Arnold School of Public Health

The MCH Certificate of Graduate Study provides students an opportunity to expand their knowledge and increase their comprehension of mothers, children, and their families to improve their health and well-being. 

Program Overview 

Through course content and mentorship, you will learn about MCH foundational knowledge, research, and practice and how theories and evidence translate into policy. You will develop skills necessary to communicate with all persons from diverse groups and become a leader in the MCH workforce. 

Certificate Requirements 

The MCH Certificate of Graduate Study is 15 credit hours. 

Students must complete: 

• Three core courses (9 credits) — all core courses are offered in-person only 

• Two electives (6 credits) chosen from the approved list based on your interests 

 

Students currently enrolled in another degree program at USC may share up to 12 credit hours between both programs. 

The MCH Graduate Director and your MCH Certificate mentor will assist you in elective course selection and course sequencing. 

Core Competencies 

The six competencies listed below are covered and evaluated in the three core classes. These concepts reflect the knowledge and skills required to be an active member of the MCH workforce.  

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• Foundational Knowledge

  Recognize and describe the scope of maternal and child health (MCH) and critically analyze determinants of health of persons having and/or raising children, children, adolescents, and families at various socio-ecological levels across the life course. 

• Practice

  Demonstrate capacity to respond to evolving MCH issues, include and integrate MCH populations from diverse backgrounds, evaluate existing strategies, and implement MCH programs by working with communities and federal, state, and local agencies and systems. 

• Research

  Apply quantitative and/or qualitative research methods to examine and address issues related to the health and well-being of MCH populations. 

• Policy

  Assess MCH policies and devise evidence-based policy recommendations by critically analyzing existing theories and evidence. 

• Cultural Competency

  Develop knowledge and skills necessary to communicate and interact effectively with all persons from diverse groups. 

• Leadership

  Communicate, collaborate, and coordinate MCH research, policy, and practice by incorporating family-centered, community-based, equity-focused, and interdisciplinary concepts and strategies. 

• The above competencies address the following MCH Leadership competencies:

  1. MCH knowledge base/context
  2. Communication
  3. Critical thinking
  4. Cultural competency
  5. Family-professional partnerships
  6. Interdisciplinary/interprofessional team building
  7. Working with communities and systems 
  8. Policy

Admissions Requirements 

• A four-year baccalaureate degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution 

• For international applicants: a satisfactory score on TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE (may be waived if you earned a prior degree from a U.S. institution) 

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• Application Requirements

  • Personal statement describing: 

  • Your academic and professional experience 

  • Your interest in maternal and child health 

  • Why you wish to earn the MCH Certificate 

  • At least two letters of recommendation from academic and/or professional sources written on institutional or organizational letterhead 

  • Non-U.S. institution transcripts must be verified by World Education Services (WES) or equivalent evaluation service 

  • Submit a comprehensive course-by-course evaluation (WES ICAP) 

  • TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE scores required for applicants whose native language is not English 

  • TOEFL: Submit electronically using USC Institutional code 5818 

  • IELTS: Mail directly to: The Graduate School University of South Carolina 1705 College Street, Suite 552Columbia, SC 29208 

  • Currently enrolled USC applicants must complete the Update Request Form for Concurrent Enrollment 

How to Apply 

1. Email the MCHC Graduate Director, Dr. Myriam Torres, at torresme@mailbox.sc.edu expressing your interest in applying.
2. Complete the Second Degree-Seeking Application under the “Request Concurrent Enrollment” tab.
3. First complete the application for your other degree program.
4. Non-USC students not seeking another degree program:
5. Former USC students may submit a document stating: “Please pull my USC academic transcript.” in place of transcript submission.
6. Email the MCH Certificate Program Coordinator, Olivia Ancrum, at oancrum@mailbox.sc.edu with any questions. 

Career Preparedness

The MCH Certificate helps prepare you for roles such as: 

• Research Coordinator 

• Project Coordinator 

• Health Policy Analyst 

• Program Manager 

• Outreach and Community Engagement Manager 

• Health Education Coordinator 

• WIC Assistant 

• MCH roles in state or local health departments 

FAQS

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• Who can apply?

  Anyone with a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. Current USC students and individuals outside the university are welcome. 

• Do I have to be a USC student?

  No. Any U.S. citizen or permanent resident with a qualifying degree may apply. 

• Minimum credit hours per semester? How long to complete?

  Students enrolled only in the certificate program can complete it in two semesters, depending on credit load.

• What is the cost?

  • Current USC students pay their regular graduate-level tuition rates. 

  • Non-students pay USC graduate per-credit-hour rates. 

  • There are no extra fees to be admitted or complete the certificate. 

• Is there financial assistance for the certificate program?

  Scholarship funds are available for up to 4 students per academic year. Selected students receive up to $6000 applied toward MCH Certificate tuition costs. 

• What happens after I apply?

  Your application is transferred to the Arnold School of Public Health and reviewed by the certificate program’s admissions committee. 

• When are applications reviewed?

  Fall applications reviewed in May and spring entry applications reviewed in December. 

  You will receive an admissions decision via email from the Graduate Director, followed by an official letter from The Graduate School.