Master of Science in Midwifery
The Master of Science in Midwifery is available to students who already hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college/university and who complete the program prerequisites prior to entering the program. An option is available to students who have completed at least two years at the undergraduate level (60 semester or 90 quarter credits), including the basic science and proficiency prerequisites and general education requirements as well.
Program Overview
Bastyr’s three-year, direct-entry midwifery program trains students in all aspects of midwifery practice, preparing them to offer safe, high-quality maternity care.
The rigorous, proven curriculum makes use of state-of-the art technologies and a well-qualified, approved network of clinical training sites. The curriculum meets all of the core competencies and skills as identified by the Midwifery Education Accreditation Council (MEAC) and the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM).
Studies in related fields, such as epidemiology, nutrition, pharmacology, genetics, embryology, counseling and education, as well as social justice and professional issues, build skills necessary for the practice of culturally versatile, competent midwifery in our increasingly complex health care environment.
The department welcomes students who have previous midwifery training or practicing midwives who have not attended a formal midwifery educational program and/or want to earn a degree. All students in the program must meet the transfer credit requirements and complete at least two-thirds of the program and all of the Practicum while enrolled at Bastyr.
Graduates qualify to take the examination for national certification as a certified professional midwife (CPM), and, depending on regional requirements, may apply for licensure or provincial registration.
Expected Learning Outcomes
The Department of Midwifery educates midwives with the knowledge, skills and abilities to conform to national and international standards of midwifery competence. At the completion of Bastyr’s Midwifery Program, students will be able to:
- demonstrate the ability to autonomously provide care to clients with normal, low-risk pregnancies, labors, births and postpartum periods, as well as normal newborn care, in a variety of settings with a primary focus in home and birth center locations; and provide this care in alignment with the Midwives Model of Care™ that promotes birth as a healthy and normal physiologic process.
- assess, diagnose and appropriately manage common complications in the antepartum, intrapartum and postpartum periods.
- recognize complications that require consultation, referral or transfer of care to other providers within the healthcare system, and collaborate effectively for positive client outcomes.
- utilize critical thinking abilities by referencing evidence-informed practice principles and by integrating ethical and legal issues into their care of clients.
- demonstrate integration of the principles of reproductive justice by acting as advocates and agents for racial and cultural equity.
- communicate with clients in a way that validates the client’s knowledge and experience while encouraging personal responsibility in shared decision-making and informed choice.
- exercise information literacy skills through research activities, policy development, involvement in political processes and the promotion of midwifery through state, provincial and national professional organizations.
- qualify for certification by the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM), and may qualify for licensure or registration in a variety of jurisdictions.
Midwifery Licensure
Prospective and current students should contact the states in which
they wish to practice by referencing the University’s listing of
professional programs and state licensing/certification agencies for
their programs.
Direct-entry midwifery is regulated in 32 states through licensure, certification and registration, with additional states engaged in legislative efforts.The most current information regarding the legal status of direct-entry midwifery can be found here.
Graduates of our program are eligible to take the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) exam for registration as a certified professional midwife (CPM). Although the CPM is a national certification, licensure of the practice of midwifery (as with most professions) occurs on a state-by-state basis. In the states that license direct-entry midwives, the CPM credential or the NARM exam is part of the licensure process. Increasingly, state licensure may also require graduation form a MEAC accredited midwifery program, which our program meets.
Required Abilities and Skills for Midwifery Program Admission
The Department of Midwifery welcomes applicants who are differently abled. Applicants will have the opportunity to discuss the impact that their limitations may have on both their ability to successfully complete the midwifery program at Bastyr and their ability to practice midwifery after graduation.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is designed to protect persons with disabilities from discrimination. It recommends that the essential functions necessary for performing the proposed job or schooling be fully described so that the candidate can determine if he or she can perform these functions.
The following is a list of the essential functions of a midwife and a midwifery student in our program:
Observation
A midwifery applicant should be able to:
- use objective reflective skills to perform preceptor/clinical site evaluation for suitability of learning environment and clinical skills opportunities.
- observe/visually assess a patient accurately at a distance and close at hand.
Communication
A midwifery applicant should be able to:
- communicate with/understand clients and their families.
- perceive non-verbal cues and describe changes in mood or emotion.
- communicate sensitively and effectively with clients using face-to-face and written methods regarding clinical issues.
- communicate in person and in writing with classmates, instructors, staff, preceptors and professional colleagues.
Motor
A midwifery applicant should be able to:
- perform general clinical skills for conducting a complete physical examination, including pelvic assessments.
- perform fine motor skills such as suturing, starting IVs, injecting and performing venipuncture.
- lift and reposition clients.
- correctly administer medications.
- execute motor skills necessary in emergency treatment, such as resuscitation and control of hemorrhage.
Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities
A midwifery applicant should be able to:
- read, understand/interpret and apply technical and scientific material.
- memorize facts and test successfully for them.
- solve complex problems by synthesizing knowledge obtained from books, classes and clinical experiences.
- write coherent essays.
- research topics relevant to midwifery practice and present findings.
- develop and exercise clinical judgment and decision-making skills.
Behavioral and Social Attributes
A midwifery applicant should be able to:
- maintain one’s own mental and physical health.
- function effectively under stress.
- display flexibility in the face of uncertainty.
- demonstrate compassion, maturity, integrity, motivation and interest.
- not use illegal or legal medications, alcohol or other drugs that may impair judgment.
- be available to the preceptor(s) at all times of the day or night for work as a midwifery student, while in a clinical site.
- work long and irregular hours, sometimes with little break, or for days at a time.
The ADA allows employers, schools or adjunct clinical faculty to ask if applicants can perform these essential functions. They can ask applicants to describe or demonstrate how they will perform an essential function. They can also test applicants for aptitude, physical agility, intelligence and specific skills.
Bastyr and the Department of Midwifery staff are available to help applicants, students and preceptors propose reasonable accommodations for those with disabilities.
Blended Learning Model
One of the most exciting aspects of the program is its blended curriculum. This hybrid delivery system allows students to commute to the Bastyr campus three times each quarter and conduct their clinical learning in various communities. Each cohort of students (determined by year of entry) attends the same onsite weeks together, which allows for the face-to-face learning experience that is vital to midwifery training and allows students to build strong relationships with classmates and faculty.
When not physically on campus, students use the Internet classroom to correspond with classmates and instructors, engage in discussions, turn in homework and take tests.
Midwifery Curriculum
The midwifery program addresses both the art and science of midwifery by integrating theory with clinical experience. 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-playing, discussion, student presentations and research projects. Clinical skills and judgment are honed during Practicum with practicing midwives. The midwifery curriculum is enhanced by studies in related fields such as epidemiology, nutrition, pharmacology, genetics, embryology, counseling and education. Professional issues are woven throughout the curriculum including courses addressing midwifery history, racism and culture, law and ethics, advocacy and health policy, and tools for starting a practice. In year two, students elect either an independent master’s project under the guidance of a faculty committee or take a specialized track in Botanical Medicine for Midwifery Care for equivalent credits.
Clinical Experience
The Department of Midwifery places all students in qualified clinical training sites. The program replicates the age-old apprenticeship model in which students work, side-by-side with experienced preceptors who are licensed midwives and other professionals in the community, to gain skills and integrate the knowledge learned in the classroom. At least two years of clinical training are required, with a minimum of two clinical sites in North America. Optimal training sites include homebirth settings, birth centers, clinics and hospitals.
Department staff work closely with each student to arrange these clinical placements. Students must live within a one-hour commute of a qualified preceptor site. They may be required to relocate temporarily in order to meet graduation requirements if the community in which they reside does not have adequate clinical training opportunities. Personal flexibility and the support of family members are essential to manage possible separation and economic challenges.
In quarter two, prior to being placed in an approved clinical site, students are required to complete a non-credit-bearing course titled Introduction to Practicum, which includes an introduction to clinical tracking and the requirements necessary for the midwifery program’s clinical placements, as well as an orientation designed to prepare students to work effectively in a midwifery clinical preceptorship.
The clinical Practicum begins in the third quarter of the program. Students typically begin Practicum slowly, primarily observing for the first few months. Basic clinical skills, such as performing blood draws, IVs, physical and pelvic exams, pap tests, etc., are taught first in the classroom. Additionally, students are required to complete an approved neonatal resuscitation course as well as obtain training in CPR for healthcare providers at their own expense and prior to beginning Practicum. Students must also have an annual TB test and demonstrated immunity to or be vaccinated for hepatitis B. Several clinical sites have additional immunizations requirements, so students should be prepared to demonstrate immunity to or be vaccinated for chicken pox/varicella, MMR, pertussis and annual influenza. Moreover students must pass a criminal background check administered in the second quarter of the first year,conducted by the University, for which a fee is charged to the student. Students returning from a leave of absence are required to have their clinical skills assessed and may need remedial skills training before becoming eligible for a Practicum assignment.
Students may obtain their clinical experience in gynecology/family planning clinics, prenatal/postpartum clinics, homebirth settings, birth centers and hospitals in North America. (See Graduation Requirements below for specifics about clinical training requirements.) Students may work with licensed midwives, certified professional midwives, certified nurse-midwives, nurse practitioners, naturopathic doctors, physician assistants or physicians. Preceptors must be practicing legally for at least three years and serve a large enough obstetrical/gynecological population to adequately instruct, supervise and evaluate students’ clinical training. The Department of Midwifery screens and approves all potential clinical preceptors before students are placed in clinical training sites.
Admissions
For general information on the admissions process, please refer to the Admissions section in this catalog. The information below refers only to the Department of Midwifery’s Master of Science in Midwifery degree.
Prerequisites
Applicants without a bachelor’s degree must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 to be considered for admission. A grade of C or better is also required in all basic proficiency courses. Students may apply to the program while completing prerequisite coursework, but all prerequisites must be completed prior to enrollment in the program.
For Applicants With a Bachelor’s Degree in Any Field1
| General Psychology |
3 quarter credits |
| Introductory Nutrition |
4 quarter credits |
| General Chemistry (allied-health-major level with lab) |
4 quarter credits |
| Microbiology |
4 quarter credits |
| Anatomy and Physiology series |
8 quarter credits |
| College Algebra or Statistics |
4 quarter credits |
| Labor Support Course/Doula Training (DONA or toLabor approved) |
not a college course |
| Childbirth Educator Training (ICEA or Lamaze approved) |
not a college course |
1From a regionally accredited college/university
For Applicants Without a Bachelor’s Degree
| Basic Science and Proficiency Prerequisites |
| English Literature or Composition |
9 quarter credits |
| General Psychology |
3 quarter credits |
| Public Speaking |
3 quarter credits |
| Introductory Nutrition |
3 quarter credits |
| General Chemistry (allied-health-major level with lab) |
4 quarter credits |
| Microbiology |
4 quarter credits |
| Anatomy and Physiology Series |
8 quarter credits |
| College Algebra or Precalculus or Statistics |
4 quarter credits |
| Labor Support Course/Doula Training (DONA or ALACE approved) |
not a college course |
| Childbirth Educator Training (ICEA or Lamaze approved) |
not a college course |
| General Education Requirements |
| Social Sciences |
15 quarter credits |
| Arts and Humanities |
15 quarter credits |
| Natural Sciences |
4 quarter credits |
| Electives |
17 quarter credits1 |
1The number of elective credits may vary depending on the exact number of quarter credits earned in the other prerequisite categories. Total prerequisite credits must equal at least 90 quarter credits.
Applicants without a bachelor’s degree, please visit the Bastyr University undergraduate admissions page for information about transfer credits at www.bastyr.edu/admissions/transfer-students/undergraduate-transfer-info.
Graduation Requirements
Graduates must demonstrate proficiency in the midwifery program Core Competencies as shown by:
- satisfactory completion of all didactic and clinical courses with a grade of 80 percent (B- or 2.7 GPA) or better. (Some non-core courses may be passed with a grade of 75 percent or better.)
- satisfactory completion and presentation of a master’s project, which will be electronically deposited in a publicly available (open access) repository (see Policy/Procedure #11-C55), or completion of all Botanical Medicine for Midwifery Care courses.
- satisfactory completion of all sections of the comprehensive written and clinical exams in the last year of the program.
- completion of 40 hours of community service for the University or the profession of midwifery.
- demonstration of the qualities of a professional midwife as determined by the Student Progress Committee.
Graduates must also meet the following minimum clinical requirements:
- Participation in 60 births1, including at least the following:
- 30 births in which the student functions in the 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 U.S. or the student’s country of origin
1An additional 40 births (total of 100 births) are required for Washington state licensure.
Participation in a minimum of 1,500 hours of clinical work, including at least the following:
- 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.
Completion of at least 15 Continuity of Care contacts as the primary midwife under supervision as follows:
- Five Full Continuity of Care contacts that include:
- at least five prenatal visits (spanning two trimesters).
- the birth.
- the newborn exam.
- at least two postpartum visits.
- 10 other Continuity of Care contacts that include:
- at least two prenatal visits.
- the birth.
- the newborn exam.
- at least one postpartum visit.
Note: Continuity of Care requirements are different for registration as a midwife in Canada. Students planning to apply for Canadian registration should know the requirements and be documenting these births appropriately.
Clinical training for at least two years at a minimum of two clinical sites in the U.S. or the student’s home country is required. All clinical training is supervised by preceptors who are approved by the Department of Midwifery, and include the following:
- At least two preceptorships in which the clinical faculty member is a midwife
- One site for at least six months and 15 births (involved and supervised primary) in a home or birth center setting
- One site for at least three months and 10 births (observed and involved)
- Satisfactory completion of all levels of clinical evaluation with a minimum of two Advanced Clinical Skills Evaluations with the majority of skills and all essential skills assessed as mastered
The curriculum tables that follow list the tentative schedule of courses each quarter
MSMW YEAR I
MSMW Year I- Orientation begins online approximately six weeks before the onset of the quarter, with the intention of building group cohesion and introducing students to the program and University.
Fall
| Orientation | 0 |
| MW3101 | Midwifery Care 1: Introduction to Midwifery | 3 |
| MW3104 | Introduction to Epidemiology for Midwives | 3 |
| MW3302 | Midwifery Care Health Assessment | 4 |
| MW3311 | Perinatal Nutrition 1: Pre-Conception and Prenatal | 2 |
| MW4108 | Professional Issues Seminar: Power and Privilege in Midwifery | 1.5 |
| MW4305 | Gynecology | 3.5 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 17 |
Winter
| MW4100 | Genetics and Embryology | 2 |
| MW4302 | Midwifery Care 2: Pregnancy and Prenatal Care | 4 |
| MW4310 | Pharmacology and Treatments | 1.5 |
| MW4313 | Counseling for the Childbearing Year 1 | 1 |
| MW4315 | Introduction to CAM Use in Midwifery | 2 |
| MW4319 | Clinical Skills 1 | 1 |
| MW5101 | Master’s Project 1/Botanical Medicine for Midwifery Care: Choosing a Track | 0.5 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
Spring
| MW4107 | Professional Issues Seminar: Social Difference and Implications in Midwifery Practice | 2 |
| MW4303 | Midwifery Care 3: Advanced Pregnancy and Prenatal Care | 4 |
| MW4314 | Counseling for the Childbearing Year 2 | 1 |
| MW4322 | Clinical Skills 2 | 1 |
| MW4331 | Clinical Seminar 1 | 1 |
| MW4810 | Midwifery Practicum | variable to maximum of 8.5 |
| MW5106 | Survey of Research Methods | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 13.5 |
MW4810: In this quarter standard registration is 2.5 credits
Summer
| MW4810 | Midwifery Practicum | variable to maximum of 8.5 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |
MW4810: In this quarter standard registration is 6 credits
MSMW YEAR II -Master's Project Track
Fall
| MW4102 | Professional Issues Seminar: Midwifery History, Politics and Activism | 2 |
| MW4332 | Clinical Seminar 2 | 1 |
| MW5110 | Master’s Project 2 | 1.5 |
| MW5304 | Midwifery Care 4: Labor and Birth | 6 |
| MW5315 | Counseling for the Childbearing Year 3 | 1.5 |
| MW5810 | Midwifery Practicum | variable to maximum of 7.5 |
| MW4324 | Clinical Skills 3 | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 17.5 |
MW5810: In this quarter standard registration is 4.5 credits
Winter
| MW4307 | Breastfeeding and Lactation Education | 2 |
| MW4333 | Clinical Seminar 3 | 1 |
| MW5111 | Master’s Project 3 | 2 |
| MW5114 | Professional Issues Seminar: Health Care Systems and Health Policy | 2 |
| MW5308 | Midwifery Care 5: Postpartum and Newborn Care | 5 |
| MW5316 | Counseling for the Childbearing Year 4: Postpartum | 1.5 |
| MW5324 | Clinical Skills 4 | 0.5 |
| MW5810 | Midwifery Practicum | variable to maximum of 7.5 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 17 |
MW5810: In this quarter standard registration is 3 credits
Spring
| MW4105 | Professional Issues Seminar: Midwifery Legal, Ethical and Professional Framework | 2 |
| MW5112 | Master’s Project 4 | 2 |
| MW5309 | Midwifery Care 6: Challenges in Practice | 4 |
| MW5326 | Clinical Skills 5 | 1 |
| MW5334 | Clinical Seminar 4 | 1 |
| MW6810 | Midwifery Practicum | variable to maximum of 33.5 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
MW6810: In this quarter standard registration is 4 credits
Summer
| MW6110 | Master’s Project 5 | 2 |
| MW6810 | Midwifery Practicum | variable to maximum of 33.5 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 8 |
MW6810: In this quarter standard registration is 6 credits
MSMW YEAR II - Botanical Medicine in Midwifery Care Track
Fall
| MW4102 | Professional Issues Seminar: Midwifery History, Politics and Activism | 2 |
| MW4332 | Clinical Seminar 2 | 1 |
| MW5121 | Botanicals 1- Foundations | 2 |
| MW5304 | Midwifery Care 4: Labor and Birth | 6 |
| MW5315 | Counseling for the Childbearing Year 3 | 1.5 |
| MW5810 | Midwifery Practicum | variable to maximum of 7.5 |
| MW4324 | Clinical Skills 3 | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
MW5810: In this quarter standard registration is 4.5 credits
Winter
| MW4307 | Breastfeeding and Lactation Education | 2 |
| MW4333 | Clinical Seminar 3 | 1 |
| MW5114 | Professional Issues Seminar: Health Care Systems and Health Policy | 2 |
| MW5122 | Botanicals 2: Postpartum | 2 |
| MW5308 | Midwifery Care 5: Postpartum and Newborn Care | 5 |
| MW5316 | Counseling for the Childbearing Year 4: Postpartum | 1.5 |
| MW5324 | Clinical Skills 4 | 0.5 |
| MW5810 | Midwifery Practicum | variable to maximum of 7.5 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 17 |
MW5810: In this quarter standard registration is 3 credits
Spring
| MW4105 | Professional Issues Seminar: Midwifery Legal, Ethical and Professional Framework | 2 |
| MW5123 | Botanicals 3: Pregnancy | 2 |
| MW5309 | Midwifery Care 6: Challenges in Practice | 4 |
| MW5334 | Clinical Seminar 4 | 1 |
| MW6810 | Midwifery Practicum | variable to maximum of 33.5 |
| MW5326 | Clinical Skills 5 | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
MW6810: In this quarter standard registration is 4 credits
Summer
| MW6810 | Midwifery Practicum | variable to maximum of 33.5 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |
MW6810: In this quarter standard registration is 6 credits
MSMW YEAR III- Master's Project Track
Fall
| MW6111 | Master’s Project 6 | 2 |
| MW6307 | Midwifery Care 7: Synthesis and Application | 2 |
| MW6335 | Clinical Seminar 5 | 1 |
| MW6810 | Midwifery Practicum | variable to maximum of 33.5 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 11 |
MW6810: In this quarter standard registration is 6 credits
Winter
| MW6112 | Master’s Project 7 | 1 |
| MW6336 | Clinical Seminar 6 | 1 |
| MW6810 | Midwifery Practicum | variable to maximum of 33.5 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 11 |
MW6810: In this quarter standard registration is 9 credits
Spring
| MW6115 | Professional Issues Seminar: The Business of Midwifery | 2.5 |
| MW6337 | Clinical Seminar 7 | 1 |
| MW6810 | Midwifery Practicum | variable to maximum of 33.5 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
MW6810: In this quarter standard registration is 8.5 credits
MSMW YEAR III - Botanical Medicine in Midwifery Track
Fall
| MW5124 | Botanicals 4: Labor | 1 |
| MW6307 | Midwifery Care 7: Synthesis and Application | 2 |
| MW6335 | Clinical Seminar 5 | 1 |
| MW6810 | Midwifery Practicum | variable to maximum of 33.5 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 10 |
MW6810: In this quarter standard registration is 6 credits
Winter
| MW5125 | Botanicals 5: Holistic Gynecologic Health | 2 |
| MW6336 | Clinical Seminar 6 | 1 |
| MW6810 | Midwifery Practicum | variable to maximum of 33.5 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
MW6810: In this quarter standard registration is 9 credits
Spring
| MW6115 | Professional Issues Seminar: The Business of Midwifery | 2.5 |
| MW6337 | Clinical Seminar 7 | 1 |
| MW6810 | Midwifery Practicum | variable to maximum of 33.5 |
| MW5126 | Botanicals 6: Project | 1.5 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 13.5 |
MW6810: In this quarter standard registration is 8.5 credits
Total Requirements
| Total Core Course Credits |
89.5 |
| Total Practicum Hours |
49.5 |
| Total Requirements |
139 |
Curriculum and course changes in the 2019-2020 Bastyr University Catalog are applicable to students entering during the 2019-2020 academic year. Please refer to the appropriate catalog if interested in curriculum and courses required for any other entering year.