Combined BS/MS Degree in Midwifery

Clinical Training - Midwifery

The Department of Midwifery places all students in qualified clinical training sites. We replicate the age-old apprenticeship model where students work side-by-side with experienced preceptors (who are licensed midwives) and other professionals. Department staff members work closely with each student in the process of arranging these clinical placements.

Students need to live within a one-hour commute of qualified clinical faculty and must be prepared to relocate temporarily if the community where they reside does not have adequate clinical training opportunities. This requires flexibility and the support of the student's family, as it may mean separation and economic challenges.

Where to Get Clinical Experience

Students may obtain their clinical experience in gynecology/family planning clinics, prenatal/postpartum clinics, homebirth settings, birth centers, and hospitals in North America as well as overseas. Students may work with licensed midwives, certified professional midwives, certified nurse-midwives, nurse practitioners, foreign midwives, naturopathic doctors, physician assistants or physicians during these rotations.

Clinical faculty must be practicing legally and have sufficient obstetrical/gynecological volume to adequately instruct, supervise, and evaluate the student's clinical training. The Department of Midwifery screens and approves all potential clinical faculty.

Low-Residency Model - Midwifery

One of the most exciting aspects of our program is its low-residency model. This hybrid delivery system allows students to remain in their communities and commute to the Bastyr campus three times each quarter. When not physically on campus, students use the Internet classroom to correspond with classmates and instructors, post discussions, turn in homework, and take tests.

Each cohort of students is on campus at the same time, which allows the face-to-face learning experience that is vital to midwifery training. This system also allows students to build strong relationships with classmates and faculty.

When not attending the Bastyr campus, students are engaged in learning activities in the virtual classroom using our online learning system as a guide and point of interaction. Learning activities include extensive reading, watching videos, research projects, worksheets, quizzes and online discussions. Students need to be self-directed, self-motivated and have strong time management skills to be successful in the low-residency program.

Curriculum - Midwifery

The midwifery curriculum is enhanced by studies in related fields such as epidemiology, nutrition, pharmacology, genetics, embryology, counseling and education. The Midwifery Care courses are the foundation of the program. All courses build skills necessary for the practice of midwifery through the use of case questions, skills practice labs, role-plays, discussion, student presentations and research projects.

Clinical skills and judgment are honed during Practicum with practicing midwives. The midwifery program addresses both the art and science of midwifery by integrating theory with clinical experience.

Year I

Year II

Year III

Graduation Requirements

Graduates must demonstrate proficiency in the midwifery program's Core Competencies as shown by:

• Satisfactory completion of all didactic and clinical courses with a grade of B- or better.
• Satisfactory completion and presentation of the Master's Research Project.
• Satisfactory completion of all sections of the comprehensive written and clinical exams in the last year of school.
• Completion of 40 hours of community service for the school or the profession of midwifery.
• Demonstration of the qualities of a professional midwife as determined by the Student Progress Committee and recommendation for graduation by the committee.

Graduates must also meet the following minimum clinical requirements

Participation in 60 births, including at least:

• 30 births in which the student functions in role of primary midwife under supervision
• 20 births in which the student is actively involved in the client's care
• 10 births in which the student is observing
• 30 births in an out of hospital setting
• 25 births in the US or the student's country of origin

Participation in 1,500 hours (the equivalent of 50 credits) of clinical work, including at least:

• 400 hours of intrapartum experience
• 800 hours of clinic time in prenatal, postpartum and gynecological care

Participation in 720 client contacts, including at least:

• 300 prenatal exams
• 100 postpartum visits
• 50 newborn exams
• 50 follow-up newborn exams
• 50 gynecological exams

Clinical training for at least one year at a minimum of two clinical sites in the US or the student's home country. All clinical training is with preceptors who are practicing legally in their region and will incorporate:

• at least one preceptorship in which the clinical faculty member is a midwife
• one site for at least six months and 15 births (involved and supervised primary) in an out of hospital setting
• one site for at least three months and 10 births
• satisfactory completion of all levels of clinical evaluation

Demonstration of continuity of care by providing these continuous care services to at least 10 women:

• 4 prenatal visits
• 3 postpartum visits
• in 3 of the 10 cases the student must function as primary midwife under supervision

Curriculum and course changes in the 2011-12 Bastyr University Catalog are applicable to students entering during the 2011-12 academic year. Please refer to the appropriate catalog if interested in curriculum and courses required for any other entering year.