MPH in Maternal and Child Health / Epidemiology - Dual Concentration
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 (GCHB 6110 and GCHB 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 (GCHB 6510);
- Describe MCH problems in terms of populations affected, the magnitude, and the severity (GCHB 6510, GCHB 6460, GCHB 6410, GCHB 6420);
- Apply the knowledge of growth and development of families and their members to the development of needs based MCH programs (GCHB 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).
Admission 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 TRMD 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.
Course Requirements
School Core Course Requirements (18 credits):
|
Course
|
Course Title
|
Credits
|
|
BIOS 6030
|
Introduction to Biostatistics
|
3
|
|
GEHS 6030
|
Survey of Environmental Health Sciences
|
3
|
|
EPID 6030
|
Epidemiologic Methods I
|
3
|
|
GHSD 6030
|
Principles of Health Systems Admin & Mgmt
|
3
|
|
TRMD 6010
|
Biological Basis of Health and Disease
|
3
|
|
GCHB 6030
|
Social and Behavioral Aspects of Global Health
|
3
|
Maternal and Child Health Requirements (11 credits)
|
GCHB 6410
|
Clinical and Cultural Issues of Reproductive Health
|
3
|
|
GCHB 6420
|
Health Care of Women
|
2
|
|
GCHB 6460
|
Child Health and Development
|
3
|
|
GCHB 6510
|
Contemporary Issues in Maternal and Child Health
|
3
|
Epidemiology Requirements (17 credits):
|
Course
|
Course Title
|
Credits
|
|
EPID 7120
|
Epidemiologic Methods II
|
3
|
|
EPID 7130
|
Observational Epidemiology
|
3
|
|
BIOS 6040
|
Intermediate Biostatistics
|
3
|
|
EPID 6230
|
Computer Packages for Epidemiology
|
2
|
|
EPID 6260
|
Survey Methodology
|
3
|
|
EPID 6480
|
Reproductive Epidemiology
|
3
|
Sample Schedule
Find Sample Schedule Here
Practicum (SPHL 9980)
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 (SPHL 7950)
Students in the Department of Epidemiology can choose one of three options for their culminating experience:
-
Public Health Analysis
-
Thesis
-
Comprehensive Examination
Guidelines for each of the above options can vbe found in the Culminating Experience Handbook on the Students' Policies, Guidelines, and Forms page.
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 in the Culminating Experience Handbook on the Students' Policies, Guidelines, and Forms page.
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. The content and format of the Thesis are described in in the Culminating Experience Handbook on the Students' Policies, Guidelines, and Forms page.
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 additional information: contact Therese Carter, tcarter1@tulane.edu, 504.988.6809.
