Midwifery Education Programs

Per the ACNM position statement, Mandatory Degree Requirements for Entry into Midwifery Practice, a graduate degree is required for entry into midwifery practice. All midwifery education programs accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME) provide the necessary education for graduates to be eligible to take the examination offered by the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) and become Certified Nurse-Midwives; in addition, two of the education programs provide the necessary education for graduates to be eligible to take the AMCB examination and become Certified Midwives.

 

The following options may be available at the education program:

Baccalaureate degree (BA/BS) to RN and CNM/Graduate option -
Typically a 3 year program commonly referred to as "graduate entry" or "direct entry" which provides nursing + midwifery education to the Bachelor’s-prepared applicant.

Diploma or associates degree(AD) RN to CNM/Graduate option -
Often referred to as a "bridge" program which provides a BS degree to the RN and then graduate education in midwifery.

Fully Distance -
Student does every part of the curricula study plan at a distant location, except for occasional retreats. All clinical learning experiences are accomplished in the student’s local or nearby community.

Partially Distance -
Options for some web based courses that are done at a distance and some campus based courses done on location.

DNP option -
Doctor of Nursing Practice, either post-MS degree or direct from BS to DNP.

Post Graduate certificate option -
For those graduate-prepared APRNs who want to add midwifery to their scope of practice.

Graduate Completion option -
For the certificate-prepared midwife who wants to add graduate education.

Certified Midwife option -
Graduate midwifery education for the Bachelor’s-prepared applicant who is not a nurse. Basic health-related prerequisite courses are required and the graduate is eligible to take the same national certification examination, administered by the American Midwifery Certification Board, as the graduate nurse-midwife. CMs are currently authorized to practice in only 5 states: DE, MO, NJ, NY, RI.