314266 v.1 Graduate Diploma in Midwifery

GradDipMidwifery(Curtin)

This course is not available to International Onshore Students on Student Visas

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Course Overview

Graduate diplomas prepare students to develop advanced knowledge and skills for professional or highly skilled work and further learning corresponding to AQF level 8 qualifications.

Recipients of the Graduate Diploma in Midwifery are eligible to apply for registration as a midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. The application of evidence-based theory and practice enables graduates to practise midwifery in a variety of settings and in ways which meet contemporary society’s demands for family-centred maternity care. Students are encouraged to engage in critical thinking, self-discovery, self-direction and lifelong learning.

Professional Recognition

This course is accredited by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council and approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. Graduates may be eligible to apply for registration as a midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.

Additional Course Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a uniform, a number of textbooks and other essential study materials.

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Course Entry and Completion Details

Applicants are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au. Applicants generally require a bachelor degree or graduate certificate.

Specifically, applicants must be eligible for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, with a bachelor degree in nursing or equivalent. Non-degree registered nurses may be admitted with an alternative mode of entry assessment. Recent clinical experience is necessary. STAT elements considered are E and V.

Credit for Recognised Learning

Applications for credit towards a course are assessed on an individual basis. Credit reduces the amount of learning required to complete the course and may be granted for formal education qualifications, non-formal learning from non-award programs of study and informal learning through work experiences. Further information can be found at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au.

Pathway to Further Study

Graduates may qualify for entry to some master degrees. For further details, see the University website http://curtin.edu.au.

Course Entry/Completion Note

Applicants for this course should refer to the Communicable Diseases and Criminal Record Screening and Clearance section of the faculty website.

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Course Organisation

Graduate diplomas contain a series of units which may include compulsory (core), optional or elective units to cater for student preferences. They may contain a range of majors/streams for students to choose from to pursue learning in a specialised area of study.

Students will be encouraged to engage in critical thinking, self-discovery, self-direction and life-long learning. Through a combination of theoretical and practical learning, students will learn to apply evidence-based knowledge and skills in midwifery to provide safe care to both the mother and her baby. Students study legislation and common law affecting midwifery practice and will be prepared to demonstrate the National Competency Standards for the Midwife. To complement theoretical learning, students complete clinical practice in a maternity setting under the supervision of an experienced midwife. Students complete clinical practice in an approved maternity setting.

Course Learning Outcomes

A graduate of this course can:

1. apply principles of midwifery and other associated disciplines such as biological, social, behavioural sciences, nursing, ethics and the law to practice; demonstrate competency at a beginning level in accordance with the ANMC National Competency Standards for the Midwife (2006); justify midwifery practice as a woman-centred, political, primary health care discipline founded on the relationships between women and their midwife

2. access and critically analyse issues to support midwifery practice; practice reflectively in order to contribute to midwifery

3. locate, extract and interpret relevant evidence and scientific literature; evaluate the evidence to inform decision making in midwifery

4. communicate both verbally and written, in a way the woman, her family and professional colleagues can understand; promote midwifery within the community in the context of public health policy

5. demonstrate competence in technological literacy; collect and manage information ethically and effectively

6. demonstrate ability in interdependent and self-directed learning; incorporate learning opportunities in midwifery practice; invite, act upon, and offer constructive feedback on midwifery practice from women and colleagues

7. recognise the importance of skilled professional care (midwifery) for women and babies in an international context; incorporate relevant international evidence/recommendations into midwifery practice

8. support culturally safe, non-discriminatory midwifery for all women and their babies; demonstrate an understanding of how diverse values, beliefs and socio-cultural differences may impact on the health of women and babies

9. understand and apply the concepts of autonomy, accountability, responsibility and collaboration in practice; demonstrate ethical midwifery practice for women and families receiving maternity services; interpret the law relevant to the midwife's scope of practice; demonstrate beginning behaviours associated with leadership

Duration and Availability

This Commonwealth Supported course is one and a half years part-time study. Some units are available via external mode. Students will be expected to attend practical placements across the full calendar year.

Location and delivery Mode

Year	Location	Period	All*	Internal	Partially Online Internal^	External	Fully Online#
2014	Bentley Campus	Semester 1	Y
2014	Bentley Campus	Semester 2	Y

The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations where the course is available for first time entry. Students are normally only offered or admitted to a course once.

* The course itself may not be available either solely internally or externally but individual units may be offered in either or both of those modes. Prospective students should contact the Course Coordinator for further information.

^ Course and associated units are offered in this mode permitting International Onshore student enrolment.

# Course and associated units are offered in this online only mode and DO NOT permit International Onshore student enrolment.

Course Structure				Hrs/Wk	Credit
Year 1 Semester 1
12637	v.3		Midwifery Studies 561	3.0	25.0
13410	v.2		Midwifery Science 561	4.0	25.0
314186	v.1 *		Midwifery Practice 561	610.0	25.0
					75.0
Year 1 Semester 2
13409	v.2		Midwifery Science 562	4.0	25.0
301950	v.4		Research and Evaluation in International Health 600	8.0	25.0
314187	v.1 *		Midwifery Practice 562	610.0	25.0
					75.0
Year 2 Semester 1
314188	v.1 *		Transitional Midwifery Practice 563	836.0	50.0
					50.0

*    The number of hours is the total hours for each practical unit and includes total hours for theoretical, clinical and independent learning

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Further Information

For more information about the course, please contact the Faculty of Health Sciences on telephone (08) 9266 1000, email futurestudents@health.curtin.edu.au, or visit our website: http://healthsciences.curtin.edu.au

Course Structure Disclaimer

Curtin University reserves the right to alter the internal composition of any course to ensure learning outcomes retain maximum relevance. Any changes to the internal composition of a course will protect the right of students to complete the course within the normal timeframe and will not result in additional cost to students through a requirement to undertake additional units.

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