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MPH Concentration in Child & Adolescent Health

The MPH concentration in Child & Adolescent Health (CAH) focuses on understanding the health problems and health status of children and adolescents across the globe, the nature and scope of the multiple determinants of their health status, and the range of public health programs to address the health and well-being of children and their families, in developed and developing countries.  Students participating in the CAH concentration will be assigned a faculty advisor with similar interests and will be assisted in developing an understanding in the following critical areas based on their coursework, their capstone, and the seminars conducted monthly by the CAH concentration:

  • The concept of child\adolescent health, and the determinants of child and adolescent health status in industrialized and resource-limited settings, including socio-economic, demographic, developmental, behavioral, cultural, political, and environmental determinants.
  • Current basic understanding of specific health problems of children and adolescents, including obesity and other nutritional issues, injury, infectious diseases and HIV, chronic and disabling conditions, adolescent health concerns, and others.
  • The design, development, implementation and evaluation of public health programs to improve the health and well-being of children, including immunization programs, child survival strategies, primary health care, health promotion and disease prevention efforts, including those that target HIV/AIDS, and injury prevention.

Course of Study

Students are required to complete a total of five courses for the CAH Concentration:

380.626

Seminar in Child Health (required for all)

3 units      

4th term

One course from the following:
380.604Life Course Perspectives on Health*4 units

1st term

[Internet - 1st term]

380.641

Prenatal & Infant Growth & Development

3 units

1st term (conflicts with Intro to International Health, 1st term)

380.642

Child Health & Development

3 units

2nd term

380.623

Adolescent Health & Development

3 units
3rd term
[Internet - 3rd term]
One course from the following:

221.640

Children in Crisis

1 unit

4th term

223.680

Global Disease Control Programs & Policies

4 units

4th term

220.601Introduction to International Health4 units

1st term

[Internet - 4th term]

223.663Infectious Diseases and Child Survival3 units3rd term
And at least two of the following courses:

301.645

Health Advocacy

3 units

4th term

340.623

Epidemiologic & Policy Aspects of Selected Childhood Diseases

2 units

4th term
(Offered alternate years; next offered 2012/2013)

380.612

Applications in Program Monitoring and Evaluation

4 units

4th term

380.671

Adolescent Pregnancy -- Causes, Consequences, Interventions

3 units

4th term

380.725

Social Context of Adolescent Health & Development

3 units

4th term

380.762

HIV Infection in Women, Children and Adolescents

4 units

4th term [Internet - 4th term]

222.641Principles of Human Nutrition*4 units

1st ter m (conflicts with Life Course, 1st term)

380.624Maternal and Child Health Legislation and Programs4 units2nd term
380.662Critiquing the Research Literature in Maternal, Neonatal, & Reproductive Health4 units2nd term
222.655Nutrition and Life Stages3 units3rd term
380.611Fundamentals of Program Evaluation4 units3rd term
380.625Attitudes, Programs, and Policies for Children with Special Health Care Needs3 units3rd term
221.645Large Scale Effectiveness Evaluations of Health Programs3 units4th term
222.649International Nutrition3 units4th term

*Also fulfills MPH core requirement.

Capstone Experience

The MPH capstone experience in Child & Adolescent Health involves the application of the skills and competencies acquired during the MPH course-work to the solution of public health-practice problems confronted in efforts to improve children’s health.  The capstone experience has both a written and oral-presentation component.  Several options are available to complete this requirement.  Students should discuss the capstone with their advisor before the beginning of the 2nd term to allow the completion of a successful capstone product by the middle of 4th term.  During the monthly CAH noon seminars, we will periodically focus on capstone progress.

Students are required to register for the 2-unit Capstone Course (XXX.800) in the 4th term.  Students may also take an additional 1-3 units of Research Special Studies (XXX.840) for the capstone experience under the direction of concentration-affiliated faculty.  (This is likely to be your MPH advisor, but alternatively can be a faculty expert who is involved in the CAH.)  Students finalize and present their capstone projects in the 4th term course, Seminar in Child Health (380.626).  
 
Faculty Concentration Directors

Andrea Ruff, MD, Associate Professor, International Health, 410-955-1633

Anne Riley, PhD, BSN, Professor, Population, Family & Reproductive Health, 410-955-1058

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