Master of Science - Midwifery

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

Expected Learning Outcomes

The Department of Midwifery educates midwives to conform to national and international standards of midwifery competence and to do the following:

• Practice autonomously in a variety of settings, which may include homes, birth centers, clinics and hospitals
• Promote birth as a normal process requiring a minimum of intervention
• Function within the health care system, consulting and referring appropriately
• Qualify for licensure or registration in a variety of jurisdictions, including certification by the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM)
• Promote midwifery through state, provincial and national professional organizations, the political process, research activities and policy development
• Work in partnership with the women they serve in a way that promotes personal responsibility, validates knowledge and experience, and encourages lifelong learning
• Promote the Midwives Model of Care™

Curriculum and course changes in the 2012-13 Bastyr University Catalog are applicable to students entering during the 2012-13 academic year. Please refer to the appropriate catalog if interested in curriculum and courses required for any other entering year.

Tuition for Master's & Doctoral Degrees

Average first-year tuition and fee costs for a typical credit load in the 2012/2013 academic year.The "first year" is considered fall, winter and spring quarters.

Program Summary - MSM

Bastyr University's direct-entry Master of Science in Midwifery program trains students in all aspects of midwifery care, preparing them to greatly improve the quality and breadth of maternity care offered to women and their families. It also qualifies graduates to become state (or provincially) licensed and nationally certified midwives.

The rigorous, proven curriculum – based on the competencies established by the Midwives Alliance of North America (MANA) and the combined expertise of Bastyr University and the former Seattle Midwifery School – makes use of state-of-the-art technologies and an extensive network of clinical training sites around the globe.

The program is intended for entry-level midwifery students and is three years in length (11 quarters), culminating in a Master of Science in Midwifery. Completion of the program qualifies a graduate to sit for examinations to become licensed as a midwife in Washington or other states, registered in Canadian provinces, and nationally certified by the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) as a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM).