The NMW program is a 48 semester hour program. Most students successfully complete the program in 2 to 3 years by taking 6 to 9 credits in the fall and spring semesters and 3 to 6 credits during the summer sessions. The program must be completed in 5 years.
The nurse-midwifery option is rigorous, challenging, and extremely rewarding. During the clinical courses, it is strongly recommended that students do not work, or work as little as possible.
View the ACNM’s website for their mission statement, philosophy, code of ethics, standards for the practice of midwifery and core competencies for basic midwifery practice. The program is designed to be competency-based.
Courses are designated MS core, advanced core and specialty. Many courses are offered on-line for the MS core and the advanced core. The nurse-midwifery specialty courses are offered in-class or via interactive TV, only within Colorado.
The first year is dedicated to master’s core and advanced core courses. The second year is dedicated to specialty courses.
The second year, the clinical year, begins in the fall semester with antepartum, intrapartum and postpartum. It continues into the spring semester with the addition of gynecology, primary care, well woman and newborn. The clinical year culminates in a 7-8 week clinical intensive during the summer, known as integration. Integration is a minimum of 270 contact hours.
Yes, 14 credits of practicum (a minimum of 630 contact hours) are required to complete the nurse-midwifery option during the clinical year(s). During the fall and spring, students enroll in specialty didactic courses, as well as clinical courses. The clinical courses for midwifery begin in the fall and continue through the spring and summer. Four credits of clinical per semester equal one 12 hour shift on labor and delivery per week (which could be days, nights or weekends) and one 8 hour shift in the clinic per week. All students begin their fall rotations with the University Nurse-Midwives or Center for Midwifery. The NMW students commit to 20 hours of clinical per week for 15 weeks in both fall and spring.
Integration is the opportunity to synthesize all knowledge of the midwifery management process by following a certified nurse-midwife’s schedule. Integration is a 6 credit practicum assignment in the summer. Clinicals are 40 hours per week for 8 weeks.
40% of the didactic courses are offered online. Online and in-class formats alternate semester to semester. Your academic advisor will work with you to develop a program plan to meet your individual needs and learning preferences. Students can also utilize face-to-face interactions and limit travel time by attending classes in an intensive format involving 3-4 days (usually between semesters) on campus, with online follow-up during the semester. Online supervision may be available for students completing clinical requirements located out of the Denver metro area.
Clinical courses are offered in-state, except for Integration. Students begin their clinical experiences with one of the two faculty practices. Integration is the only opportunity to do nurse-midwifery clinicals outside of Colorado.
Yes, our courses provide you with the knowledge and skills to take the American Midwifery Certification Board examination.
Yes, you may take up to 12 semester credits as a non-degree seeking student prior to being accepted into the MS program. You must meet all prerequisite requirements of the course you are taking. Non-degree students register on a space available basis during open enrollment just prior to the beginning of the semester. Students enrolled as non-degree seeking are not eligible for financial aid. Please see the Office of Professional Development for more information.
Yes, for students who are not RNs, but have a BS/BA in another field, information about our accelerated RN/BS program is available on the web.
Yes. Pre-clinical competencies include (and documents must be in the practice office):
- CPR
- Neonatal Resuscitation Certification (NRP)
- Fetal Monitoring course
- STD Workshop (generally in September for 2 days, a fee is attached)
- Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics Course through the American Academy of Family [www.aafp.org] (generally in October for 2 days, a fee is attached)
Yes. Please contact Dr. Jennifer Hensley and indicate what you are interested in doing with your degree and you will be matched with a graduate. The graduate will then e-mail or call you to discuss the program.
Our graduates work in hospitals, birth centers, private practices, educational institutions and public health offices.
Positions in Colorado are posted on the Colorado nurse-midwives website. Positions available nationally are posted on American College of Nurse-Midwives.