The Bachelor of Science in Midwifery (BSM) Program is the foundation for building a strong academic and evidence based knowledge and skills for practicing direct entry midwives. Our program allows students to earn a bachelor’s degree without compromising your midwifery practice and family commitments. The BSM program is divided into academic and advanced clinical care requirements. Traditionally, midwifery students learned under the guidance of an experienced midwife in an apprenticeship. As a practitioner the apprenticeship model moves into mentorship and collegial relationships. The goal of our bachelor’s degree is to support this transition through self-paced and flexible options.
​
Academics are taught by NCM's online professors, with the exception of one course where the student will be working with their community preceptor. (NCM supplies the learning objectives, activities, grading rubrics, and course structure, the student finds their preceptor who will instruct, mentor, grade and evaluate.)
​
NCM supplies an accredited comprehensive academic and clinical curriculum to ensure the education of a competent, confident midwife. We recognize the specialized and distinct experience each preceptor brings to the education and allow for flexibility in a myriad of apprenticeship settings which honors the individual needs of each student and preceptor. Students are required to contract with their own preceptors which helps to ensure a cultural match and allows the student to stay in their community or the community they wish to work within. Students and Preceptors are free to study at their own pace (some courses have to be redone after 7 years to make sure the student has current information; please check the student handbook) and organize course content to meet preferences and increase convenience and satisfaction.
BSM Program Overview
-
Please see the NCM Handbook Living Document Version for more details on program rules and requirements.
-
Check out our BSM FAQs for more specific questions.
​
Student and Preceptor Enrollment:
Please see the Enrollment section of the NCM Handbook for more detailed information.
BSM students require at least one preceptor, for the course Evidence-Based Evaluation of Critical Client Care. All other academics will be taught by NCM's online professors.
In order for NCM to accept work done in this course towards completion of BSM program, all of the following must be true when the work was done:
-
The student must be a Current Student with NCM.
-
The preceptor must be a Current Preceptor for NCM.
-
The student and preceptor must have a current approved and complete Contract between Student, Preceptor and the National College of Midwifery on file with NCM.
-
The student and preceptor must each have received notification from NCM acknowledging their relationship.
Credits:
147.75
(152.75 credits for California Students)
Length of Program:
The BSM program can be completed in a minimum of 1 year to a maximum of 5 years. Check out the interactive BSM Plan of Completion.
Pre/Co-requisites:
-
High School Diploma or GED,
-
Prerequisite courses: Students must come into the program with English and Math transfers complete:
-
3 credits of College Level Math*,
-
4 credits of College Level English Composition*,
-
-
Midwifery Certification or Licensure equivalent to 67.75 credits.
BSM students in California must additionally complete (can be completed concurrently with the ASM program):
-
Chemistry: 3 credits*
-
Child Growth and Development: 1 credit*
-
IP Basic Skills - Suturing and Medications Portion
​
Academic Requirements:
Area I: Communications
-
ENG200G-Analytical Writing (4 credits)*, co-requisite
ENG202G Bus. & Prof. Communications (3.0 credits)
-
ENG404 Writing & Presenting on Midwifery Projects (4.0 credits)
Area II: Mathematics
-
MATH112G-Fundamental Math (3 credits)*, co-requisite
-
HON211G Statistics (3.0 credits)
Area III: Laboratory Science
-
BIO120 Fetal Development (1.0 credits)
-
BIO155G Anatomy and Physiology (4.0 credits)
-
HON205G Applied Microbiology (3.0 credits)
-
SOC102 Genetic Screening (1.0 credits)
-
HON393G Community Health (3.0 credits)
-
California Students (must complete an additional 3 credits):
-
SCI102G-Chemistry* (3 credits)
-
Area IV: Social/Behavioral Sciences
-
HON223G Human Sexuality (3.0 credits)
-
PSY224 Communication & Counseling (1.0 credits)
-
California Students (must complete an additional 3 credits):
-
SOC104-Child Growth & Development* (1 credit)
-
-
HON225G Midwifery Ethics (2.0 credits)
-
HON390G Laws/Regulations (3.0 credits)
-
HON450 Applied Topics in Midwifery Practice: DevPolicy&Procedures (4.0 credits)
Area V: Humanities & Fine Arts
-
HON220G Midwifery Literature & Art (3.0 credits)
-
HON222G History of Midwifery (3.0 credits)
Area VI: Midwifery
-
MW400 Midwifery Research Methods (4.0 credits)
-
MW460 Evidence-Based Practice in Midwifery Care (4.0 credits)
-
MW480 Evidence-Based Critical Evaluation of Client Care: 1 Additional clinical year past licensing or certification to include 10 births mentored by preceptor (24.0 credits)
​
All Midwifery (MW) courses and the General Education courses Genetic Screening, and Laws & Regulations must be taken within 7 years of graduation, including transfers.
​
Clinical Requirements:
The BSM program requires 1 clinical year past licensing or certification to include 10 births mentored by the student's preceptor during a full course of care chart review. This requirement may be completed concurrently with enrollment in the BSM program. The BSM candidate thoroughly evaluates these charts analyzing possible risks and provision of all areas of care for each of the 10 clients, identifies problems, and implements changes in their practice and methods to improve future care.
​
*Prerequisite college-level courses and additional California requirements must be completed at an outside accredited college or university. Prerequisite courses must be completed prior to applying; additional requirements may be completed concurrently with NCM coursework (see NCM policy on accepting transfer credits in the NCM Handbook).
​
​
STUDENT APPLICATION
​
"This is news I have been dreaming of for a very long time now.
Thank you so much for your assistance and guidance on the journey.
It has been a joy and an honor to pursue higher education in midwifery and
I am excited to invest back into the greater midwifery community now that I have my BSM."
​
~ Abigail, BSM Graduate