Nurse-Midwifery: Graduate Certificate Curriculum

The University of Washington School of Nursing offers preparation to become a certified nurse-midwife (CNM) to nurses with a master’s degree in nursing through the graduate certificate program in advanced practice nursing (GCPAPN) program. Upon successful completion of the coursework, graduates will be qualified to take the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) national certification examination and apply for licensure to practice as a CNM in Washington or any other state. 

The post-graduate curriculum will be individualized for GCPAPN students based on their prior education and work experience, but will require completion of the core graduate nurse-midwifery curriculum (below), including completion of 5-6 consecutive quarters of midwifery advanced practice clinical practica. This curriculum is in keeping with the requirements for nurse-midwifery preparation as defined in the American College of Nurse-Midwives  (ACNM) Core Competencies for Basic Midwifery Practice. Prior to final acceptance in to the program, applicants will meet with midwifery program faculty in order to develop an individualized, mutually agreed upon curriculum plan.  

Graduate Nurse-Midwifery Curriculum*

Autumn Year 1

NCLIN500 (2) Comprehensive Health Assessment**    

NCLIN501 (3) Diagnostic Health Assessment**

NSG522 (3) Lifespan Physiology/ Pathophysiology**  

NURS514A (2) Physiology newborn

NURS514B (1) Physiology of women   

NURS 531P (1) Professional Issues 

NURS545 (2) Care of newborn  

Winter Year 1

NCLIN512 (3) Clinical Practicum & Seminar (1 day gyn clinic/wk)  

NURS510 (3) Primary care- Acute problems

NURS541 (4) Care of Well Women       

Spring Year 1

NCLIN512 (5) Clinical Practicum & Seminar (1 day clinic & 24 hr call/wk)  

NURS510 (1) Primary Care- Gender issues

NURS514 (2) Maternal Physiology

NURS542 (4) Childbearing I  

PHARM514 (3) Primary care pharmacology     

 Summer Year 2

NCLIN512 (5) Clinical Practicum & Seminar (1 day clinic & 24 hr call/wk) 

NURS510 (1-3) Primary Care-Chronic problems    

NURS 528 (3) Genetics & Embryology        

Autumn Year 2

NCLIN512 (5) Clinical Practicum & Seminar (1 day clinic & 24 hr call/wk) 

NURS510 (1-3) Primary care- Psychiatric problems    

NURS544 (3) Psycho-social adaptation to pregnancy       

 Winter Year 2NCLIN512 (5) Clinical Practicum & Seminar (1 day clinic & 24 hr call/wk) 

NURS531P (1) Professional Issues 

NURS543 (4) Childbearing II

Spring Year 2

NCLIN512 (10) Integration (Full time clinical practicum x8 weeks, Comprehensive Examination)      

* Curriculum is subject to change

.**Courses can also be taken in summer quarter.

Additional Resources

• Nurse-Midwifery Homepage
• Sources of Funding - in Current Students
• American College of Nurse-Midwives