Online Master of Public Health in Maternal and Child Health

The online Master of Public Health (MPH) in Maternal and Child Health is a graduate degree program designed for those who are interested in careers promoting the health of mothers and their children. The program prepares individuals to become advocates for women and children who live in vulnerable environments, or lack the necessary resources to maintain optimal health.

Those who work in the field of maternal and child health provide critical support to the underserved. These health care professionals wear several hats at once and often fill the roles of health educators, provide nutritional support, work to ensure children receive necessary vaccinations, and other duties. The work they do is critical in the field of preventive medicine.

Earning an online degree is great for those who work full-time and don’t have the luxury of quitting their jobs to pursue a degree on-campus. With an online degree program, students can access courses and work on assignments during times that are convenient, like in the evenings and weekends. They allow for a great deal of flexibility without compromising on the quality of education received.

Pursuing an Online MPH Maternal and Child Health Degree

Online MPH in Maternal and Child Health degree programs require the completion of an average of 45 credit hours to graduate. Also, depending on the degree program, students may be required to complete a field experience to graduate. Most field experiences require the completion of 200 to 300 hours of observation and can be completed in a public health facility in the community with prior approval from the degree program administrator.

Typical admissions requirements for online MPH in Maternal and Child Health programs require the completion of an undergraduate degree in any field of study as well as submitting an application, GRE scores and letters of recommendation. Students may also be required to submit a statement of purpose and a curriculum vitae (CV).

MPH in Maternal and Child Health degree programs will require the completion of several core courses that are common to all MPH programs. The degree programs will also require the completion of courses specific to maternal and child health, such as Reproductive Health, Perinatal Health, Children’s Health Issues, Adolescent Health, Maternal and Infant Nutrition, and others.

Potential MPH in Maternal and Child Health Career Path

An online MPH in Maternal and Child Health prepares students for many different careers in the field of public health, although the primary focus is to train new health care specialists. One potential career for graduates of this degree program is that of a community health worker. These graduates work directly with members of a specific community to improve their general health and well-being.

According to the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for a community health worker is $38,180 with a salary range of $20,790 to $60,360.

Sources:

http://sph.umn.edu/programs/mch/
https://www.bu.edu/academics/sph/courses/maternal-child-health/
http://sph.berkeley.edu/areas-study/maternal-child-health
http://sph.washington.edu/prospective/programDetail.asp?progID=mph-mch
http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/PublicHealth/Academics/degreesandprograms/ip/Pages/MPH-Global-Public-Health-MCH.aspx
http://www.sph.tulane.edu/publichealth/chs/mphglobalmch.cfm
http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes211094.htm