Founded in 2015, the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Program seeks to strengthen the capacity of emerging public health professionals to support MCH populations. The program provides a wide range of academic and professional development opportunities for students, faculty, staff and community partners. We offer MCH-related courses, fund student practica and internships, host brown bag seminars and networking events, and support students and faculty participation in MCH conferences locally and nationally.
What is Maternal and Child Health?
Maternal and Child Health (MCH) is a specialty area within the larger field of public health that focuses on the health and well-being of women, children, adolescents, fathers and families, with special concern for vulnerable and disadvantaged populations. MCH seeks to address a wide range of health issues and outcomes across the life course. It encompasses public health strategies at all levels, from direct services to community-based programs, policy initiatives and systems of care. MCH is grounded in core principles of health equity, cultural competency, evidence-based practice and family-professional partnerships.
How to Get Involved with the MCH Program
- Take a MCH elective course
- Enroll in our 12-credit Graduate Certificate in Maternal and Child Health
- Sign up for our Student & Alumni MCH emails
- Apply for a GA position with our program
- Join the MCH Student Advisory Committee
- Participate in MCH Professional Development activities: monthly seminars, networking events, field trips, service projects, & more
- Complete a MCH related internship - including those funded through our program
- Apply for funding to attend a MCH conference
Email [email protected] to subscribe to MCH Program emails and to learn more about these opportunities.
MCH Program Highlights
- Secured $1.65 million in funding for the program from federal, state and community partners. This includes a second five-year commitment (2020-2025) from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Maternal and Child Health Bureau.
- Developed and launched a new Graduate Certificate in MCH in January 2020.
- Provided foundational “Introduction to MCH” coursework to over 130 graduate students and nearly 40 undergraduate students.
- Secured 34 MCH-related student internship and practicum opportunities in community settings, and another 37 at the New York State Department of Health.
- Regularly hosts MCH-related Brown Bag seminars, networking events and other professional development events for current students, faculty, staff and alumni.
- Awarded travel scholarships to more than 20 students and faculty to attend national, state and local MCH-related conferences.
Events & News
Admissions Open House for Graduate Programs
Whether your interests lie in improving health outcomes, advancing social justice, conducting research, influencing policy, or serving communities, UAlbany's College of Integrated Health Sciences offers graduate programs designed to help you achieve your goals. Join us for Open House on Saturday, November 7 to learn more.
Alumni Spotlight: Avinash Lekram
Avinash Lekram graduated with their Master of Public Health and a Graduate Certificate in Maternal and Child Health in 2022. Now as a public health educator at the New York State’s Division of Vaccine Excellence, we asked Lekram to reflect on their time at UAlbany and share their journey into the public health field.
UAlbany Professor Lauded for Excellence in Education Research
Paul Morgan, Director of the Institute for Social and Health Equity, received the 2026 Special Education Research Award from the Council for Exceptional Children — the largest international professional organization dedicated to high-quality education that is inclusive and equitable for individuals with disabilities.
Study Identifies Pollutant Exposure as Gap in Human Biology Research
Publishing in the American Journal of Human Biology, UAlbany scientists Lawrence M. Schell and Mia V. Gallo outline why measuring pollutant exposure should be a central component of research on growth, development, reproduction and chronic disease.
Udo Lab Partners with Project Safe Point: Community-Engaged Research for Harm Reduction
Over the past decade, UAlbany researcher Tomoko Udo has partnered with Catholic Charities' Project Safe Point to support programs aimed at reducing harm associated with drug use in the greater Capital Region. Student researchers are deeply involved in the work, which includes identifying changing trends in drug use to guide Project Safe Point programs, as well as policy recommendations.
Maternal and Child Health Program
Rachel de Long and Christine Bozlak, Program Co-Directors
Pinebush Building, 1400 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12222
United States
Email