MCH Concentration

The Maternal and Child Health (MCH) concentration capitalizes on the strengths of the College and brings together:

• Multidisciplinary professional who are experts on different aspects of the health of mothers, children, adolescents and families
• Experts in the development of health promotion and prevention programs
• A wealth of connections and networks already developed by members of the college locally, nationally and globally
• Opportunities to develop model practices locally and globally
• Opportunities to apply knowledge and skills in different cultural environments

While it is expected that graduates of the MCH concentration will be competent in practicing in health services and other agencies (program planning and management, advocacy, policy making), a new cadre of researchers in MCH fields will also be an outcome of the program. 

Framework of the Maternal and Child Health Concentration

UNMC students can pursue a Master of Public Health degree or a certificate in Maternal and Child Health (MCH). The conceptual framework for the MCH concentration is the life course approach. This approach:

• Addresses health status at each stage of the lifespan from preconception to old age
• Explores the cyclical influences and impacts of health status in one life stage on subsequent stages 
• Studies the health impacts of biological, behavioral, sociocultural and physical environments
• Examines the influence of policies and politics on the health status of mothers, children, adolescents, women and their families
• Focuses on equity, social justice, and human rights

Faculty Expertise

The MCH concentration brings together multidisciplinary professionals with expertise across several domains of maternal, child, adolescent and family health including:

• early childhood development
• youth development
• sexual health
• mental health
• maternal mortality
• infant mortality
• health care quality and access
• racial inequities
• health communications
• MCH workforce leadership development 

MCH concentration faculty include:

• Katie Brandert, MPH, CHES
• Shannon Maloney, PhD
• Abbie Raikes, PhD
• Shireen Rajaram, PhD
• Melissa Tibbits, PhD

Networks and Connections

A wealth of connections and networks are already developed by members of the college locally, nationally and globally. Our faculty have experiences both in academic settings and in practice, and use those experiences and connections to enhance the student learning experience.

UNMC is also the home of CityMatCH, a national membership organization of city and county health departments' MCH programs and leaders representing urban communities in the United States. www.citymatch.org. Through CityMatCH, students in our program have the opportunity to apply for graduate assistantships, complete applied practice experiences, and view national MCH work in action.

Master of Public Health In MCH Curriculum

A total of 42 credit hours are required for completion of the Master of Public Health degree with a concentration in MCH.  The MCH courses are shown below:

MCH Concentration Competencies

Upon graduation, a student with a MPH with a concentration in MCH should be able to...

1. Examine the historical development of MCH public policies and practices in the U.S. for federal, state, and local agencies and programs serving MCH populations and analyze the current gaps in MCH services and programs.
2. Apply the life course perspective in addressing health, diseases and behaviors of MCH populations.
3. Identify the key public health issues for MCH populations at the local, state, national, and global levels.
4. Examine how the major determinants of health and disease affect the MCH populations at the local, state, national and global levels
5. Develop rigorous projects to improve health and to reduce inequalities and inequities of MCH populations. 

Professional Certificate in Maternal and Child Health

A total of 18 credit hours are required for completion of the Professional Certificate in MCH.  The MCH courses are shown below.

Course Descriptions

CPH 546/HPRO 880:  Introduction to MCH

Students will be introduced to MCH through the life course approach, which not only examines the health of mothers, women, infants, children and adolescents, but also the effects that the preconception and conception phases have through the lifespan, from birth through senescence to death. Students will also learn about diversity, inequalities in health, inequities in health care, and the global perspective in MCH. In addition, they will be exposed to the history, development, organization, and policy issues in the delivery of MCH services in the U.S, and the rationale and values behind them.

CPH 547/HPRO 881:  MCH Theories and Interventions

This course is designed to prepare the graduate student, professional student, or fellow to design intervention strategies to improve the status of children, women, and families. Effective maternal and child health interventions at all levels of Frieden’s health impact pyramid will be examined. Emphasis will be placed on (a) the theoretical underpinnings of the interventions and (b) case studies of communities that have successfully implemented the interventions. The course is intended for graduate students and health professionals interested in research and practice with children, women, and families.

CPH 548/HPRO 882: Life Course Health

This course is designed to prepare the graduate student, professional student, or fellow to apply life course theory to research and practice relevant to health at all life stages. The major topics to be covered include the physical, social, and emotional health of children, adolescents, and adults. Special emphasis will be placed on the early determinants of health and disease. The course is intended for graduate students and health professionals interested in research and practice with children, women, and families.

CPH 505/HPRO 805: Applied Research Methods  

The purpose of this course is to introduce scientific research methods in public health practice. Students will learn about the scientific research process in the context of public health practice. The course will cover topics including analyzing published research; using secondary data sources; identifying funding sources; developing a research proposal including the research question, population sampling, research design, and data collection. Research ethics is a large component of the course. Students will complete CITI Training as well as learn about Institutional Review Board (IRB) processes and applications.

Concentration Contact

For more information about the MCH concentration, please contact Melissa Tibbits, PhD at 402-559-9447 or mtibbits@unmc.edu.