Maternal & Child Health
"Berkeley has the most phenomenal professors, and at any time they have several ongoing research projects. They are absolutely excited and willing to engage students at all levels of the research program."
Degree Options:
The Maternal and Child Health Program has provided superior graduate training, continuing education, research, and service since its founding in 1953. The program has more than 1000 alumni across the country and around the world. It is our mission to promote and protect the health status and well-being of women, infants, children, adolescents and their families through excellence in training, research, continuing education, service, and advocacy. All of the program's activities are designed to be interdisciplinary and responsive to newly emerging issues in maternal and child health and to the unique needs of the diverse communities and cultures of the San Francisco Bay area, state of California, and internationally.
Maternal & Child Health: 2-Year Master of Public Health (M.P.H.)
Curriculum & Requirements
The 2-year M.P.H. program in Maternal & Child Health provides training for post-baccalaureate students with demonstrated quantitative/analytic abilities and significant work or volunteer experience in the field. The 2-year track emphasizes analytic skills and quantitative research. Students in the 2-year program are required to complete a three-month full-time field placement in the summer between the first and second years of the program. In addition, 2-year students are required to complete a thesis with substantial statistical or quantitative content during the second year of study. A comprehensive exam and secondary data analysis project are required for completion of the program.
Sample Curriculum (PDF)
Fall 2011 Admissions Statistics:
Admissions Ratio: 24/82 (29%)
Average GPA of admitted applicants: 3.73
Average GRE scores of admitted applicants:
Verbal: 620 (89%); Quantitative: 690 (68%)
What we look for in competitive applicants:
Applicants to this program should be post-baccalaureate students with demonstrated quantitative/analytic abilities and significant work or volunteer experience in the maternal and child health field.
- Common undergraduate majors for admitted applicants: Biology, medicine, sociology, anthropology, English, political science
- Common work experience for admitted applicants: Applicants should have a strong quantitative and analytic background, and many have paid or volunteer experience working in the field of MCH.
Employment Opportunities:
Graduates of the MCH program often work as public health educators, consultants, researchers, and policy-makers in non-profit organizations, healthcare organizations, and hospitals, and in governmental organizations from the local to international level.
Maternal & Child Health: 11-Month Master of Public Health (M.P.H.)
Curriculum & Requirements
The 11-month MPH program in Maternal & Child Health trains health professionals including pediatricians, obstetricians, qualified nurses and social workers, and other qualified health professionals. The 11-month option is designed to train current health professionals with significant experience in the maternal and child health field. Students are required to complete a six-week full-time field placement (May-June) in a public health agency or similar setting. A comprehensive exam and capstone research project is required for completion of the program.
Sample Curriculum (PDF)
Fall 2011 Admissions Statistics:
Admissions Ratio: 9/18 (50%)
Average GPA of admitted applicants: 3.64
Average GRE scores of admitted applicants: Applicants with doctoral degrees are not required to submit GRE scores. Applicants currently in medical school may submit MCATs in lieu of the GRE.
*Please note that applicants with doctoral degrees are not required to submit GRE scores. Applicants who are currently in medical school may submit MCATS in lieu of the GRE.
What we look for in competitive applicants:
Applicants to this program must have a prior master's or doctoral degree, and should have a background in working in the health related field particularly with women, children, and families. We also accept current medical students.
- Common undergraduate majors for admitted applicants: Biochemistry, medicine, biology, history
- Common work experience for admitted applicants: Applicants to our 11-month program are typically health professionals including pediatricians, obstetricians, qualified nurses and social workers, and other qualified master level trained health professionals
Employment Opportunities:
Graduates of the MCH program often work as public health educators, consultants, researchers, and policy-makers in non-profit organizations, healthcare organizations, and hospitals, and in governmental organizations from the local to international level.