What Makes Our Program Distinct?
State-of-the-art simulation facilities and clinical settings offer unparalleled clinical opportunities
Set in a progressive health care community with a rich diversity of well-established midwifery practices, our program offers unparalleled clinical opportunities. State-of-the-art simulation facilities complement excellent clinical settings. Students participate in interprofessional clinical and simulation activities with OBGYN residents at the University of Minnesota.
The primarily online curriculum combined with scheduled in-person and online synchronous sessions and committed faculty allow for flexible learning.
Coursework that prepares leaders
Midwifery students gain valuable clinical skills and knowledge in their coursework. Courses in pharmacology, pharmacotherapeutics, physiology, pathophysiology, and health assessment are the building blocks to five semesters of midwifery specific courses. All midwifery students are required to complete a course on racism and health disparity prevention specific to the midwifery profession.
Through coursework in informatics, economics, evidence-based practice, policy, and completion of a quality improvement project, graduates are prepared to affect change within their clinical environment and those interested may take on formal leadership positions.
Midwifery students have the opportunity to enroll in additional courses to earn a Certificate in Integrative Therapies and Healing Practices or Human Sexuality. There are also options to add a minor in Public Health, American Indian Public Health and Wellness, Gerontology, Global Health, Health Equity, Population Studies, and Human Rights.
Our Graduates are Prepared to:
- provide independent, competent and professional midwifery care, according to the ACNM Philosophy, Core Competencies, Standards for Practice, Code of Ethics, ACNM Position Statement on Racism and Racial Bias;
- practice interprofessionally in providing and evaluating health care;
- collaborate with physicians in the care of women/individuals with medical and/or obstetrical complications;
- assume the role and responsibilities of the nurse-midwife which include the following:
- provide a culturally sensitive, culturally responsive, equitable and integrative approach to care;
- promote a physiologic and low intervention approach to health care;
- provide leadership in improving the quality of health care;
- promote evidenced-based practice through research and evaluation;
- participate in current health care legislation and policy affecting individuals and families;
- implement strategies to improve the organization of health care services.
- describe the history of the US and global midwifery profession and its impact on contemporary practice and policy.
Frequently asked questions
How many students are accepted into the program each year?
Approximately 10-12 in the Twin Cities cohort and up to 6 students in the Mayo cohort. Admission numbers depend on student geographic location and availability of clinical preceptors
I am not currently a nurse. What are my options?
A BSN or professional master’s preparation in nursing is required for admission to the program. If you are not a RN and have a bachelor’s degree, consider the school’s MN program.
Do I need experience as a nurse to apply to the program?
Students may be admitted to the program directly from a BSN or MN program. However, students must have worked at least 15 months as a nurse prior to beginning clinical practicums. Clinical practicums start in year 2 for those enrolled in the 3-year program and year 3 for those enrolled in the 4-year program.
Labor/delivery/postpartum nursing experience is not a requirement. We welcome applicants from all nursing backgrounds and experience levels.
What are the benefits of the DNP degree in midwifery?
Building on excellent theoretical and clinical preparation, midwives are prepared to provide leadership in the clinical setting. Through coursework in informatics, economics, evidence-based practice, policy, and completion of a leadership/systems change project, graduates are prepared to affect change within their clinical environment and those interested may take on formal leadership positions.
Where are students placed for their midwifery clinical experiences?
The Twin Cities metropolitan area has many well established and diverse midwifery clinical practices where our students complete clinical experiences. In addition, we have clinical sites in other parts of Minnesota and in our neighboring states to support students living outside the Minneapolis/St. Paul area and wishing rural or other specific experiences.
Students enrolled in the Mayo cohort will complete all clinical practicums at Mayo sites in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Are students able to request a specific facility for a clinical experience?
We honor student requests when possible, however placement is dependent on availability and consideration of all student needs. Faculty prefer that students have clinical experiences in a clinical site that is not a place of employment.
What do you look for in an applicant?
The typical successful applicant has an undergraduate GPA of 3.4 to 4.0, positive academic and/or employment references, and knowledge and passion about the practice of midwifery. Labor and delivery experience is a benefit but not required; some applicants have completed doula, breastfeeding support or similar labor and birth support programs. The Admissions Committee will also look for evidence of leadership potential. Each applicant is evaluated individually based on all the admission criteria and information submitted.
How many applications do you receive each year?
Each year we receive approximately 40-60 applications for the 10-12 available Twin Cities cohort positions and 4-6 Mayo cohort positions. Some applicants may apply more than once before gaining acceptance into the nurse-midwifery program.
When will I know if I am offered an interview?
Midwifery faculty review priority deadline applicant files in December and January; interviews for qualified applicants are conducted in January and February. If there are remaining cohort spots available, we offer a rolling admissions process. We do recommend applying early. All applicants receive a letter informing them of whether or not they are offered an interview.
When do you make the decision about acceptance to the program?
Following the interview process, we make a preliminary decision about admission. Those selected are then reviewed and approved by the School of Nursing Graduate Admissions and Progressions Committee. The Committee then notifies all applicants of their status (admitted, wait list, not admitted). This process typically takes place by late February or early March.
Are there any courses I can take before the program starts in the fall?
Applicants accepted into the midwifery specialty can take certain courses before the program begins in the fall term. Courses taken prior to program entry are limited to nine credits. Please contact Melissa Saftner at [email protected] for more information about courses to take.
What is your pass rate on the AMCB National Certification Examination and graduation rate?
For the graduating classes, the one year certification rate is:
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100% | 100% | 86% | 100% | 100% |
| (11 graduates) | (10 graduates) | (7 graduates) | (8 graduates) | (11 graduates) |
Nurse-midwifery students enroll in one of two full-time program plans, a three year or four year option. Of students who enrolled and would have graduated in years 2020 through 2024, 90% of basic midwifery students have graduated. Students who do not graduate usually do so for personal, family or academic reasons. Since 2019, 100% of post-graduate certificate students graduated.
Do graduates find midwifery practice positions upon graduation?
It can be difficult to stay in touch with all of our graduates from the program. To the best of our knowledge, approximately 95% of graduates since 2019 are practicing in full-scope midwifery positions.
Certification
Upon successful completion of the midwifery course of study, graduates are eligible to take the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) national certification examination.
Accreditation
The midwifery program at the University of Minnesota, School of Nursing is fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME), 2000 Duke Street, Suite 300, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; (703) 835-4565; [email protected] [email protected] theacme.org. For information about accreditation please contact ACME directly.