To include the MCH Specialization in your degree, please apply to your department of interest and complete this form.
The Maternal and Child Health (MCH) specialization is offered for students who intend to work toward the health and well-being of the MCH population, including mothers, infants, children, adolescents, women of childbearing age, pregnant people, and families. Students may add this specialization to any MPH or MSPH degree program (regardless of department) in the school to further develop the analytic, programmatic, policy, and communication skills to serve and advocate for this critical population. This optional specialization can serve as part of the credits toward a degree.
The Maternal and Child Health (MCH) specialization provides public health education in:
- The biological, sociocultural, behavioral, and policy issues that impact the health of the MCH population.
- A well-grounded historical context for current federal, state, and local governmental policies and services in the MCH arena.
- Underlying causes of major health problems and disparities facing the MCH population.
- Approaches to properly address these problems and the professional skills required for an MCH career whether nationally or internationally.
Students will gain the skills needed to develop, implement, and evaluate interventions with a special emphasis on women, children, and families over the lifespan. Programs will be conceptualized with sensitivity to cultural diversity within a global context.
Applicants must meet the school's admission and application requirements for entrance into master's programs at WSPH.
Program and Specialization Requirements
Specialization Requirements, to be met along with the requirements of the program in which enrolled.
To fulfill the requirements of the MCH Specialization, students must take 4 courses (a total of 12 credits), as described below. The four courses include two core MCH courses, one course focused on MCH policies and programs, and one course focused on interventions and polices targeting MCH issues. They are further described in the University Catalog.
Core MCH courses:
- SBPS 6510 Essential Issues in Maternal and Child Health (3 credits, Fall – Year 1)
- SBPS 7510 Maternal Child Health: The Life Course Perspective (3 credits, Spring – Year 2)
Elective 1 – Policies and Programs course (choose one): Spring – Year 1:
- IHSD 6760 International Family Planning: Policies and Programs (3 credits)
- SBPS 6490 Key Policies and Programs in Maternal and Child Health (3 credits, required of CEMCH Scholars)
Elective 2 – Interventions and focused interest course (choose one):
- EPID 6480 Reproductive epidemiology (3 credits, Spring)
- IHSD 6870 Adolescent Health Policies and Programs (3 credits, Fall)
- IHSD 7210 Survey Data Analysis in Family Planning/Reproductive Health Research (3 credits, Spring)
- SBPS 6460 Child Health and Development in Public Health (3 credits, Spring)
Competencies of the MCH Specialization
- Examine emerging challenges in maternal and child health through a health equity lens
- Analyze issues in maternal and child health using a life course development framework
- Examine the development and structures of MCH policies and practices in the United States or globally
- Develop evidence-based public health interventions or policies targeting maternal and child health issues
- Interpret maternal and child health data and appropriately communicate findings
Please visit the university catalog to learn more about the MCH Program, which is being phased out (last cohort accepted Fall 2024):
Department Chair: Akilah Dulin, PhD
Program Director: Shokufeh Ramirez, PhD
Department Administrator: TBA
Email: sbps@tulane.edu
Phone: (504) 988-5391
