The Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) program in Maternal and Child Health (MCH) is designed to prepare students for advanced administrative, research and teaching positions. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to assume academic positions, to be employed as MCH epidemiologists, policy analysts, and evaluation specialists or to be program directors. Graduates may also assume senior administrative positions in health care organizations serving families or in MCH-related advocacy programs. These positions may be in the public or private sector at the local, state, federal, or global level.  The three focus areas for the DrPH Program are: (1) MCH epidemiology/research, (2) MCH policy/advocacy/program development, and (3) international/global MCH.

Admission Requirements

• An MPH or equivalent degree in public health;
• Applicants with advanced non-public health degrees can be admitted directly into the DrPH program, but must successfully complete the MPH and MCH core courses.
• Applicants with an MPH or equivalent degree not in MCH will take MCH 600, MCH 601, and MCH 609 unless exempted.  Only MCH 609 will apply toward the required credit hours.
• Applicants with only a bachelor's degree but with exceptional academic records or rich professional experience will be considered.  They must be admitted into the MPH program prior to applying to the DrPH program and complete the MPH and MCH core courses (except the Integrative Experience)  before being accepted into the DrPH program.
• Preference is given to applicants with experience in MCH administration, teaching, or research;
• Applicants must submit GRE scores taken within five years.  The program is seeking students with combined Verbal and Quantitative scores of 1200.  The minimum score for admittance is 1000. Admission decisions are based on overall assessment of academic achievement, experience, and career goals.
• International applicants who did not complete a degree at an English-speaking institution must score at least 550 on the TOEFL.

DrPH Learning Objectives

• describe and determine the etiology of health problems faced by children and their families;
• comprehend current policies and programs directed at children and their families;
• develop, administer, monitor and evaluate programs; and
• conduct research on and analyze policies related to the health problems of children and their families.

Program Requirements

1. Competency in MCH Core Areas: Each student is expected to demonstrate competency in each of the MCH master's level core courses.

2. MCH Doctoral Core Course Selectives:  15 credit hours required, selected with approval of advisor and doctoral advisory committee from MCH course list.    

3. Quantitative and Methodological Course Requirements:  12 credit hours required

• 3 credit hours required in a multivariate analysis course, e.g., BST 655.
• 9 additional selective credit hours are required in a research or analytic skill area.

4.  Electives: 15 credit hours required
Electives, at the master's level or above, may be selected from the departmental courses, from other School of Public Health courses, or from anywhere within the university with advisor approval.

5.  Required Seminar: (credit hours do not apply toward the DrPH degree requirements)
MCH 796  Doctoral Seminar in Maternal and Child Health (1 credit hour per semester for 4 semesters)

6.  Additional Course Offerings (credit hours do not apply toward the DrPH degree requirements)
MCH 797  Directed Readings for DrPH Comprehensive Exam in MCH (3 credit hours)
MCH 798  Dissertation Protocol Development in MCH (3 credit hours)
MCH 799  Dissertation Research in Maternal and Child Health (3 - 6 credit hours)

7.  Summary of Credit Hour Requirements

MCH Doctoral Core Requirements -                                                                                  15 Credit Hours
Quantitative/Methodological Course Requirements -                                                            12 Credit Hours
Electives -                                                                                                                          15 Credit Hours
TOTAL         42 Credit Hours

 

A minimum of 42 credit hours, exclusive of MCH courses 796-799, are required.  (Doctoral students can not receive credit toward their doctoral degree for courses required in their master's program nor for any course needed to complete the credit hours required by the master's program.  Other courses taken in a master's program that meet a doctoral program requirement may be considered for credit).