor(s)/thesis committee include: Individual Development Plan meetings (IDP) and Thesis Committee Meetings. Each form can be accessed through the Student Academic Progress Tools page. The student will log in to the tracker site in order to set up each meeting. Once set-up is complete, the advisor (for IDP meetings) or each committee member (for Thesis Committee meetings) will be sent an email notification from the Tracker system.
   1. Individual Development Plan meeting: per new NIH guidelines, it is required that each student completes an Individual Development Plan form with his/her mentor each year. Students meet with their advisor to discuss (a) the student’s academic progress and next steps; (b) the student’s professional development goals and any next steps; (c) how the advisor can be helpful regarding each. 

   2. Annual Thesis Committee Meeting: intended to help the student consider the broader concepts on which the thesis research is based, to assist in focusing on the student's research problem, and to clarify any questions concerning the experimental approach. The thesis meeting generally begins with an oral progress report by the student followed by a period of questions, comments, and discussion. Thesis committee meetings have the option of beginning without the student present for the mentor to review the student’s progress with committee members. At the end of the meeting, the student may opt for the mentor to leave the room and talk alone with committee members. 

5. Successfully complete one (1) approved elective course per year beginning in the third year of graduate studies. Course approval as an elective course for Pathobiology students should be obtained from the Pathobiology director before enrollment in the course.
6. Responsible Conduct of Research: All graduate students must receive training in the Responsible Conduct of Research. The SOM policy is based on NIH guidelines. Students must receive training that includes a significant small-group component, allowing issues to be openly discussed with fellow students and faculty discussion leaders. A training program should provide at least eight hours of class time – with at least three hours of face-to-face discussion. Introduction to Responsible Conduct of Research course, offered through the Office of Graduate Biomedical Education and is required for all first-year students. It is the responsibility of each program to design a curriculum that satisfies these requirements for the student to fulfill throughout the remainder of their PhD. Alternatively, students may attend the SOM Research Integrity Colloquia offered by the Office of Research Integrity. Contact the Associate Dean for Graduate Biomedical Education with any questions. The subject of RCR training and education includes:
   • The scientist as a responsible member of society
   • Research misconduct
   • Data acquisition and management
   • Authorship and publication practices
   • Mentor and trainee responsibilities
   • Use of animals in research
   • Conflicts of interest
   • Collaborative research
   • Human subjects if applicable
7. Successfully complete two translational rotations (must register for course through Stacey March, Program Coordinator). This aspect of the program is unique because it is not found in other graduate programs at JHU. Each Translational Research course is designed to acquaint graduate students in approaches that are used clinically. Students broaden their education by carrying out patient related activities. These rotations require registration in the course Introduction to Translational Research, I & II. Plan forms are available on the students' intranet site. Rotations must be approved by Program Co-director, Dr. Aaron James, with details sent to Program Coordinator, Stacey March to provide student with registration form for the required course.
8. Receive approval for writing dissertation from thesis committee. Most students have about 4 thesis committee meetings.
9. Submission materials for Program completion: student's updated CV; abstract with a title page and a separate page listing the names of dissertation referees; letter of approval from two dissertation readers; approval of final dissertation from library, all final grades, and Payroll Termination form. See student handbook for full listing of required graduation materials. Program Coordinator will assist in submitting all materials to School of Medicine Registrar for approval by the MA/PhD Committee.

Students will take all core courses listed as required in Course Descriptions per their academic year, unless otherwise determined by the Program Directors. Course exemptions are available for Johns Hopkins MSTP students and post-DVM fellows who join the Pathobiology graduate program. Please contact Dr. Lee Martin ([email protected]) and Stacey March ([email protected]) with questions regarding course exemptions. Students will refer to their individual academic year Student Handbooks for specific academic and procedural requirements. These can be found on the Program Intranet.

From the Doctor of Philosophy Board website:

There are three fundamental requirements for the Ph.D. at Johns Hopkins University: dissertation, residence, and oral examination. None of these requirements can be modified or changed without unanimous consent of the schools and the Provost.

1. Dissertation: All Ph.D. students must successfully complete a dissertation in accordance with relevant school and program guidelines prior to degree conferral.
2. Residence: All Ph.D. students must successfully complete one academic year (two consecutive semesters) of full-time study, on campus, prior to degree conferral.
3. Oral Examination: All Ph.D. students must successfully pass a required oral examination conducted by five faculty members. The oral examination must include at least two members from outside of the candidate’s home department, one of whom serves as chair of the examination committee.
4. Responsible Conduct of Research: All graduate students must receive training in the Responsible Conduct of Research. The SOM policy is based on NIH guidelines. Students must receive training that includes a significant small-group component, allowing issues to be openly discussed with fellow students and faculty discussion leaders. A training program should provide at least eight hours of class time – with at least three hours of face-to-face discussion. The subject of RCR training and education includes:

• The scientist as a responsible member of society
• Research misconduct
• Data acquisition and management
• Authorship and publication practices
• Mentor and trainee responsibilities
• Use of animals in research
• Conflicts of interest
• Collaborative research
• Human subjects if applicable

It is the responsibility of each program to design a curriculum that satisfies these requirements. Contact the Associate Dean for Graduate Biomedical Education with any questions.

It is university policy that all program and university requirements for the Ph.D. must be completed in 9 years or less from start of the doctoral program. The Doctor of Philosophy Board reviews all candidates for the Ph.D. prior to conferral to ensure that the fundamental requirements for the Ph.D. have been met within the timeframe delineated.

Policy for Awarding an Intermediate Master s Degree (jh.edu)

The Pathobiology Graduate Program may confer an Intermediate Master's Degree (IMD) to recognize a student's achievements enroute to their PhD. This is done upon the student's request and will be subject to the same standards as a Terminal Master's degree, as mentioned below. See policy statement referenced in the above link for more details. NOTE: Request for the IMD must be received at least one term before student plans to graduate with their PhD.

1. Successful completion of graduate program IMD course requirements. IMD course requirements must be the same as those for a Terminal Master's Degree.

2. Successful completion of additional SOM or University requirements (e.g., training in the Responsible Conduct of Research).

3. Completion of at least two consecutive semesters of full-time study prior to degree conferral.

4. All IMD students must have successfully passed a required Graduate Board Oral examination.

5. All graduate students receiving an IMD must be a current full-time student at the time of submitting their IMD application.

Process for Application and Awarding of IMD for Pathobiology:

• PhD program requirements and procedures for the IMD must be clearly stated in the PhD Program's Handbook.

• Eligible students may submit a request for an IMD to their PhD Program at least one term before they plan to graduate with their PhD degree. Requests will be reviewed by the Committee on Master's and PhD Programs according to the regular degree conferral schedule (see below). Only one degree (IMD or PhD) may be conferred per term.

• Students who have graduated or left the SOM are not eligible to request an IMD.

• Students receiving an IMD are not eligible to participate in SOM Convocation, because these students have not completed their studies at the SOM.

• Students who receive and IMD but do not complete the requirements for the PhD degree should follow procedure for a Terminal Master's degree. The IMD and Terminal Master's degrees are equivalent. These students will not receive a second degree but will be eligible to participate in SOM Convocation.

• The SOM will provide the conferred IMD diploma by mail or by other means to the student.

Students whose thesis advisors/mentors have left Johns Hopkins may continue their project under the Johns Hopkins faculty member and graduate with a Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins if they meet all requirements. The thesis advisor/mentor must continue their financial obligations (stipend, insurances, and supplies). If a student moves out of state with the mentor, the student is still considered a Johns Hopkins graduate. The student can waive Johns Hopkins health insurance if covered by a similar plan at the mentor's institution.

It is desirable that students working outside the country or at distant sites within the country return to Johns Hopkins for thesis advisory committee meetings. However, if that is not possible, students will submit written progress reports yearly which will be evaluated by the thesis advisory committee. The committee will then send a written evaluation of the document to the student and place a copy of the evaluation in the student's Pathobiology file.