Concentration · Verified September 2026
Maternal and Child Health MPH Programs
Which Schools Offer an MPH in Maternal and Child Health?
An MPH in maternal and child health trains you to improve the health of mothers, infants, children and families through programs, policy and data, and this set holds 34 MCH programs at 25 schools in 20 states. Estimated tuition runs from $18,078 at the University of South Florida to $90,000 at George Washington's online MPH, and 32 of the 34 programs sit at CEPH-accredited schools. The University of Minnesota is one of the few that lets you finish fully online, fully in person or a mix of both.
Maternal and child health, usually shortened to MCH, is public health organized around a stage of life. You study pregnancy, birth, infancy, childhood and adolescence, and the family and policy conditions around them. Graduates work on programs, policy and data for these populations in health agencies, community organizations and research teams.
What an MPH in Maternal and Child Health Covers
An MCH concentration sits on top of the shared MPH core. CEPH requires every accredited MPH to reach at least 42 semester credits, and a concentration typically takes at least 20% of them, around 9 of 42 credits. Each concentration must define at least five competencies of its own.
The University at Buffalo’s MPH in Maternal and Child Health shows what those competencies look like in practice. Its students learn to:
- Build models of the individual, social and environmental causes of health problems, then design and evaluate MCH programs from them.
- Evaluate health concerns among maternal, pediatric and adolescent populations.
- Analyze epidemiological studies of the perinatal and early childhood periods (EEH 577).
- Judge policy solutions with formal policy analysis frameworks (EEH 515).
- Use life course principles to design new interventions (EEH 512).
That mix is typical of the field: part epidemiology, part program design, part policy.
Two applied pieces round out the degree. During the applied practice experience you produce at least two practical work products for a real organization, such as a program plan for a home visiting service or a survey for a family health clinic. At the end, CEPH requires an integrative learning experience with a high-quality written product, such as a program evaluation report, a policy statement or legislative testimony. A poster doesn’t count. Those documents become your writing samples when you apply for MCH jobs.
MCH Goes by Several Names
Search for “maternal and child health” alone and you’ll miss programs. In this set the field shows up as Maternal and Child Health (8 programs), Maternal & Child Health (3), Family and Community Health (2) and Sociomedical Sciences (2), plus single programs named Family and Child Health, and Maternal and Child Health Policy and Leadership. Reproductive health programs belong here too: CUNY’s MPH in Sexual and Reproductive Justice and Health and Rutgers’ online MPH, which offers Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights and Justice.
Some schools place MCH inside another department. North Dakota State offers it as an option within Community Health Sciences and again inside its MPH in Epidemiology. The University of Illinois Chicago lists both Maternal and Child Health and Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology.
34 programs
- MPH
Master of Public Health
University of Alabama at Birmingham · Birmingham, ALOnlineOn campusNo GRESOPHAS6 concentrations- Credits
- 42
- Tuition
- $526/cr
- Length
- 5 sem
CEPH - MPH
Master of Public Health (Campus)
University of Arizona · Tucson, AZOn campusNo GRESOPHAS10 concentrations- Credits
- 42
- Length
- 2 yr
CEPH - MPH
Master of Public Health (on-Campus)
University of California-Berkeley · Berkeley, CAOn campusSOPHASAccelerated10 concentrations- Credits
- 42
- Tuition
- $18,678/term
- Length
- 11 mo
CEPH - MPH
Master of Public Health (CU Anschutz Campus)
On campusNo GRESOPHAS6 concentrations- Credits
- 42
- Tuition
- $995/cr
- Length
- 2 yr
CEPH - MPH
Master of Public Health (Online)
OnlineNo GRESOPHAS6 concentrations- Credits
- 42
- Tuition
- $995/cr
- Length
- 2 yr
CEPH - MPH
Master of Public Health (Two-Year Program)
Yale University · New Haven, CTOn campusSOPHAS13 concentrations- Credits
- 20
- Tuition
- $57,256/yr
- Length
- 2 yr
CEPH - MPH
Master of Public Health (Residential)
George Washington University · Washington, DCOn campusNo GRESOPHAS17 concentrations- Credits
- 45
- Tuition
- $18,000/term
CEPH - MPH
Master of Public Health (MPH@GW, Online)
George Washington University · Washington, DCOnlineNo GRE4 concentrations- Credits
- 45
- Tuition
- $2,000/cr
CEPH - MPH
Master of Public Health (on Campus)
University of South Florida · Tampa, FLOn campusGRE optionalSOPHAS10 concentrations- Credits
- 42
- Tuition
- $430/cr
CEPH - MPH
Master of Public Health
Florida International University · Miami, FLOn campusSOPHASAccelerated8 concentrations- Length
- 2 yr
CEPH - MPH
Master of Public Health, Maternal and Child Health Concentration
Columbus State University · Columbus, GAOnlineNo GRE- Credits
- 42
- Length
- 2 yr
Not CEPH - MPH
Master of Public Health (Onsite)
University of Illinois Chicago · Chicago, ILOn campusGRE optionalSOPHAS8 concentrations- Credits
- 46
- Tuition
- $38,900 total
- Length
- 2 yr
CEPH - MPH
Master of Public Health
Northwestern University · Evanston, ILOn campusGRE optionalSOPHASAccelerated7 concentrations- Length
- 1 yr
CEPH - MPH
Master of Public Health (Residential)
Purdue University-Main Campus · West Lafayette, INOn campus3 concentrations- Credits
- 42
- Length
- 2 yr
CEPH - MPH
Online Master of Public Health
Purdue University-Main Campus · West Lafayette, INOnlineNo GRE2 concentrations- Credits
- 42
- Length
- 7 sem
CEPH - MPH
Master of Public Health (Full-Time)
Johns Hopkins University · Baltimore, MDOn campus13 concentrations- Credits
- 80
- Tuition
- $87,480 total
- Length
- 5 term
CEPH Master of Health Science (MHS) in Population, Family and Reproductive Health
Johns Hopkins University · Baltimore, MDCEPHMaster of Health Science (MHS) in Population, Family and Reproductive Health (Online)
Johns Hopkins University · Baltimore, MDOnlineCEPH- CEPH
- MPH
Maternal &Amp; Child Health MPH
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities · Minneapolis, MNOnlineOn campusHybridNo GRESOPHAS2 concentrations- Credits
- 48
- Tuition
- $1,268/cr
- Length
- 2 yr
CEPH - MPH
Master of Public Health (Residential)
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill · Chapel Hill, NCOn campusSOPHAS11 concentrationsCEPH - MPH
Master of Public Health
North Dakota State University-Main Campus · Fargo, NDOn campusOnlineGRE optionalSOPHAS- Credits
- 42
CEPH - MPH
Master of Public Health in Epidemiology
North Dakota State University-Main Campus · Fargo, NDOn campusOnlineGRE optionalSOPHAS3 concentrations- Credits
- 42
CEPH - MPH
Master of Public Health
University of Nebraska Medical Center · Omaha, NEOnlineOn campusGRE optionalSOPHAS8 concentrations- Length
- 2–3 yr
CEPH - MPH
Online Master of Public Health
Rutgers University-New Brunswick · New Brunswick, NJOnlineGRE optionalSOPHAS4 concentrations- Credits
- 45
- Tuition
- $1,406/cr
- Length
- 5 sem
CEPH - MPH
Columbia MPH (Two-Year)
Columbia University in the City of New York · New York, NYOn campusGRE optionalSOPHAS7 concentrations- Tuition
- $49,888/yr
- Length
- 4 sem
CEPH - MPH
Accelerated MPH (One Year)
Columbia University in the City of New York · New York, NYOn campusGRE optionalSOPHASAccelerated5 concentrations- Credits
- 42
- Tuition
- $78,552/yr
- Length
- 1 yr
CEPH MS in Population and Family Health
Columbia University in the City of New York · New York, NYOn campusSOPHAS7 concentrations- Credits
- 30
- Tuition
- $2,222/cr
- Length
- 1 yr
CEPH- MPH
MPH in Sexual and Reproductive Justice &Amp; Health
CUNY Graduate School and University Center · New York, NYHybridOnlineGRE optionalSOPHAS- Credits
- 42
- Tuition
- $620/cr
CEPH - MPH
- Credits
- 47
- Tuition
- $5,655/term
- Length
- 4 sem
CEPH - MPH
- Credits
- 45
- Tuition
- $1,626/cr
- Length
- 2 yr
CEPH - MPH
Master of Public Health (on-Campus Cohort)
University of North Texas Health Science Center · Fort Worth, TXOn campusNo GRESOPHAS4 concentrations- Credits
- 48
- Tuition
- $13,173 total
- Length
- 5 sem
CEPH - MPH
Master of Public Health (Departmental Programs)
University of Washington-Seattle Campus · Seattle, WAOn campusSOPHAS10 concentrations- Tuition
- $24,786/yr
CEPH - Credits
- 47
- Tuition
- $38,703 total
- Length
- 1 yr
Not CEPH
No programs match these filters.
Program facts come from each school's own program pages, reviewed September 2026. Tuition is the school's published figure with its basis; per-credit sorting uses programs that publish a per-credit rate. CEPH status comes from the CEPH accredited list.
Comparing Maternal and Child Health MPH Programs by Cost
Ten programs publish both a per-credit rate and a credit total. Estimated tuition (published per-credit rate times credits, before fees) has a median of $41,790:
| Program | Format | Estimated tuition | Rate used |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Florida MPH | Campus | $18,078 | $430.43 a credit, 42 credits |
| UAB MPH | Online or campus | $22,092 | $526 in-state; $1,284 out-of-state |
| CUNY MPH in Sexual and Reproductive Justice and Health | Hybrid or online | $26,040 | $620 New York resident rate |
| CU Anschutz MPH | Campus or online | $41,790 | $995 resident; $1,566 non-resident |
| Columbia MS in Population and Family Health | Campus | $66,660 | $2,222 a credit, 30 credits |
| Meharry Medical College MPH | Hybrid | $73,170 | $1,626 a credit, 45 credits |
| George Washington MPH@GW | Online | $90,000 | $2,000 a credit, 45 credits |
UAB’s MCH track is called Maternal and Child Health Policy and Leadership; GW’s online concentration is Women, Youth and Child Health. The University of Minnesota’s dedicated MCH MPH charges $1,268 a credit for residents and $1,668 for non-residents in fall and spring, with 48 credits on the Standard Track and 42 on the Advanced Standing Track.
Where MCH Programs Are
MCH programs cluster in a few places. New York has 5 programs in this set and Maryland 4, while Colorado, the District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, North Dakota and Washington have 2 each. Most sit at public universities (21), with 13 at private nonprofit schools. If you want to study on campus near a particular health department or hospital system, that map narrows your list fast.
Admissions are fairly uniform. SOPHAS handles 25 of the 34 programs and 5 take applications directly. The GRE rarely matters: 11 programs say it’s not required and 10 list it as optional, and Buffalo states outright that it won’t consider GRE scores. Buffalo does expect a 3.0 GPA and prior coursework in health sciences, social sciences and statistics.
Online and Hybrid MCH Options
Of the 34 programs, 12 offer an online format, 6 are online only and 5 are hybrid. The strongest flexible options:
- University of Minnesota MCH MPH: finish entirely online, entirely in person or both, on either track. More than 30 faculty span epidemiology, psychology, sociology, genetics, medicine and nursing, and dual degrees with law (MPH/JD) and social work (MPH/MSW) are available.
- CU Anschutz online MPH: Maternal & Child Health concentration, 42 to 45 credits, GRE not required.
- Purdue online MPH: Family and Community Health concentration, 42 credits in 8-week classes with a 16-week practicum.
- Columbus State University: online MPH with an MCH concentration, 42 credit hours, two years full time. It isn’t on the CEPH list.
Fast Routes Into the Field
Five programs here run on an accelerated schedule. Northwestern’s MPH, with a Maternal Child Health concentration, takes one year full time. UC Berkeley’s MPH offers an accelerated 4+1 option in Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health. Columbia’s accelerated MPH runs one year (fall, spring and summer) and lists Population and Family Health among its concentrations. Bastyr University’s MA in Maternal-Child Health Systems is 47 credits in four quarters, at $38,703 in total tuition plus $640 in fees, but Bastyr isn’t on the CEPH list.
MPH or a Research Master’s in This Field
The MPH is the practice degree and carries CEPH’s applied practice requirement. For research-focused study, Johns Hopkins offers an MHS in Population, Family and Reproductive Health and an MSPH in the same field. Columbia’s MS in Population and Family Health takes 30 credits over one academic year full time, with focus areas that include maternal child health and child, youth and family health. The MPH vs MS guide covers the trade-off.
Jobs an MCH Degree Leads to
MCH isn’t a single federal job category, so the useful numbers come from the jobs graduates take:
| Job | Median pay (May 2025) | Typical entry education (BLS) |
|---|---|---|
| Epidemiologist | $87,220 | Master’s degree |
| Health education specialist | $64,070 | Bachelor’s; some positions need a master’s |
| Community health worker | $51,850 | High school diploma |
MCH epidemiology is the best-paid route: the BLS lists a master’s as the typical entry education for epidemiologists and projects 19% job growth from 2025 to 2035. If that’s your aim, pick a program with MCH epidemiology courses, such as UIC or Buffalo, and compare epidemiology programs too. For program and outreach roles, community health programs are the close neighbor.
How to Choose an MCH Program
- Accreditation first. 32 of the 34 programs sit at CEPH-accredited schools. The US Public Health Service and some state and local agencies hire only graduates of CEPH-accredited programs. The CEPH accreditation guide explains how to check.
- Data depth. Look for a course in MCH epidemiology if you want analyst roles.
- Format. Minnesota and CU Anschutz give you online and campus versions of the same degree.
- Application. 25 programs use SOPHAS; see the SOPHAS guide for fees.
- Cost. Compare your residency rate, not the headline rate, before you commit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Maternal and Child Health a Good MPH Concentration?
It suits you if you want to work on pregnancy, infant, child or family health in a health department, nonprofit or research team. It's a small, specialized field, with 34 programs at 25 schools. Many MCH programs share courses with epidemiology, so you can build strong data skills inside it.
Can I Do an MPH in Maternal and Child Health Online?
Yes. Twelve programs here offer an online format, six of them online only. Options include the University of Minnesota's MCH MPH, CU Anschutz's online MPH with an MCH concentration, and Columbus State's online MPH with an MCH concentration.
Do MCH MPH Programs Require the GRE?
Usually not. Eleven programs say it isn't required and ten list it as optional. The University at Buffalo states that GRE scores aren't required and won't be considered for its MCH MPH.
What Is the Difference Between an MPH and an MHS in Population, Family and Reproductive Health?
The MPH is the professional practice degree with a required applied practice experience. Johns Hopkins also offers an MHS and an MSPH in Population, Family and Reproductive Health, and Columbia offers a 30-credit MS in Population and Family Health that can be finished in one academic year.
Keep Comparing
Sources
- Official program pages of each school listed, reviewed September 2026
- Council on Education for Public Health, accredited schools and programs
- University of Minnesota School of Public Health: Maternal and Child Health MPH
- University at Buffalo: Maternal and Child Health MPH
- CEPH: Accreditation Criteria (2024)
- CEPH: student FAQs
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Epidemiologists
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Health Education Specialists and Community Health Workers