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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 local, national, and international data to:
    • interpret historical and emerging trends related to the variance and determinants of health in women and young children;
    • translate expert clinical knowledge and research relevant to midwifery and health care delivery into best practice models;
    • implement the most effective components of holistic MCH care.
  • develop, implement, and evaluate practice models and delivery systems to improve MCH care while:
    •  understanding historical and contemporary components of care;
    • engaging community partners to develop programs based on community needs and priorities;
    • analyzing and applying theoretical frameworks relevant to the disciplines of midwifery, bioethics, and social justice to inform and evaluate MCH systems.
  • evaluate policy issues regarding women's health and maternal-child health within a variety of jurisdictions (local to federal) and organizations and demonstrate abilities to develop policies and gain stakeholder support to promote health improvements for women and infants.
  • analyze and compare healthcare delivery, regulatory, and finance models to unearth and appreciate facilitators and obstacles to options, access, and positive health outcomes from women and infants.
  • demonstrate effective communication and leadership skills to enhance multidisciplinary team function and promote positive change in the health care systems that support the wellbeing of women and infants.
  • evaluate and use informatics systems and other technology to improve the quality and safety of healthcare for women and infants.
  • develop expertise and share knowledge in a selected area of MCH policy, practice, education, leadership, or research.
  • engage and collaborate with a wide variety of stakeholders and decision makers including but not limited to multi-disciplinary providers, consumers, communities, policy makers, and healthcare system administrators.

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.

The curriculum tables that follow list the tentative schedule of courses each quarter.

Summer

MW6120Professional Focus A: Power and Privilege

2
MW6121Professional Focus B: Utilizing Health Data

2
MW6125Research Design, Evaluation and Application in MCH Systems 1

6
MW6128Independent Project 1: Ideas and Context Review

1
Total Credit Hours:11

Fall

MW6122Professional Focus C: Programs and Models for MCH Systems

2
MW6126Research Design, Evaluation and Application in MCH Systems 2

3
MW6129Independent Project 2: Proposal and IRB Application

3
MW6133Maternal-Child Health Systems

4
Total Credit Hours:12

Winter

MW6123Professional Focus D: Integrative Culture and Social Justice in MCH Systems

2
MW6127Research Design, Evaluation and Application in MCH Systems 3

2
MW6130Independent Project 3: Implementation

4
MW6139Advocacy for MCH Policies and Practices

4
Total Credit Hours:12

Spring

MW6124Professional Focus E: Leadership in Maternal-Child Health

2
MW6131Independent Project 4: Finish Implementation, Analysis, Presentation

4
MW6135Management Principles for Innovation in MCH Systems

4
Total Credit Hours:10

Total Requirements

 Total Core Course Credits     45

Curriculum and course changes in the 2022-2023 Bastyr University Catalog are applicable to students entering during the 2022-2023 academic year. Please refer to the appropriate catalog if interested in curriculum and courses required for any other entering year.