Master of Public Health
Area of Dual Concentration:
Maternal and Child Health and Epidemiology
Mission Statement
The purpose of the Maternal and Child Health /Epidemiology dual concentration is to prepare students to collect, analyze, and interpret epidemiologic data on the health problems of women, children, and families, and make public health recommendations based on data.
Program Description
Students in the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Epidemiology dual-concentration identify the biologic and social factors important to health in the MCH population. Students will develop the data analysis skills to examine public health issues and evaluate the effectiveness of public health programs. The curriculum combines courses from the departments of Global Community Health and Behavioral Sciences and Epidemiology and can be completed in 46 credit hours.
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 Global Community Health and Behavioral 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 (GBHC 6110 and GBHC 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: (Courses providing training are listed in parentheses).
- Incorporate knowledge of the Public Health core areas of epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, health systems management, and the biological, social, and cultural aspects of health and disease in addressing and solving problems. (EPID 6030; BIOS 6030; GEHS 6030; GHSD 6030; TRMD 6010; GCHB 6030)
- Critically review MCH research literature and evaluate the findings relative to incorporation into programs addressing MCH problems. (GCHB Courses: 6420, 6460, 6470, 6510; EPID 6480)
- Describe MCH problems in terms of populations affected, the magnitude, and the severity. (GCHB Courses: 6420, 6460, 6470, 6510; EPID Courses: 6480, 6260)
- Apply the knowledge of growth and development of families and their members to the development of needs based MCH programs. (GCHB Courses: 6110, 6460, 6510; EPID Courses: 6480, 6230)
- Collect, analyze, and interpret morbidity and mortality data for women and children. (BIOS Courses: 6030, 6040; EPID Courses: 6230, 7120, 7130)
- Identify the special needs of MCH populations and the interventions designed to meet the needs.(GCHB Courses: 6110, 6410, 6420, 6460, 6470; EPID 6480)
- Assess and evaluate MCH services and their operational components. (GCHB 6120; GHSD 6030)
- Define epidemiology and identify leading applications of the epidemiologic method.(EPID Courses: 6030, 7120, 7130, 6260)
- Calculate and interpret: crude mortality, age-adjusted mortality, infant mortality, neonatal mortality, perinatal mortality, post-neonatal mortality, and maternal mortality.(EPID Courses: 6030, 7120, 7130)
- Distinguish incidence from prevalence, and risks from rates. (EPID Courses: 6030, 7120, 7130)
- Describe and design the major descriptive and analytic epidemiologic study types. (EPID Courses: 6030, 7120, 7130, 6260)
- Calculate the main parameters of a screening test. (EPID Courses: 6030, 7120)
- Apply the main methods of evaluative research to programs of maternal and child health. (EPID 6480; GCHB 6420)
- 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 MCH section and the Department of Epidemiology. A student can have either Department of Epidemiology or Department of Global Community Health and Behavioral Sciences as home department. Strong quantitative skills are required.
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. 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)
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Course
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Course Title
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Credits
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BIOS 6030
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Introduction to Biostatistics
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3
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GEHS 6030
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Survey of Environmental Health Sciences
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3
|
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EPID 6030
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Epidemiologic Methods I
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3
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GHSD 6030
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Principles of Health Systems Admin & Mgmt
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3
|
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TRMD 6010
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Biological Basis of Health and Disease
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3
|
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GCHB 6030
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Social and Behavioral Aspects of Global Health
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3
|
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SPHL 9980
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Practicum
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0
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Maternal and Child Health Requirements (11 credits)
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Course
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Course Title
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Credits
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GCHB 6110
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Planning of Health Education Programs
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3
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GCHB 6120
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Monitoring and Evaluation of Health Education and Communication Programs
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3
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GCHB 6410
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Introduction to Issues in Obstetrics
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3
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GCHB 6420
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Health Care of Women
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2
|
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GCHB 6460
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Child Health and Development
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3
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GCHB 6470
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Issues in Adolescent Health
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3
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GCHB 6510
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Contemporary Issues in Maternal and Child Health
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3
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GCHB 7130
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Research Methods in Social and Behavioral Sciences
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3
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Epidemiology Requirements (17 credits)
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Course
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Course Title
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Credits
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BIOS 6040
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Intermediate Biostatistics
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3
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EPID 6230
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Epidemiological Data Analysis
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2
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EPID 6260
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Survey Methodology
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3
|
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EPID 6480
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Reproductive Epidemiology
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3
|
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EPID 7120
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Epidemiologic Methods II
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3
|
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EPID 7130
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Observational Epidemiology
|
3
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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 include:
Culminating Experience
Students in the Department of Global Community Health and Behavioral Sciences can choose one of two options for their culminating experience:
1. 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.
2. 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.
Please visit the links below for details:
Requirements for the Practicum and Culminating Experience
PHA Sample 1
PHA Sample 2
Additional Information
School of Public Health Handbooks and Guides
For more information, contact us at 504-988-5391 or chs@tulane.edu
