Saint Louis University's maternal and child health certificate program caters to two distinct audiences: working professionals who would benefit from developing maternal and child health competencies and graduate students in other disciplines who seek additional training in the maternal and child health field.
Maternal and child health, as a specialty under the umbrella of public health, is a profession anchored in SLU's mission — focused on the pursuit of truth and service to humanity — and aligned with the social justice mission of the College for Public Health and Social Justice. Students who complete this certificate can enroll in SLU's Master of Public Health program, full or part time.
Curriculum Overview
SLU's 12-credit maternal and child health certificate includes courses from the Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) program. The certificate covers a breadth of skills across the core areas of maternal and child health. For this certificate, there is an opportunity to build it around current courses in the maternal and child health concentration. Further, if a student were to do the maternal and child health certificate and then decide to do the public health certificate because they want a broader foundation in the public health field, these would complement each other and potentially stack together to build up to the full M.P.H. degree.
Students are expected to take MCH 5000 Foundations in Maternal Child Health (3 cr) before MCH 5010 Programs, Policy and Advocacy in Maternal and Child Health (3 cr), as those two courses are intended to build upon each other, sequentially.
Careers
Students awarded SLU's maternal and child health certificate will be prepared to pursue or advance in positions such as a health educator, nonprofit program coordinator, maternal and child health program manager, community health worker or public health researcher. Completion of the certificate in maternal and child health will also be an important career tool and credential for professionals of other roles that intersect with public health, including social workers, nurse home visitors, urban planners and clinicians, such as physicians and nurses.
Admission Requirements
Applicants should have a bachelor's degree, preferably with a 3.00 grade point average. Applications are reviewed on a holistic and rolling basis. To apply, applicants need to submit their transcripts, CV, personal statement and two letters of recommendation through SOPHAS Express, the common application system for public health schools and programs.
Saint Louis University's College for Public Health and Social Justice is fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). To see our most recent accreditation documentation, please visit the College for Public Health and Social Justice website.
Graduates will be able to describe the historical context and characteristics of MCH practice.
Graduates will be able to use equity or life-course frameworks, when appropriate, to analyze key MCH indicators that affect the well-being of women, children, fathers and families.
Graduates will be able to create strategies to inform policymakers or community stakeholders about the impacts of evidence-based programs and policies on the MCH-related population and health systems.
Students must earn a B- or better in all required courses. Elective courses may be passed with a C or better. Students may not take the same course more than two times.
Course List
Code
Title
Credits
MCH 5000
Foundations in Maternal Child Health
3
MCH 5010
Programs, Policy and Advocacy in Maternal and Child Health
3
MCH 5XXX or 6XXX Electives
6
Total Credits
12
Continuation Standards
Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.
Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.
This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.
Plan of Study Grid
Year One
Fall
Credits
MCH 5000
Foundations in Maternal Child Health
3
Elective 5XXX: Chosen from MPH Electives - MCH Departmental Attributes List
3
Credits
6
Spring
MCH 5010
Programs, Policy and Advocacy in Maternal and Child Health
3
Elective 5XXX - Chosen from MPH Electives - MCH Departmental Attributes List
3
Credits
6
Total Credits
12
Program Notes
Certificate may be completed concurrently with any Master of Public Health degree.
