The Department of Maternal and Child Health (MCH) offers seven graduate degrees, providing students with versatile options for graduate preparation in Maternal and Child Health, allowing students to individually tailor their studies to their interests and career aspirations. While the Department does not directly offer certificate programs, several certificate programs of interest to MCH students are available. All MCH students can look forward to multiple opportunities for experiential learning that extends beyond the classroom to leading MCH agencies, both domestic and international.

Master’s degree programs in MCH
        Master of Public Health (MPH)
        Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH)
        Dual degree programs (MSPH/MSW)
        Joint degree programs (MD/MSPH and MEd/MSPH)

Doctoral degree programs in MCH
        Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)
        Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Certificate programs for MCH Students
        Certificate in Global Health
        Interdisciplinary Certificate in Health Disparities

Master’s degree programs in MCH (MPH and MSPH) 

There are two Master’s degree programs offered by the Department of Maternal and Child Health: the Master of Public Health (MPH) and the Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH). In addition to these two programs, MCH offers the dual degree program with the School of Social Work and joint degree programs with the School of Medicine and the School of Education.

By the end of the Master’s degree program, students will have acquired:

• Knowledge of the major factors associated with maternal health and child health, principles and methods for improving the health of mothers and children, and principles and methods of program planning, management, consultation and policy analysis in the United States and in international settings;
• A public health perspective consistent with population-based strategies for solving community health problems, addressing the responsibility of government and the contributions of scientific investigation and the interdisciplinary approach;  
• The essential skills of program planning, implementation and evaluation; limited scientific investigation; computer applications; interdisciplinary functioning; and consultation.  Master's Handbook.
  

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Master of Public Health degree in MCH (MPH) 

Students have the option of completing the MPH program in a minimum of 16 months or 21 months, at least three semesters (excluding summer sessions) of full time residence are required to graduate with an MPH. This degree also entails a 50-credit requirement, four SPH core courses (or their equivalent), two core MCH courses, and three MCH skills courses. MPH students are required to complete at least eight credit hours (equivalent to eight weeks of full-time work) of field training. The MPH offers greater flexibility than the MSPH for choosing electives offered by the SPH and across campus in addition to those offered by the Department. Each MPH student is required to develop a Master’s paper that can be completed in one of four ways – as an in-depth study, research application and utilization, original research, or an individualized alternative. An oral comprehensive exam is an additional requirement of the program.

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Master of Science in Public Health degree in MCH (MSPH) 

The MSPH program is an option only for students who have, or are expected to have, a terminal health professional or allied health professional degree. Students, for example, who are currently in the Dual Degree program in Social Work and Public Health; medical students, residents or fellows; Master’s level nurses (or equivalent), or graduate students in nursing; social workers; therapists; or physicians may choose this option. The degree is intended for those who, by virtue of their prior health training, would benefit from more specialization, and who must complete their Master’s degree in one year or less. It requires 42 credit hours, entailing four SPH core courses (or their equivalent), two MCH core courses, and two MCH skills courses. The program normally requires two semesters and two summers to complete, including six credits (equivalent to five and a half weeks of full-time work) of field training. A Master’s paper or project and the comprehensive exam are additional requirements for the MSPH.

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Dual degree programs in MCH and Social Work (MSPH/MSW or MPH/MSW) 

A cooperative arrangement between the MCH Department and the School of Social Work (SSW) facilitates the pursuit of joint MSPH/MSW and MPH/MSW degrees. Applicants must be admitted first to the School of Social Work and then may initiate application to the MCH Department during the first semester of their Social Work enrollment (by January 1). It is not possible to apply simultaneously to both programs, since we are unable to defer acceptance to MCH for the year that students spend in SSW.

Students complete at least 44 required hours in Social Work and 42 required hours for the MSPH or 50 required hours for the MPH in Maternal and Child Health. The program includes the core courses required of all Master’s students in public health, and those required of all MSPH and MPH candidates, respectively, in the Department of MCH. Each Dual Degree student’s second year summer field placement focuses on social work in a public health setting with an emphasis on policy and program development and evaluation. The dual degrees are conferred in December following the second-year practicum since the field placement extends into the fall semester.

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Joint degree programs in MCH and Medicine (MD/MSPH, MD/MPH)

Students enrolled in medical schools may pursue a second professional or graduate degree in MCH. Medical students may enroll in the MSPH or MPH program and must meet the requirements for that degree program.
 

Joint degree programs in MCH and Education (MEd/MSPH, MEd/MPH)

Students enrolled in the School of Education may pursue a second professional or graduate degree in MCH. Education students may enroll in either the MSPH or the MPH program and meet the requirements for that degree program.

Masters Program Director Dr. Trude Bennett, DrPH
Phone: 919-966-5977
Email: trude_bennett@unc.edu

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Doctoral degree programs in MCH

There are two Doctoral degree programs offered by the Department of Maternal and Child Health: the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Both programs are equally rigorous and focus on the population-based study of the health of women of childbearing age, infants, children, adolescents and families. MCH Doctoral programs are designed to prepare graduates for careers in teaching, research, program leadership and policy development.

By completion of a Doctoral Degree program in MCH, graduates will be able to:

• Describe the biomedical, nutritional, psychosocial, family, health service, environmental, economic and educational factors associated with maternal health during the reproductive and child rearing periods;
• Apply behavioral and social science theories to the investigation of an MCH problem;
• Design and carry out a scientific investigation of an MCH problem;
• Evaluate, select and apply biostatistical and epidemiologic methods to different research questions;
• Process and analyze administrative and research data with computers;
• Design, conduct, and report on a scientific study of an MCH problem;
• Prepare an MCH research manuscript appropriate for a peer-reviewed journal;
• Present an MCH research study appropriate for oral presentation at a professional meeting;
• Write a clear and concise policy statement;
• Advocate on behalf of, provide consultation to, or teach about programs addressing the health of mothers and children. 
  

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Doctor of Public Health in MCH (DrPH) 

Doctoral Handbook

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Doctor of Philosophy in MCH (PhD)

Doctoral Handbook 

Doctoral Program Director Dr. Carolyn Halpern, PhD    
Phone: 919-966-4462
Email: carolyn_halpern@unc.edu

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Certificate programs for MCH students

While many opportunities exist across campus and within the School for MCH students to receive specialized training, there are two certificate programs of particular relevancy to MCH students – the SPH Global Health Certificate and the Interdisciplinary Certificate in Health Disparities.

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SPH Global Health Certificate

The purpose of the Global Health Certificate Program is to prepare students to work in changing environments and with diverse populations, and to respond competently to the challenges presented by permeable geographic and cultural boundaries. The Certificate complements departmental requirements by offering courses, seminars, and fieldwork or internships that provide a comprehensive understanding of global health conditions, needs, and solutions that cross borders in both developing and industrialized countries and regions. 

Students will gain competence in identifying and analyzing factors that generate disparities in health status, health resources, and access to health information and health services, particularly for ethnic minorities and other marginalized and vulnerable population groups. Maternal and Child Health students interested in a global focus are encouraged to visit the Office of Global Health, for more information about the Global Health Certificate. As a Maternal and Child Health student, the Global Health Certificate requires that summer field training to be in an international setting or with a US-based organization working internationally.

Global Health MCH Liaison Dr. Trude Bennett, DrPH
Phone: 919-966-5977
Email: trude_bennett@unc.edu 

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Interdisciplinary Certificate in Health Disparities

Despite significant progress in the overall health of the nation, there are continuing disparities in morbidity and mortality experienced by African-Americans, Hispanics, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders, compared to the U.S. population as a whole. Year 2010 is rapidly approaching, and given the current state of the science of disparity reduction, it is doubtful that we will come close to reaching 2010 goals of eliminating racial/ethnic disparities. Not only does basic science need to be conducted in many health areas to understand what the contributors to the disparities are, but that information also needs to be translated into specific interventions to counterbalance the effects of these contributors.

An Interdisciplinary Certificate in Health Disparities has been developed to train health professionals to support a long-term and sustained public health effort toward addressing, and ultimately eliminating disparities. The courses offered via the Certificate Program represent multiple disciplines including public health, economics, and sociology.

Health Disparities MCH Liaison Dr.Vijaya Hogan, DrPH
Phone: 919-843-3886   
Email: vijaya_hogan@unc.edu 

To enhance your UNC experience, the department offers numerous ways for students to finance their education, get involved in volunteer service activities and participate in various student organizations. 

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