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Department of

Population, Family and Reproductive Health

Our mission is to optimize the health and well-being of individuals, families, and populations across the life course through public health science, teaching and practice locally, nationally, and globally.

Learn about the life Course framework

Population, Family and Reproductive Health Headlines

Elena García Fariña

Student Spotlight: Elena García Fariña

Elena García Fariña's interest in public health was sparked by her experience serving Hispanic communities in Boston, which exposed her to the large-scale effects that public health can have on health care systems and patients’ lives.

Malique Webb

Student Spotlight: Malique Webb

Malique Webb was raised in a family where taking care of others is deeply valued. Learn how she carries that upbringing into her public health studies, focusing on maternal, fetal, and perinatal health.  

What We Do in the Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health

The Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health is dedicated to improving health throughout the life course worldwide. We train research scientists, public health leaders, and health professionals to excel in careers related to a broad spectrum of population, family, and reproductive health issues.

Population, Family and Reproductive Health Highlights

Alumni Network

1,000+ alumni living in 50+ countries

Research and Practice

11 centers and initiatives enhance your education

MCH Center of Excellence

Recipient of Maternal and Child Health grants from HHS/HRSA for 70 years

MCH CENTER OF EXCELLENCE

Unique Field Opportunities

Students have recently worked with UNICEF, the Bureau of Maternal and Child Health, International Health Research Institute, and WIC

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Population, Family and Reproductive Health Programs

Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH)

Onsite | Full-Time | 2 years

The MSPH enables students to integrate coursework in the life course framework, PFRH areas of interest, policy, program management, and leadership with practical knowledge and skills.

Master of Health Science (MHS)

Onsite | Full-Time | 9 months

The MHS provides training in the life course framework, PFRH areas of interest statistics, and research and evaluation methods.

Master of Health Science (MHS) Online

Online | Part-Time | 1 year - 3 years

The MHS Online program is a part-time program designed for working professionals to further their career by enhancing skills in the life course framework, PFRH areas of interest, statistics, and research and research methods.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Onsite | Full-Time | 4 years

The emphasis of the PhD program is to apply coursework in life course theory, population, and core PFRH areas of interest through mentored, original, investigator-initiated research. 

Population, Family and Reproductive Health Faculty Spotlight

Dana Sarnak, PhD

studies how fertility preferences and contraception intentions influence contraceptive use dynamics in countries experiencing fertility transitions.

Dana Sarnak

Department News

Support Our Department

This work is made possible in part by contributions to from generous donors.