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Course Descriptions
The midwifery curriculum at Bastyr University is enhanced by studies in related fields such as epidemiology, nutrition, pharmacology, genetics, embryology, counseling and education. All courses build skills necessary for the practice of midwifery through the use of case questions, skills practice labs, role-plays, discussion, student presentations, and research projects.
Clinical skills and judgment are honed during Practicum with practicing midwives. The midwifery program addresses both the art and science of midwifery by integrating theory with clinical experience.
YEAR I Quarter 1 | Quarter 2 | Quarter 3 | Quarter 4
YEAR II Quarter 5 | Quarter 6 | Quarter 7 | Quarter 8
YEAR III Quarter 9 | Quarter 10 | Quarter 11
YEAR I
Quarter 1
Orientation (no credit): Orientation occurs before and during the first month of classes, with the intention of building group cohesion and introducing students to all aspects of the program. Primarily done online, the course includes orientation to the midwifery program infrastructure, staff and faculty, the curriculum and schedule, tools, and the skills needed to use online educational technologies.
MW3101 Midwifery Care 1: Introduction to the Midwives Model of Care (3 credits)
This course includes an introduction to the guiding principles, philosophy and values of the Midwives Model of Care, an introduction to cultural competency, and an overview of the midwife’s role throughout the childbearing year. Basic principles of client education and health literacy are, covered. The course also includes an introduction to the professional roles, responsibilities, and legal issues of midwifery, as well as national and local midwifery organizations. Prerequisite: NoneMW3105 Introduction to Epidemiology for Midwives (3.5 credits)
This course focuses on developing the skills needed to critically evaluate research relevant to midwifery care. Epidemiology for Midwives also introduces research methodologies and biostatistics and enables students to apply these concepts to evaluation of the efficacy and safety of midwifery and homebirth, the cost effectiveness of midwifery care, and the value of midwifery research. Additionally students begin the process of identifying their master’s project. Prerequisite: NoneMW3301 Well Woman Health and Assessment (4 credits)
This course includes onsite presentations, discussions and skills practice, with the objective of developing the skills for taking a thorough client medical and social history and performing and charting a complete physical exam, including breast and pelvic exams. Prerequisite: Enrollment in Midwifery Program.MW3311 Perinatal Nutrition 1: Pre-conception and Prenatal (2 credits)
This course addresses nutritional needs during pregnancy, emphasizing how nutrition can assist in the management of common pregnancy-related issues, as well as building maternal and fetal nutrient stores. Students learn assessment, counseling, and nutrition-related problem solving for the pregnant woman and her family. Prerequisite: NoneQuarter 2
MW4100 Genetics and Embryology (2 credits)
This course provides an introduction to human genetics, genetic disorders, and embryological and fetal development, both normal and abnormal, with an emphasis on teaching and supporting clients. Prerequisite: NoneMW4300 Pharmacology and Treatments 1 (1 credit)
This course includes foundational information about allopathic medications and immunizations relevant to midwifery practice and the midwife’s professional and legal responsibilities around using medications. Prerequisite: NoneMW4302 Midwifery Care 2: Pregnancy and Prenatal Care (4 credits)
Midwifery Care 2 includes the anatomy and physiology of normal pregnancy and an in-depth study of routine prenatal care procedures. It also includes assessment of each woman’s individual needs and treatments for common discomforts and problems in pregnancy. Throughout Midwifery Care courses 2-7, students use case management exercises to practice critical thinking and risk assessment skills, apply precepts of evidence-based practice, and work toward acquiring skills as culturally competent providers and understanding of the midwife as a community health worker. Prerequisite: MW3101MW4305 Gynecology (3.5 credits)
This course covers female reproductive anatomy and physiology from menarche through menopause and provides an introduction to women’s health concerns including sexuality, fertility, infertility, contraception, unwanted pregnancy, and the diagnosis and treatment of common gynecologic problems and reproductive tract infections. Prerequisite: NoneMW4321 Clinical Skills 1 (1 credit)
The Clinical Skills course is presented as a series of on-site skills labs and workshops, coordinated with Midwifery Care and Clinical Seminar course content. The objective of this course is to develop many of the skills, both hands-on and teaching, necessary to practice midwifery. Clinical Skills 1 builds on and amplifies some of the key skills first introduced in Well Woman Health and Assessment and covers aseptic technique, medication administration, venipuncture, and further study and practice in charting and vital signs. Prerequisite: MW3301MW4313 Counseling for the Childbearing Year 1 (1 credit)
This introductory course consists of information, role-plays and student presentations designed to develop basic skills needed for client counseling. Prerequisite: MW3301MW4800 Introduction to Practicum (0.5 credit)
This course includes an introduction to the documentation and requirements necessary for the midwifery program’s clinical placements and an orientation designed to prepare students to work effectively in a midwifery clinical preceptorship. Prerequisite: MW3301MW5101 Master’s Project 1 (0.5 credit)
This course is part of a series designed to build on the foundations of Introduction to Epidemiology for Midwives and to further develop the student’s master’s project. Topics may include refining the research hypothesis, data collection plan and application for human subjects review. Prerequisite: MW3105Quarter 3
MW 4303 Midwifery Care 3: Advanced Pregnancy and Prenatal Care (4 credits)
This course includes information relevant to more complicated aspects of prenatal care: early pregnancy bleeding, management of the Rh-negative mother, anemia, infections, trauma, miscarriage, post-dates pregnancy, gestational diabetes, and hypertensive disorders. Prerequisite: MW4302MW4314 Counseling for the Childbearing Year 2 (1 credit)
This course is a continuation of Counseling for the Childbearing Year 1, with discussion and skill building related to domestic violence, as well as resources and skills for counseling pregnant women dealing with substance abuse issues. Prerequisite: MW4313MW4322 Clinical Skills 2 (1 credit)
Continuation of the clinical skills series. Students complete full-day neonatal resuscitation program (NRP) certification, practice client informed choice skills related to perinatal care, as well as learn principles and skills related to intravenous therapy during intrapartum care, and review and practice injections and venipuncture. Prerequisite: MW4321MW4101 Professional Issues Seminar: Cultural Competency for Midwives (2 credits)
Students learn about the relevance of culture to perinatal health care and investigate the impact and extent of health disparities as they affect maternal and infant outcomes in their own communities. Through the use of books, research articles, videos, interviews and guest speakers, students raise their level of cultural competence and develop client education materials for a specific cultural group in their community. Prerequisite: NoneMW4301 Pharmacology and Treatments 2 (1 credit)
This course continues with an overview of certain complementary medicines such as homeopathy, Western herbs and Traditional Chinese Medicine, and their use and application in midwifery practice. Prerequisite: MW4300MW4331 Clinical Seminar 1 (1 credit)
Clinical Seminar is a 7-quarter series concurrent with practicum, focusing on the integration of theory and practice. As the course progresses quarter by quarter, both student expectations and complexity of case management skills increase .Clinical Seminar 1 learning activities focus on building basic skills in charting, phone triage, data collection, continuing education, basic management decisions, risk assessment and physician consultation and referral. Prerequisites: MW4302, MW4800MW4801 Practicum 1 (2.5 credits)
Theoretical coursework is complemented by clinical rotations with practitioners providing midwifery and related women’s health care. Prerequisite: MW4800MW5100 Research Methods for Midwifery (3.0 credits)
This course builds on the foundation and skills of Introduction to Epidemiology for Midwives and facilitates skills needed for the master’s project series. Students gain understanding in and apply appropriate research methods to their question of interest, including skills in grant writing, IRB application and presentation of work. Prerequisite: MW3105Quarter 4
MW4802 Practicum 2 (6.0 credits)
Theoretical coursework is complemented by clinical rotations with practitioners providing midwifery and related women’s health care. Prerequisite: MW4801YEAR II
Quarter 5
MW4102 Professional Issues Seminar: Modern Midwifery, History, Politics and Activism (2 credits)
A review of the history of medicine and midwifery through the 19th and 20th centuries, focusing on the social movements of the 1960s and 70s that re-awakened the midwifery profession in North America. The course also provides an interactive exploration of the current political climate in which direct-entry midwifery is practiced in the U.S. and Canada, inter-professional relationships and challenges faced. Prerequisite: NoneMW4323 Clinical Skills 3 (0.5 credit)
Continuation of the clinical skills series. Students learn skills need for intrapartum care: perineal suturing, simulation of cervical exam, rupture of membranes, hand maneuvers for receiving the baby, estimating blood loss and treating postpartum hemorrhage. Prerequisite: MW4322MW4332 Clinical Seminar 2 (1 credit)
Continuation of Clinical Seminar series. This quarter further refines students’ skills in charting, phone triage and risk assessment with emphasis on appropriate guidelines. Case questions and management problems increase in complexity to mirror student’s clinical experience in practicum, continuation of case presentations, and use of “virtual client” with random phone triage exercises. Prerequisite: MW4331MW5102 Master’s Project 2 (0.5 credit)
This course is part of a series designed to build on the foundations of Introduction to Epidemiology for Midwives and to further develop the student’s master’s project. Topics may include refining the research hypothesis, data collection plan and application for human subjects review. Prerequisite: MW5101MW5304 Midwifery Care 4: Labor and Birth (6 credits)
A continuation of the midwifery care courses, this course includes an in-depth study of midwifery management of the normal processes of all stages of labor, birth, and care of the mother and neonate in the immediate postpartum period, with an emphasis on preparing students for out-of hospital birth practice. Prerequisite: MW4303MW5315 Counseling for the Childbearing Year 3 (1.5 credits)
A continuation of the counseling courses, this course complements Midwifery Care 4 and includes information and skills for counseling, supporting, and effectively empowering woman through labor who have a history of reproductive loss, or who experienced reproductive loss and/or disappointment during pregnancy or birth. Prerequisite: MW4314MW5803 Practicum 3 (4.5 credits)
Theoretical coursework is complemented by clinical rotations with practitioners providing midwifery and related women’s health care. Prerequisite: MW4802Quarter 6
MW4307 Breastfeeding and Lactation Education (2 credits)
This course is designed to give student midwives the ability to educate women about the benefits of breastfeeding, to prepare clients to breastfeed, to understand the anatomy and physiology involved in breastfeeding, to assist clients with early breastfeeding, to help with common problems and to make appropriate referrals to other care providers for breastfeeding concerns beyond their expertise or scope of practice. Prerequisite: NoneMW4312 Perinatal Nutrition 2: Nutrition for Postpartum & Breastfeeding (1 credit)
Part 2 of the Perinatal Nutrition course explores nutrition for the new mother and her infant, from a basic understanding of how nutrition can help the mother heal and recover physically from childbirth to helpful applications to encourage her to nourish herself. Infant nutrition (breastfeeding through introduction of solids) is also explored with the emphasis on making healthy food choices that best fit the mother’s and her family’s needs. Prerequisite: MW3311MW4333 Clinical Seminar 3 (1 credit)
Continuation of Clinical Seminar series. In this course students are expected to have refined skills in charting, phone triage and communication with other medical professionals, developing understanding of and skill with more complex management decisions. Case questions and “virtual client” exercises require the student to demonstrate higher level problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Prerequisite: MW4332MW5103 Master’s Project 3 (0.5 credit)
This course is part of a series designed to build on the foundations of Introduction to Epidemiology for Midwives and to further develop the student’s master’s project. Topics may include refining the research hypothesis, data collection plan and application for human subjects review. Prerequisite: MW5102MW5114 Professional Issues Seminar: Health Care Systems and Health Policy (2 credits)
This course addresses issues in health care organization and financing. Students learn about formal health care systems in the U.S. and Canada as they relate to midwifery practice. In addition, health care policy and health care reforms are explored with an emphasis on how midwives can function as effective advocates for improved maternity care policy. Prerequisite: NoneMW5305 Midwifery Care 5: Postpartum and Newborn Care (4 credits)
This course addresses the roles and responsibilities of the midwife during the postpartum period. It includes a review of breastfeeding, maternal physiological changes and psycho-social adjustments, common newborn procedures, and select newborn problems. Prerequisite: MW5304MW5316 Counseling for the Childbearing Year 4: Postpartum (1.5 credits)
This section of the Counseling curriculum complements Midwifery Care 5 and includes information and skills needed to assess postpartum emotional adjustments and attachment difficulties and to provide early parenting support and intervention. Prerequisite: MW5315MW5324 Clinical Skills 4 (0.5 credit)
Continuation of the clinical skills series. Students learn newborn exam techniques, newborn screening techniques, assessing and aiding with breastfeeding challenges, and informed choice and teaching appropriate to postpartum care. Prerequisite: MW4323MW5804 Practicum 4 (3 credits)
Theoretical coursework is complemented by clinical rotations with practitioners providing midwifery and related women’s health care. Prerequisite: MW5803Quarter 7
MW4103 Professional Issues Seminar: Midwifery Legal, Ethical and Professional Frameworks (2.5 credits)
This course covers state and provincial midwifery laws, processes for legislative change, quality assurance, professional liability, and ethics. The midwife’s role and responsibilities regarding current state, provincial, national and international midwifery are also addressed. Particular emphasis is placed on developing the knowledge and skills necessary to make difficult decisions in today’s complex professional and legal environment. Prerequisite: NoneMW5104 Master’s Project 4 (0.5 credit)
This course is part of a series designed to build on the foundations of Introduction to Epidemiology for Midwives and to further develop the student’s master’s project. Topics may include refining the research hypothesis, data collection plan and application for human subjects review. Prerequisite: MW5103MW5306 Midwifery Care 6: Challenges in Practice (4.5 credits)
This course covers a variety of complications the midwife may encounter in clinical practice. Emphasis is on recognition, current thinking about prevention/treatment modalities, including medical as well as complementary and nutritional therapies. In addition to the role of physician consultation and referral, this course also addresses controversies within the midwifery community regarding where and how these clinical challenges should be handled. Prerequisite: MW5305MW5325 Clinical Skills 5 (0.5 credits)
Continuation of the clinical skills series. Using simulation models, students learn and practice emergency delivery skills including breech delivery, shoulder dystocia, cord prolapse and unexpected twin delivery. Prerequisite: MW5324MW5334 Clinical Seminar 4 (1 credit)
Continuation of Clinical Seminar series. Students participate in a variety of clinical practice skills including a data collection project, “virtual client” exercises that continue to challenge students in making complex clinical management decisions, on-going practice in charting and phone triage with emphasis on valid management decisions consistent with safe practice and midwifery standard of care, case presentations and complex case questions. Prerequisite: MW4333MW6805 Practicum 5 (4 credits)
Theoretical coursework is complemented by clinical rotations with practitioners providing midwifery and related women’s health care. Prerequisite: MW5804Quarter 8
MW6105 Master’s Project 5 (3 credits)
This course is the first in a series of three designed to provide structure for the completion of the actual thesis project. Students meet with their project review committee, refine the topic of their master’s project and submit to their committee for approval a final version of their thesis proposal that includes feasibility, applicability and scope. (See note below.) Students complete a project design, literature review and a timeline for their project’s completion. Prerequisite: MW5104MW6806 Practicum 6 (4.5 credits)
Theoretical coursework is complemented by clinical rotations with practitioners providing midwifery and related women’s health care. Prerequisite: MW6805YEAR III
Quarter 9
MW6106 Master’s Project 6 (3 credits)
In this course students continue the implementation of their master’s project including submission of the first full draft of their final project paper to the review committee, meeting with the committee for a formal review of the project and completion of revisions. Prerequisite: MW6105MW6307 Midwifery Care 7: Synthesis and Application (2 credits)
This course includes discussions and assignments designed to integrate and apply to clinical care the concepts of informed choice, evidence-based practice, and ethical, professional and legal issues, including consultation and referral systems. Students hone critical thinking and risk assessment skills, cultural sensitivity and an understanding of the midwife as a community health worker through case management exercises and panel discussions. Prerequisite: MW5306MW6335 Clinical Seminar 5 (1 credit)
Continuation of Clinical Seminar series. In this course students continue with “virtual client” exercise and more complex case questions and presentations, fine tuning management decisions and skills acquired in practicum focusing on the integration of theory and clinical practice. Prerequisite: MW5334MW6807 Practicum 7 (8 credits)
Theoretical coursework is complemented by clinical rotations with practitioners providing midwifery and related women’s health care. Prerequisite: MW6806Quarter 10
MW6107 Master’s Project 7 (3 credits)
Students meet with their review committee to integrate final revisions, complete their master’s project and submit it for approval and grading. Additionally, students prepare for and make an oral presentation to the midwifery community of the findings of their research. Prerequisite: MW6106MW6336 Clinical Seminar 6 (1 credit)
Continuation of Clinical Seminar series. In this course students continue with “virtual client” exercises reflecting the level of primary midwife under supervision. Students make presentations of their data collection project and continuing education topics. Prerequisite: MW6335MW6808 Practicum 8 (8 credits)
Theoretical coursework is complemented by clinical rotations with practitioners providing midwifery and related women’s health care. Prerequisite: MW6807Quarter 11
MW6115 Professional Issues Seminar: The Business of Midwifery (2.5 credits)
This course includes topics related to establishing a private midwifery practice, including a business plan and budget, and seeking employment opportunities in midwifery or a related field. The course also includes an update on current issues facing the profession of midwifery to prepare students for post-graduation activities. Prerequisite: NoneMW6337 Clinical Seminar 7 (1 credit)
Continuation of Clinical Seminar series. In this quarter students are assessed for their readiness for entry-level practice, which will take into consideration the progression of their clinical problem-solving skills while caring for the fictional “virtual clients.” Continuation of student presentations of data collection projects and continuing education topics. Prerequisite: MW6336MW6809 Practicum 9 (9 credits)
Theoretical coursework is complemented by clinical rotations with practitioners providing midwifery and related women’s health care. Prerequisite: MW6808