Bastyr University's direct-entry Master of Science in Midwifery program trains students in all aspects of midwifery care, preparing them to greatly improve the quality and breadth of maternity care offered to women and their families. It is the only Master of Science in Midwifery that is both regionally accredited and MEAC-accredited and qualifies graduates to become state (or provincially) licensed and nationally certified midwives. 

The rigorous, proven curriculum – based on the competencies established by the Midwives Alliance of North America (MANA) and the combined expertise of Bastyr University and the former Seattle Midwifery School – uses state-of-the-art technologies and an extensive network of clinical training sites around the globe.

The program is intended for entry-level midwifery students and is three years in length (11 quarters), culminating in a Master of Science in Midwifery. Completion of the program qualifies graduates to sit for examinations to become licensed as a midwife in Washington or other states, registered in Canadian provinces, and nationally certified by the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) as a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM).

Blending Learning Format

The midwifery program combines the best of online and face-to-face learning methods to allow students to remain in their communities for learning and clinical training and commute three times each quarter for on-site intensives with their classmates. All midwifery students participate in this blended learning model.

Online courses provide structured learning experiences each week. Courses are not self-paced; there are learning activities for each week that must be completed on schedule. The Department of Midwifery uses the Moodle online learning platform, along with other collaborative tools, such as Google Docs, Skype and Google Hangouts. Typical weekly activities include extensive reading, watching online videos and/or lectures, collaborative and individual writing assignments, group research projects, worksheets, quizzes and online discussions. Although most activities during online weeks can be accomplished at any time of the day or night, assignments are due on a regular schedule. In the first two years of the program, students should plan on spending a minimum of 30 hours studying during online weeks.

Three times per quarter (generally for one week per month), each student cohort is together at Bastyr's Kenmore campus, which allows the face-to-face learning that is vital to midwifery training. This time allows students to build strong relationships with classmates and faculty. Students are typically in a dedicated midwifery classroom for 8-12 hours per day during these weeks, while professors and faculty rotate through, engaging in face-to-face learning activities. Classroom weeks often include practicing skills, role plays, problem solving, group activities, case studies, student presentations, lectures, guest speakers and hands-on workshops.

The dedicated classroom is comfortably furnished and includes state-of-the art technology for instructor and student presentations. Clinical skills courses are taught by qualified instructors and all supplies (other than personal student tools and equipment) are provided by the school. The Department of Midwifery has a dedicated staff person who maintains an organized and plentiful inventory of supplies for student learning experiences. 

Campus amenities include a dining commons for the purchase of natural and organic foods, student study spaces, overnight accommodations (at an additional charge to the student), a student lounge, exercise room, a library, a counseling department, and many more student services.

At Bastyr, students learn through hands-on training that overlaps with classroom theory. We use a time-tested apprenticeship model in which students work side-by-side with experienced preceptors(midwives who are legally practicing in their jurisdiction) and other healthcare professionals.  Clinical practicum rotations begin in the third quarter of the program and continue throughout the second and third years of the program. Clinical time with preceptors and student involvement in skills increases as classroom time decreases, preparing students to integrate their knowledge and skills in preparation for entry-level practice.

Basic clinical skills, such as performing blood draws, intravenous lines, physical/pelvic exams, and cytology tests, are first taught in the classroom with qualified instructors and practiced and refined in clinical sites.  Prior to being assigned to a clinical training site, students will be required to obtain certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for healthcare providers and neonatal resuscitation, have a negative tuberculosis (TB) test and demonstrate immunity or vaccination for hepatitis B per university policy, demonstrate immunity or vaccination for other health conditions per specific state law or as required by their clinical site (which may include but is not limited to rubella, pertussis, varicella, and influenza),  and pass a criminal background check.

Where Students Get Clinical Experience

Students obtain their clinical experience in gynecology/family planning clinics, prenatal/postpartum clinics, homebirth settings, birth centers, and hospitals in North America. Students may work with licensed midwives, registered midwives, certified professional midwives, certified nurse-midwives, nurse practitioners, naturopathic doctors, physician assistants or physicians during these rotations.

The Department of Midwifery places all students in qualified clinical training sites and provides ongoing support to students throughout the practicum experience; students do not pay preceptors for their clinical experiences.  Students must live within a one-hour commute of an approved clinical training site and must be prepared to relocate temporarily if the community where they reside does not have adequate clinical training opportunities. This may require flexibility and the support of the student's family, as it may mean separation and economic challenges.

In our program preceptors are also known as Community Faculty who meet criteria established by the Department of Midwifery to supervise students. Community Faculty must be practicing legally, attending births as a licensed, certified or registered midwife for at least three years, and have sufficient obstetrical/gynecological volume to adequately instruct, supervise, and evaluate the student's clinical training. The Department of Midwifery screens and approves all potential preceptors and Community Faculty. Students work closely with the Clinical Education Supervisor in the process of being assigned to their clinical rotations.   Clinical training sites change frequently and prospective students are invited to contact the Department for more information.