Abstract
Introduction:
The MCH Epidemiology Doctoral Training Program at UCLA will aim to bridge the gaps in training and workforce capacity development for epidemiologists interested in working with maternal and child health populations. It will do so by offering a high-quality, multi-pronged training program to selected doctoral students. The program will award training grants to two doctoral students annually. It will develop a tailored didactic experience for these students based on their prior training and knowledge, offer a practicum experience in the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health leading to selection of a maternal and child health dissertation topic, and research and career mentoring.
Methodology:
Objective 1: To annually award training grants to two doctoral students interested in pursuing research and a career in maternal and child health epidemiology from any of the five departments from the Fielding School of Public Health.
Objective 2: To guide the awarded doctoral students in choosing a dissertation topic on maternal and child populations in Los Angeles County by giving them the opportunity to intern in the Office of Health Impact and Epidemiology
Objective 3: To provide the students a structured learning experience in the field to include coursework, teaching, project mentoring, and career guidance.