The Department of Maternal and Child Health is dedicated to improving the health of women, children and families, both domestically and globally.Centers of Excellence Logo

Our Students

Upon completing their degree program, Maternal and Child Health students are asked to tell us about their experience in the Department.  Some quotes from former students include:

“I loved the size and how tight-knit the department does feel. I do feel like we were all a family and any way to continue strengthening this is important.”

“I liked the breadth of knowledge and skills that I learned; the (academic) support I received from different MCH professors; the relative diversity in my cohort”

“I like the overall atmosphere of the MCH Department. The faculty were approachable and engaged with students in meaningful ways. I also liked that there were lots of opportunities to take courses outside of the Department as it let me explore and build my own curriculum.”

“I think the MCH Department has a unity to it. I felt close to and known by much of my cohort.”

Students repeatedly said how much they enjoyed their cohort, the cohesiveness of the Department, and the accessibility of faculty and staff.  MCH students enjoyed the flexibility afforded to them in choosing elective courses and the opportunity to take risks with courses that might seem out of their comfort zone.

Ready to Apply?

Visit our Apply page for more information.

Student Life

Students at the Department of Maternal and Child Health enjoy ongoing interaction with professors and experts in the MCH field due to small class sizes and an informal, collegial environment – where relationships are a valued component of academics.

A unique attribute of this department is the supportive environment created, sustained and enjoyed by all. MCH classes are primarily conducted in Rosenau Hall, McGavran-Greenberg Hall and the Michael Hooker Research Center. These buildings in the School of Public Health complex offer state-of-the-art classrooms and a comfortable atmosphere for individual and group learning. Graduate studies for MCH students extend beyond the classroom to leading MCH agencies, both domestic and international. Given the close proximity of many of these agencies, it’s no wonder that many of our students decide to stay in the area to further their studies and careers.

What are our student’s career backgrounds?

Maternal and Child Health students include first-generation college graduates, researchers, returned Peace Corps volunteers, Teach for America veterans, clinicians, public health professionals and community activists.

They are millennials and midcareer professionals.  All have at least a year of post-baccalaureate experience in the field of maternal and child health.  They share a passion for public health and a dedication to bettering the lives of individuals and communities.

Students begin maternal and child health programs with many different backgrounds and this variety enriches the program by bringing interdisciplinary perspectives into the classroom and the research of our students.

These are some of the experiences of students who have enrolled in recent years brought:

  • public health service and programs
  • advocacy and service experience in community, nonprofit and commercial settings
  • clinical and nonclinical experience in health-care settings
  • research in public health or social sciences
  • global service, e.g., Peace Corps
  • years-of-service programs, e.g., AmeriCorps and Teach For America

Some entering students hold degrees in social or behavioral sciences or health-related disciplines. Others have an educational background in liberal arts or graduated from professional schools.

What will you do learn and experience as part of the MCH family?

Through their coursework, students learn from leading researchers and practitioners and work on current public health problems in the classroom and in practice. Students in the master’s program must complete a practicum and the MCH Master’s Project. Doctoral students develop the skills to lead and conduct research projects.

Outside of their studies, students pursue professional, personal and career development interests. Many of our students take leadership roles with the Minority Health Conference and students in both the doctoral and master’s programs publish or present their work in journals and at conferences. Some students are entrepreneurs and apply their school experience to enhance a business or nonprofit organization that they created.

We thank you for your interest in exploring degree options in the Department of Maternal and Child Health (MCH) where we are dedicated to improving the health of women, children and families, both domestically and globally.

Need More Information?

Still Have Questions?

Have specific questions about our programs or would like to schedule a visit? Please contact our Registrar and Student Services Office at (919) 966-2018.

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CONTACT INFORMATION
Contact your Academic Coordinator.
Assistant to Chair: Katie Lucey
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135 Dauer Drive
401 Rosenau Hall, CB #7445
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7445
(919) 966-2017