Best Nurse Midwifery Schools
Certified nurse midwives (CNMs) are traditionally known for their care and medical support of women and infants during labor and childbirth. However, nurse midwife duties also include caring for women at many other points throughout their lifespans, including pre-pregnancy, during pregnancy, after birth, and throughout their reproductive lives. To become a midwife, you’ll need to enroll in a midwifery school.
What is Nurse Midwifery School?
Nurses attend nurse midwifery school to earn the advanced practice certifications necessary to become certified nurse midwives. Nurses attending midwifery school often earn either a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. However, some nurse midwifery schools also offer shorter certificate programs.
Popular Online Nurse Midwifery / Women's Health Programs
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
CCNE
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.
WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE accredited, nonprofit university offering nursing bachelor's and master's degrees.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY, RI and CT. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
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|
Program |
Accreditation |
Program Length |
Program Cost |
Specialties Offered |
|
Vanderbilt University |
ACME |
Full-time: 4 semesters Part-time: 7 semesters |
$1,997 per credit hour |
MSN Nurse Midwifery MSN Nurse Midwifery/Family Nurse Practitioner - Dual Focus |
|
Oregon Health and Science University |
ACME |
3 years |
Resident: $699 per credit hour Non-Resident: $908 per credit hour |
DNP Midwifery Accelerated Bachelors to DNP MIdwifery - for students with a non-nursing bachelor's degree |
|
University of Michigan |
ACME |
MSN: 2-3 years DNP: 3-4 years |
Resident: $14,443 Non-Resident: $28,888 |
BSN to MSN Nurse Midwife: 2-year and 3-year plans BSN to DNP Nurse Midwife: 3-year and 4-year plans BSN to DNP Nurse-Midwifery and Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner - Dual Degree |
|
University of Pennsylvania |
ACME |
Full-time: 2 years Part-time: 3 years |
Full-time: $109,939 Part-time: $126,048 |
MSN Midwifery MSN Midwifery/Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (Dual Focus) |
|
East Carolina University |
ACME |
Full-time: 2 years Part-time: 3 years |
Resident: $1,140.83 per credit hour Non-Resident: $1,871.33 per credit hour |
Nurse-Midwifery MSN (Full-Time) Nurse-Midwifery MSN (Part-Time) Nurse-Midwifery Post-Master’s Certificate |
|
University of Minnesota |
ACME |
3 or 4-year options |
$1,100 per credit hour |
Nurse-Midwifery DNP |
|
University of Washington |
ACME |
3 years |
$1,021 per credit hour |
Nurse-Midwifery DNP |
|
University of Utah |
ACME |
3 years |
Resident: $3,963.36 per credit hour Non-Resident: $7,322.27 per credit hour |
Nurse Midwifery and Women's Health Nurse Practitioner DNP (Dual Focus) Nurse Midwifery DNP |
|
Columbia University |
ACME |
2 years |
$74,962 |
Nurse Midwifery DNP |
|
University of Colorado |
ACME |
MS Nurse-Midwifery BS-DNP Nurse-Midwifery Post-Graduate Certificate: Nurse Midwifery |
Resident: $785 per credit hour Non-Resident: $1,273 per credit hour |
MS Nurse-Midwifery BS-DNP Nurse-Midwifery Post-Graduate Certificate: Nurse Midwifery |
Top Midwifery Schools & Programs 2024
Our ranking algorithm uses the latest and most robust US government data sets, specifically the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and College Scorecard. We consider factors such as graduation rate, student-faculty ratio, program focus, and more to help you find the right nursing program.
1. Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
Vanderbilt’s midwifery school is next door to its University Medical Center, one of the nation's top medical centers. Not only is Vanderbilt's nurse-midwifery program one of the largest in the US, but it's also quite rigorous and competitive.
Vanderbilt University's midwife school has a faculty of doctorally prepared educators who use a combination of classroom, simulation, and clinical midwife training to prepare aspiring midwives for certification. The school also reports a low faculty-to-student ratio and personalized education to students.
- Tuition: $1,997 per credit hour
- Program length: 4 semesters (full-time); 7 semesters (part-time)
- Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME)
- Application deadline: Priority: October 15th
- Contact information:
- Phone Number: (615) 322-3800 or (888) 333-9192 (toll-free)
- Email: VUSN-Admissions@vanderbilt.edu
- Are online options available? Hybrid coursework with in-person components
- Types of Nurse Midwifery Programs:
- MSN Nurse Midwifery
- MSN Nurse Midwifery/Family Nurse Practitioner - Dual Focus
2. Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
Nurse midwives are present in nearly 20% of all births in and around Portland, Oregon, so it makes sense that one of the best nurse midwifery schools is in the area. Portland's Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) is between the Pacific Ocean and the Cascade mountain range.
The OHSU Nurse-Midwifery program has taught students for over 30 years between the university hospital and surrounding clinics. Students learn by attending many of the births at the OHSU hospital.
Students earn over 1000 hours of individualized, supervised practice before graduation from OHSU in diverse patient populations and clinics in the surrounding areas.
- Tuition:
- Resident: $699 per credit hour
- Non-Resident: $908 per credit hour
- Program length: 3 years or 116 credit hours
- Accreditation: ACME
- Application deadline:
- Priority: November 1st
- Final: January 6th
- Contact information:
- Phone Number: (503) 494-7725
- Email: proginfo@ohsu.edu
- Are online options available? Hybrid coursework with in-person components
- Types of Nurse Midwifery Programs:
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Midwifery
- Accelerated Bachelors to DNP MIdwifery - for students with a non-nursing bachelor's degree
Popular Online Nurse Midwifery / Women's Health Programs
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
CCNE
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.
WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE accredited, nonprofit university offering nursing bachelor's and master's degrees.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY, RI and CT. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
3. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
The University of Michigan (UM) at Ann Arbor, Michigan, offers two options for nurses who want to be nurse-midwives:
- A Nurse-Midwifery-MSN
- A Nurse-Midwifery-DNP
UM created the first graduate nurse-midwifery program in Michigan to address high infant mortality rates. Now UM midwifery graduates work in organizations such as birth centers, hospitals, and private and public clinics.
UM aims to provide midwife training and education to nurses to become teachers, advocates, researchers, and public educators. The UM midwifery website also boasts that faculty within the program works with each student to understand their goals before classes begin.
- Tuition:
- Resident - $14,443 per academic year
- Non-resident - $28,888 per academic year
- Program Length:
- Nurse-midwife MSN: 2-3 years
- Nurse-midwife DNP: 3-4 years
- Accreditation: ACME
- Application Deadline:
- Priority: January 15th
- Final: March 15th
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (734) 763-5985
- Email: UMSN-GradAdmissions@med.umich.edu
- Are Online Options Available? Hybrid coursework with in-person components
- Types of Nurse Midwifery Programs:
- BSN to MSN Nurse-midwife program
- BSN to DNP Nurse-midwife program
- BSN to DNP Nurse-Midwifery and Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner - Dual Degree
4. University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) is a private Ivy League institution established in 1740. The UPenn midwifery school website states that they offer unique clinical education opportunities in addition to the most current research in the field.
This program is also unique because it is a double major, and graduates are eligible for two national certification exams:
- The certification exam for Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNM)
- Certification to be a Women’s Health Nurse-Practitioner by the National Certification Corporation (NCC)
Some of the skills taught at UPenn that may not be available through other midwifery programs include but aren't limited to OB ultrasonography, IUD insertion, and endometrial biopsy procedures.
- Tuition:
- Full-time: $109,939
- Part-time: $126,048
- Program Length: 2 years (full-time); 3 years (part-time)
- Accreditation: ACME
- Application Deadline:
- Full-time: November 4th
- Part-time:
- Spring: October 15th
- Summer: March 15th
- Fall: April 1st
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (215) 898-4271
- Email: admissions@nursing.upenn.edu
- Are Online Options Available? Hybrid coursework with in-person components
- Types of Nurse Midwifery Programs:
- MSN Midwifery
- MSN Midwifery/Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (Dual Focus)
5. East Carolina University, North Carolina
East Carolina University in North Carolina's nurse midwife schooling prepares registered nurses to become competent practitioners of nurse-midwifery as certified nurse midwives. Graduates earn an MSN or Post Masters Certificate in nurse-midwifery and can sit for the American Midwifery Certification Board exam.
Students are not required to have labor and delivery experience before applying but may be asked to get training as a Doula or enroll in an independent study.
- Tuition:
- Resident: $1,140.83 per credit hour
- Non-Resident: $1,871.33 per credit hour
- Program length: 2 years (full-time), 3 years (part-time)
- Accreditation: ACME
- Application deadline:
- Spring: September 15th
- Summer/Fall: March 15th
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (252) 744-6417
- Email: ecunursinggradprgms@ecu.edu
- Are Online Options Available? Hybrid coursework with in-person components
- Types of Nurse Midwifery Programs:
- Nurse-Midwifery MSN (Full-Time)
- Nurse-Midwifery MSN (Part-Time)
- Nurse-Midwifery Post-Masters
6. University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minneapolis
University of Minnesota’s midwifery school resides in a community of diverse practices, giving it an edge in clinical experience opportunities. Another reason students love UNM's midwifery program is that it's primarily online. Online midwifery programs combined with scheduled in-person sessions allow for learning flexibility other programs can't offer.
Midwifery students can also earn an additional 12-credit Certification in Integrative Therapies and Healing Practices or a minor in Public Health.
- Tuition: $1,100 per credit
- Program length: 3 or 4 year options
- Accreditation: ACME
- Application deadline: December 2nd and then rolling
- Contact Info
- Phone Number: (612) 625-7980
- Email: online@umn.edu
- Are Online Options Available? Hybrid coursework with in-person components
- Types of Nurse Midwifery Programs:
- Nurse-midwifery DNP
7. University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
Located in Seattle with many of the best healthcare facilities nationwide, the University of Washington offers a highly-ranked DNP nurse-midwifery school. This program has been educating nurse-midwives for over 20 years, and they work with over 20 clinical sites throughout the area.
Students must attend the program on-site and full-time. After completing the program, students can sit for the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) certification exam. Past rates from 2014 to 2018 were 98% and 100% for students who took the exam a second time.
- Tuition: $1,021 per credit hour
- Program length: 3 years
- Accreditation: ACME
- Application deadline:
- Winter: October 15th
- Spring: January 15th
- Fall: May 1st
- Contact info:
- Phone Number: (206) 543-8736
- Email: asknursing@uw.edu
- Are online options available? Hybrid coursework with in-person components
- Types of Nurse Midwifery Programs:
- Nurse-Midwifery DNP
8. University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
The University of Utah states that its mission is to prepare clinically component nurse-midwives to care for women and their families and become leaders in the community. Their DNP midwifery program takes three years to complete if attending full-time.
The University of Utah has the oldest midwifery program west of the Mississippi. Students can complete dual Nurse-midwifery (NM) and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) specialties. However, this path extends the program by about one semester.
- Tuition and fees:
- Resident: $3,963.36 per credit hour
- Non-Resident: $7,322.27 per credit hour
- Program length: 3 years
- Accreditation: ACME
- Application deadline: December 1st (fall start)
- Contact info:
- Phone Number: (801) 581-3414
- Email: shelley.kern@nurs.utah.edu
- Are online options available? Hybrid coursework with in-person components
- Types of Nurse Midwifery Programs:
- Nurse Midwifery and Women's Health Nurse Practitioner DNP (Dual Focus)
- Nurse Midwifery DNP
Popular Online Nurse Midwifery / Women's Health Programs
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
CCNE
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.
WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE accredited, nonprofit university offering nursing bachelor's and master's degrees.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY, RI and CT. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
9. Columbia University, New York City, New York
Founded in 1955, Columbia Universities' midwifery program was one of the first in the US. As an Ivy League school, the university has an excellent track record for providing quality midwifery education.
Columbia University’s midwifery program boasts excellent pass rates for graduates, including:
- A 100% Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) pass rate
- A 100% Annual American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) pass rate for test-takers
In addition, 100% of graduates from Columbia University’s midwifery program are employed within one year of graduation.
Upon graduation, students are prepared to provide a wide range of women and infant health care, including pregnancy, delivery, gynecology, antepartum care, and postpartum care.
- Tuition: $74,962
- Program length: 2 years
- Accreditation: ACME
- Application deadline: January 6th
- Contact info:
- Phone Number: (212) 305-5756
- Email: nursing@cumc.columbia.edu
- Are online options available? Yes: Hybrid coursework with in-person components
- Types of Nurse Midwifery Programs:
- Nurse Midwifery DNP
10. University of Colorado, Denver, COLORADO
The University of Colorado in Denver offers coursework to the state and the Mountain West. The university boasts several clinical faculty practice sites that provide high-quality clinical education in Denver and more remote Colorado areas. The University is also striving to expand clinical placements in boarding states.
- Tuition:
- Resident: $785 per credit hour
- Non-Resident: $1,273 per credit hour
- Program length:
- MSN: 3 years (7 semesters)
- DNP: 4 years (11 semesters)
- Post-graduate certificate: 2 years (4 semesters)
- Accreditation: ACME
- Application deadline: May 31st
- Contact info
- Phone Number: (303) 724-1812
- Email: shannon.pirrie@cuanschutz.edu
- Are online options available? Hybrid coursework with in-person components
- Types of Nurse Midwifery Programs:
- MS Nurse-Midwifery
- BS-DNP Nurse-Midwifery
What to Expect From Nurse Midwifery School
Nurse midwifery programs usually have a classroom and an on-site clinical component. Programs typically start with several months of classroom education before working in clinical areas. However, students must manage both parts throughout most of their programs.
Midwifery programs teach specialty knowledge in women’s health, primary care, midwifery, and newborn care.
Certified midwife programs usually include the following classes:
- Healthcare policy
- Advanced health assessment
- Advanced reproduction
- Advanced physiology and pathophysiology
- Women’s medical care
- Advanced Nursing Practice
- Advanced Pharmacology
- Nurse-midwifery frameworks
- Antepartum care
- Intrapartum and postpartum care
- Newborn care
Certified nurse midwife programs also provide education and training to prepare midwives to perform skills such as:
- Provide prenatal care
- Perform physical exams
- Prescribe medications and contraception
- Provide gynecological care
- Order and collect lab tests for diagnostic purposes
- Give health education
- Counsel women of all ages
- Give labor and birthing care at all stages of childbirth
- Provide post-birth care for mother and newborn
Check if your midwifery program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME). Accreditation ensures that the program you attend adheres to essential core curriculum requirements needed for beginning midwifery practitioners to practice safely.
Things to Know About Becoming a Nurse Midwife
- More women are choosing care from midwives than ever before.
- Midwives provide much of the same care as gynecologists.
- Certification requirements and the scope of practice of midwives vary per state.
- Midwives are more focused on allowing for more natural births.
- If you consider midwifery as a career, know that it is not for the faint of heart!
>> Show Me Online Nurse Midwifery Programs
Midwifery Program Prerequisites
Most candidates who become midwives know they want to continue with that education during or soon after their nursing program. It is important to remember that if you go to midwifery school, you must have completed specific prerequisites within five years of applying to the program.
Some midwifery program prerequisites may include the following:
- Chemistry
- Microbiology
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Microbiology
- Nutrition
- Biomedical Statistics
Prerequisite requirements may differ between schools, so check with your school before taking additional classes to ensure you enroll in the correct ones.
Midwife School Requirements
Every midwifery program will have slightly different admissions requirements for acceptance. However, the most common program requirements include:
- RN license in good standing
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal statement
- CV/Resume
- Minimum GPA of 3.0
- All relevant transcripts
- Minimum 1-2 years of relevant bedside nursing experience
Popular Online Nurse Midwifery / Women's Health Programs
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
CCNE
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.
WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE accredited, nonprofit university offering nursing bachelor's and master's degrees.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY, RI and CT. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
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