Educational Objectives
Upon completion of the core courses of the Maternal and Child Health Certificate, individuals will gain a broad understanding of the field that focuses on the health and welfare of women and children. Competencies achieved will include, but are not limited to: understanding of the biological, social, and behavioral basis for a MCH program; knowledge of the historical development of the field of MCH; knowledge of significant past and current national legislative mandates relative to MCH, including the structure and roles of legislative and administrative bodies at the national, state, and local levels; ability to define and describe the MCH population in a community; ability to prepare and interpret data; an understanding of the normal patterns of human growth and development; knowledge of the organization and financing of health systems in the U.S.; an understanding of the design, implementation, and evaluation of MCH needs assessment domestically and internationally; and an ability to identify essential gaps in existing programs serving mothers and children.

Intended Audience
Degree students in the School with an interest in the health of women and children.

MPH students who affiliate with either the Child Health Concentration or the Women's and Reproductive Health Concentration may earn a MCH Certificate, however course requirements are adjusted accordingly.

Admissions Criteria
Students must be enrolled in a degree program in the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Certificate applicants must submit an application to the PFRH Academic Program Manager, Room 4040. See "Requirements for Successful Completion" below for all requirements.

Course of Study
Every student will be required to complete the following two courses:
380.604 Life Course Perspectives on Health (4 units)
380.624 Maternal and Child Health Legislation and Programs (4 units)

In addition, students must choose three courses or a minimum of 9 units from the list below to complete the certificate program. In order to gain maximum benefit from this certificate program, it is highly recommended, but not required, that one course be selected from each of the three groupings:

Group A:
221.627 Issues in Maternal Mortality Reduction in Developing Countries (4 units)
380.661 Clinical Aspects of Maternal and Newborn Health (3 units)
380.662 Critiquing the Research Literature in Maternal and Neonatal Health (3 units)
380.664 Reproductive and Perinatal Epidemiology (3 units)
380.765 Preventing Infant Mortality and Promoting the Health of Women, Infants and Children (3 units)

Group B:
222.649 International Nutrition (3 units)
380.625 Attitudes, Programs, and Policies for Children with Special Health Care Needs (4 units)
380.626 Seminar in Child Health (3 units)
380.641 Prenatal and Infant Growth and Development (3 units)
380.642 Child Health and Development (3 units)
380.744 Nutrition and Growth in Maternal and Child Health (2 units)

Group C:
380.623 Adolescent Health and Development (3 units)
380.721 Schools and Health (3 units)
380.725 Social Ecology of Adolescent Health (3 units)
380.671 Adolescent Pregnancy - Causes, Consequences, Interventions (3 units)
380.720 Masculinity, Sexual Behavior and Health: Adolescence and Beyond (2 units)

Requirements for Successful Completion
1. Completed and approved MCH Certificate application (see Admissions Criteria above).
2. All courses taken for a letter grade and a 3.0 or better overall GPA is required; a grade of "B" or better in each course is preferred.
3. Successful completion of the two required core courses (8 units) and at least three additional courses from the list above (9-12 additional units). Only courses listed are applicable for earning the MCH certificate.
4. Certificate requirements completed within three years.

Faculty Sponsor
Holly Grason

(410) 502-5443

hgrason@jhsph.edu

Administrative Contact
Linda Adams

(410) 955-1116

ladams@jhsph.edu