Master of Public Health in Maternal and Child Health

Mission Statement

The purpose of the Maternal and Child Health program is to prepare students for leadership roles in the broad range of programs that serve the MCH population. Students will develop skills to identify the social and environmental determinants of the health of women and children. Coursework provides students with a background in the biologic, social, and policy issues that impact the health of the MCH population as well as the skills needed to develop, implement, and evaluate public health interventions addressing the health of the MCH population.

Program Description

This area of study has a particular focus on the social and environmental determinants of the health of women and children. The MCH section is also closely aligned with the Tulane/Xavier National Center of Excellence in Women's Health. Courses give students a background in the biologic and social issues important to the health of women and children, as well as concepts and skills needed to address the broad range of public health problems affecting their health.

Program Competencies

It is expected that students will acquire the core public health competencies through successful completion of the school core courses. The expected terminal knowledge and skills provided by the program and expected of the student in Community Health Sciences will vary by student because of the self-direction inherent in this program.  It is expected, however, with the guidance by an advisor, that students will be well-versed in planning and evaluating community programs (CHSC 611 and CHSC 612), have the knowledge and skills required for community-based work, and obtain hands-on experience in community-based work by completing a community-based practicum.

Upon completion of the program, the graduate should be able to:  (Courses providing training are listed in italics).

• Describe MCH problems in terms of time, magnitude/severity, scope, dispersion/location, and co-occurrence/co-morbidity and identify the scientific underpinnings and determine the validity of evidence for interventions addressing MCH problems (SPHL 6010;CHSC 6410; CHSC 6420;CHSC 6460 ;CHSC 6510;CHSC 6550;CHSC 7510;CHSC 7510)
  
• Apply knowledge of demographic, health, familial, socio-cultural, environmental and community factors to the design of MCH programs and services (CHSC6030;CHSC6100;CHSC6110;CHSC6410;CHSC6460;CHSC6510)
  
• Recognize different strengths, needs, values, and practices of diverse cultural, racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups and determine how these factors affect health status, health behaviors, and program design (CHSC6030;CHSC6100;CHSC6110;CHSC6140;CHSC6420;CHSC6460;CHSC6510;CHSC7510)
  
• Prepare and interpret data from vital statistics, censuses, surveys, service utilization, and other relevant reports on the health of MCH populations, and have the ability to detect meaningful inferences from data and the translation of data into information. (BIOS6030;CHSC6130;CHSC6140)
  
• Evaluate the integrity and comparability of data and identify existing gaps (CHSC6130;EPID6030)
  
• Integrate population-based health promotion and disease prevention strategies within primary care and other service delivery systems (HSMG6030;CHSC6100;CHSC7510)
  
• Develop mechanisms to monitor and evaluate program and service networks for their effectiveness and quality, including use of performance measures. (CHSC6110;CHSC6120;CHSC6130;CHSC6820)
  
• Develop strategies to assure integrated service systems for MCH populations (CHSC6140;CHSC6420;CHSC6460;CHSC6510)
  
• State the feasibility and expected outcomes of and barriers to achieving each policy option and decide on the appropriate course of action (CHSC6100;CHSC6140;CHSC6420;CHSC6510;CHSC6550;CHSC7510)
  
• Promotion of cultural competence within diverse MCH settings. (SPHL6030;CHSC6100;CHSC6140;CHSC6420;CHSC6460)
  

Admissions Requirements

In addition to the general admission requirements of the school, the applicant’s career goals must be consonant with the educational objectives of the program, namely public health work centered in community programs.

Program Requirements

To meet the graduation requirements, the student will complete no less than 45 academic credits. The program requires the satisfactory completion of the school's core courses and the courses required by the Department of Community Health Sciences.

Sample Course Schedule

View a sample course schedule

Practicum

A 300-hour advanced field experience (practicum) that allows students to develop competencies in advanced practice skills, under the direction of a qualified preceptor in the practice setting, is required. This practicum should focus on developing advanced leadership skills in public health disciplines. The advisor works with each student to develop measurable learning objectives prior to their practicum experience. Self assessment and reflection as well as assessment of teams, peers and supervisors are important skills in future public health leaders.

Culminating Experience

Students in the Department of Community Health Sciences can choose one of two options for their culminating experience:

1. Public Health Analysis
2. Comprehensive Examination

Public Health Analysis

The Public Health Analysis is an in-depth written report that considers a topic of relevance to public health practice. It involves a thorough review of the literature, discussion, and recommendations for public health policy and practice. The content and format of the report are described in school and departmental guideline documents.

Comprehensive Examination

The Comprehensive Examination consists of two parts: Part A – a school-wide examination based on core competencies, as well as cross-cutting competencies, established by the American Schools of Public Health; and Part B – a departmental-specific examination based on principles and concepts of Community Health Sciences, as covered in the required departmental core courses.

Additional Information

Graduation will also be contingent upon successfully completing a two-part comprehensive exam:  Part I to be administered by SPHTM and based on competencies acquired through the school core; Part II to be administered by CHS and based on competencies acquired through the required departmental core.

School of Public Health Master's Handbooks and Guides

Additional Information for MPH Requirements

For more information, contact: Zarie Riley, 504-988-6596, lhodges@tulane.edu.