The University of Iowa College of Public Health will launch a new graduate-level certificate in Maternal and Child Health (MCH) beginning in the fall semester of 2026. The program is designed to strengthen Iowa’s MCH workforce, particularly in rural communities, by equipping trainees with leadership competencies and hands-on experience in MCH.

The certificate will help address urgent public health needs in Iowa, including rising maternal mortality rates and limited access to maternity care in rural areas. Between 2016 and 2021, Iowa saw a 43% increase in pregnancy-related maternal deaths, with 95% deemed preventable. The program aims to train students and professionals to tackle these challenges through expanded coursework and partnerships with key agencies such as the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Johnson County Public Health, and the Hawkeye Area Community Action Program.

Open to graduate students and professionals across disciplines, such as public health, nursing, social work, and health and human physiology, the certificate will offer formal recognition of MCH training, one-on-one faculty advising, and integrated learning experiences focused on MCH practice or research. Program leaders anticipate enrolling approximately 25 students annually.

If you would like to learn more about the new MCH program, please attend the ‘Spotlight’ session on Wednesday, Feb. 4, at 12:30 p.m. in C217 CPHB.

Primary participating faculty members are William Story, associate professor of community and behavioral health; Jonathan Platt, assistant professor of epidemiology; Nichole Nidey, assistant professor of epidemiology; and Stephanie Radke, clinical associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology.

As the only accredited school of public health in Iowa, the UI College of Public Health’s new certificate will fill a critical gap in MCH training statewide and ensure the university remains competitive with peer institutions across the Midwest.