The Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) with a concentration in Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Policy provides training in public health leadership, policy analysis, and empirical research with a focus on MCH populations. It develops public health leaders and research faculty who possess broad skills in qualitative and quantitative analysis, management, critical thinking, teaching, and the translation of research into policy and practice. The program sits at the intersection of research and public health practice and is designed for students who desire careers in public health leadership or academic public health research.
Further details about the program may be obtained by contacting the Director of the DrPH Program, Dr. David Becker, at dbecker@uab.edu or the Program Coordinator, Misty Altiparmak, at maltima@uab.edu.
Curriculum
To earn the DrPH degree with a concentration in MCH, students must first complete a minimum of 42 total credit hours of academic course work. This includes a 9 hour foundational DrPH core, 12 hours of required methods courses, 9 hours of MCH concentration courses, and 12 hours of elective coursework designed by the student and their primary faculty advisor. During their first year in the program, students must enroll in the doctoral seminar (HPO 796) in the fall and spring semesters. Other requirements for the degree include a comprehensive written and examination (HPO 797), the DrPH practicum (HPO 793), at least one semester of dissertation protocol development (HPO 798) and at least two semesters of dissertation research (HPO 799).
Students who wish to be considered for funding should apply no later than January 15. All applications must be submitted by April 1.
Applications must be submitted through the SOPHAS system. Required application materials include a statement of purpose, curriculum vitae, official academic transcripts, GRE scores and two letters of recommendation. International applicants whose native language is not English, or who did not complete a degree at an English-speaking institution, must submit a TOEFL score and a World Education Services (WES/ECE, or similar) transcript evaluation.
Applicants to the DrPH with a concentration in MCH program should hold either an MPH or a master’s degree in a health related field. Students without an MPH will be required to complete all MPH and MCH concentration-specific prerequisite courses. Students with an MPH in another field will be required to complete all of the MCH concentration prerequisite courses. Applicants are expected to have a minimum of two years of experience in public health research or practice. Admissions decisions will be based upon prior academic performance, professional experience, a written statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and GRE Scores. GRE scores should be no more than five years old. Please contact the Program Coordinator to learn more about admissions requirements or requesting a GRE waiver.