Program Types

Introduction

The American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) is the professional association of Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) and Certified Midwives (CMs). As of January 2006, 10,752 nurse-midwives and 58 midwives have been certified by the ACNM and Amercian Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB).

The Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education - ACME (formerly Division of Accreditation) of the ACNM establishes the Criteria for Preaccreditation and Accreditation of Education Programs in Nurse-Midwifery and Midwifery. These criteria are the basis for the accreditation process which is a joint activity involving both nurse-midwifery or midwifery education programs and the ACME. The ACNM ACME is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as an accrediting agency for nurse-midwifery education programs and direct entry midwifery education programs for the non-nurse. This information can be verified with the U.S. Department of Education Office of Post Secondary Education, Accreditation and State Liason, 1990 K St., NW #7105, Washington, DC 20006-8509, (202) 219-7011.

Program status

Preaccreditation Status is the designation for an education program which intends to initiate a nurse-midwifery or midwifery curriculum and has met the Criteria for Preaccreditation, established by the ACME, to assure the development of a high quality education program. Programs are evaluated for preaccreditation status before the admission of students.

Accreditation Status is the designation for a nurse-midwifery or midwifery education program recognized as carrying out the philosophy, purposes and objectives set forth by its faculty and having met the standards established by the profession for the preparation of competent certified nurse-midwives or certified midwives.

Program Type

There are six (6) types of programs which prepare individuals to take the national examination of the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB).

FOR REGISTERED NURSES:

1. Certificate (including post-master's) - A post-baccalaureate program that: provides all the essential components of the nurse-midwifery curriculum as defined by the ACNM Core Competencies for Basic Midwifery Practice and has the essential elements for program implementation as defined in the Criteria for Accreditation documents; and is incorporated into a program of professional studies that either requires a baccalaureate degree upon entrance or which grants no less than a baccalaureate degree.

2. Graduate - A post-baccalaureate program that provides all the essential components of the nurse-midwifery curriculum as defined by the ACNM Core Competencies for Basic Midwifery Practice, and has the essential elements for program implementation as defined in the Criteria for Accreditation documents; and is incorporated into a program of professional studies which grants an academic degree at a master's or doctoral level.

3. Pre-Certification - A post-baccalaureate program, for Registered Nurses, who are professional midwives, that provides selected components of the nurse-midwifery curriculum as defined by the ACNM Core Competencies for Basic Midwifery Practice to meet the assessed needs of students, and has the essential elements for program implementation as defined in the Criteria for Accreditation documents; and is a program of professional studies that either requires a baccalaureate degree upon entrance or which grants no less than a baccalaureate degree.

FOR THE NON-NURSE:

4. Certificate (including post-master's) - A post-baccalaureate program that provides all the essential components of the midwifery curriculum as defined by the two documents: 
The Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviors Prerequisite to Midwifery Clinical Coursework and Core Competencies for Basic Midwifery Practice, and has the essential elements for program implementation as defined in the Criteria for Accreditation documents; and is incorporated into a program of professional studies that either requires a baccalaureate degree upon entrance or which grants no less than a baccalaureate degree.

5. Graduate - A post-baccalaureate program that provides all the essential components of the midwifery curriculum as defined by the two documents: The Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviors Prerequisite to Midwifery Clinical Coursework and Core Competencies for Basic Midwifery Practice, and has the essential elements for program implementation as defined in the Criteria for Accreditation documents; and is incorporated into a program of professional studies which grants an academic degree at a master's or doctoral level.

6. Pre-Certification - A post-baccalaureate program for professional midwives, that provides all the essential components of the midwifery curriculum as defined by the two documents: The Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviors Prerequisite to Midwifery Clinical Coursework and Core Competencies for Basic Midwifery Practice, and has the essential elements for program implementation as defined in the Criteria for Accreditation documents; and is a program of professional studies that either requires a baccalaureate degree upon entrance or which grants no less than a baccalaureate degree.

About this Web Site

While the ACNM does serve as resource for prospective nurse-midwifery and midwifery students, it does not provide career counseling or guidance counseling services. General questions about the profession and the education process can be directed to the ACNM. Specific questions about admissions requirements, course curriculum, or other issues related to your personal educational needs should be directed to the education programs you are most interested in attending.

The information contained in this Web site was provided by the individual programs and is intended as a general overview of the various ACNM ACME preaccredited and accredited nurse-midwifery and midwifery education programs. For additional information, contact the program(s) you are interested in directly.

The American College of Nurse-Midwives and the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (formerly Division of Accreditation) hope this Web site assists you in making your decision about a career as a certified nurse-midwife or certified midwife. Thousands have found this a rewarding and diverse career option, and millions of women have enjoyed the care they received from these highly qualified and caring individuals.