This innovative program has been offering midwifery education since 1993 in partnership with McMaster and Laurentian universities.

The baccalaureate degree program prepares graduates to be eligible to apply for registration as midwives in Ontario, and meets recognized national and international standards. Graduates work as registered health-care professionals who provide primary care to women with low-risk pregnancies, conduct births in home and hospital settings, and provide care after birth for women and their babies up to six weeks of age.

Our program prepares graduates to engage in lifelong learning. Working as a midwife requires a keen intelligence combined with flexibility and compassion. Midwives need a thorough understanding of normal and complex conditions affecting pregnancy, birth and the postpartum care of women and the newborn.

Graduates must draw on a large body of knowledge and sometimes make clinical judgements under stressful or emergency situations. Midwives collaborate with other healthcare providers such as physicians, nurses and social workers. The program prepares students to develop good communication skills and an understanding of cross-cultural issues in health care. Clinical skills are developed under the supervision of clinical midwifery preceptors.

CURRICULUM INFORMATION

The curriculum includes courses from basic sciences, social sciences, health sciences, women's studies and electives in addition to clinical midwifery courses. A variety of course formats are used, most often small group tutorials.

In addition to the normal University wide policies on Academic Standing and Graduation Requirements, the Midwifery program has variations which may affect a student's studies. Please see the Registrar's Office section for both Academic and Graduation Variations for specific information.

Transfer Credit

Applicants with previous university courses may be exempt from electives or other non-clinical courses in the first three semesters. The actual amount of transfer credit awarded to an applicant will not be determined until the conclusion of the overall admissions process; each application will be assessed on an individual basis. An Offer of Admission does not guarantee that transfer credits will be awarded. Generally, transfer credits will not reduce the time required to complete the program. However, based on the availability of space, appropriate candidates may be admitted to the second year of the program.

Students in the Post-Baccalaureate Program may receive transfer credit or challenge credit in MWF 113, MWF 114, MWF 155, maximum of these three courses.

Minors

Students may pursue any Minor offered by Ryerson (with exceptions), and are eligible for only one Minor. Please refer to the Minors Policy section of this calendar for further information on individual Minor requirements and restrictions.

The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education Certificates

Undergraduate students wishing to pursue a continuing education certificate program should be aware of possible restrictions. Please refer to the Curriculum Advising website at www.ryerson.ca/curriculumadvising for complete details.

PART-TIME DEGREE PROGRAM

The Midwifery Education Program offers its four-year program on a full-time studies basis as well as part-time. Please see the 2011-2012 Part-Time Undergraduate Calendar, visit our website: www.ryerson.ca/midwife or call the Midwifery Education Program at (416) 979-5104 for further information. The Post-Baccalaureate Program for Health Professionals is offered on a full-time basis only.