The midwifery program addresses both the art and science of midwifery by integrating theory with clinical experience. Academic courses build knowledge and skills that are necessary for the practice of midwifery through the use of case questions, skills practice labs, role-plays, discussion, student presentations and research projects. The core midwifery curriculum is enhanced by studies in related fields, such as epidemiology, nutrition, pharmacology, genetics, embryology and counseling. All students build a solid foundation 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. Students are given the option of completing either an independent master’s project or, for equivalent credits, a specialty track in botanical medicine for midwifery care.
In the Spring quarter of the first year of the program, students layer practicum experience on top of their continuing academic studies. Students hone clinical skills and develop midwifery judgment during clinical rotations with practicing midwives throughout the second and third years of the program. This layering of academic theory with clinical experience creates unparalleled learning opportunities for students in our program.
The attached PDF is the proposed curriculum for students starting in Fall 2019. Please note that changes to the curriculum may still occur before the start of the Fall 2019 academic year. For the 2019-2020 course catalog, click here.
Expected Learning Outcomes
At the completion of Bastyr’s Midwifery Program, students will be able to:
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Demonstrate the ability to autonomously provide care to clients with normal, low-risk pregnancies, labors, births and postpartum periods, as well as normal newborn care, in a variety of settings with a primary focus in home and birth center locations. Provide this care in alignment with the Midwives Model of Care™ that promotes birth as a healthy and normal physiologic process.
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Assess, diagnose and appropriately manage common complications in the antepartum, intrapartum and postpartum periods.
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Recognize complications that require consultation, referral or transfer of care to other providers within the healthcare system, and collaborate effectively for positive client outcomes.
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Utilize critical thinking abilities by referencing evidence-informed practice principles and by integrating ethical and legal issues into their care of clients.
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Demonstrate integration of the principles of reproductive justice by acting as advocates and agents for racial and cultural equity.
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Communicate with clients in a way that validates the client’s knowledge and experience while encouraging personal responsibility in shared decision-making and informed choice.
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Exercise information literacy skills through research activities, policy development, involvement in political processes and the promotion of midwifery through state, provincial and national professional organizations.
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Qualify for certification by the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM), and may qualify for licensure or registration in a variety of jurisdictions.
Blended Learning Format
The midwifery program combines the best of online and face-to-face learning methods to allow students flexibility in their geographic location 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 Canva online learning platform, along with other collaborative tools such as Google Docs and Zoom. 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 comes together at Bastyr's Kenmore campus, which facilitates the face-to-face learning that is vital to midwifery training. 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 practicing midwives who are also excellent teachers, and all supplies (other than personal student tools and equipment) are provided by the school. Students also learn in Bastyr’s extensive herb garden, anatomy laboratory, and expansive health sciences library.
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, bookstore, a counseling department, and many more student services.
