MSN in Nurse-Midwifery
Make a difference with a career in nurse-midwifery
Midwifery is one of the most rewarding advanced practice nursing occupations, providing you with the framework to promote physiologic birth and affirm the power and strength of individuals while addressing their general health. The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Nurse-Midwifery (NM) program provides the student with the necessary skills and knowledge to assume the role of a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) in a variety of clinical settings. The Shenandoah NM program is one of the few programs in the US that focuses on home, birth center, and hospital settings. The student will learn how to adapt their practice according to their setting. The NM program also focuses on rural health care and bridging the gap between urban settings and maternity care deserts, focusing on health equity.
Didactic and course content focuses on role development and the assessment and management of an individual’s health (antepartal, intrapartal, postpartum, and neonatal periods, as well as primary care) throughout the lifespan.
Cohorts are established annually in the fall. Clinical placement is a collaborative process between the student and the faculty. Upon successful completion of the program, students will be eligible to take the national certification examination given by the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB).
This program is offered in a fully online format with weekly synchronous class meetings. The NM degree requirement is 46 total credit hours with approximately 720 clinical hours of clinical practicum.
Students attend an immersion each fall and spring term of the clinical year at the Winchester main campus. During this time, students learn to perform skills necessary to practice as a midwife, including water birth, intrapartum emergencies, physiologic birth support, well-women exams, and suturing. Students also learn the nuances of midwifery care, such as listening to clients, providing equitable care, using share-decision making and more.
The Nurse-Midwifery Program at Shenandoah University is fully accredited by the ACNM Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME), 2000 Duke Street, Suite 300 Alexandria, VA 22314; Tel: 703-835-4565, support@theacme.org, theacme.org.
The Nurse Midwifery Program at Shenandoah University
Shenandoah University offers a variety of options to receive training as a midwife. Learn more about the university’s midwifery initiative and graduate studies in nurse-midwifery from three current students. Nurse-midwives are advanced practice nurses who provide family-centered primary health care to women throughout their reproductive lives, including counseling and care during pre-conception, pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum periods.
Eleanor Wade Custer School of Nursing‘s programs are challenging, but the rewards of completing your degree and entering this critical profession are many. We are committed to providing an outstanding education to nurses at all levels— from nurses seeking a master’s degree and advanced practice certifications to existing advanced practice nurses seeking doctoral-level training. Our programs are dynamic and responsive to the needs of our students and the health care industry. We’re excited to share our programs with you.
The curricula for the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs combine important knowledge and skills with a friendly and caring spirit. Our goal is to prepare and challenge you for that next step in your professional career.
Meet Amy Giles
Director, Nurse-Midwifery
CNMs work in a variety of settings. Students at SU have the unique opportunity to learn about community (out-of-hospital) and hospital settings for births. The students also learn to care for clients in the office/clinic setting, providing patient education, primary antepartum, well-woman and contraceptive care, and menopause and hormone replacement. CNMs provide newborn care up to 28 days after birth. The professors at SU have community, hospital and rural experience and are experts in preparing the student for a career in any setting.
Clinical placement is a collaborative process between the student and faculty. Students provide referrals for preferred sites/preceptors; the program directors customize the clinical experience student needs and wants as much as possible while prioritizing achievement of learning objectives and clinical competencies. The School of Nursing is responsible for final clinical site selection and student placement.
| Course Number | Course Title |
| N 532 | Advanced Practice Roles, Ethics & Policy |
| N 560 | Advanced Concepts in Physiology & Pathophysiology |
| N 550 | Advanced Pharmacology & Therapeutics |
| N/NLAB 580 | Advanced Health Promotion & Assessment Across Lifespan |
| N 522 | Research & Evidence Based Practice |
| N 507 | Data Interpretation & Informatics |
| NM 610 | Primary Care of Women |
| NM 620 | Antepartum Care |
| NM 612 | Women’s Health |
| NMLB 624 | Midwifery Practicum I |
| NM 640 | Comprehensive Perinatal Care |
| NM 641 | Perinatal Complications |
| NMLB 630 | Midwifery Practicum II |
| NM 660 | Advanced Nurse-Midwifery Role Development |
| NM 652 | Evidence Based Practice Project |
| NMLB 651 | Integrated Midwifery internship |
*Although the SU School of Nursing has a 1:4 clinical hour/clock hour ratio, the minimum # of hours is extended due to unique nature of Nurse-Midwifery case (1 birth/many hours).
Total Credits: 46
Total Clinical Hours: 720
How long will it take to complete the program?
MSN-NM students typically graduate in 5 terms (1.5 years – including summers)
How are the classes offered?
This program is offered in an online format with weekly synchronous class meetings.
Can I attend the program on a part-time basis?
No.
Where are the classes located?
Classes are online but students may utilize campus study rooms or the library on the main campus or at the Loudon location.
Main Campus | 1460 University Drive, Winchester, VA 22601
Loudoun I 44160 Scholar Plaza, Leesburg, VA 20176
Once accepted, is orientation mandatory?
Yes. Orientation is mandatory. Orientation consists of two parts: 1) asynchronous modules to be completed after receipt of your welcome letter 2)synchronous online orientation and advising session. Note: All asynchronous modules must be completed prior to the synchronous orientation day.
Will I need a Virginia license?
Yes. You will need a Virginia OR a Multi-state license. You must be licensed in any state in which you will have clinical experiences.
What is the cost?
See SU Tuition/Fees breakdown.
SU alumni receive a per credit discount.
What technology do I need?
A computer with internet and microphone capability.
To participate effectively in Shenandoah University’s distance learning courses, you must have full access to a reliable laptop/desktop connected to the Internet. Specific courses may have additional requirements and students should refer to the syllabus.
Computer Hardware Requirements: Your computer and communications hardware should meet or exceed the following requirements: https://su.teamdynamix.com/TDClient/2836/Portal/KB/ArticleDet?ID=165724
**Your Internet connection may vary depending on where you live, what type of Internet connection you have, and your Internet provider. If your Internet connection is slower, you may still use SU features, however, you may encounter difficulties when loading pages, audio video playback may be choppy and downloading/uploading assignments may take longer, especially during peak usage times.
If you have any questions regarding Shenandoah University’s computer recommendations, please contact our IT Help Desk at helpdesk@su.edu or 540‐665‐5555.
Is there a certification test I need to take after graduation?
Graduates of this certificate program will be eligible to take the national certification examination given by the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB). Successful completion of this examination allows the practitioner to use the professional title, “Certified Nurse-Midwife.”
We’re excited you’re interested in one of our graduate nursing programs! Shenandoah reviews applications on a rolling basis, which means we will begin evaluating your application once all your documentation has been submitted. Students submitting completed applications before our priority deadlines will be considered first.
Admissions Requirements
- Graduate application with $30 application fee
- Earned BSN degree from CCNE or ACEN accredited institution. Recommended 3.0 cumulative GPA
- Applicants must have completed or will complete the following prerequisite course requirements prior to enrolling at Shenandoah:
- Undergraduate Health Assessment, Pathophysiology, and Pharmacology. Recommended grade of “B” or better
- Undergraduate Chemistry course with a grade of “C” or better
- Undergraduate Statistics course with a grade of “C” or better
- Unofficial transcripts for initial admission from all institutions of higher education previously attended
- 3 letters of recommendation (one from former nursing faculty (if attended school in last 5 years; and two from professionals who can attest to clinical experience)
- Current resume/C.V.
- Essay (250-500 words) answering the following questions:
- Why are you choosing to pursue the Nurse Midwifery role?
- Documentation of 2,080 direct patient care hours prior to specialty courses
- Unencumbered RN license – multi-state or individual state (must obtain licensure in clinical rotation state)
- Interview with graduate nursing faculty may be required.
- Language Proficiency Requirement must be met. Submission of TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo English Test may be required. See our policy for full details. https://www.su.edu/admissions/international-students
- Upon admission, up-to-date immunizations and health records, a criminal background check, a urine drug screen and CPR (from AHA only) will be required.
For international students who require a visa, due to limited on-campus hours, F-1 visas are not issued for this program.
For international students who require a visa, due to limited on-campus hours, F-1 visas are not issued for this program.
How do I apply?
Submit the Graduate Application
The Eleanor Wade Custer School of Nursing at Shenandoah University offers assured graduate program admission to its BSN or MSN alumni who are interested in earning an MSN, post-master’s specialty certificate, and/or a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree.
Alumni must meet minimum admission requirements to the MSN, post-master’s, and DNP programs, and will be required to submit an application by the application deadline. Alumni are strongly encouraged to apply by the priority deadline of Feb. 15 to secure placement within their desired cohort.
School of Nursing alumni are assured entry into the following graduate programs:
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) MSN
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) MSN
- Nurse-Midwifery (NM) MSN
- All Post-Master’s Certificates – FNP, PMHNP, NM
- Post-Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
We encourage alumni to learn more about this benefit and our graduate programs. For more information, please contact Associate Dean of Graduate Nursing Programs Robbie McCauley, DNP, at rmccaule87@su.edu.
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