Master of Arts in Maternal-Child Health Systems

The Master of Arts in Maternal-Child Health Systems is offered primarily online, with two short residencies of two-three days, taking place at the beginning and end of the program at Bastyr’s Kenmore, Washington, campus. This program takes four quarters, or one year, to complete.

The program prepares trained midwives, doulas, childbirth educators, lactation consultants, and other maternal-child health care providers with the knowledge and skills to expand expertise in maternal-child health beyond clinical care delivery. Students build on earlier education and practical experience, develop leadership skills, and acquire a systems-based perspective to promote more humanistic, holistic, rights-based, and equitable leadership in maternal and infant care.

Expected Program Outcomes

Graduates of the MA in Maternal-Child Health Systems will be able to:

• integrate ethics, human rights, and social justice principles into all aspects of maternal and child health systems.
• analyze and apply data to determine trends, create best practice models, and implement the most effective components of holistic MCH care.
• develop, implement, and evaluate practice models and delivery systems to improve MCH care.
• evaluate policy issues regarding women's health and maternal-child health within a variety of jurisdictions and organizations.
• demonstrate effective communication and leadership skills to enhance multidisciplinary team function and promote positive change in health care systems.
• evaluate and use informatics systems and other technology to improve the quality and safety in maternity care.

Admissions

For general information on the admissions process, refer to the Admissions section in this catalog. Exceptional candidates who do not meet the minimum requirements will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Qualified applicants will be invited to campus for an interview.

Prerequisites

• Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent number of credits (180 quarter credits) from an accredited university or a MEAC accredited midwifery program with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Applicants without a bachelor’s degree who have a midwifery certificate or other professional training will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Applicants must also have appropriate training (with appropriate certification when available) and documentation of a minimum of two (2) full-time years of practical experience as a midwife, doula, childbirth educator, or lactation specialist. Other credentialed MCH professionals such as perinatal nurses, public health specialists, social workers, health care financial experts, psychologists, and physicians seeking leadership training consistent with humanistic, rights-based maternal-infant care will also be eligible.
• Admitted students must have access to a laptop computer with high-speed Internet, a webcam, and a headset.

Course Prerequisites

Prerequisite courses (with grades of 3.0 or higher in each course) include:

• a basic statistics or biostatistics course within the past five years.
• English composition and writing.
• a public speaking course or equivalent academic or professional experience with public speaking, as determined by the University’s admissions process.