Help choosing a midwifery school?

[cristeen]

Because of state licensing requirements, there are only 4 distance learning programs for midwifery that the state allows, and no in-state learning opportunities.

Midwives College of Utah This program for an A.S. costs about $16K... I think the A.S. is the one my state requires, but it doesn't really specify, it says "3 year program".
National College of Midwifery This program appears to be extremely unstructured, but the cost is fairly low.
National Midwifery Institute This program appears to be more structured, and seems to be middle-of-the-road in price.
Seattle Midwifery School So far as I can tell, this is by far the most expensive option ($35K), and it also requires on-campus attendance periodically... so what's the point of distance-learning?!

I had been looking at Ancient Art Midwifery Institute, but if I went through their program I would then have to go through an additional "challenge" program to get licensed in my state. The challenge program costs more than the initial tuition would be. :

There are no midwifery schools in-state and I'm not in a position to move, so... what can anyone tell me about the 4 above schools? Or would I be better off going with Ancient Art (or somewhere similar) and challenging the state requirements?

[JunipersMom]

What state do you live in? I didn't attend any of the schools listed, so I'm no help there - but maybe you could contact midwives in your state and get their input..

[cristeen]

I'm in CA, with some of the most stringent licensing requirements in the country. Unfortunately none of the midwives that I've spoken to have done distance learning. Maternidad La Luz seems to be popular, but I don't want to move to Texas for the 3 years it would take (DH would have to stay here).

[Midwife Kris]

Originally Posted by cristeen

National College of Midwifery This program appears to be extremely unstructured, but the cost is fairly low.

I am curious to read about how you assessed the program to be extremely unstructured.

I graduated from the program in 3 years last April and during the first 2 years there was quite a jump in enrollment thanks to states starting to require NARM and MEAC education. I would say during that time it was a little chaotic in the information filtered to students, but it wasn't a detriment to my plans. Other than my complaint with the administration (which wasn't all NCM's fault since MEAC was a poor communicator with their schools at that time), I found all the areas of study within the modules to be pretty thorough and good preparation for practice and NARM examination.

The thing that might seem unstructured to someone not enrolled is the program relies heavily on the student-preceptor relationship to steer each pair through the educational process. They encourage you to seek a preceptor(s) who you think will give you the best education and clinical experience. They don't pick your teacher or plan your lessons or evaluations, but they do provide counseling, guidance, accounting, transcripts, the degree, proof of education/clinical experience for NARM and CO (first license)/CA (current license), and probably a ton more.

Anyway there is my nod this is a good program.

[cristeen]

Originally Posted by metromidwife

I am curious to read about how you assessed the program to be extremely unstructured.

I graduated from the program in 3 years last April...I found all the areas of study within the modules to be pretty thorough and good preparation for practice and NARM examination.

Thank you. This is the type of input I was looking for. Their website does not go into a lot of detail, but just says "Students and preceptors fill out Syllabii at the beginning of January, June and September outlining how they will complete the Modules of their choice." That just sounded to me like it was unstructured, but that was never intended as an insult to the program.

I appreciate the input.

[Midwife Kris]

Originally Posted by cristeen

Thank you. This is the type of input I was looking for. Their website does not go into a lot of detail, but just says "Students and preceptors fill out Syllabii at the beginning of January, June and September outlining how they will complete the Modules of their choice." That just sounded to me like it was unstructured, but that was never intended as an insult to the program.

I appreciate the input.

No worries Cristeen, I'm not invested with the program, I seriously wanted to read how you made the assessment. To elaborate on the syllabi, January, June, and September signal the beginning of a trimester. Each module of study (general ed, antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum, newborn, well-woman) is further broken down to sections that have normal, complications, labs, physical assessment, etc. So say it's January and you decide for this period you only want to focus on labs throughout each module of study. Or you just want to focus on the entire antepartum module. Or you just want to focus on anatomy and physiology and write some papers assigned from your preceptor. Whatever it is, submit it, the college accepts it or asks for more elaboration, and then go for it. If you're finished at the end of the trimester in June, your preceptor submits the grades and the school certifies them on your transcript and you submit your syllabi for the next trimester. If you're not done, apply for an extension on that area of study.

You will fill out an evaluation on yourself (how do you think you're doing?), your preceptor (how do you think she is doing with you?) and she does the same. In the syllabi you will submit your module study plan, what books you will use, and what tools you will use to evaluate you are getting it (papers? discussion? tests? quizzes?). It's all very structured actually.

Blunt honesty: pick your preceptor wisely because this program relies on a close relationship with a senior midwife who is willing to *do it* with you. The modules progress accordingly in difficulty so a knowledgeable midwife is a must with a hefty lending library even better

btw, I spent about $10,000 on the progam and easily another $2500 on all the books required. Plus MEAC fees of $250 per year and NARM test fee of $700 (no skills eval because this is evaluated as part of the MEAC/NCM education).

[cristeen]

Originally Posted by metromidwife

Blunt honesty: pick your preceptor wisely because this program relies on a close relationship with a senior midwife who is willing to *do it* with you. The modules progress accordingly in difficulty so a knowledgeable midwife is a must with a hefty lending library even better

btw, I spent about $10,000 on the progam and easily another $2500 on all the books required. Plus MEAC fees of $250 per year and NARM test fee of $700 (no skills eval because this is evaluated as part of the MEAC/NCM education).

Thank you for the explanation. That makes much more sense now. I hope you don't mind if I ask more questions...

How did you go about finding a preceptor? Did you have to pay her?
If you do papers, I'm assuming she grades them? How about quizzes/tests... who writes them? Is it feasible to advance your studies with just discussions with the preceptor or is that up to her?
Their book list is 6 pages long, did you have to buy all of them or were you able to borrow some of them?
Were you ready to take the NARM exam immediately after graduation or did you need to do anything further to prepare for it?
What outside courses did you have to take? CPR? Neonatal resuscitation, etc.?
Was BF support included in any of the curricula (I don't see it mentioned)? Or was that left up to the preceptor?

That's all I can think of at the moment, but it's late. Maybe I'll have more questions in the morning.

Thank you again for the input.

[Midwife Kris]

Originally Posted by cristeen

How did you go about finding a preceptor? Did you have to pay her?

I found one rather accidentally after I moved from CA to CO (I have since moved back to CA) and she turned out to be a great match. A CNM who had just completed her own degree and was just starting practice. She was fresh out of school and had a lot of books Yes, I paid her according to the school's plan January through May: $2500; June through August: $1500; September through December: $2000, but one-time only, not each year I was enrolled. The school says they will accept whatever agreement you and your preceptor come up with for tuition as long as it is documented and filed with them.

If you do papers, I'm assuming she grades them? How about quizzes/tests... who writes them? Is it feasible to advance your studies with just discussions with the preceptor or is that up to her?

I think the school can provide you with some NARM prep tests, but honestly I didn't know that because once we got into a rhythm, we were on our own. My preceptor wrote A&P tests and other quizzes-- mostly oral tests in the course of working together. However you proceed has to be up to BOTH of you, not just the preceptor, that's why you fill out the syllabi together and log in those evaluations. This is how the school sees that you continue to be a good match for each other.

Their book list is 6 pages long, did you have to buy all of them or were you able to borrow some of them?

I didn't buy any books until I enrolled completely in the program. Each module of study provides the titles to the books the authors of the modules used to write them. So I bought only the books on the modules, still a hefty price tag. I did borrow a couple of more pathological books from my preceptor regarding neonatal issues, but had the rest for myself for reference in practice.

Were you ready to take the NARM exam immediately after graduation or did you need to do anything further to prepare for it?

You can't graduate until you pass the NARM It's your final exam before they will grant your degree. I passed NARM in Feb; graduated in April. You can take the NARM test as soon as you are within 6 months of completing your modules. I had yet to complete the community modules where I dig up stats on local birth rates, groups, do an art project, etc... more like fluff work at the end.

What outside courses did you have to take? CPR? Neonatal resuscitation, etc.?

The only courses you HAVE to take outside are CPR and NRP because you have to send the college proof of certification. That being said, if I were to do it all over again I would take all of the general education courses at a community college to get a good, SOLID base before diving into midwifery education (A&P, microbiology, psychology, math, English). A&P, micro, and psych are classes that come alive in a classroom setting especially with a lab component.

Was BF support included in any of the curricula (I don't see it mentioned)? Or was that left up to the preceptor?

It's in the general education section. The whole curriculum is listed in the catalog (http://midwiferycollege.org/downloads/asmdl.html).

[cristeen]

Thank you so much for the info.

Just a couple more quick questions, you've been so great with the info...

At what point did you start hands-on with your preceptor? From the start? Further in? Towards the end?

Other than interaction/help from your preceptor, was there any other sort of group/chat board/email list of student-midwives that you could turn to for help/discussion?

[Midwife Kris]

Originally Posted by cristeen

At what point did you start hands-on with your preceptor? From the start? Further in? Towards the end?

I started pretty much from the start, but I had an advantage of having worked as a birth assistant/back office "medical assistant" to a midwife prior to that for about 4 years. I already had a lot of helpful clinical/office skills and about 100 births attended, so I could dive in quickly and in about a year I was allowed to do everything from prenatals to catching babies.

Other than interaction/help from your preceptor, was there any other sort of group/chat board/email list of student-midwives that you could turn to for help/discussion?

I've been on an email group for about 6 years. All of us started off as doulas and all but about two or so are midwives now after going through it all together. There are a lot of student groups out there. Maybe someone can chime in with the names since I've forgotten a lot of them. The community in Colorado was great for students. Always something going on locally.

[cristeen]

Thank you so much for all the information!