Department of Maternal and Child Health (GRAD)
Department of Maternal and Child Health
Carolyn Halpern, Chair
The Gillings School's Department of Maternal and Child Health was founded in 1950 and is one of the world’s leading academic departments for research, teaching and practice.
We are dedicated to improving the health of women, children, and families — domestically and globally. Our teaching program provides students with broad exposure to maternal and child health population needs and priorities, as well as with the skills to become leaders of tomorrow. Our faculty members represent a rich mix of academic backgrounds and interests and contribute their expertise and leadership in a wide range of disciplines. We invite you to join us as we embark upon an exciting new year of scholarship, leadership, and service.
Degrees and Programs
Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) Programs
Master of Public Health (M.P.H. Residential)
The Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) concentration in Maternal, Child and Family Health (MCFH) focuses on the determinants, mechanisms, and systems that promote and maintain the health and safety of women, children, and their families to enhance the future health and welfare of society. Our field is population-based and interdisciplinary, and we provide a strong foundation of knowledge, frameworks, and methods for program monitoring, process/impact evaluation, and program planning and implementation. As graduates, students will be equipped with a highly adaptable toolkit and prepared to lead interdisciplinary efforts that require multiple perspectives and competencies in domestic and global contexts. The degree is designed for students who have a bachelor’s degree and is intended for applicants who plan a practice career. It requires 42 credit hours, entailing SPH integrated core courses, MCFH core courses, and three elective courses.
Dual Master of Public Health and Master of Social Work (M.P.H.-M.S.W. Residential)
A cooperative arrangement between the Gillings School and the School of Social Work (SSW): Provides knowledge of the major factors associated with maternal health and child health, principles and methods for improving the health of mothers and children, and principles and methods of program planning, management, consultation, and policy analysis in the U.S. and in international settings. The program provides skills related to program planning, implementation, and evaluation; limited scientific investigation; computer applications; interdisciplinary functioning; and consultation as they relate to maternal and child health. The program objective is to develop a public health perspective consistent with population-based strategies for solving community health problems, addressing the responsibility of government and the contributions of scientific investigation and the interdisciplinary approach.
Other Master’s (M.H.A., M.S., M.S.C.R., M.S.E.E., M.S.P.H.) Programs
Master of Science in Public Health (M.S.P.H. Residential)
The terminal M.S.P.H. degree is an option only for students who have, or are expected to have, a terminal health professional or allied health professional degree (examples: MD, PhD, JD). The degree is intended for those who, by virtue of their prior health training, would benefit from more specialization, and who must complete their master’s degree in one year or less. It requires 42 credit hours, entailing five SPH integrated core courses, two MCH core courses, and two MCH skills courses. The program normally requires two semesters and two summers to complete, including six credits (equivalent to five and a half weeks of full-time work) of field training.
Master’s-to-Doctoral Programs
Master’s-to-Doctoral Program (M.S.P.H.-Ph.D. Residential)
This track is designed for students who have a bachelor’s degree but have not yet completed a master’s degree. Students in this degree track will earn the Master of Science in Public Health (M.S.P.H.) degree before completing the requirements to earn the Ph.D. Requirements for the Ph.D. and M.S.P.H. are the same as those listed in the descriptions of those two degrees. As with the original MCH Ph.D. track that requires a master’s degree for eligibility, the Master's-to-Doctorate (MtD) track is intended for applicants who plan a research career, whether in basic or applied research, that is focused on the MCH population.
Dual Master of Public Health and Doctor of Pharmacy (M.P.H.-Pharm.D. Residential)
The objective of the Pharm.D./M.P.H. dual degree is to prepare students for an ever-expanding pharmacist role that increasingly requires proficiency in medication therapy management and health promotion on an individual patient, regional, state, and national level. A public health pharmacist is expected to use their pharmacotherapeutic knowledge and skills, in combination with their public health skills, to “plan, organize, manage, and perform drug-related activities within a specific public health focus or within a public health setting.
Doctoral Program (Ph.D)
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is a residential degree program which develops research scholars capable of producing and disseminating new knowledge and methods for the public health profession in the field of maternal and child health. Each doctoral student is expected to develop and demonstrate competence in at least three areas: core maternal and child health content, research methods and a chosen area of specialization. The specialization area will be related to the student’s dissertation research.
Following the faculty member's name is a section number that students should use when registering for independent studies, reading, research, and thesis and dissertation courses with that particular professor
Professors
Julie Daniels, Epidemiology of Reproductive Health, Infant and Child Growth and Development, Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Environmental Exposures Related to Reproductive and Developmental Outcomes
Carolyn Halpern (032), Adolescent Health and Development, Sexual Health and Research, Methodology, LGBT Health
Sandra L Martin (040), Intimate Partner Violence, Sexual Violence, Sex Trafficking, Violence Prevention, Evaluation
Herbert Peterson (001), International Health, Reproductive Health, Maternal and Newborn Health, Including Family Planning, Implementation Science
Rohit Ramaswamy, Methods and Tools for Implementation of Global Health Programs, Quality Improvement of Health Systems, Technology for Workforce Capacity Building
Alison Stuebe (069), Breastfeeding, Maternal Depression, Lactation, Preterm Birth
Clinical Professors
Pierre Barker, Improving the Reliability of Effective Health Programs in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Australasia, and Latin America
John Thorp Jr., Preterm Birth, Birth Asphyxia, Episiotomy, Community Child Health
Research Professor
Ilene Speizer (015), Unintended Pregnancy Prevention, Evaluation of Reproductive Health Programs in Developing Countries, Adolescent Health, Male/Couple Involvement, Gender-Based Violence, HIV Prevention
Associate Professors
Gustavo Angeles (075), Health Economics, Research Methods, Program Evaluation, International Health
Dorothy Cilenti (036), Public Health Departments, Systems Development
Sian Curtis (049), Contraceptive Use Dynamics, International Reproductive and Maternal Health, Monitoring and Evaluation Methods for Population and Health Programs, Multilevel Models, Statistical Demography
Claudia Fernandez (031), Leadership Development, Leadership Issues in Healthcare and Related Fields
Sherri Green (025), Maternal Health, Public Health Leadership, Substance Abuse, Violence Prevention
Kavita Singh Ongechi (010), Evaluation of Maternal and Child Health Inverventions in Low and Middle Income Countries, Role of Social Factors on Maternal and Child Health Outcomes, Measurement of Maternal and Child Health Outcomes, Newborn Health
Clinical Associate Professor
Thomas Ivester, Critical Care Obstetrics, Health Care Improvement, High-Risk Pregnancy
Assistant Professors
Anna Austin, Child Abuse and Neglect, Adverse Childhood Experiences, Substance Misuse and Overdose
Janine Barden-O’Fallon (033), Family Planning, Reproductive Health, International Health, Monitoring and Evaluation Methods for Global Health Programs
Oscar Fleming, Implementation Science (practice and research); MCH Workforce Development; Early Childhood Development; Maternal and Newborn Health; Qualitative Research, Global Health
Shoshana Goldberg, LGBT Health, Adolescent Health, Sexual and Reproductive Health
Dana Hagele, Pediatrics, Child Abuse Pediatrics, Trauma-Informed Care, Mental Health
Aunchalee Palmquist (045), Breastfeeding, Medical Anthropology, Health Disparities, Global Health, Humanitarian Maternal and Child Health, Infant Feeding in Emergencies, Perinatal Mental Health, Human Milk Donation, Trauma Informed Care, Qualitative Methods, Reproductive Justice
Angela Parcesepe (048), Violence, Mental Health Interventions, HIV Risk
Tamar Ringel-Kulka (041), Microbiome, Functional Foods, Probiotics, Obesity, Breastfeeding, Children and Adolescents Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
Meghan Shanahan (067), Diagnosis and Treatment of Child Abuse and Neglect, Program Evaluations, Prescription Drug Overdose
Catherine Sullivan (072), Breastfeeding, Lactation, Nutrition Education and Support Services
Christine Tucker (013), Maternal Health, Birth Outcomes, Program Evaluation, Qualitative and Quantitative Research
Kat Tumlinson (006), Population and Global Reproductive Health, Family Planning, Quantitative Methodologies
Stephanie Watson-Grant, Health Diplomacy and Health Information Systems
Bharathi Zvara (055), Parent-Child Relationships, Childhood Health and Development including Self-Regulation, Family Systems and Chaos, Childhood Obesity
Clinical Assistant Professor
Jon M Hussey (34), Child Abuse and Neglect, Child and Adolescent Health, Injury Prevention, Population
Adjunct Professors
Bruce Barron, Mathematical Models of Biological Systems
Jose Belizan, International Maternal and Child Health, Maternal Mortality and Morbidity
Pouru Bhiwandi, Obstetrics and Gynecology, International Women's Health, Maternal and Child Health
Paul Biemer, Survey Research and Development, Statistics
Dorothy Browne, High-Risk Behaviors (Drugs, HIV/AIDS, Sexual Behavior, etc) Among African-American Adolescents and Adults
Martha Carlough, Maternal and Child Health
Roldolfo Gomez Ponce de Leon, Global Reproductive Health, Obstetrics and Gynecology
Marcia Herman-Giddens, Pediatrics, Public Health, Ticks and Tick-Borne Infections
Roy Jacobstein, Family Planning and International Health
Marian Johnson-Thompson, Microbiology, Environmental Health
Michael Kafrissen, Aging, Women's Health
Baker Maggwa, Sexual and Reproductive Health, Operations/Implementation Research
Robert Meyer, Birth Defects/Perinatal Epidemiology
Logan Nickels, Family Planning, Contraception, Reproductive Biology
Krista Perreira, Immigrant Health, Reproductive Health, Mental Health, Cardiovascular Health, Public Policy Analysis
Doris Rouse, Maternal and Child Health, Global Health, Public Private Partnerships
Joseph Telfair, Evaluation, Health Equity/Disparities, Multi-Cultural, Global Health, Public Health Practice-Based Leadership
Wendee Wechsberg, HIV Prevention, Women/Gender Issues, Substance Use, Gender-Based Violence
Adjunct Associate Professors
Joy Baumgartner, Maternal and Child Health, Global Mental Health, Health Services Research
Deborah Billings, Adolescent Health, Abortion Care, Gender-Based Violence/Sexual Violence
Shelah Bloom, Reproductive Health, Gender-Based Violence in Global Context
Holly Burke, Family Planning, Contraception, HIV Prevention, Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health, Program Evaluation
Cynthia Cassell, Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities
Kerith Conron, Social and Psychiatric Epidemiology, LGBT Health
Abigail English, Adolescent Health, Policy and Law, Human Trafficking
Alfredo Fort, M&E, Survey Planning, Sampling, Conduct/Analysis, Theories of Change, Results Frameworks/Indicators, Mixed Methods
Jean Fotso, Family Planning, Nutrition
Phillip Graham, Substance Abuse and Violence Prevention; Program Evaluation
Dilshad Jaff, Global Public Health
Nathalie Kapp, Sexual and Reproductive Health, Most Specifically in the Areas of Contraception and Abortion
Jack Leiss, Children's Environmental Health, Perinatal Epidemiology
Gerri Mattson, Child/Adolescent Preventive Health, Social Determinants of Health, Development, Foster Care, Children Special Health Care
Elizabeth McClure, Perinatal Epidemiology
Cathy Melvin, Behavioral Health, Dissemination and Implementation Science
Robert Murphy, Child Maltreatment, Mental Health Services for Child Trauma Victims
Sachiko Ozawa, Behavioral Health, Dissemination and Implementation Science
Lucy Siegel, Health Care Access, Quality, Effectiveness and Cost
Paige Smith, Breastfeeding, Violence Prevention, Women's Health
David Sokal, Family Planning, Promoting Research on New Male Methods
John Stanback, International Family Health
Elizabeth Tolley, Contraceptive and Reproductive Technologies, Pregnancy in Microcide Clinical Trial Research
Yudan Wang, Child Development, Quantitative Research Methods
Andra Wilkinson, Adolescent Health Issues, Program Implementation and Outcomes
Nancy Williamson, Monitoring and Evaluation, MCH Programs, Qualitative Research, International Public Health
Adam Zolotor, Child Maltreatment, State Health Policy
Adjunct Assistant Professors
Kathryn Andersen, Global Health, Abortion, Contraception, Reproductive Health
Dalia Brahmi, Sexual and Reproductive Health (Safe Abortion and Contraception), Primary Care
Amy Bryant, Family Planning, Obstetrics and Gynecology
Cecilia Casanueva, Child Abuse and Neglect
Caroline Doherty, Grant Review, Grant Review Process Management
Renee Ferrari, Qualitative Methods, Preventative Health Services, Health Services Research, Maternal and Child Health
Rebecca Greenleaf, National M.C.H. Workforce Development, Curriculum Development
Deborah Gibbs, Domestic Child Human Trafficking
Joumana Haidar, Implementation Science
Elaine Hart-Brothers, Racial Health Disparities, Health Education for African Americans
Nicole Kahn, Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health; Disability; the Life Course; Child Development; Teaching Skills/Course Development
Kara McGee, HIV Medicine, Diagnosis/Treatment of Acute HIV Infection, Development of HIV Specialty Program for Nurse Practitioners
Amy Mullenix, Title V, Domestic MCH Structure and Financing, Workforce Development, Preconception Health
Priya Nanda, Population Reproductive Health and Gender Equality
Sandra Naoom, Implementation Science
Constance Newman, Gender and Sexual and Reproductive Health, Gender-Based Violence in the Workforce
McLean Pollock, Adolescents and Young Adults, Substance Abuse, Violence Against Women, Child Maltreatment
Catherine Sanford, Injury Prevention, Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology
Nana Twum-Danso, Quality Improvement, Large-Scale Change, Community Health and Maternal, Newborn and Child Health
Sarah Verbiest, Maternal and Infant Care, Social Work
Jennifer Yourkavitch, Equity, HIV and Infectious Disease, Health Systems and Service Delivery, Data Quality, Infant Feeding; Domestic and Global
Faculty Emeriti
Trude Bennett
Anita M. Farel
Jonathan B. Kotch
Lewis Margolis
Diane Rowley
MHCH
Advanced Undergraduate and Graduate-level Courses
MHCH 605. Breastfeeding and Global Health Seminar. 3 Credits.
This survey course will briefly cover the principal topics in this broad field of knowledge, including domestic and global issues.
Grading status: Letter grade.
MHCH 610. Issues in Maternal and Child Health. 3 Credits.
Permission of the instructor. For students outside the department of MCH who desire a survey of current issues and programs in maternal and child health. Three lecture hours per week.
Grading status: Letter grade.
MHCH 611. Nutrition across the Life Cycle. 3 Credits.
This course covers nutrition during the life cycle. Units include women during preconception, pregnancy, and lactation; infancy; childhood; adolescence; and older adults (65+). Nutrient and energy needs, assessment of nutritional status, and cultural and socioeconomic barriers are discussed for each phase.
Requisites: Prerequisite, NUTR 400.
Grading status: Letter grade
Same as: NUTR 611.
MHCH 625. Injury as a Public Health Problem. 3 Credits.
This course examines unintentional injuries from a public health perspective. The course covers core concepts in injury prevention and control, including the epidemiology of unintentional injury, prevention strategies, behavioral models, child and adolescent injury, messaging framing, the Haddon matrix, and injury surveillance.
Requisites: Corequisite, EPID 600.
Grading status: Letter grade
Same as: EPID 625, HBEH 625.
MHCH 626. Violence as a Public Health Problem. 3 Credits.
This course covers core concepts in violence prevention and control, including the epidemiology of violence, prevention strategies for inter-personal and intra-personal violence, behavioral models that describe power structures that reinforce personal and societal factors affecting self-harm and violence towards others, and violence directed towards children and adolescents.
Requisites: Prerequisite, EPID 625.
Grading status: Letter grade
Same as: EPID 626, HBEH 626.
MHCH 664. Globalization and Health. 3 Credits.
Globalization--its economic, environmental, political, technological, institutional, and sociocultural dimensions--historically and currently contributes to beneficial and adverse effects on population, community, and family and individual health.
Grading status: Letter grade
Same as: HPM 664.
MHCH 665. Introduction to Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities. 1 Credit.
Eliminating health disparities is a national goal for improving the health of Americans. Little to no progress has been made on eliminating disparities among racial/ethnic subpopulations compared to the population of the United States. This course treats basic concepts about the origins of and contributing factors for health disparities.
Grading status: Letter grade.
MHCH 680. Global Sexual and Reproductive Health. 1 Credit.
Featuring international experts from UNC-Chapel Hill and Triangle-based nongovernmental organizations, this course will offer a series of lectures, panel discussions, and debates to inform students' critical thinking on key public health issues in global sexual and reproductive health.
Grading status: Letter grade.
MHCH 685. Human Sexuality. 1 Credit.
Through lectures and panel discussions this course will use a life span framework to examine selected aspects of sexual development, including perspectives on sexuality; the physical self; sexual attraction, behavior, and relationships; and the implications of these factors for physical and mental health. No prerequisites; all students are welcome.
Grading status: Letter grade.
MHCH 690. Special Topics in Maternal Health and Child Health. 1-3 Credits.
Special topics in maternal health and child health. Content will vary from semester to semester.
Repeat rules: May be repeated for credit; may be repeated in the same term for different topics; 12 total credits. 4 total completions.
Grading status: Letter grade.
Graduate-level Courses
MHCH 701. Foundations of Maternal and Child Health I. 3 Credits.
This course introduces the major issues affecting the health and well-being of women during the reproductive years, infants, children, and adolescents in domestic and international settings. First semester of a two-semester course. Permission of the instructor for non-majors.
Grading status: Letter grade.
MHCH 702. Foundations of Maternal and Child Health II. 2 Credits.
Permission of the instructor for nonmajors. Second part of a two-part course that introduces the major issues affecting the health and well-being of women during the reproductive years, infants, children and adolescents in domestic and international settings. Second semester of a two-semester course.
Requisites: Prerequisite, MHCH 701.
Grading status: Letter grade.
MHCH 704. Critical Review of an Infant Feeding Issue. 3 Credits.
This independent study will include selection of a research area that would allow preparation of a coauthored paper for peer-review publication on an approved subject related to infant and young child feeding and care and associated maternal health and nutrition issues.
Grading status: Letter grade.
MHCH 705. International Family Planning. 3 Credits.
Required preparation, graduate study in MHCH. Permission of the instructor. Analysis of the family planning movement, its policies, operations and research, with emphasis on developing countries. Three lecture hours a week.
Grading status: Letter grade.
MHCH 712. Program Assessment in Maternal and Child Health. 3 Credits.
Permission of the instructor for nonmajors. Offers an opportunity for students to explore in greater depth a selected MCH practice topic. Students will learn how to provide consultation about a selected program activity.
Grading status: Letter grade.
MHCH 713. Research Methods in Maternal and Child Health. 3 Credits.
Permission of the instructor for nonmajors. The art and science of MCH research, with an emphasis on applied survey research. Student groups will design and carry out a small study, and present their findings in a poster presentation. Focuses on assessment of MCH population characteristics, secondary data analysis, and the evaluation of MCH programs. A practicum-based course. Three lecture hours per week.
Grading status: Letter grade.
MHCH 713L. Research and Evaluation Methods in Maternal and Child Health Lab. 1 Credit.
Permission of the instructor for nonmajors. The MHCH 713 lab, which is a companion course to MHCH 713, introduces students to statistical analysis using Stata. One hour and 15 minutes of lab per week.
Requisites: Corequisite, MHCH 713.
Grading status: Letter grade.
MHCH 715. Maternal and Child Health Management. 3 Credits.
Permission of the instructor for nonmajors. Students become familiar with organizational processes, management principles, and tools required for effective management of health programs and facilities. A variety of learning techniques will be used. Three lecture hours a week.
Grading status: Letter grade.
MHCH 716. International Family Planning and Reproductive Health. 3 Credits.
Permission of the instructor for nonmajors. Course provides overview of critical issues including major theoretical frameworks, patterns and trends over time, and overview of history of family planning and reproductive health policy development. Three lecture hours per week.
Grading status: Letter grade.
MHCH 717. Field Training in Maternal and Child Health. 2-8 Credits.
A faculty-supervised field experience in maternal and child health research, community practice, program planning, and evaluation. Students are supervised on-site by department-approved field instructor. An additional field fee of $350 is assessed. Minimum of six weeks.
Grading status: Letter grade.
MHCH 718. Concurrent Field Training in Maternal and Child Health. 1-5 Credits.
MHCH majors only. An elective, faculty-supervised field experience in maternal and child health research, community practice, program planning, and evaluation. Students are supervised on-site by department-approved field instructor. Students choosing this elective are not exempt from MHCH 717. Variable number of hours.
Grading status: Letter grade.
MHCH 720. Services for Children with Chronic Conditions. 3 Credits.
Permission of the instructor. This course focuses on the design, organization, and delivery of services for children with special needs and their families, and examines current program development and public policies. Participants analyze the range of services needed by these children.
Grading status: Letter grade.
MHCH 722. Global Maternal and Child Health. 3 Credits.
This course covers the main causes of maternal and under-five morbidity and mortality in developing countries and also the interventions, policies, and research which address these causes. Emphasis is placed on both distal and proximate determinants, measurement and indicators, and conceptual frameworks.
Grading status: Letter grade.
MHCH 723. Introduction to Monitoring and Evaluation. 3 Credits.
This course provides the students with the basic concepts and methodologies needed to monitor and evaluate programs of global health programs. Course covers M&E systems; conceptual frameworks/logic models; indicators; information sources; evaluation designs and related topics for health programs in developing country settings. This course is required for the MCFH and GH concentrations.
Grading status: Letter grade.
MHCH 724. Abortion Care and Policy. 2 Credits.
This course will provide an overview of the critical issues in abortion care and policy, both in the US and globally. We will cover the major theoretical frameworks defining abortion care and policy, and the epidemiology of abortion globally and nationally.
Grading status: Letter grade.
MHCH 725. Injury as a Public Health Problem. 3 Credits.
This course considers the causes and consequences of traumatic injury within developmental, social, and economic contexts, and dilemma in injury prevention. Injuries associated with transportation, violence, and the home and occupational environments are included. Three lecture hours per week.
Requisites: Prerequisite, EPID 600.
Grading status: Letter grade
Same as: HBEH 725.
MHCH 726. Adolescent Health. 3 Credits.
Topics covered include the epidemiology of health problems, developmental issues, health services, and psychosocial influences on adolescent problem behaviors. Course materials are useful for research generation and practical application. Three seminar hours per week.
Grading status: Letter grade
Same as: HBEH 726.
MHCH 728. Introduction to Implementation Research and Practice in Maternal, Child and Family Health. 3 Credits.
Permission of the instructor for nonmajors. Implementation research and practice addresses the gap between the development of innovations in public health and their delivery in routine practice. Course provides an overview of core theories/methods in implementation research and practice plus implementation determinants and strategies at the intervention, individual, organizational, and policy levels.
Grading status: Letter grade.
MHCH 729. Implementation Science for Global Maternal and Child Health. 3 Credits.
This course is an introduction to implementation science with an emphasis on its application for global MCH. The course will highlight current challenges in global MCH and the role of IS in addressing them.
Grading status: Letter grade.
MHCH 730. Reproductive Health Policy. 3 Credits.
Permission of the instructor. Participants examine forces that shape social policy relating to reproduction and differential impact of policy based on age and other factors. Focus on global controversies in reproduction/reproductive health services in context of human/women's rights. Three lecture hours a week.
Grading status: Letter grade.
MHCH 732. Gender-Based Violence. 3 Credits.
The MHCH Gender-Based Violence (GBV) course provides a forum for students to explore contemporary issues in GBV from both a research and practice standpoint. Students will be introduced to a myriad of domestic and international GBV issues, from intimate partner violence and campus sexual assault to sex trafficking.
Grading status: Letter grade.
MHCH 735. Clinical Support for Breastfeeding. 3 Credits.
Required preparation, students must have a master's or clinical four-year degree, or be in such a degree program to be enrolled in this course. This clinical course is structured to provide supervised breastfeeding support education in the context of clinical lactation services and public health practice.
Grading status: Letter grade.
MHCH 740. Problems in Maternal and Child Health. 1-3 Credits.
Prerequisites to be arranged with departmental faculty in each individual case. Two to six hours a week.
Repeat rules: May be repeated for credit; may be repeated in the same term for different topics.
Grading status: Letter grade.
MHCH 745. Applied Methods for Health Transformation Implementation in MCH. 1-3 Credits.
This course is designed to integrate the theory, research literature, and evidence-supported practices that promote population health outcomes in MCH. The passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) offers opportunities for improving public health systems, health care financing and delivery, and health outcomes for MCH populations.
Grading status: Letter grade.
MHCH 753. Violence Against Women. 3 Credits.
Permission of the instructor for nonmajors. Violence against women is examined as a public health problem. Areas investigated include definitional issues, prevalence of the problem, risk factors and outcomes, and community and medical interventions.
Grading status: Letter grade.
MHCH 756. Addressing Health Inequalities in the United States. 3 Credits.
Disparities in morbidity/mortality in sub-populations continue compared to other United States populations. Course explores contributors to inequalities and identifies strategies to counterbalance contributors to correct inequalities using public health resources.
Grading status: Letter grade
Same as: PUBH 756.
MHCH 757. Special Child Populations. 3 Credits.
Course focuses on two populations that warrant special attention. By examining these populations in one course, students are exposed to a range of contemporary issues that cut across childhood development.
Grading status: Letter grade.
MHCH 760. Breastfeeding, Public Health, and Feminism. 1 Credit.
A transdisciplinary effort to address feminist perspectives and to emphasize the impact that gendered power dynamics and structured social stratification might offer for public health policies, priorities, and approaches related to breastfeeding. A series of public health constructs currently engaged by breastfeeding programs and policies provide a framework for discussion.
Grading status: Letter grade.
MHCH 765. Clinical Support for Breastfeeding. 3 Credits.
Master's or clinical four-year degree required. This two-semester clinical course is structured to provide supervised breastfeeding support education in the context of clinical lactation services and public health practice.
Grading status: Letter grade.
MHCH 766. Clinical Support for Breastfeeding II. 3 Credits.
Master's or clinical four-year degree required. This two-semester clinical course is structured to provide supervised breastfeeding support education in the context of clinical lactation services and public health practice.
Requisites: Prerequisite, MHCH 765.
Grading status: Letter grade.
MHCH 780. Cultural Humility. 1 Credit.
Cultural Humility is part of the required training sequence for second year MPH students in the Global Health concentration. This course is designed to provide students with the skills to work in culturally complex settings and to apply cultural humility when engaging in global health research and practice. GH concentration only.
Grading status: Letter grade.
MHCH 795. Leadership in Maternal and Child Health. 3 Credits.
Permission of the instructor for nonmajors. Course is designed to integrate the theory, research literature, and evidence-supported practices related to leadership in maternal and child health. Students will consider each of the twelve core competencies within the spheres of influence that leaders experience as they develop. Students will hear from public health professionals in the field, consider perspectives of various stakeholders and examine/apply new skills.
Grading status: Letter grade.
MHCH 801. Doctoral Research Seminar. 3 Credits.
This seminar explores the origins of and developments in major maternal and child health policies and programs in order to understand their effects on the health of mothers and children.
Requisites: Prerequisites, MHCH 701 and 702.
Grading status: Letter grade.
MHCH 802. Doctoral Teaching Skills Seminar. 1 Credit.
The goal of this 1-credit hour seminar is for participants to examine and apply the strategies and concepts underlying effective teaching in small groups and the lecture hall. Doctoral students will consider the characteristics of effective teaching and explore how to incorporate these characteristics into their own pedagogy.
Grading status: Letter grade.
MHCH 803. Doctoral Research Skills Colloquium. 1 Credit.
Enrollment in the MCH doctoral program or permission of the instructor for nonmajors and master's students. This seminar is the second semester of a one-year research skills colloquium for all new doctoral students. The course addresses research, problem definition, proposal design, and development. One-hour seminar a week.
Grading status: Letter grade.
MHCH 816. Applied Quality Improvement Methods for Healthcare and Public Health. 3 Credits.
The course objective is to develop, implement, and test a solution to improve health care or public health delivery, using a model called the Model for Improvement (or MFI). The model uses three questions to scope the improvement project and four steps, Plan-Do-Check-Act, to implement and test solutions.
Grading status: Letter grade
Same as: PUBH 716, HPM 716.
MHCH 840. Maternal and Child Health Doctoral Internship. 1 Credit.
Enrollment in MCH doctoral program required. MCH internship to enhance doctoral training in areas of: Section 1: Teaching; Section 2: Practice; and Section 3: Research.
Repeat rules: May be repeated for credit; may be repeated in the same term for different topics.
Grading status: Letter grade.
MHCH 851. Reproductive and Perinatal Epidemiology. 3 Credits.
Epidemiology of reproductive and perinatal health outcomes, including infertility, fetal loss, preterm birth, birthweight, congenital malformations, and infant mortality. Includes current knowledge regarding epidemiology of these outcomes and discussion of methodologic issues. Three lecture hours per week.
Requisites: Co-requisites, BIOS 600 and EPID 600; Equivalent experience for students lacking the co-requisites.
Grading status: Letter grade
Same as: EPID 851.
MHCH 853. Advanced Topics in Perinatal and Pediatric Epidemiology. 2 Credits.
Critical review of current topics in, and methods for, perinatal and pediatric epidemiology.
Requisites: Prerequisites, EPID 710 and 851; Permission of the instructor for master's level students.
Grading status: Letter grade
Same as: EPID 853.
MHCH 859. THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES ON MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH. 3 Credits.
A survey of theoretical models used in MCH research and program development, and how those models are used to guide the formulation of questions, hypothesis testing, and evaluation. Fall.
Requisites: Prerequisites, doctoral students, permission of the instructor.
Grading status: Letter grade.
MHCH 860. Conceptualization, Design, and Measurement. 3 Credits.
The course follows the research process from the formulation of a research question and the design of a research methodology to the addressing of the question through the design of an appropriate analysis strategy. Three lecture hours a week.
Requisites: Prerequisite, MHCH 859; Permission of the instructor for nonmajors and master's students.
Grading status: Letter grade.
MHCH 862. Program Impact Evaluation. 3 Credits.
Required preparation, knowledge of Stata or SAS; proficiency in inferential statistics and multiple regression analysis. Instructor permission required for non-second year MCH doctoral students. Program impact evaluation analytic skills seminar. Topics: selectivity, research designs, instrumental variables, difference-in-differences, fixed and random effects, regression discontinuity, matching, and selection models.
Grading status: Letter grade.
MHCH 885. Health Services/Health Policy Research Methods II. 3 Credits.
An introduction to basic research methods central to maternal and child health policy, including an introduction to basic components of the research process such as developing research questions and conceptual models, and overviews of research designs, quantitative and qualitative analytical methods, primary data collection, and secondary data analysis.
Grading status: Letter grade.
MHCH 886. Health Services/Health Policy Research Methods III. 3 Credits.
A modular course covering applications of selected methods covered in 885. Illustrative applications include implementation science, comparative effectiveness research, issues in mixed-method research, feasibility studies, and the translation of research to policy and practice. Applications are framed in terms of issues related to the MCH population.
Requisites: Prerequisites, MHCH 884 and 885.
Grading status: Letter grade.
MHCH 890. Special Topics in Maternal and Child Health. 1-3 Credits.
Special topics in Maternal and Child Health for graduate students only. Content will vary semester to semester.
Repeat rules: May be repeated for credit. 3 total credits. 3 total completions.
Grading status: Letter grade.
MHCH 992. Master's (Non-Thesis). 3 Credits.
MHCH 994. Doctoral Research and Dissertation. 3 Credits.
Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) Maternal, Child, and Family Health Concentration Description
The Maternal, Child, and Family Health concentration focuses on determinants and systems that promote the health and safety of women, children, and their families — with the goal of enhancing the welfare of society and subsequent generations. With a strong foundation in frameworks and methods for program planning and impact evaluation, this concentration equips graduates with an adaptable toolkit for leading interdisciplinary efforts requiring multiple perspectives and competencies in domestic and global contexts.
Requirements
Requirements for the M.P.H. degree in the Maternal, Child, and Family Health concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| M.P.H. Integrated Core | ||
| SPHG 711 | Data Analysis for Public Health Fall 1 | 2 |
| SPHG 712 | Methods and Measures for Public Health Practice Fall 1 | 2 |
| SPHG 713 | Understanding Public Health Issues Fall 1 | 2 |
| SPHG 721 | Public Health Solutions: Systems, Policy and Advocacy Spring 1 | 2 |
| SPHG 722 | Developing, Implementing, and Evaluating Public Health Solutions Spring 1 | 4 |
| M.P.H. Concentration | ||
| MHCH 701 | Foundations of Maternal and Child Health I Fall 1 | 3 |
| MHCH 702 | Foundations of Maternal and Child Health II Spring 1 | 2 |
| MHCH 713 | Research Methods in Maternal and Child Health Spring 1 | 3 |
| MHCH 713L | Research and Evaluation Methods in Maternal and Child Health Lab Spring 1 | 1 |
| MHCH 728 | Introduction to Implementation Research and Practice in Maternal, Child and Family Health Fall 2 | 3 |
| MHCH 723 | Introduction to Monitoring and Evaluation Spring 2 | 3 |
| M.P.H. Practicum | ||
| SPHG 701 | MPH Practicum Preparation Spring 1 | 2 |
| Practicum: 200 minimum hours Summer 1 | ||
| SPHG 702 | Practicum Assignments Interprofessional Practice Activities Fall 2 | 1 |
| M.P.H. Electives | ||
| Elective (Graduate-level courses) | 3 | |
| Elective (Graduate-level courses) | 3 | |
| Elective (Graduate-level courses) | 3 | |
| M.P.H. Culminating Experience | ||
| MHCH 992 | Master's (Non-Thesis) Spring 2 | 3 |
| Total Hours | 42 | |
Competencies
Students will develop the following Maternal, Child, and Family Health competencies, building on the foundational public health knowledge they attain in the Gillings M.P.H. Integrated Core courses.
| MHCP01. | Substantive knowledge: Critically analyze determinants of health among infants, children, adolescents, women, mothers, and families, including biological, behavioral, socioeconomic, demographic, cultural, and health care systems influences across the life course. |
| MHCP02. | Research: Contribute to public health evidence by applying rigorous research methods to address problems relevant to the health of MCFH populations. |
| MHCP03. | Leadership: Lead the development and implementation of MCFH research, policy, and practice across levels of the socio-ecological framework by incorporating family-centered, community-based, culturally competent, and interdisciplinary/inter-professional concepts. |
| MHCP04. | Practice: Understand and apply implementation, monitoring, and evaluation strategies to improve MCFH programs in the U.S. and globally. |
| MHCP05. | Policy: Advance MCFH policy and impact through critical analysis of research, monitoring, and evaluation evidence. |
Admissions
Please visit Applying to the Gillings School first for details and information. Application to the residential M.P.H. is a two-step process. Please apply separately to (1) SOPHAS and (2) UNC–Chapel Hill (via the Graduate School application). Visit https://gradschool.sites.unc.edu/master-of-public-health/ for more details. If you are interested in the online M.P.H., please visit the M.P.H.@UNC Web site and fill out an inquiry form.
Comprehensive Exam
A milestone degree requirement for all graduate students at UNC–Chapel Hill, including M.P.H. students at the Gillings School of Public Health, is the comprehensive exam. The comprehensive exam will cover the public health foundational knowledge and competencies covered in the M.P.H. Core courses: SPHG 701, 711, 712, 713, 721, 722. Students will have an opportunity to demonstrate synthesis and higher order learning of the 22 core competencies achieved in the M.P.H. Core courses during the exam. The exam will be administered and graded by Gillings faculty and clear instructions on how to prepare for and complete the comprehensive exam will be provided. They comprehensive exam will typical be offered in the fall of the student’s second year in the M.P.H. program and cannot be completed by students until after all M.P.H. core courses have been successfully completed. Should students not successfully pass the comprehensive exam a remediation plan will be developed. Students cannot retake the comprehensive exam for 90 days after the initial exam.
Practicum
This 200 (minimum) hour planned, mentored, and evaluated work experience (paid or unpaid) gives students the real-world opportunity to integrate and apply knowledge, skills, and values from Year One of their Gillings M.P.H. training in a professional public health setting such as a nonprofit organization, hospital, local or state health department, or for-profit firm (public or private sectors). Please visit the M.P.H. Practicum Web site for additional information. In order to meet graduation requirements, a Gillings M.P.H. practicum must:
- Occur after a student has completed the Gillings M.P.H. Core courses, the M.P.H. practicum preparation course (SPHG 701), and at least one concentration-required course from the student’s declared concentration. In extenuating circumstances and with the approval from the student’s declared concentration, some exceptions may apply.
- Yield a least two student-generated products, produced in the practicum setting for the practicum setting, that allow for attainment of at least three (CEPH) M.P.H. Foundational and two concentration-specific competencies (Appendix A). In extenuating circumstances and with the approval from the concentration, students can petition to substitute up to two CEPH Foundational competencies for the concentration-specific competencies.
- Be mentored by a supervisor (preceptor) with an advanced degree in public health or equivalent experience with expertise in the practicum project area.
- Comprise a minimum of 200 hours (equivalent to five weeks of full-time work) in a location approved for student travel (UNC Travel Policy), and the student must complete UNC Gillings International Pre-Departure Travel Requirements prior to travel.
Culminating Experience
Each student completes a 3-credit culminating experience and produces a high-quality written product that is completed near the end of the program of study. The high-quality written product demonstrates a synthesis of four foundational and concentration-specific competencies appropriate to the student’s educational and professional goals. This culminating experience ideally is delivered in a manner that is useful to external stakeholders, such as nonprofit or governmental organizations, and could take the form of a course-based capstone project or master’s paper but will be tailored to the concentration a student chooses.
Academic Advising and Faculty Mentoring
We are committed to providing quality academic advising and mentoring for all students. We ensure that M.P.H. students get the guidance they need with several components: 1) an orientation program that provides an overview of the types and sources of M.P.H. advising; 2) cohort advising sessions to disseminate information that is relevant to course planning and registration; 3) faculty mentoring that provides students with tailored support for their academic, professional, personal development, and practicum support.
M.P.H. students will complete a 2-semester, 12-credit-hour Integrated Core taught by an interdisciplinary team of instructors. The 6-credit first semester (fall) focuses on understanding public health issues, and the second semester (6-credit spring courses) focuses on creating solutions to those issues.
All M.P.H. students take COMPASS (Core Online Modules to Promote and Accelerate Student Success). These brief, self-paced online modules are open for students prior to their first academic year. Students can complete any and all parts of COMPASS up to and including the first week of class.
Electives
Students in the M.P.H. program are required to take 9 credits. Students are expected to use their electives in a thoughtful way to strengthen their public health knowledge/skills and are encouraged to consult with their academic coordinator early on prior to the registration period for this purpose. In addition to those courses offered in the Gillings School there are many appropriate electives elsewhere in the University.
For information on policies and procedures, please visit the Gillings School Student Handbook Web site.
