Top midwifery programs

Should you find an error or missing program, please contact us to bring it to our attention. Many nurse-midwives deliver babies in birthing centers, in homes, or at hospitals, with hospitals being the most frequent birthing location at 94 percent American College of Nurse-Midwives.

In addition, the nurse-midwifery occupation is growing at a much faster pace than the average of 5 percent, with an expected increase of 16 percent between and BLS, In there were 6, nurse-midwives employed in the United States and that number is expected to increase to 7, by BLS, With an increasing number of childbearing families choosing midwifery care, midwife-assisted birth rates in the U.

Professionals in the field also enjoy strong earning potential. Midwife programs train students to provide gynecological care for women of various ages. Learners prepare to assess and manage maternal and fetal health during pregnancy, attend low-risk births, and provide postpartum care to mothers and newborns.

Nurse-midwives may also act as women's primary healthcare providers. These professionals often work in hospitals, clinics, community health organizations, and independent practices. CNMs and CMs complete similar graduate-level training and often work in conventional healthcare settings, such as hospitals. CPMs specialize in assisting during out-of-hospital births, usually serving clients in birth centers and homes.

Graduates of accredited midwifery programs qualify to sit for national certification exams. Requirements for licensure vary by state, but most states require midwives to hold national certification.

Accreditation requires a comprehensive peer-review process and demonstrates that an institution meets or exceeds set educational standards. Approved accrediting agencies evaluate schools based on factors such as instructional quality, faculty credentials, academic integrity, and student support resources. Before selecting a midwifery program, learners should research the institution's accreditation status.

The Department of Education provides a searchable online database of accredited schools and programs. Regional accrediting agencies typically evaluate nonprofit colleges and universities. Regional accreditation requires a more rigorous review than national accreditation and is therefore considered more prestigious. For-profit, vocational, and religious institutions often receive national accreditation. Many individual programs can receive field-specific accreditation.

Individuals in highly regulated fields, such as healthcare, often need a degree from an accredited program to qualify for certification or licensure. Two agencies evaluate programs for midwifery. The American Midwifery Certification Board accredits nurse-midwife programs. Midwifery programs typically take years to complete. Part-time students and those without a BSN may take longer to graduate.

Midwives specialize in low-risk births and typically provide significant emotional support to expectant parents. Obstetricians and gynecologists attend both high-risk and low-risk births, but they may delegate direct-care responsibilities to nurses.

Some midwives pursue certification to perform ultrasounds. Midwives without sonography certification typically refer clients to outside providers for ultrasounds. As advanced practice nurses, nurse-midwives need a master's or doctoral degree. Schools deliver direct-entry midwife programs at both the graduate and undergraduate levels.

Nurse-midwifery programs typically accept registered nurses with a BSN. Programs may also accept associate degree-holders and applicants with a non-nursing bachelor's degree. Enrollees without a BSN usually complete a bridge program before taking midwifery courses. Admission to many nurse-midwife programs requires a minimum 3. Some programs prefer or require professional nursing experience.

Students pursuing a master's degree in the field log about , clinical hours, while doctoral candidates generally complete 1,, hours. Many programs for midwifery incorporate a research-based capstone project. Admission requirements for direct-entry midwife programs vary by program, but they often include a minimum GPA, a high school diploma, and prerequisite coursework. Midwifery programs incorporate both classroom instruction and hands-on training.

Students develop general medical expertise during foundational courses in areas such as physiology and pharmacology. Specialized coursework examines topics including pregnancy, labor, birth, the postpartum period, and women's primary and gynecological care. Students sharpen their critical-inquiry skills during courses exploring research methods and evidence-based practice. Additional classes may examine ethical, social, and historical issues; leadership and finance in healthcare; and the role of midwife professionals.

Some programs offer coursework in genetics and lactation management. Clinical requirements often include simulations and practicum experience to help students hone competencies in patient care. This class supplements coursework addressing the pregnancy, labor, and birth processes. Learners explore current theory, research, and practice related to care management during pregnancy. Students examine how cultural, political, legal, and ethical issues affect childbearing families and inform prenatal care.

Degree-seekers become familiar with physiological, psychological, and psychosocial changes that can occur during pregnancy. Topics include risk assessment, early identification of complications, and strategies for risk reduction. Students develop and implement family-centered, evidence-based management plans for labor and birth. Learners prepare to assess maternal and fetal health, anticipate and manage emergencies, and provide ethical and culturally appropriate care.

Learners evaluate how the midwifery model of care and its emphasis on nonintervention in uncomplicated births informs the midwife's role. Students may also analyze and compare obstetric and midwifery values and practices. This course explores the process of synthesizing and applying multidisciplinary theory and research in postpartum and neonatal care. Learners explore strategies for promoting health maintenance and bonding. Degree-seekers learn to screen for and manage common abnormalities while working as part of interprofessional teams.

Learners study the anatomy and physiology of lactation and prepare to help parents establish healthy breastfeeding relationships. Midwifery programs may also offer clinical and didactic sections of this course.

This course prepares aspiring midwives to meet the gynecological healthcare needs of women, from adolescent to postmenopausal life stages. Learners develop knowledge of reproductive anatomy and physiology, which graduates use to diagnose and manage common gynecological conditions. Coursework explores reproductive health in a holistic context, considering physical, emotional, and sociocultural factors.

Learners also examine social and structural determinants of women's health in culturally and geographically diverse populations. Additional topics include preventative care, patient education, and health assessment modalities.

Professional midwifery organizations provide networking, education, and career advancement opportunities. When researching online nurse midwife programs, it's important to consider a few key aspects in order to choose the right program for you. Much like campus-based programs, online programs can be accredited by nationally-recognized accrediting bodies. ACEN and CCNE-accredited programs can also be considered reputable, as it means they meet the strenuous academic guidelines put forth by these organizations.

Many times, online nurse midwifery programs are comparably priced to — or even less expensive — than their campus-based counterparts. Length can vary more for online programs, as many are self-paced; students can finish as quickly or slowly as they want to.

In order to gain certification as a nurse midwife, RNs must pass the examination put forth by the American Midwifery Certification Board.

Eligibility requirements include:. There is a plethora of nurse midwifery programs across the nation that will prepare RNs for a career as a certified nurse midwife. Our comprehensive list can be seen below. Ingalls St. Online Bethel Drive St. Please contact us so we can make the necessary changes. List of Nurse Midwife Programs. Montview Boulevard Aurora , CO Kansas City , KS Ann Arbor , MI It is also the birthplace of the cooperative education model, the foundation of experiential professional education.

One of the leading Christian universities in Minnesota since its founding in , Bethel University in Chicago has already been established and moved to St. Paul, and then to Jordan Hills in Regardless of its religious origin, Bethel has a proven record in the production of excellent nursing specialists, and the culture that surrounds the school is very positive. This is also one of the best midwifery Schools.

The University of Virginia was founded in as an extension of the William and Mary College campus. It is also the leading public research university.

Of course, ODU has largely exceeded its assets, with a growing demand to make the university one of the largest universities in Virginia and a comprehensive research university. ODU has made a name especially in online education and distance education in recent years and has become a great option for medical professionals who are thinking about a possible future in the academic world and in research, as well as in the commercial aspect of the profession. Does this article meet your immediate needs?

Some CNMs may take less or more time to gain certification and licensure. Most certified nurse midwife programs list tuition cost by credit. Midwives are very dedicated to their career and reap the rewards by helping to deliver babies safely. They get great satisfaction by helping a new mother give birth, especially when there are no complications and the mother and baby are fine afterwards. You must be logged in to post a comment. N Nursing Scholarship. Navigate through the table of contents below to get an overview of all that this article entails; Table of Contents Hide What is a Midwife?

How long does it take to become a certified professional midwife? How much does it cost to become a CNM? Is midwifery a good career? University Link. Leave a Reply Cancel reply You must be logged in to post a comment. Next article —. You May Also Like. Read More 1 minute read.

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