Description
Through research and practice-based training in epidemiology, the Maternal Child Health (MCH) track prepares you for a career improving the health of women, children, and families in the United States. You may chose to focus on women’s sexual and reproductive health, including pregnancy planning and outcomes, gynecologic cancer, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, as well as the health of vulnerable children and youth with special health care needs and chronic conditions such as asthma, obesity and developmental delays. Upon graduation, you will have the skills necessary to pursue opportunities in research, data analysis, and dissemination of public health messages.
Applying
The GRE has been permanently eliminated from admissions for all Department of Epidemiology graduate programs; goal statement demonstrating good understanding or Epidemiology and role of training in career; excellent references that speak to qualifications for training/career in epidemiology; Personal History Statement; Supplemental MCH Statement; Resume/CV; Transcripts. Applicants should have interest and experience in the field of domestic MCH public health issues. The program is competitive.
Application Deadline: Dec. 1 for Autumn Quarter admissions
Competencies
Upon satisfactory completion of the MPH in Maternal and Child Health track, graduates will be able to:
- Meet the generic SPH learning objectives for the MPH degree;
- Meet the Core-Specific Learning Objectives for all MPH students;
- Define the MCH populations and describe MCH problems in terms of time, magnitude and severity, location, and co-occurrence and co-morbidity;
- Discuss the origin and development of a national interest in maternal and child health in relation to major social and political periods in U.S. history; describe the current organization and financing of health services for MCH population groups and the position and role of MCH agencies within the system;
- Use data and rigorous analytic methods to identify and evaluate the relative contribution of factors associated with a MCH health goal (e.g., immunization), illness or other health condition;
- Evaluate the integrity and comparability of data and identify existing gaps;
- Formulate hypotheses or research questions, develop and implement an analytic strategy;
- Develop the background and significance section of a research proposal, incorporating scientific, methodological, and practice knowledge and skills;
- Apply knowledge of demographic, health, social and environmental factors to design and evaluate MCH programs and policies;
- Identify the scientific underpinnings and determine the validity of evidence for interventions addressing MCH problems;
- Critically analyze health disparities based on race, class, and gender;
- Conduct research, program management, and data collection and storage in an ethical manner; and
- Communicate the worth of protecting the health and well-being of all women, children and families, in particular those with low income or limited access to quality health services, and children with special health care needs.