Maternal and Child Health Capstone Course

Course Description

This captivating capstone course in Maternal and Child Health (MCH) offers an unparalleled opportunity to delve deep into contemporary challenges facing women, adolescents, and children both nationally and globally. As the culminating experience in the GW MCH MicroMasters program, this intermediate-level course synthesizes knowledge from previous coursework and applies it to real-world scenarios. Through a series of engaging case studies and problem-solving exercises, you'll tackle pressing issues such as adolescent girl empowerment, women's economic participation, climate change impacts on MCH populations, and black maternal health in the U.S.

What students will learn from the course

• Comprehensive analysis of individual, community, and societal needs and strengths of women, adolescents, and children
• Application of knowledge to examine contemporary MCH issues on national and global scales
• Identification of effective programmatic and policy solutions for complex MCH challenges
• Development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills in the context of public health
• Creation of evidence-based interventions using logic models
• Crafting persuasive Op-Eds to communicate policy or programmatic solutions

Pre-requisites or skills necessary to complete the course

Learners must have successfully completed all other courses in the GW MCH MicroMasters curriculum prior to enrolling in this course. There are no exceptions to this policy. A strong foundation in public health concepts and MCH principles is essential.

What the course will cover

• Girl Rising case study: Health and well-being of adolescent girls globally
• Intersection of women's health and economic empowerment
• Climate change impacts on maternal and child health populations
• Black maternal health in the U.S.
• Development of evidence-based interventions using logic models
• Op-Ed writing for policy and programmatic solutions
• Problem-solving methodologies in MCH contexts

Who this course is for

This course is ideal for:

• Public health professionals seeking to specialize in maternal and child health
• Policy makers interested in addressing MCH challenges
• NGO workers focused on women's and children's issues
• Healthcare providers looking to broaden their understanding of global MCH concerns
• Students pursuing careers in public health, global health, or women's studies

How learners can use these skills in the real world

The skills acquired in this course are directly applicable to various professional settings:

1. Design and implement evidence-based MCH interventions in local communities or global contexts
2. Advocate for policy changes to address MCH challenges through persuasive writing and communication
3. Analyze complex health issues and develop targeted solutions in public health organizations
4. Contribute to climate change adaptation strategies for vulnerable populations
5. Improve women's economic empowerment initiatives by understanding health intersections
6. Address racial disparities in maternal health outcomes through targeted programs
7. Enhance adolescent girl empowerment programs with a holistic understanding of global challenges

Syllabus

While a detailed syllabus is not provided, the course structure includes:

1. Examination of the Girl Rising case study
2. Analysis of women's health and economic empowerment intersections
3. Exploration of climate change impacts on MCH populations
4. Development of an Op-Ed on MCH and climate change
5. Study of black maternal health in the U.S.
6. Creation of a logic model for an evidence-based intervention

This comprehensive course offers a unique opportunity to gain practical, real-world skills in addressing some of the most pressing MCH challenges of our time, preparing you for a impactful career in this critical field.