Master of Midwifery | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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Master of Midwifery

Work as a trained professional in maternity care settings.

The Master of Midwifery program gives you the opportunity to develop a solid foundation of knowledge in maternal, fetal and neonatal anatomy and physiology, as well as clinical diagnostic approaches, pharmacology and pharmacokinetics. In this program you will focus on contemporary approaches to women’s health, maternity and infant care as well as an emphasis on the social, psychological, emotion, spiritual and cultural factors that influence health and wellbeing during the childbearing years.

UniSC program code
SC723
Commence
Pathway 1: Semester 1 only. Pathway 2: Semester 1 or Semester 2
Duration
1.5 years full time or equivalent part time, Semester 2 entry part time only
Applications close
30 November for study commencing Semester 1, 2014; 31 May for study commencing Semester 2, 2013. Applications for Registered Midwives wishing to upgrade their qualification may be accepted on a case-by-case basis.
Study mode
on campus (blended)
Fee type 2013
  • Commonwealth supported places
  • Postgraduate coursework places
Total courses
10 (144 units)

The Master of Midwifery program gives you the opportunity to develop a solid foundation of knowledge in maternal, fetal and neonatal anatomy and physiology, as well as clinical diagnostic approaches, pharmacology and pharmacokinetics. In this program you will focus on contemporary approaches to women’s health, maternity and infant care as well as an emphasis on the social, psychological, emotion, spiritual and cultural factors that influence health and wellbeing during the childbearing years.

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.

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

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).

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.

Program structure

Program structure

Program requirements and notes
  • Students are required to complete 10 courses as listed below.
  • Evidence of Hepatitis B vaccination is required.
  • Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including, for example, essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests, and examinations.  
  • Some courses in this program require project work and/or independent study and therefore have limited on-campus contact. Please refer to individual course descriptions.  
  • When enrolling, please refer to the relevant Study Plan:
    • Study Plan for Registered Nurses wishing to become Midwives (Pathway 1)
    • Study Plan for Registered Midwives wishing to upgrade qualifications (Pathway 2)
Registered Nurses wishing to become Midwives (Pathway 1)
Students are required to complete the following 10 courses (144 units)

NUR700 Introduction to Weather and Climate
NUR702 Earth Observation: Remote Sensing and Surveying
NUR703 Coastal Geomorphology
NUR704 Diversity and Inclusion
NUR710 Literacy and Numeracy Across the Curriculum
NUR712 Secondary Assessment and Reporting
NUR713 Professional Experience: Individual Learner Needs
NUR721 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives in Learning and Teaching
NUR729 The Psychology of Learning
NUR730 Using Data for Learning

 

Registered Midwives wishing to upgrade qualifications (Pathway 2)
Students are required to complete the following 10 courses (144 units)

NUR700 Secondary Professional Learning: The Professional Empowered and Engaged
NUR703 Theory for Midwifery Practice 1
NUR704 Fundamentals of Midwifery Knowledge
NUR710 Infant Care
NUR712 Leadership in Practice Development
NUR713 Theory for Midwifery Practice
NUR721 Midwifery in a Social Context
NUR729 Independent Study
NUR730 Research in Health Care

Plus one (1) of the following courses

NUR708 Midwifery Practicum 1
NUR709 Midwifery Practicum 2