Our PhD develops research scholars capable of producing and disseminating new knowledge and methods for the public health profession in the field of MCH. Each doctoral student is expected to develop and demonstrate competence in at least three areas: core Maternal and Child Health content, research methods and a chosen area of ‘specialization.’ The specialization area is topic-specific and should be related to the area chosen for the student’s dissertation research.
Program Details How To Apply Admissions Information During The Program and After The ProgramMinimum Credit Hours
53
Designation
The PhD in Maternal and Child Health is not a STEM-designated degree under the approved categories from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Application Cycle
Fall
Consultation with the Director of Graduate Admissions will be required in order to be considered for admission in any semester other than Fall.
Application Deadline
November 12, 2024
Expected Duration
4-5 Years
Learning Environment
Residential
Who Should Apply
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree develops research scholars capable of producing and disseminating new knowledge and methods for the public health profession in the field of maternal and child health. Each doctoral student is expected to develop and demonstrate competence in at least three areas: core maternal and child health content, research methods and a chosen area of specialization. The specialization area will be related to the student’s dissertation research.
Prior Degree Required
Master’s degree or relevant experience preferred but not required.
Required Prerequisites
None.
Undergraduate G.P.A.
An average grade of B (cumulative GPA 3.0) or better is required.
Letters of Recommendation Required
3 (academic and/or professional; academic preferred)
Interviews
Not Required
Visit Opportunities
Learn about opportunities to connect with faculty, staff, and current students virtually and in person.
I. Complete UNC Graduate School application
The Graduate School Application is a common application system for UNC Chapel Hill programs.
More Information
1. Application Fee
2. Faculty Interest(s)/mentor(s)
You are asked to list faculty with whom you’d like to work; this information can be helpful to the admissions committee.
3. Applicant information, including North Carolina residency information.
4. Area(s) of interest
Select up to three (3) areas of interest from the dropdown.
5. Educational history
Please upload a copy of your most recent transcript(s), including your current term grades, if applicable. (If grades are not yet available, send them to the UNC Gillings program contact as soon as they become available.) Be sure the transcript reflects the name of the institution and any degrees you received.
We advise that you order two copies of your transcript(s) to be sent to you. If you are admitted and choose to enroll, UNC will require official transcript(s) showing degree(s) awarded.
6. Community standards
You will be asked about honor code, crime, academic sanction, military discharge, etc.
7. Upload your personal statement.
Please upload a statement of purpose that answers the following questions: Please restate the question. The statement should not exceed two single spaced pages.
8. Upload your resume or CV.
9. Enter names of recommenders. UNC will then send them an email with instructions for submitting a letter on your behalf.
3 Letters of Recommendations are required. We encourage references from professors or teachers (or teaching assistants) or work/research supervisors who have worked directly and closely with you and who can speak about you with specificity.
10. Report test scores, if applicable.
GRE scores are neither required nor typically recommended for applicants.
International applicants must submit official TOEFL or IELTS standardized test scores. Code 5816 routes to UNC. TOEFL/IELTS scores must be no more than two years old.
11. Document submission (check legibility of uploads)
Applicants should preview all documents uploaded into the application system to ensure that all documents are legible for committee review.
12. Track your progress.
You will be able to track status through the Graduate School application. Once a decision is made, you will receive an email instructing login to the Graduate School application portal to see the decision letter.
II. Application Review Process
More Information
1. Department reviews application and recommends a decision.
Time-to-decision varies. Departments make recommendations to the UNC Graduate School for admitting and denying applicants. Final decisions are rendered by the UNC Graduate School.
2. UNC Graduate School reviews department recommendation and renders a final decision:
The UNC Graduate School reviews all admissions recommendations made by programs. Once final decisions have been made, the UNC Graduate School will send the applicant an email instructing them to login to their application portal to see the decision letter.
III. Costs and Funding
More Information
When estimating costs, please visit the UNC Cashier’s Office and use the Graduate and Professional Program Tuition and Fees link. Please note that the tuition and fees of graduate programs at Gillings vary from other graduate programs at UNC.
Gillings departments and concentrations consider both domestic and international applicants for funding. Please see below for helpful tips and resources:
1. Applicants will be reviewed for eligibility for UNC Graduate School scholarships and fellowships. Departments and concentrations will decide which applicants to nominate. No additional application is required.
3. Apply for FEDERAL financial aid by March 1 (please verify this date via FAFSA). If you have been admitted and completed the FAFSA form by their deadline, the UNC Office of Scholarship and Student Aid will create a financial aid package for you.
4. Funding offers through the department, such as research assistantships, are possible but not guaranteed.
5. Students positions at Gillings are posted here. The UNC Graduate School also provides resources for funding, including a listserv for incoming and current students, here.
For more information on our curriculum and graduate school/career outcomes, please see our Student Handbook.
Yolonda Childs
Academic Coordinator
childsyo@unc.edu
Siân Curtis
Director of Graduate Admissions
scurtis@email.unc.edu