The B.S. in Maternal Child Health program provides an evidence-based interdisciplinary program for the lactation professional. Students come to this program as experienced lactation care providers or as novices entering the lactation field. Interdisciplinary scholar practitioners train students to be:
In addition, graduates of the program are qualified to professionally counsel expectant parents and parents of infants about the best practice in infant feeding and care of the young infant, assist in the advancement of the field, and speak professionally to a variety of audiences including parents, health care professionals, and workers in community, governmental, and nonprofit agencies.
General Education Requirements
Communications
The following courses are recommended:
| ENG 101 | Beginning English Composition | 5 |
| ENG 201 | Intermediate English | 5 |
| ENG 203 | Effective Speaking for the Undergraduate | 5 |
Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use any three general education courses in the following disciplines: academic writing, oral communications, and any course in the area of communications.
Humanities and Fine Arts
Choose two courses from the list below:
| ART 105 | Race, Identity and Experience in American Art | 5 |
| ART 106 | Race, Identity and Experience in American Art I | 2 |
| ART 107 | Race, Identity and Experience in American Art II | 3 |
| HIS 103 | History Across the Globe | 5 |
| PHI 107 | Introduction to Ethics and Social Critique | 5 |
Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use any two general education courses in the following disciplines:
- Humanities: foreign language, history, literature, philosophy, religious studies, interdisciplinary humanities and fine arts, interdisciplinary humanities and social sciences
- Fine Arts: visual arts (including art history, art appreciation, and studio arts, such as drawing, painting, digital art, or film), film and cinema studies, and performing arts (including music appreciation, music theory, and music performance, theatre appreciation and performance, and dance)
Mathematics and Natural Sciences
Choose three courses from the list below (one must be math and one must be a natural science):
| MTH 101 | Introduction to Mathematical Concepts | 5 |
| MTH 102 | Statistical Foundations | 5 |
| SCI 101 | Physical Science | 5 |
| SCI 102 | Survey of Biological Science | 5 |
| SCI 225 | Human Impact on Environment | 5 |
Note: Maternal Child Health: Human Lactation Major requires SCI 102 Survey of Biological Science. Courses like General or Fundamentals of Biology, Human Biology, Zoology, Cell Biology, Genetics, Microbiology, or Immunology. Other courses may be used as approved by the program director. This requirement must be completed with a grade of C.
Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use any three general education courses in the following disciplines:
- Mathematics: college-level and not developmental in nature
- Natural Sciences: physics, chemistry, earth science, astronomy, geology, physical geography, biology, human anatomy and physiology, microbiology, genetics, botany and zoology; and interdisciplinary fields such as environmental science, and ecology and conservation
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Choose two courses from the list below:
| ECO 200 | Macroeconomics for Today’s Professional | 5 |
| HIS 102 | Civics and American Government | 5 |
| HIS 212 | Think Global: Movements in US History and its Impact on Society and School | 5 |
| PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 5 |
| SOC 101 | Foundational Sociology | 5 |
| SOC 222 | Culture and Identity | 5 |
| SOC 250 | Cultural and Ethnic Movements in the United States | 5 |
Note: Maternal Child Health: Human Lactation Major must take PSY 101. Courses like Applied Psychology, Foundations of Interpersonal Communication, Health Communication, or Consumer-Provider Health Communication can be used in lieu of PSY 101. Other courses may be used as approved by the program director. This requirement must be completed with a grade of C.
Maternal Child Health: Human Lactation Major must take SOC 101. Courses like Cultural Sensitivity/Competency or Cultural Anthropology can be used in lieu of SOC 101. Other courses may be used as approved by the program director. This requirement must be completed with a grade of C.
Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use any two general education courses in the area of Social and Behavioral Sciences in the following disciplines: anthropology, economics, geography, history, human geography, political science, psychology, sociology, interdisciplinary social/behavioral science, interdisciplinary humanities and social and behavioral science.
General Education Electives
This area may be satisfied by two courses in any general education category listed above or other courses consistent with integrated general education competencies.
Student Success Seminar
Note: Incoming students will be required to take
GEN 103 or
GEN 203.
GEN 103 is required for the first-time freshman students only. Students transferring in less than 90 QH are required to complete
GEN 203.
Maternal Child Health Major - 72 QH
This major in Maternal Child Health provides an evidence-based program for the perinatal allied healthcare professional. Interdisciplinary scholar practitioners train students to be:
- Evidence-Based, socially, and culturally appropriate practitioners.
- Creative and critical thinkers with a global perspective.
- Professionals with a solid grounding in global maternal child health equity issues so that they may work to reduce disparities of care.
Graduates are prepared to assist in the advancement of the maternal child health field; and speak professionally to a variety of audiences including parents, health care professionals, and workers in community, governmental, and nonprofit agencies.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs):
At the completion of the Maternal Child Health Major, students will be able to:
PLO1. Analyze systems of power in relation to maternal child health from social, economic, and political perspectives.
PLO2. Apply the basic mechanics of language, oral expressions and scholarly writing to topics in Maternal and Child Health (MCH).
PLO3. Analyze maternal child health issues involving individuals and communities.
PLO4. Apply the principles of biomedical ethics and social justice to MCH policies and practices.
PLO5. Evaluate national and global MCH issues in relation to one’s own personal place in the global community.
PLO6. Understand the normal patterns of human growth and development
PLO7. Explore social and cultural issues in healthcare related to systems of power, ethics, and social justice.
PLO8. Explore how racism, power, inequities, and social structures impact the health of birthing parents and babies.
Major Core Courses - 33 QH
| MCH 150 | Human Anatomy and Physiology in Maternal Child Health | 5 |
| MCH 150L | Human Anatomy and Physiology in Maternal Child Health Lab | 1 |
| MCH 220 | Foundations of Maternal Child Health | 5 |
| MCH 220L | Foundations of Maternal Child Health Lab | 1 |
| MCH 223 | Lifecycle Nutrition | 5 |
| MCH 223L | Lifecycle Nutrition Lab | 1 |
| MCH 322 | Research and Evidence in Maternal Child Health | 5 |
| MCH 322L | Research and Evidence in Maternal Child Health Lab | 1 |
| MCH 388 | Applications in Maternal Child Health | 3 |
| MCH 481 | Politics and Social Justice in Maternal Child Health | 5 |
| MCH 481L | Politics and Social Justice in Maternal Child Health Lab | 1 |
Major Electives Under Advisement - 39 QH
Students will take 39 QH of the following program electives, which may include up to 5 QH of lower level electives.
| MCH 140 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| MCH 200 | Folklore of Childbirth | 5 |
| MCH 250 | Pre-Internship Planning | 3 |
| MCH 323 | Maternal-Infant Nutrition | 5 |
| MCH 323L | Maternal-Infant Nutrition Lab | 1 |
| MCH 325 | Social and Cultural Issues in Health Care | 5 |
| MCH 325L | Social and Cultural Issues in HealthCare Lab | 1 |
| MCH 327 | Birth Outcomes: Joys and Sorrows | 5 |
| MCH 327L | Birth Outcomes: Joys and Sorrows Lab | 1 |
| MCH 328 | Developing a Community-Based Support System | 5 |
| MCH 328L | Developing a Community-Based Support System Lab | 1 |
| MCH 329 | Perspectives in Professional Lactation Support | 5 |
| MCH 329L | Perspectives in Professional Lactation Support | 1 |
| MCH 380 | Mood Disorders in the Perinatal Period | 5 |
| MCH 380L | Mood Disorders in the Perinatal Period Lab | 1 |
| MCH 429 | Infant and Child Growth and Development | 5 |
| MCH 429L | Infant and Child Growth and Development Lab | 1 |
| MCH 460 | Internship I in Maternal Child Health | 3 |
| MCH 461 | Internship II in Maternal Child Health | 3 |
| MCH 480 | Power and Societal Inequities in Maternal and Child Health | 3 |
Maternal Child Health: Disparities and Childbearing Major - 71 QH
This program option is for individuals interested in learning more about the social and cultural aspects of childbearing and young child feeding. Students in this program will be able to examine critical concepts and emerging trends in health disparities and explore how racism, power, inequities, and social structures influence the health of birthing parents and babies.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
At the completion of the Maternal Child Health: Disparities and Childbearing Major, students will be able to:
PLO1. Analyze and explain the social and cultural aspects of childbearing and infant feeding.
PLO2. Examine critical concepts and emerging trends in health disparities.
PLO3. Analyze maternal child health issues involving individuals and communities.
PLO4. Analyze systems of power in relation to maternal child health from social, economic, and political perspectives.
PLO5. Apply the basic mechanics of language, oral expressions and scholarly writing to topics in maternal child health.
PLO6. Apply the principles of biomedical ethics and social justice to MCH policies and practices.
PLO7. Evaluate national and global maternal child health issues in relation to one’s own personal place in the global community.
PLO8. Understand the normal patterns of human growth and development.
PLO9. Explore social and cultural issues in healthcare related to systems of power, ethics, and social justice.
PLO10. Explore how racism, power, inequities, and social structures impact the health of birthing parents and babies.
Major Core Courses - 59 QH
| MCH 150 | Human Anatomy and Physiology in Maternal Child Health | 5 |
| MCH 150L | Human Anatomy and Physiology in Maternal Child Health Lab | 1 |
| MCH 200 | Folklore of Childbirth | 5 |
| MCH 220 | Foundations of Maternal Child Health | 5 |
| MCH 220L | Foundations of Maternal Child Health Lab | 1 |
| MCH 223 | Lifecycle Nutrition | 5 |
| MCH 223L | Lifecycle Nutrition Lab | 1 |
| MCH 322 | Research and Evidence in Maternal Child Health | 5 |
| MCH 322L | Research and Evidence in Maternal Child Health Lab | 1 |
| MCH 323 | Maternal-Infant Nutrition | 5 |
| MCH 323L | Maternal-Infant Nutrition Lab | 1 |
| MCH 325 | Social and Cultural Issues in Health Care | 5 |
| MCH 325L | Social and Cultural Issues in HealthCare Lab | 1 |
| MCH 327 | Birth Outcomes: Joys and Sorrows | 5 |
| MCH 327L | Birth Outcomes: Joys and Sorrows Lab | 1 |
| MCH 388 | Applications in Maternal Child Health | 3 |
| MCH 480 | Power and Societal Inequities in Maternal and Child Health | 3 |
| MCH 481 | Politics and Social Justice in Maternal Child Health | 5 |
| MCH 481L | Politics and Social Justice in Maternal Child Health Lab | 1 |
Major Electives Under Advisement - 12 QH
Students will take 12 QH of the following program electives, which may include up to 6 QH of lower level electives.
| MCH 140 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| MCH 250 | Pre-Internship Planning | 3 |
| MCH 324 | Skills & Strategies for Breastfeeding Problem Solving | 5 |
| MCH 324L | Skills & Strategies for Breastfeeding Problem Solving Lab | 1 |
| MCH 328 | Developing a Community-Based Support System | 5 |
| MCH 328L | Developing a Community-Based Support System Lab | 1 |
| MCH 329 | Perspectives in Professional Lactation Support | 5 |
| MCH 329L | Perspectives in Professional Lactation Support | 1 |
| MCH 380 | Mood Disorders in the Perinatal Period | 5 |
| MCH 380L | Mood Disorders in the Perinatal Period Lab | 1 |
| MCH 429 | Infant and Child Growth and Development | 5 |
| MCH 429L | Infant and Child Growth and Development Lab | 1 |
| MCH 460 | Internship I in Maternal Child Health | 3 |
| MCH 461 | Internship II in Maternal Child Health | 3 |
Maternal Child Health: Human Lactation Major - 72 QH
This program is an International Board of Lactation Consultation Examiners (IBLCE) Pathway 2 to International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) program, and is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Lactation Education Accreditation and Approval Review Committee (LEAARC) through December 31, 2028. This program option provides didactic lactation-specific education and supervised clinical practice experience required for an International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) Pathway 2 from an accredited academic program. Successful Pathway 2 program completion does not guarantee IBCLC certification. Only those students who complete a 300 hour internship and show successful completion of all lactation-specific competencies by passing the internship courses (MCH 460 & MCH 461) will qualify to sit for the IBCLE exam.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
At the completion of the Maternal Child Health: Human Lactation Major, students will be able to:
PLO1. Meet all entry-level competencies as outlined by the Lactation Education Accreditation and Approval Review Committee (LEAARC) to meet requirements set forth by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) to qualify to sit for the International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) exam.
PLO2. Discuss and evaluate concepts related to the management of human lactation
PLO3. Analyze the contemporary issues central to lactation care.
PLO4. Communicate with clients and members of the health care team in a professional, integrated, interdisciplinary, and culturally appropriate manner.
PLO5. Explore how racism, power, inequities, and social structures impact the health of birthing parents and babies.
PLO6. Apply the principles of biomedical ethics and social justice to MCH policies and practices.
PLO7. Evaluate national and global MCH issues in relation to one’s own personal place in the global community.
PLO8. Understand the normal patterns of human growth and development.
PLO9. Explore social and cultural issues in healthcare related to systems of power, ethics, and social justice.
Major Core Courses - 66 QH
| MCH 140 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| MCH 150 | Human Anatomy and Physiology in Maternal Child Health | 5 |
| MCH 150L | Human Anatomy and Physiology in Maternal Child Health Lab | 1 |
| MCH 220 | Foundations of Maternal Child Health | 5 |
| MCH 220L | Foundations of Maternal Child Health Lab | 1 |
| MCH 223 | Lifecycle Nutrition | 5 |
| MCH 223L | Lifecycle Nutrition Lab | 1 |
| MCH 250 | Pre-Internship Planning | 3 |
| MCH 322 | Research and Evidence in Maternal Child Health | 5 |
| MCH 322L | Research and Evidence in Maternal Child Health Lab | 1 |
| MCH 324 | Skills & Strategies for Breastfeeding Problem Solving | 5 |
| MCH 324L | Skills & Strategies for Breastfeeding Problem Solving Lab | 1 |
| MCH 325 | Social and Cultural Issues in Health Care | 5 |
| MCH 325L | Social and Cultural Issues in HealthCare Lab | 1 |
| MCH 329 | Perspectives in Professional Lactation Support | 5 |
| MCH 329L | Perspectives in Professional Lactation Support | 1 |
| MCH 429 | Infant and Child Growth and Development | 5 |
| MCH 429L | Infant and Child Growth and Development Lab | 1 |
| MCH 460 | Internship I in Maternal Child Health | 3 |
| MCH 461 | Internship II in Maternal Child Health | 3 |
| MCH 481 | Politics and Social Justice in Maternal Child Health | 5 |
| MCH 481L | Politics and Social Justice in Maternal Child Health Lab | 1 |
Note: Students in the Maternal Child Health: Human Lactation major who already have IBCLC certification will have the requirement of
MCH 250,
MCH 460, &
MCH 461 substituted with other coursework as approved by the program director. Such students cannot choose to take these courses as electives.
Major Electives Under Advisement - 6 QH
Students will take 6 QH of the following program electives, which may include a standalone lab course as long as the student has met the necessary prerequisites.
| MCH 200 | Folklore of Childbirth | 5 |
| MCH 323 | Maternal-Infant Nutrition | 5 |
| MCH 323L | Maternal-Infant Nutrition Lab | 1 |
| MCH 327 | Birth Outcomes: Joys and Sorrows | 5 |
| MCH 327L | Birth Outcomes: Joys and Sorrows Lab | 1 |
| MCH 328 | Developing a Community-Based Support System | 5 |
| MCH 328L | Developing a Community-Based Support System Lab | 1 |
| MCH 380 | Mood Disorders in the Perinatal Period | 5 |
| MCH 380L | Mood Disorders in the Perinatal Period Lab | 1 |
| MCH 388 | Applications in Maternal Child Health | 3 |
Electives
The Maternal Child Health and Maternal Child Health: Human Lactation majors include 48 QH of free electives. The Maternal Child Health: Disparities and Childbirth major include 49 QH of free elective courses.