The Best Online Nurse-Midwifery Programs
- Nurse Midwifery Programs Overview
- What Can Nurse-Midwives Do?
- What to Look For
- Applying to Nurse-Midwifery Programs
- Program Accreditation
- Top Online Nurse-Midwifery Programs
Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree?
Credit: FatCamera / E+ / Getty ImagesNurse-midwives are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) licensed to oversee pregnancy and childbirth. Many also provide postnatal care. Like all APRNs, they can diagnose conditions, order tests, and prescribe medication.
This guide explores the best nurse-midwifery programs online and how to pick the right one for your needs.
We use a data-driven methodology to rank the best online nurse-midwifery programs, making it easier for you to find a program that works for you. Our methodology is based on metrics that we believe matter most to students, including: academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings.
Keep reading to learn more, or go straight to our list of the best online nurse-midwifery programs.
The Best Online Nurse-Midwifery Programs
George Washington University
Washington, DC- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$54,453
- Out-of-state$54,453
- In-State$31,770
- Out-of-state$31,770
- Retention Rate92%
- Acceptance Rate41%
- Students Enrolled27,814
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment22%
- AccreditationYes
Frontier Nursing University
- Hyden, KY
- 4 year
- Online
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- In-State$18,000
- Out-of-state$18,000
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled2,237
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online EnrollmentN/A
- AccreditationYes
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
- Lubbock, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$6,417
- Out-of-state$19,282
- In-State$6,168
- Out-of-state$16,128
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled5,294
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment53%
- AccreditationYes
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus
- Cincinnati, OH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$9,476
- Out-of-state$24,810
- In-State$12,790
- Out-of-state$24,532
- Retention Rate88%
- Acceptance Rate77%
- Students Enrolled39,263
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment49%
- AccreditationYes
Bethel University
- Saint Paul, MN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$38,300
- Out-of-state$38,300
- In-State$11,700
- Out-of-state$11,700
- Retention Rate83%
- Acceptance Rate79%
- Students Enrolled4,005
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment39%
- AccreditationYes
Thomas Jefferson University
- Philadelphia, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$40,680
- Out-of-state$40,680
- In-State$21,420
- Out-of-state$21,420
- Retention Rate84%
- Acceptance Rate66%
- Students Enrolled8,026
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment30%
- AccreditationYes
What Can You Do as a Certified Nurse Midwife?
Certified nurse-midwives or CNMs primarily provide prenatal, labor-and-delivery, and postnatal care. Most work in hospitals or birthing centers, and they can also provide care during home births.
Nurse-midwifery is one of the higher paid non-physician jobs in healthcare, with a median annual salary of $111,130, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS projects that jobs for nurse-midwives could grow by 11% between 2020-2030, faster than the average job growth rate.
What to Look for in an Online Nurse-Midwifery Program
To become a nurse-midwife, you must earn an MSN from an accredited school and pass board certification. The right program depends on your background and experience, career goals, program logistics, and financial situation.
As you choose your online midwifery program, consider these factors:
Admission Requirements
The school’s admission requirements reflect what it values in students and tell you what applicants are most likely to be successful.Program Curriculum
While nurse midwifery program online courses are standardized around a core curriculum, electives vary. The program description also indicates a program’s values.Clinical Experience
Attending a nurse-midwifery program online means you must find clinical placement in your community or be able to commute. Students should determine whether the format works with their existing schedule and responsibilities.Accreditation
Only graduates of accredited programs are eligible for certification and licensure.Program Length
Program lengths can vary by school. Do the time frame and pacing options work for your needs and existing responsibilities?School NCLEX Pass Rate
Board exam pass rates are a vital quality indicator, even for graduate programs. This metric can tell you about the overall quality of the nursing program and school. Look at the pass rates and the graduation rate together, since a high pass rate but a low graduation rate may indicate if students have left the program before completion.School Graduation Rate
A high graduation rate, combined with a high pass rate, demonstrates program quality. It shows that the school makes the right admission decisions and that students succeed in the program.Online Learning Format and Requirements
Attending a nurse-midwifery program online entails virtual interaction with faculty, staff, and other students while taking classes. Do the classroom, networking, and discussion tools meet your learning needs?
Applying to an Online Nurse-Midwife Program
Be sure to customize your application, especially your essay, for each school. Describe previous online learning or online professional successes to show that you can succeed in an online nurse-midwifery program. Make sure your references highlight your strengths.
Why is Online Nurse-Midwifery Program Accreditation Important?
Only graduates of an accredited program are eligible to take the board certification exam, which is necessary to become a nurse midwife. Attending a nurse-midwifery program online or on campus is a tremendous investment of time, money, and effort. Attending an unaccredited program can jeopardize opportunities.
- Accreditation means that a program meets a high standard of quality, as determined by an independent body of academics and practicing nurse-midwives.
- Almost no accredited programs accept transfer credits from unaccredited programs.
- Most federal financial aid is available only for those enrolled in accredited programs.
- Most employers only consider hiring graduates of accredited programs.
Paying for Online Nurse-Midwifery Programs
As you plan how to pay for your online CNM program, factors to consider include the tuition cost (including whether you are eligible for in-state tuition); other expenses, such as books and fees; travel to any on-campus components; whether you can work while studying; and your current financial situation and eligibility for various financial aid.
Students who attend a nurse-midwifery program online are eligible for the same grants and scholarships as on-campus students. In addition to your school’s financial aid programs, you can apply for financial assistance from government programs, foundations, nonprofits, associations, and corporations.
Some government programs may pay your full tuition costs or offer loan forgiveness in exchange for working in under-served areas once you graduate from your online midwifery program. Your current employer may also offer assistance, especially if you commit to remain with them for a period once you graduate.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nurse-Midwifery Programs
What type of education is needed to become a nurse-midwife?
You need to earn an MSN from an accredited nurse-midwifery program online or on campus and pass the American Midwifery Certification Board examination. If you don’t have a BSN, many online nurse-midwifery programs offer a bridge program for ADNs.
What is the difference between a nurse-midwife and a labor and delivery nurse?
A nurse midwife is a board certified advanced practice nurse who is licensed to oversee a birth. A labor and delivery nurse typically has a BSN or ADN and may have additional certification, but is not licensed to oversee a birth.
How long does it take to become a nurse-midwife?
If you have a BSN, an MSN typically takes two years of full-time study, whether you attend your nurse-midwife program online or on campus. If you don’t have a BSN, it typically takes three years of full-time study.
Is certification required to become a nurse-midwife?
To become a nurse-midwife, you must pass the American Midwifery Certification Board examination. All state nursing boards require this in order to earn your license. You also need an MSN from an accredited program.
