MPH in Maternal and Child Health/Epidemiology - Dual Concentration
Mission Statement The mission of the Master of Public Health in Maternal and Child Health /Epidemiology dual program is to train students in general public health knowledge, general epidemiologic principles and methods and their application in the specific area of maternal and child health on a global, national and local level. This program is designed to prepare future professionals and leaders in public health practice. Program Description Students in the Maternal and Child Health/Epidemiology dual-concentration learn about the biologic and social factors important to health and develop the data analysis skills to delve into them further and to evaluate the effectiveness of public health programs. The curriculum combines courses from the departments of Community Health Sciences and Epidemiology and can be completed in 46 credit hours. Program Competencies It is expected that students will acquire the public health competencies through successful completion of the school core courses. It is expected, however, with the guidance by an advisor, that students will be well-versed in planning and evaluating community programs (CHSC 6110 and CHSC 6120), 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: - Critically review MCH research literature and evaluate the findings relative to incorporation into programs addressing MCH problems (CHSC 6510);
- Describe MCH problems in terms of populations affected, the magnitude, and the severity (CHSC 6510, CHSC 6460, CHSC 6410, CHSC 6420);
- Apply the knowledge of growth and development of families and their members to the development of needs based MCH programs (CHSC 6460);
- Collect, analyze, and interpret morbidity and mortality data for women and children (EPID 6030);
- Identify the special needs of MCH populations and the interventions designed to meet the needs (EPID 6480);
- Define epidemiology and identify leading applications of the epidemiologic method (EPID 6030);
- Calculate and interpret: crude mortality, age-adjusted mortality, infant mortality, neonatal mortality, perinatal mortality, post-neonatal mortality, and maternal mortality EPID 6030).
- Distinguish incidence from prevalence, and risks from rates (EPID 6030, EPID 7120);
- Describe and design the major descriptive and analytic epidemiologic study types (EPID 7120);
- Calculate the main parameters of a screening test (EPID 6030);
- Apply the main methods of evaluative research to programs of maternal and child health (EPID 7130);
- Design and utilize surveys to assess indicators and determinants of maternal and child health (EPID 6260);
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. A student can have either the Department of Epidemiology or the Department of Community Health Sciences as a home department. Program Requirements To meet the graduation requirements, the student will complete no less than 46 academic credits over a period of 18 to 24 months. Medical professionals may waive the SPHL 6010 course but the total 46 credit hour requirement is not reduced for the dual concentration. The program requires the satisfactory completion of the School Core Requirements and the Maternal and Child Health / Epidemiology programmatic requirements, including a practicum and culminating experience. SPHTM Core Requirements (18 credits) Course Course Title Credits
BIOS 6030 Introduction to Biostatistics 3
ENHS 6030 Survey of Environmental Health Sciences 3
EPID 6030 Epidemiologic Methods I 3
HSMG 6030 Principles of Health Systems Admin & Mgmt 3
SPHL 6010 Biological Basis of Health and Disease 3
SPHL 6030 Social and Behavioral Aspects of Global Health 3
SPHL 7950 Culminating Experience 0 SPHL 9980 Practicum 0
Maternal and Child Health Requirements (11 credits) CHSC 6140 Leadership and Communication in Maternal and Child Health 3
CHSC 6420 Health Care of Women 2
CHSC 6460 Child Health and Development 3
CHSC 6510 Contemporary Issues in Maternal and Child Health 3
Epidemiology Requirements (17 credits) BIOS 6040 Intermediate Biostatistics 3
EPID 6230 Computer Packages for Epidemiology 2
EPID 6260 Survey Methodology 3
EPID 6480 Reproductive Epidemiology 3
EPID 7120 Epidemiologic Methods II 3
EPID 713 Observational Epidemiology 3
Sample Schedule Find Sample Schedule Here 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. Some examples of practicum opportunities in Maternal Child Health Epidemiology include: Culminating Experience Students in the Department of Epidemiology can choose one of three options for their culminating experience: 1. Public Health Analysis
2. Thesis 3. 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. Thesis The Thesis describes the student’s original applied research that will contribute to the scope of knowledge and practice in the field of public health. For more details about the thesis content click here. 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 Epidemiology, as covered in the required departmental core courses.
For more information, contact: Therese Carter, 504-988-6809, tcarter1@tulane.edu.
Department of Epidemiology
Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine
1440 Canal Street, Suite 2000, New Orleans, La 70112
504.988.4720 phn 504.988.1568 fax
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