If you are a registered nurse or a registered midwife, this program is an opportunity to specialise or deepen your knowledge and practice. Develop a foundation in maternal, foetal and neonatal anatomy and physiology. The program covers clinical diagnostic approaches, pharmacology and pharmacokinetics.

USC provides you with the latest in contemporary approaches to women’s health, maternity and infant care. Our highly trained academic staff provide unique and comprehensive training that emphasises social, psychological, emotional, spiritual and cultural factors that influence health and wellbeing during the childbearing years.

This program has a strong practical focus. You’ll undertake 920 hours of clinical work, including plenty of simulated real life experience, before being placed in a hospital or community setting.

This program is designed to offer two educational pathways.

Pathway 1 (Pre registration) provides the opportunity for Registered Nurses to develop the knowledge, skill and aptitude necessary for entry to midwifery practice in Australia. On the completion of this program you will be able to demonstrate achievement of the ANMC National Competency Standards for the Midwife and be eligible to apply for registration as a midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia Australian Health Practitioners Regulatory Agency. Note: Entry via Pathway 1 not available in 2015 or 2016

Pathway 2 (Post registration) provides the opportunity for Registered Midwives to continue professional development and attain a postgraduate qualification. On completion of the program you will demonstrate advanced knowledge and skills for midwifery practice.

Admission requirements

Pathway 1 (Note: Entry via Pathway 1 not available in 2015 or 2016)

Applicants will have:

• a Bachelor's degree (AQF Level 7) in nursing or related discipline or equivalent and be registered as a Division 1 Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA)
• a minimum of 12 months experience as a registered nurse
• selection will be based on academic merit

Pathway 2

Applicants will have a Bachelor degree (AQF Level 7) in nursing, midwifery or related discipline and be registered as a nurse / midwife or a midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).

The Master of Midwifery offers a limited number of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) as well as domestic fee paying places. Offers for both CSP and fee paying places will be made after the application due date for the program.

CSP will be allocated on the basis of your Grade Point Average in the degree used to meet admission requirements and/or your industry experience. Applicants falling below the demand-driven cut-off for a CSP may be offered a domestic fee paying place subject to capacity limitations.

Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens and permanent visa holders enrolled in a fee paying place will have the option of applying for a CSP in subsequent semesters if one becomes available. In these cases, the student’s current GPA in the Master of Midwifery will be used to assess eligibility for a CSP place using the same entry cut-off applied for new CPS entrants during that admission period.

Professional recognition

Graduates will be eligible to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia and will be eligible to apply for membership of The Australian College of Midwives.

Registration

Graduates will be eligible to apply for registration as a midwife in Australia through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia has a number of registration standards. Graduates must demonstrate that they meet these standards in order to be eligible for registration.

Graduates must demonstrate English language skills at IELTS level 7 (7 in all bands) or equivalent before being considered for professional registration. Test results from relevant examinations will generally need to be obtained within two years prior to applying for registration.

Refer to the Nursing and Midwifery Board website for registration information.