Midwifery Education Program Description

The Baystate Midwifery Education Program is a post-baccalaureate graduate-level program leading to a Certificate in Midwifery. The program is five semesters in length with a new class entering each September.

There are two unique program articulations available for graduate degree completion.

• The Midwifery Institute of Thomas Jefferson University offers a Master of Science in Midwifery
• The University of Massachusetts Marieb College of Nursing offers a Master of Nursing Science

Master’s completion occurs concurrently with the Baystate program, making graduates eligible to take the American Certification Board (AMCB) certification examination to become a Certified Nurse-Midwife.

The options to continue for doctorate level degree is available through either of the associated universities but the master’s degree stop out enables graduates to begin clinical practice while deciding if and when to pursue a doctoral degree.

• Our Program Philosophy and Objectives
• Student Policies

Diverse Clinical Learning Opportunities

We limit class size to 6-7 midwifery students—this allows us to provide individual attention while also encouraging strong group cohesion.

The majority of your basic clinical experience is supervised by our faculty who guide you in your development of basic skills, and help maximize the learning opportunities that occur with each patient encounter.

Since all Baystate Midwifery Education Program faculty members hold joint appointments with Baystate Midwifery and Women's Health, you will be providing full scope care to patients at a variety of settings, including four community health centers. You will experience diverse learning opportunities, including a unique practice at the Hampden County Women's Correctional Center.

Our collaborative relationships with other established midwifery practices in Western Massachusetts mean you will have access to more than 10,000 women's health visits and 400 deliveries a year!

The Right Environment for Learning

Baystate Medical Center is a private, not-for-profit 716 bed academic medical center—the region's only Level 1 Trauma Center as well as its tertiary care referral center.

Long active in the education of graduate physicians, medical students, nurses, midwives and other health professionals, Baystate Medical Center provides a multidisciplinary academic environment.

You will benefit from your interaction with various sub-specialty areas in medicine, gynecology, pediatrics, and obstetrics, as well as from the Health Sciences Library, grand rounds, regional seminars, and other educational resources.

Within Baystate, the Wesson Women and Infants' Unit fosters a family-centered approach to maternity care with its 38 private labor and delivery rooms. As the tertiary referral center for both obstetrics and neonatology, it also offers the latest in available technology and personnel for the high risk women and their babies.

Our Commitment to Social Justice Work

The Midwifery Education Program is committed to providing a learning environment in which all students are respected for their individual differences and varied backgrounds. To do so, we foster a culture of equity, inclusion, sensitivity, humility, support, and respect for all students, faculty, staff, patients and their families.

Refresher Program

If you have been out of midwifery practice for a while, our Refresher Program is an option that can be tailored to your needs.