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MPH in Maternal and Child Health Online

What is Maternal and Child Health?

Maternal and child health (MCH) is a field of public health focused on improving the health and well-being of individuals, children and families across the life course.

While the field historically centered on women, infants and children, but MCH now encompasses a wide range of populations, including pregnant people, adolescents, LGBTQ+ individuals, fathers, families, and children and youth with special health care needs.

MCH professionals consider how health and experiences at each stage of life can shape health later on. The field addresses a wide range of issues, including reproductive and sexual health, contraception access, maternal and pediatric care, nutrition, family health, health equity, and the conditions in communities that help people and families thrive.

About the Online Masters in Maternal and Health

Graduates of the MPH in Maternal and Child Health are prepared to lead MCH initiatives in health education, community engagement, and advocacy.

Throughout the program, students develop the skills to design, manage, and evaluate programs and policies that promote the health and well-being of individuals, children, and families in the U.S. and around the world.

This is an asynchronous, online program that can be completed in 2 years, 3 years, or part-time.

Why Should I Study Maternal and Child Health at Drexel Dornsife?

The Drexel Dornsife School of Public Health is home to the Drexel Center of Excellence in Maternal, Child, Adolescent, and Family Health, one of only 13 MCH Centers of Excellence in the U.S.

As an MCH Trainee at Drexel Dornsife, students have opportunities to:

  • Receive specialized MCH mentorship from faculty and public health professionals.
  • Gain hands-on research and practice experience with community organizations and public health partners.
  • Build professional connections with MCH professionals, alumni, and fellow trainees.
  • Develop leadership skills through workshops, events, projects, and other MCH activities.
  • Access funding opportunities to attend or present at major public health and MCH conferences.
  • Connect with a national network of MCH students, professionals, and HRSA-funded training programs.

Other benefits of obtaining an online MPH in Maternal and Child Health at Drexel Dornsife include:

  • Flexibility: Fully online with no residency component required.
  • Convenience: Can be completed full-time or part-time. Your advisor will work with you on customized MPH plan of study that works best for you.
  • Affordability: Online students receive 40% tuition savings compared to Drexel's regular tuition rate and are eligible for financial aid.
  • Student support: Online students have access to many of Drexel University's resources, including the library, writing center, and career services.
  • Reputation: U.S. News & World Report ranks Dornsife the #1 graduate school of public health in Philadelphia and a top school nationwide. Dornsife is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).

Earn your MPH at Philadelphia's top graduate school of public health, fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).

Learn more and apply to the Online MPH in Maternal and Child Health on the Drexel University Online website.

Admissions

The Dornsife School of Public Health seeks students with intellectual and interpersonal competencies as well as those with potential for leadership. The school welcomes individuals who will contribute to the richness of our student population and to that of the nation's public health professionals.

To be considered for the Online MPH in Maternal and Child Health program, students should have a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university, or an equivalent international institution. A GPA of at least 3.0 is preferred.

Applicants will need to submit the following:

  • Online application
  • Official transcripts from every college-level institution you attended (academic records from institutions outside the U.S. must undergo a credentials evaluation)
  • English proficiency test score, if applicable
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Resume or curriculum vitae
  • Statement of Purpose and Objectives

Applications for the online Master’s in Maternal and Child Health program do not require the GRE.

The next application deadline is July 30, 2027. You can apply for the 2-year, 3-year, or part-time program.

Apply now via Drexel University Online

Major Competencies in Maternal and Child Health (MCH)

The Maternal and Child Health MPH program prepares students to:

  • Apply public health concepts across the reproductive and child health lifecourse
  • Identify key health risks and protective factors across MCH populations
  • Analyze MCH policies and structural determinants of inequity
  • Evaluate public health programs using monitoring, process assessment, and outcome measurement
  • Demonstrate the ability to measure and explain the impact of MCH policies and programs on population health and equity

MPH in Maternal and Child Health Curriculum

Core Courses

All MPH students begin their studies with Public Health Foundations (which introduces the theory and practice of public health) and a three-course sequence on Public Health Methods (which includes Introduction to Epidemiology, Introduction to Biostatistics, and Qualitative Data and Mixed Methods Analysis).

These core courses meet the core competencies outlined by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) that all MPH students must achieve.

MPH in Maternal and Child Health Major Courses

Students in the online MPH in Maternal and Child Health program are required to complete the following degree-specific courses:

  • CHP 5004 Program Evaluation: From Process to Impact - 3 credits
  • CHP 5015 Overview of Maternal and Child Health - 3 credits
  • CHP 7020 Integrative Learning Experience- 3 credits
  • HMP 5015 Maternal and Child Health Policy- 3 credits

Earn a minimum of 42 semester credits to complete this degree program.

Degree Requirements for the MPH in Maternal and Child Health

Customize Your MPH Degree

Students use electives to further their focus and tailor learnings to their areas of interest.

Focus areas include, but are not limited to:

  • Health Communication
  • Public Health Emergency Preparedness
  • Global Health
  • Epidemiology
  • LGBTQ+ Health

Learn more about program electives

Maternal and Child Health Applied Practice Experience

All MPH degree students develop skills in basic public health concepts and learn to apply these concepts through a practical experience relevant to their area of specialization. "Practice" refers to implementing (doing) public health, as a compliment to understanding (studying, researching) public health.

The practice experience is an applied, field-based requirement that gives students experience in the practice of public health focused on maternal and child health.

Learn more about practice experience

MCH Integrative Learning Experience

The integrative learning experience (ILE) is the culminating requirement for MPH students.

For the Maternal and Child Health MPH, the ILE is a capstone course. Students engage in a project that emphasizes practical applications of concepts and skill development. Throughout the course, students provide support and feedback to their peers via an online classroom. Students complete a high-quality written product and presentation at the end of the experience.

Learn more about the integrative learning experience

How Many Years Does It Take To Get a Masters in Maternal and Child Health?

The online MPH in Maternal and Child Health can be completed in 2 years, 3 years, or part-time. Learn more about MPH plans of study.

Master's in Maternal and Child Health Career Options

A graduate degree in maternal and child health can prepare you for a career as a:

  • Maternal and Child Health Specialist
  • Program Manager
  • Research Scientist or Project Director
  • MCH Epidemiologist
  • Health Educator
  • Data Scientist or Clinical Data Analyst
  • Evaluation Specialist
  • Health Policy Analyst or Advisor
  • Community Engagement or Outreach Manager
  • Public Health Advisor

Areas of focus in maternal and child health include reproductive health, maternal mortality and morbidity, nutrition, education, adolescent health, children with special health care needs, and many more.

To learn more about maternal and child health career opportunities, visit MCH Education and Career Options.

Career Options for Graduates with Training in Maternal and Child Health

Maternal and child health professionals tackle complex public health challenges and work to reduce health disparities through research, community engagement, programs, and policy. From assessing community needs and designing innovative interventions to evaluating programs and shaping policies, MCH professionals turn public health knowledge into action.

Alumni of Drexel Dornsife's MCH program have found post-graduate positions in the following settings:

  • Academic organizations
  • Clinical organizations
  • Local health departments
  • Federal agencies
  • MCH advocacy organizations
  • Community-based organization

Read about career successes after graduation for Drexel MCH graduates putting their training into action.