Doctor of Philosophy in Maternal and Child Health

Maternal and Child Health is an interdisciplinary field in which empirical research, epidemiological data, and policy analyses are used to understand individual, family, community, and sociocultural factors that influence health behaviors, health outcomes, and use of health services by mothers, children, adolescents, and their families (including fathers). The MCH program prepares students to advance research, policy, and practice to improve the health, safety, and well-being of these groups, with a particular emphasis on low income and ethnic minority populations. The program equips students to address MCH issues at both the family and population levels. It is unique in its focus on the whole family system and family health policy. Ph.D. graduates in MCH are prepared for academic and research positions in colleges and universities, high level administrative or research positions in city/county/state/national health and human service agencies, and leadership positions in nongovernmental and advocacy organizations. MCH graduates are also increasingly hired by private healthcare organizations such as hospitals, HMOs, and health insurers.

The Department of Family Science prepares students to describe, explain, and improve the quality of family life through applied research, education, therapy, human services, policy analysis, and advocacy. The approach is interdisciplinary, emphasizing individual, interpersonal, and social change. The program of study is based on a systems or ecological paradigm, combining the perspectives of interrelated professional fields of maternal and child health, family science, couple and family therapy, family policy, behavioral science, and human services. Graduates are prepared for careers in the public, non-profit and private sectors, including university teaching, research, family policy analysis, and administrative positions in human service and public health programs.

A Bachelor's degree and a master's degree in a relevant field
Minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA
Transcripts from all previous coursework
English proficiency test score (TOEFL, IELTS or PTE) (international applicants)
Statement of purpose and objectives, including career and educational goals, professional experience, and research areas of interest
Three letters of recommendation
Resume or curriculum vitae
A writing sample is required. Example writing samples include published manuscript, undergraduate or graduate thesis, research paper, etc. If you submit a published manuscript and you are not the first author describe the contributions you made to the publication.
iBT TOEFL - 96 Overall (Speaking 22, Listening 24, Reading 26, Writing 24)
IELTS - 7 Overall (Listening 7, Reading 7, Writing 7, Speaking 6.5)