Master of Science in Midwifery

Care for growing families in community birth settings.

Midwifery Program Overview

Midwifery is more than just a career – It's a calling. You will learn to be a guide for families in the birthing process. You will train in all aspects of midwifery care, from preconception through pregnancy, labor, birth, and the postpartum period for parents and newborns. 

Upon graduation, you’ll be prepared to serve families within your community, ensuring that they look back on their birth experience feeling empowered and respected. You will learn how to care for clients with normal, low-risk pregnancies, labors, births and postpartum periods, as well as normal newborn care. 

Learn alongside world-class faculty in the classroom and at clinical preceptor sites. In addition to learning how to provide evidence-based care, they'll guide you in understanding and addressing racism in health care, as well as learning the deep history of the midwifery profession, health policy, legal and ethical frameworks, and how to build a midwifery practice. 

*This program is not eligible for international students due to low residency schedule design.

Next start date
Location
Seattle
Program Length

3 years (11 quarters) hybrid program (on campus once/month, completion of two years of experience in preceptorships)

Credentials Earned

MSM (Master of Science in Midwifery)

Eligible to take the board exam to become a CPM. May be eligible for licensure (varies state by state. 

Cost

$742/credit hour (average)

Master of Science in Midwifery Highlights

20:1 Student to Faculty Ratio

Social Justice Lens

Direct-Entry Midwifery - No nursing required.

Midwifery Degree Program Details

  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 required 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 must have a plan for completing prerequisites before the start of the program in the fall. 

For Applicants With a Bachelor’s Degree in Any Field*

*From a regionally accredited college/university

For Applicants Without a Bachelor’s Degree

Basic Science and Proficiency Prerequisites

General Education Requirements

  • English Literature or Composition - 9 quarter credits
  • Public Speaking - 3 quarter credits
  • Social Sciences - 15 quarter credits
  • Arts and Humanities - 15 quarter credits
  • Natural Sciences - 4 quarter credits
  • Electives - 17 quarter credits*

*The 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.

* The Simkin Center at Bastyr University offers Childbirth Educator Training and Birth Doula Training. Learn more here

 

Bastyr accepts graduate and undergraduate transfer credits earned at accredited colleges and universities. Learn what you need to make this process go smoothly.

For more information, visit Financial Aid. 

  • Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) 
  • Licensed Midwife 
  • Registered Midwife 
  • Owning a private practice focusing on birth center and/or home births 
  • Developing or working in a community birth center 
  • Participating as part of an integrated maternity care team 
  • Working internationally to teach and provide care 
  • Serving as a national policy advocate