Maternal and Child Health: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Maternal and Child Health is a specialized field dedicated to improving the well-being of women, infants, children, and families through evidence-based public health strategies. This interdisciplinary program integrates research, policy, and social science to address critical health challenges across the lifespan, from prenatal care to early childhood development.
- Research Design and Testing: Develops skills in creating and implementing scientific studies to evaluate health interventions and outcomes in maternal and child populations.
- Program Evaluation: Focuses on assessing the effectiveness, efficiency, and impact of public health initiatives targeting maternal and child health outcomes.
- Public Policy Analysis: Examines how legislation and regulatory frameworks influence access to care, health equity, and the delivery of services for vulnerable families.
- Public Finance and Health Economics: Explores the allocation of resources, cost-effectiveness, and economic models shaping healthcare delivery and policy decisions.
- Community Health: Addresses the social determinants of health and strategies to promote wellness within diverse community settings.
- Family Development and Dynamics: Investigates the psychological, emotional, and social factors that influence family functioning and child development.
- Women’s Studies: Provides a critical understanding of gender-based health disparities and the social, cultural, and political contexts affecting women’s health.
- Social Psychology: Explores how individual behaviors and group dynamics impact health decisions and service utilization.
- Fetal and Child Development: Covers biological, cognitive, and emotional milestones from conception through early childhood.
- Biostatistics: Applies statistical methods to analyze health data and support data-driven decision-making in public health.
- Health Education and Promotion: Designs and implements strategies to improve health literacy and encourage preventive behaviors.
- Nutrition: Focuses on dietary needs across the lifespan, particularly during pregnancy, infancy, and early childhood.
- Neonatal Development: Studies the physiological and neurological growth of newborns and factors influencing early health outcomes.
- Psychology: Applies psychological principles to understand behavior, mental health, and developmental needs in maternal and child populations.
- Social Services Delivery: Examines systems and practices that support access to care, case management, and family-centered services.
Maternal and Child Health Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Maternal and Child Health Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Maternal and Child Health degrees, including Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, Health Education Specialists and Community Health Workers. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 355,600 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1071 | $105,620 | $51,760 - $239,200 | 229,720 | N/A |
| Health Education Specialists 21-1091 | $63,000 | $42,210 - $112,900 | 65,150 | $30.29 |
| Community Health Workers 21-1094 | $51,030 | $37,930 - $78,560 | 60,730 | $24.54 |
Maternal and Child Health Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $55,383 in Hawaii to $114,667 in District of Columbia—a 107% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, Arkansas, and Washington. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 355,600 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Maternal and Child Health by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 20 institutions offering Maternal and Child Health programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Maternal and Child Health is found at Johns Hopkins University (JHU) (43 graduates), Missouri State University, Springfield (26 graduates), Bank Street College of Education (23 graduates), University at Albany (UAlbany) (18 graduates), and Columbia University in the City of New York (16 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 180 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johns Hopkins University (JHU) |
Postbac Cert.
Doctorate (Research)
|
43 | Baltimore, Maryland | Private | jhu.edu |
| Missouri State University |
Master's
|
26 | Springfield, Missouri | Public | missouristate.edu |
| Bank Street College of Education |
Master's
|
23 | New York, New York | Private | bankstreet.edu |
| University at Albany (UAlbany) |
Postbac Cert.
|
18 | Albany, New York | Public | albany.edu |
| Columbia University in the City of New York |
Post-Master's
|
16 | New York, New York | Private | columbia.edu |
| East Carolina University (ECU) |
Other Award
|
16 | Greenville, North Carolina | Public | ecu.edu |
| University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) |
Postbac Cert.
|
6 | Omaha, Nebraska | Public | unmc.edu |
| Georgia State University |
Postbac Cert.
|
5 | Atlanta, Georgia | Public | gsu.edu |
| University of Maryland (UMCP) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | College Park, Maryland | Public | umd.edu |
| University of New Hampshire (UNH) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Durham, New Hampshire | Public | unh.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | Chapel Hill, North Carolina | Public | unc.edu |
| University of South Carolina (USC) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Columbia, South Carolina | Public | sc.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
| La Sierra University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
2 | Riverside, California | Private | lasierra.edu |
| National Louis University (NLU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | nl.edu |
| Temple University |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Public | temple.edu |
| Bastyr University |
Master's
|
2 | Kenmore, Washington | Private | bastyr.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| Saint Louis University (SLU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | slu.edu |
| Drexel University |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | drexel.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Maternal and Child Health programs
How much can I earn with a Maternal and Child Health degree?
Salaries for Maternal and Child Health graduates vary by role and location. Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $105,620 annually, while Health Education Specialists earn around $63,000. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $114,667 compared to $55,383 in Hawaii. Approximately 355,600 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Maternal and Child Health programs?
Currently 20 accredited institutions offer Maternal and Child Health degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Johns Hopkins University (JHU) (43 graduates), Missouri State University, Springfield (26 graduates), and Bank Street College of Education (23 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Maternal and Child Health growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 121 in 2010 to 180 in 2023-24. This represents a 49% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Maternal and Child Health degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, Health Education Specialists, and Community Health Workers. Related occupations employ approximately 355,600 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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