Midwifery is a healthcare profession that specializes in providing care to pregnant women, assisting in childbirth, and providing postnatal care. A degree in midwifery prepares you to become a qualified midwife. Midwifery courses are available at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, with Bachelors programs providing a solid foundation and Masters programs diving deeper into specific areas. During a midwifery program, students learn in-depth knowledge about reproductive health, vital skills for assisting with childbirth and postnatal care, and how to understand potential complications and manage emergencies.

To become a midwife, there are several pathways to consider. One option is to earn a Bachelors degree in midwifery, which equips you for clinical roles. Another option is to earn a Masters degree in midwifery, which can lead to leadership, research, and specialized consulting roles. If you wish to become a Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM), you must first become a registered nurse (RN) by earning an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) . After becoming an RN, you can earn a graduate degree from a midwifery program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME) . The most common graduate degree earned by certified nurse-midwives is a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), which typically takes 18-24 months to complete.

To prepare for a career in midwifery, students should choose courses that include a solid science background, such as biology, microbiology, chemistry, human anatomy, and physiology. Courses in nutrition, algebra and statistics, lifespan development, English composition, sociology, and psychology are also helpful and often required. A strong background in biology and health sciences is usually recommended when considering the midwifery degree requirements. In addition to academic preparation, patience, empathy, excellent communication skills, and the ability to handle high-pressure situations are paramount for midwifery.