Nurse 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.
Featured Online MSN Programs
What Can You Do as a Certified Nurse Midwife?
Certified nurse midwives 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 and 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:
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Admission Requirements
The school's admission requirements reflect what it values in students and tell you what applicants are most likely to be successful.
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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.
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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.
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Accreditation
Only graduates of accredited programs are eligible for certification and licensure.
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Program Length
Program lengths can vary by school. Do the time frame and pacing options work for your needs and existing responsibilities?
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School NCLEX Pass Rate
The online midwifery program board certification pass rate is 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.
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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.
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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 midwifery program. Make sure your references highlight your strengths.
Current and unencumbered RN license; an undergraduate transcript; CV/resume; at least two references; an application that includes an essay or personal statement
Most nurse midwife programs online require at least a 3.0 GPA.
Most schools require or strongly prefer approximately two years of experience as an RN. Many schools require an undergraduate statistics class. If you do not have a BSN, you can enroll in an RN-to-MSN bridge program.
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 midwifery 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.
The Best Online Nurse Midwifery Programs of 2022
#1 The Best Online Nurse Midwifery Programs
George Washington University
- Washington, DC
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
George Washington University in Washington, D.C., offers a nurse midwifery program online. Students earn their MSN through GW and the nurse midwifery concentration through Shenandoah University.
The curriculum focuses on women's health management, primary care throughout the lifespan, and neonatal development. Students also learn about perinatal, postpartum, and antepartum care.
Students enroll in part-time or full-time classes. Besides 47 credits of coursework, nursing students do 720 face-to-face clinical hours. Learners may qualify to do the clinical requirements with pre-approved faculty mentors in their local community.
- Program: Master of science in nursing - nurse midwifery
- Campus: Washington, D.C.
- Type: Private
- Accreditations: Middle States Commission on Higher Education; Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education
- Tuition: $1,395 per credit
- Admission Requirements: Two recommendation letters; official transcripts from postsecondary schools; 250-500 word essay; current resume; BSN from a regionally accredited institution
- Minimum Time Commitment: 27 months
- On-Campus Requirements: In-person requirement for clinical hours
Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $101,254 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard
Percent Online Enrollment
22%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
#2 The Best Online Nurse Midwifery Programs
Frontier Nursing University
Frontier Nursing University's certified nurse midwife (CNM) program prepares students to sit for the CNM test.
The nurse midwife program's online curriculum includes topics such as family planning, gynecology services, and the stages of pregnancy. The stages include pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care. Enrollees also learn about newborn care.
Students enroll in the nurse midwifery program online on a part-time or full-time basis to complete coursework. Learners must do an additional 675 clinical hours for the MSN component of the program. Enrollees complete clinical practicums in their local communities. Two short on-campus stays supplement the nurse midwife program's online delivery.
- Program: Certified nurse midwife
- Campus: Versailles, Kentucky
- Type: Private
- Accreditations: Southern Association of Colleges; Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education; Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
- Tuition: $636 per credit
- Admission Requirements: RN license with one year nursing experience; bachelor's or higher degree in nursing from an ACEN or CCNE accredited program; cumulative 3.0 GPA
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
On-Campus Requirements: Yes
Out-of-state
Not provided
Retention Rate
Not provided
Admission Rate
Not provided
Percent Online Enrollment
Not provided
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#3 The Best Online Nurse Midwifery Programs
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
- Lubbock, TX
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center's School of Nursing offers an MSN nurse midwifery program online. The 51-semester hour nurse midwifery track of TTUHSC's MSN program prepares students to take the American Midwifery Certification Board exam.
The program uses a hybrid format, with some classes delivered online and others in person. Distance learners must occasionally travel to the Lubbock campus. The cost of the program ranges from $300 to $400 per semester hour. TTUHSC does not currently accept applications from residents of Washington, Arizona, Oregon, New York, Louisiana, or California.
- Program: Master of science in nursing - nurse midwifery
- Campus: Lubbock, Texas
- Type: Public
- Accreditations: Southern Association of Colleges; Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education; Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: $265 per credit for Texas residents; $673 per credit for out-of-state students
- Admission Requirements: Completion of 90 semester hours at a regionally accredited institution; 3.0 GPA for transfer credits; three recommendation letters; personal essay; resume
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 91.1% first-time pass rate
Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $98,936 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard
Retention Rate
Not provided
Admission Rate
Not provided
Percent Online Enrollment
53%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#4 The Best Online Nurse Midwifery Programs
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus
- Cincinnati, OH
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
The University of Cincinnati's online midwifery program's focus is labor, delivery, and other aspects of women's health. The program qualifies nurses to sit for the American Midwifery Certification Board. A passing grade on the test lets students become independent healthcare providers with a nurse midwifery certification.
The nurse midwife program's online curriculum includes 57 credits of coursework, 784 clinical hours, and 42 lab hours. In addition, learners must complete two face-to-face visits at UC's main campus.
- Program: Master of science in nursing - nurse midwifery
- Campus: Cincinnati, Ohio
- Type: Public
- Accreditations: Higher Learning Commission; Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education
- Tuition: $746 per credit for Ohio residents; $1,333 per credit for out-of-state students
- Admission Requirements: Unencumbered RN license; BSN with 3.0 GPA from an accredited institution; undergraduate statistics course with a 2.0 or higher grade; one year clinical experience as an RN
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $94,013 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard
Percent Online Enrollment
49%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#5 The Best Online Nurse Midwifery Programs
Bethel University
- Saint Paul, MN
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Located in St. Paul, Minnesota, Bethel University's online midwifery program's approach follows the school's Christian principles. The curriculum focuses on health throughout the lifespan and women's reproductive health. Students who complete the course qualify to sit for the American Midwifery Certification Board.
Students complete all classes in the nurse midwifery program online and attend a yearly one-week intensive on campus. Learners usually complete the program in 2-3 years, depending on whether they enroll full or part time.
- Program: Master of science in nurse midwifery
- Campus: St. Paul, Minnesota
- Type: Private
- Accreditations: Higher Learning Commission; Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education; Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education
- Tuition: $47,652 total
- Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree with 3.0 GPA from a regionally accredited college or university; college-level statistics course
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 93.9% first-time pass rate
Percent Online Enrollment
39%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#6 The Best Online Nurse Midwifery Programs
Thomas Jefferson University
- Philadelphia, PA
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Jefferson offers an online midwifery program in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Accredited online nurse midwifery programs, like Jefferson's, qualify students to sit for the American Midwifery Certification Board exam.
Most full-time students complete the nurse midwife program's online coursework in three years. Some learners choose the accelerated format and finish the program in just two years.
The program requires several clinical rotations. The first two rotations involve 12-16 hours at an ambulatory care center. During the last semester, enrollees do a clinical rotation in labor and delivery, postpartum, and the neonatal unit. This final clinical placement involves 40 hours per week. Rotations may occur during weekend and night shifts.
- Program: Master of science in midwifery
- Campus: Philadelphia. Pennsylvania
- Type: Private
- Accreditations: Middle States Commission on Higher Education; Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education
- Tuition: $990 per credit
- Admission Requirements: Current U.S. RN license or completion of the accelerated BSN program before admission
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
On-Campus Requirements: Yes
Percent Online Enrollment
30%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
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.
