Licensed Certified Professional Midwife (LCPM)

Theoretical knowledge and foundational concepts related to the role of the midwife in care delivery, as well as basic skill performance. Topics include medical terminology, HIPAA compliance, documentation, professional behavior, and essential healthcare skills. Students perform midwifery-related clinical skills in a simulation environment including vital signs, phlebotomy, aseptic technique, oxygen use, and more. Embedded certifications include CPR (BLS), Neonatal Resuscitation (NRP), and Doula.

Provides the student with a broad overview of the principles of microbiology necessary for midwifery practice. Introduction to the structure and classification of microorganisms, with an emphasis on those relevant to healthcare. Topics covered include culture and staining techniques of bacteria and microbe identification. Additional topics relevant to midwifery practice include amniotic ferning and in-office wet mount. Students become familiar with the microscope: its parts, care and utilization. They practice and demonstrate application of proper microscopic technique as utilized during the antepartum, intrapartum and postpartum periods, as well during well-woman gynecologic care. This course is specifically offered to students enrolled in the Licensed Midwifery program.

Explores the history, ethics, and development of midwifery in the U.S. from the 17th century to the present, and provides a comprehensive overview of the evolution of midwifery, professional roles and organizations, and the social and regulatory contexts that shape maternal healthcare. Topics include the Midwives Model of Care™, legal frameworks, professional organizations, informed consent, and cultural competence in midwifery practice.

Review of the structure of the public health system at the federal, state and local levels with regard to how these impact the community and prevent disease, illnesses and mortality. Students become conversant in public programs such as WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) and SNAP in order to assist those clients who are at nutritional risk. Instruction in providing counseling for those who are HIV positive, enabling these clients to access appropriate care. Students also review screening for domestic violence and develop skills for identifying at-risk behaviors – including substance use, family violence, and child neglect/abuse – review requirements for mandatory reporting, learn the concept of trauma-informed care, gain an awareness of sex trafficking along with the tools to recognize those who being exploited, and explore community resources for victims of domestic violence and/or sex trafficking.

In-depth instruction and supervised practice in performing comprehensive physical examinations and obtaining client health histories. Emphasis is on the development of physical assessment skills using a systems-based approach, including cardiac, respiratory, neurological, musculoskeletal, abdominal, and reproductive assessments. Students apply communication techniques and cultural awareness to ensure respectful, informed, and individualized care. Focus is placed on accurate documentation, interpretation of findings, and identification of risk factors relevant to midwifery practice. This course prepares students to perform complete head-to-toe exams, recognize normal versus abnormal findings, and determine when referral or further evaluation is indicated.

Provides student midwives with information regarding nutrition during the pre-conception, antepartum and postpartum periods. Covers education of clients regarding nutritional and non-allopathic dietary supplements, and teaches midwives to individualize recommendations. This course also includes identifying individual nutritional patterns, tailoring recommendations to cultural preferences, effects of malnutrition, recognition of the needs of those who are underweight or overweight when entering the childbearing year, recognition of those with eating disorders, and facilitating access to better nutrition during pregnancy.

This 100-hour initial clinical placement introduces students to clinical practice through supervised observation and participation in early-stage midwifery care. Students are placed at approved clinical sites to observe up to ten births and begin developing professional behaviors, cultural humility, communication and documentation skills, and familiarity with clinical procedures. Successful completion supports progression into hands-on preceptorship and assistant-level clinical responsibilities in subsequent courses.

This 200-hour course builds on the foundational observation experiences from Internship 1 and transitions students into hands-on, supervised assistant-level care during the antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum periods. Students gain direct experience with prenatal assessment, client counseling, fetal monitoring, documentation, and supportive care within the Midwives Model of Care™. This course supports MEAC and NARM clinical training requirements and prepares students for greater clinical responsibility in the midwifery assistant role.

This 200-hour course provides continued supervised clinical practice at the assistant-under-supervision level with increased responsibility in prenatal and intrapartum care. Students refine skills in assessment, documentation, client education and support during the birth process while performing physical exams, fetal assessments, and risk evaluation. Emphasis is placed on differential diagnosis, critical thinking, and development of treatment plans in coordination with preceptors. Clinical documentation and skills tracking are maintained through the approved student system. This course supports progression to primary clinical responsibilities.

Covers the physiological, psychological, and educational components of prenatal care from conception to the onset of labor, integrating anatomy, physiology, fetal development, nutrition, common discomforts, diagnostic testing, and the management of deviations from normal pregnancy. The lab component of this course emphasizes skill development in pregnancy assessment, cultural competence, counseling, and the application of the Midwives Model of Care™. Antepartum prepares students to recognize deviations from normal, interpret clinical findings, and provide holistic, evidence-based, individualized care during the antepartum period. Students develop clinical reasoning, health education strategies, and practical skills necessary for caring for pregnant clients from initial contact through the onset of labor.

Prepares midwifery students to manage labor and birth in community and clinical settings using evidence-based, culturally responsive approaches. Topics include labor stages, fetal monitoring, variations of normal, emergency management, and third-stage labor. Students learn to assess maternal and fetal well-being, interpret labor progress, and provide physical, emotional, and clinical support across all stages of labor. Addresses common intrapartum complications, perineal management, and emergency interventions, with a strong focus on the psychosocial needs of the birthing client. Students learn to synthesize intrapartum findings, develop care plans, and prepare for consultation or referral when indicated. The hands-on lab portion of this course is utilized for instruction in and demonstration of intrapartum skills used by midwives during labor and birth, and via simulated emergency responses.