Master of Science in Midwifery

The direct-entry Master of Science in Midwifery program prepares students to greatly improve the quality and breadth of maternity care offered to women and their families. It also qualifies graduates to become state (or provincially) licensed and nationally certified midwives.
Length of Program: 3 years (11 quarters) full time.
Campus: Kenmore, Washington

Bastyr gives an exemplary midwifery education that is unlike any other in our field. With both traditional and evidence based learning, this education has prepared me to give excellent care upon graduation and licensure...I feel absolutely prepared to go into practice with this education. I have cultivated life long friends and a network of fellow midwives who support me as I support them in this difficult and captivating career path.

Person's Name

Emilie Jenkins, MS Midwifery ('20)

Program Overview

Bastyr’s three-year Master of Science in Midwifery (MSM) program trains students in all aspects of midwifery care, from preconception through pregnancy, labor, birth, and the postpartum period for parent and newborn, and is intended for those who desire to serve childbearing families in the comfort of their home or freestanding birth center settings. It is the only master’s degree in midwifery that is both regionally-accredited and MEAC-accredited and that prepares graduates to be leaders in the profession. Based on the competencies established by the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) and the combined expertise of Bastyr University and the renowned Seattle Midwifery School, this rigorous, proven curriculum equips health professionals to address both the art and science of midwifery by integrating theory with clinical experience. Graduates are prepared to enter the field as innovative leaders that provide midwifery care through a social justice lens.

Program Highlights

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  • Blended learning format. Bastyr’s MSM program strikes the perfect balance between the flexibility of online courses and face-to-face learning. While the structured online curriculum allows students flexibility in their geographic location for learning and clinical training, the integration of on-site training (three times per quarter) provides critical value in mastering the midwifery model of care.
  • A master’s degree that matters. You know that MEAC accreditation matters to your midwifery education, but did you also know that only a degree from a regionally-accredited university like Bastyr will be recognized if you choose to continue your education with a doctorate or another degree? Bastyr has the only midwifery master’s degree in the country that is both MEAC and regionally accredited. 
  • Integrated clinical training. Learn midwifery through hands-on training that overlaps with classroom theory. Through a proven clinical training model in which students work alongside experienced midwives and other healthcare professionals, graduates are prepared to integrate their knowledge and skills into entry-level practice. This layering of academic theory with clinical experience creates unparalleled learning opportunities for students in our program.
  • Assistance with preceptorships. No more worrying about having to find your own preceptors or paying them to train you. We place all students in clinical training sites with qualified and experienced preceptors.
  • World-class education. Bastyr’s expert faculty delivers high-quality instruction that is grounded in professional issues through courses in understanding and addressing racism, a deep history of the midwifery profession, health policy, legal and ethical frameworks, and how to build a midwifery practice. Learn from leaders in the profession.
  • Choose your specialty.  Students are given the option of completing either a master’s project on the topic of their choice, or, for equivalent credits, a specialty track in botanical medicine for midwifery care.
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Career Opportunities

From professional midwifery to social advocacy, Bastyr’s MSM graduates are equipped to serve childbearing families in a variety of ways.

  • Certified Professional Midwife (CPM)
  • Licensed Midwife
  • Registered Midwife
  • Owning a private practice focusing on birth center and/or home births
  • Qualifying for registration in Canada as a midwife who practices in homes, birth centers and hospitals
  • Developing or working in a community birth center
  • Participating as part of an integrated maternity care team
  • Acting as a consultant to conventional medical practices
  • Working internationally to teach and provide care
  • Serving as a national policy advocate

For more information on titles and licensure, visit the North American Registry of Midwives.

Campus Location - Seattle, WA

Seattle, Washington Campus

Set in the heart of the Pacific Northwest, Bastyr’s expansive Seattle-area campus provides a serene, natural environment for students to deepen their health education. Our campus is located in the Seattle suburb of Kenmore, Washington, and encompasses 51 acres along the shore of Lake Washington. 

At our Seattle-area campus, you’ll enjoy dynamic classroom environments and unique facilities for research, laboratory and clinical experiences. Our campus location also affords you easy access to the rich cultural experiences of the Seattle metropolitan area and unlimited exposure to the natural wonders of the Puget Sound region.

General Requirements

Length of Program

3 years (11 quarters), full-time

Tuition and Financial Aid

Speak to an advisor today to learn more about tuition costs or to find out about our financial aid programs!

Curriculum

Gain a master’s-level understanding of midwifery care through a curriculum delivered in a blended online and on-site course format. Reference our curriculum table for the full course schedule. This table reflects a full-time course of study. 

The program prepares midwives with the hands-on training and knowledge to confidently and effectively guide families throughout the childbearing year. Expected learning outcomes of graduates can be found in the course catalog. 

Contact an advisor to learn more about the Master of Science in Midwifery.

PDF icon 2019-20 MW.pdf

Clinical Training

Students obtain their clinical experience in gynecology/family planning clinics, prenatal/postpartum clinics, homebirth settings, birth centers and hospitals in North America. Clinical training involves working 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.

Prerequisites

  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 required to be considered for admission. 
  • 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.

 

Interested in completing some prerequisite courses online? Learn more about which lower-division courses can be fulfilled through the Alternative Credit Project.

Reference our curriculum table for full prerequisites. To learn which classes fulfill these prerequisites, use our course equivalency guide.

A full course outline can be found in the Master of Science in Midwifery program description of the Academic Catalog.

Professor Highlights

Professor Highlights: 

Wendy Gordon, DM, MPH, CPM, LM

Wendy Gordon
Wendy Gordon is a core faculty member the Midwifery Department at Bastyr University. She also provides prenatal, birth and postpartum care to families through the Center for Birth Midwives in Seattle.

Tanya Khemet Taiwo, MPH, LM, PhD

Tanya Khemet Taiwo, MPH, LM, PhD

Current Roles

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