MG-MIDW v.1 Master of Midwifery
MMidfy(Curtin)
This course is not available to International Onshore Students on Student Visas
Course Overview
Master Degrees (Coursework) prepare students to apply advanced knowledge for professional practice, scholarship and further learning corresponding to AQF level 9 qualifications.
The Master of Midwifery is a two-year graduate entry master program leading to eligibility to apply for registration as a midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. A graduate entry master is a fast and intensive course which allows the applicant to change their career direction quickly. Midwives work in a variety of settings such as clinics, hospitals, community practices, birthing centres or in the woman’s home. The Master of Midwifery emphasises the close integration of evidence based theory and clinical practice. Theory content is comprehensive and includes the physical, biological, psychological and social sciences.
Course Accreditation
Graduates of this course in Australia may be recognised by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
Course Accreditation Status
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 number of textbooks and other essential study materials.
Course Entry and Completion Details
Applicants for a Master Degree (Coursework) are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at http://study.curtin.edu.au/. Subject to the duration of the course applicants usually require a Bachelor Degree or equivalent (and may require relevant work experience), Bachelor Honours Degree, Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma. All Curtin courses have compulsory and other core capabilities that are essential for demonstrating the achievement of course learning outcomes and graduation. Students who are unable to meet or demonstrate those requirements, now or in later stages during their studies, may seek reasonable adjustments by the University wherever possible to facilitate alternative ways of achieving those requirements. If reasonable adjustments cannot be accommodated, Curtin will discuss study options to find an alternative course of study or an exit degree. Any specific course entry and completion requirements must also be met.
All applicants must hold a recognised Bachelor’s degree or graduate degree with a high course weighted average (greater than 70 percent). It is essential that applicants have successfully completed a research unit and a human biology related unit at tertiary level. Domestic students who have not completed tertiary units in the above mentioned areas will be able to study these unit(s) through the Health Sciences Graduate Entry Foundation course. Curtin University requires all students to demonstrate competency in English. Please refer to the following for further information https://howtoapply.curtin.edu.au/. It is a condition of enrolment that applicants are screened for, and immunised against contracting a number of infectious illnesses prior to the commencement of the clinical placement. Further information on Health Screening for students in the Faculty of Health Sciences can be obtained by visiting the website https://study.curtin.edu.au/applying/fieldwork-statements/. Screening and vaccination costs are the responsibility of the student. Course entry is based on the applicant's academic record and/or previous university study. Mandatory requirements for clinical practice include a Department of Health Criminal Record Screening, a National Police Screen, a Working with Children Check, Basic Life Support certificate and a manual handling certificate. It is expected that the student will maintain the currency of these requirements for the duration of the course. Certificates and screening costs are the responsibility of the student. More detailed information related to the required certificates and health and legal checks can be located on the Health Sciences’ website. Students must be available to undertake clinical midwifery practice during and/or outside semester in healthcare facilities. Clinical practice blocks can be several weeks in length and students need to be available for rotational night and weekend shifts. Students will be required to recruit pregnant women for continuity of care experiences over the two years of the course, to follow their pregnancy, birth and postnatal journey which will involve travel and an on-call component.
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/non-school-leavers/rpl.cfm
Intermediate Awards
A student who has successfully completed the requirements of an approved intermediate award may apply for graduation in that award subject to approval of Head of School/Department. Fees apply. Intermediate awards approved for this course:
Pathway to Further Study
Graduates may qualify for entry to Doctoral degrees. For further details, see the University website http://curtin.edu.au
Course Switcher Criteria
Course entry is based on the applicant's academic record and/or previous university study. Mandatory requirements for clinical practice include a Department of Health Criminal Record Screening, a National Police Screen, a Working with Children Check, Basic Life Support certificate and a manual handling certificate. It is expected that the student will maintain the currency of these requirements for the duration of the course. Certificates and screening costs are the responsibility of the student. More detailed information related to the required certificates and health and legal checks can be located on the Health Sciences’ website. Students must be available to undertake clinical midwifery practice during and/or outside semester in healthcare facilities. Clinical practice blocks can be several weeks in length and students need to be available for rotational night and weekend shifts. Students will be required to recruit pregnant women for continuity of care experiences over the two years of the course, to follow their pregnancy, birth and postnatal journey which will involve travel and an on-call component.
Course Organisation
Master Degrees (Coursework) contain a series of units in a specialised area of study which may include compulsory (core), optional or elective units to cater for student preferences. They may also contain a range of majors/streams for students to choose from.
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 childbearing mother and her baby. The theory content is comprehensive and includes inquiry, science and midwifery practice components, to prepare graduates to demonstrate the Midwife Standards for Practice. To complement theoretical learning, students complete midwifery practice (a minimum of 1000 hours) in a maternity setting under the supervision of an experienced midwife. Students are required to recruit pregnant women for continuity of care which will involve travel and an on-call component.
Course Learning Outcomes
A graduate of this course can:
1. appraise reflectively, critically and with initiative to apply midwifery knowledge and skills within dynamic and complex midwifery contexts
2. examine current midwifery health legislation; work in an autonomous accountability framework within the scope of ethical and legal midwifery practice as a member of interprofessional teams
3. critically analyse scientific literature and health standards; synthesise and integrate into woman centred-care; engage with health and scientific information when seeking, evaluating and using data related to midwifery care and clinical decision-making
4. appraise and access opportunities for lifelong learning and enhance personal knowledge and skills to further contribute to the midwifery profession
5. demonstrate proficiency and make informed decisions on therapeutic interventions by utilising current technology to inform midwifery practice for the delivery of safe and effective care
6. communicate effectively, to meet the woman’s needs, establish collegial relationships with interprofessional teams and promote midwifery within the community in the broader contexts of primary healthcare and public health policy
7. distinguish the importance of skilled professional midwifery care for women and babies in an international context
8. actively support culturally safe, values-led care for all women and babies through the development of personal and professional skills for cultural competence
9. analyse and practice the values intrinsic to midwifery practice; demonstrate critical reflection and the ability to enhance the development of self and others; demonstrate leadership skills
Duration and Availability
The course is offered internally and taken over two years' full-time study. Some units are available via external mode. Students will be expected to attend practical placements across the full calendar year. Bentley campus offers two intakes a year in February and July.
Location and delivery Mode
| Year | Location | Period | All* | Internal | Partially Online Internal^ | External | Fully Online# |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Bentley Perth Campus | Semester 1 | Y | ||||
| 2021 | Bentley Perth Campus | Semester 2 | Y | ||||
| 2022 | Bentley Perth Campus | Semester 1 | Y | ||||
| 2022 | Bentley Perth 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 | |||||
| MIDW5008 | v.1 | Applied Healthy Midwifery Bioscience | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
| NURS5005 | v.1 | Evidence Informed Clinical Practice | 3.0 | 25.0 | |
| MIDW5009 | v.1 | Healthy Clinical Midwifery Practice | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
| MIDW5007 | v.1 | Professional Midwifery Studies | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
| 100.0 | |||||
| Year 1 Semester 2 | |||||
| MIDW5010 | v.1 | Applied Midwifery Bioscience | 38.0 | 25.0 | |
| MIDW5011 | v.1 | Clinical Midwifery Practice | 2.0 | 25.0 | |
| INDH5003 | v.1 | Indigenous Perspectives for Clinical Practice | 25.0 | ||
| NURS4004 | v.1 | Mental Health Wellbeing | 2.0 | 25.0 | |
| 100.0 | |||||
| Year 2 Semester 1 | |||||
| MIDW6005 | v.1 | Applied Complex Midwifery Bioscience | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
| MIDW6006 | v.1 | Complex Clinical Midwifery Practice | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
| PHRM6010 | v.1 | Principles of Pharmacology and Prescribing | 1.0 | 25.0 | |
| MEDS6013 | v.2 | Research and Evaluation in Health | 8.0 | 25.0 | |
| 100.0 | |||||
| Year 2 Semester 2 | |||||
| NURS5006 | v.2 | Advanced Screening and Diagnostics | 6.0 | 25.0 | |
| NURS5046 | v.1 | Clinical Safety and Quality | 5.0 | 25.0 | |
| MIDW6007 | v.1 | Transitional Midwifery Practice | 4.0 | 50.0 | |
| 100.0 | |||||
Further Information
If you need more course information, you may contact the relevant areas: For Current Students: Student Services Office, please click here for further details: http://students.curtin.edu.au/contact_offices.cfm. For Domestic Future Students: Curtin Connect Future Students, enquiries: https://future.connect.curtin.edu.au/ , Tel: +61-1300 222 888. For International Future Students: Curtin International, email: international@curtin.edu.au, Tel: +61-8-9266 7331.
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 a normal timeframe and will not result in additional cost to students through a requirement to undertake additional units.
Disclaimer
Information in this publication is correct at the time of printing but may be subject to change.
In particular, the University reserves the right to change the content and/or method of assessment, to change or alter tuition fees of any unit of study, to withdraw any unit of study or program which it offers, to impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/ or to vary arrangements for any program.
This material does not purport to constitute legal or professional advice.
Curtin accepts no responsibility for and makes no representations, whether express or implied, as to the accuracy or reliability in any respect of any material in this publication.
Except to the extent mandated otherwise by legislation, Curtin University does not accept responsibility for the consequences of any reliance which may be placed on this material by any person.
Curtin will not be liable to you or to any other person for any loss or damage (including direct, consequential or economic loss or damage) however caused and whether by negligence or otherwise which may result directly or indirectly from the use of this publication.
International students
International students studying in Australia on a student visa can only study full-time and there are also specific entry requirements that must be met. As some information contained in this publication may not be applicable to international students, refer to international.curtin.edu.au for further information. Australian citizens, permanent residents and international students studying outside Australia may have the choice of full-time, part-time and external study, depending on course availability and in-country requirements.
