310824 v.2 Bachelor of Science (Midwifery)

Introduction

Midwives work in a variety of settings such as clinics, hospitals, community practices, birthing centres or in the mother's home. The Bachelor of Science (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. Students commence their clinical experience in first semester and receive clinical experience in a wide range of community and hospital settings. This clinical experience is co-ordinated with theoretical study units and progresses from simulation and observation visits to more prolonged periods in selected settings. Students are involved in the care of women, babies and their families, appropriate to their level of academic preparation and experience, for supervised practice. In midwifery settings Registered Midwives will provide individual assistance and supervision of care.

Course Entry Requirements/Prerequisites

Prerequisites: No prior study in a particular subject is required. Applicants must meet the University’s standard entry requirements, which include English competency. Desirable: Human Biological Sciences 3A/3B and Integrated Science 3A/3B. STAT: E and V

Specific Requirements

STAT elements considered are E and V. Applicants for this course should refer to the Communicable Diseases and Criminal Record Screening and Clearance Section of this publication.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Applications for recognition of prior learning are assessed on an individual basis.

Duration and Availability

The course is three years' full-time study. Bentley campus offers one intake a year in February.

Professional Recognition

The course has been designed to meet the requirements for registration as a midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). However, there may be additional education requirements for midwives to work in some countries.

Career Opportunities

Midwives work in a variety of settings such as clinics, hospitals, birthing centres, the mother’s home and in selected regional Western Australian Country Health Services.. Hospital midwifery usually involves shift work and therefore provides flexibility to enable midwives to balance their professional career with family and social activities. Community-based midwives may work shifts and/or work on-call. Your work may also involve other aspects of women’s health, sexual or reproductive health, lactation consultancy and childcare. There are also a number of other employment opportunities that may not involve direct clinical care. Some of these include research and policy development, and may enable you to work office hours. With a highly developed knowledge base and many clinical skills, midwives are in demand both nationally and internationally. This can provide you with work almost anywhere in the world, while continuing to develop your career.

Additional Course Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks and other essential study materials. Students will be required to purchase a uniform for their clinical experience.

Further Information

All applicants short-listed for interview will be contacted immediately following the release of Year 12 results in the final week of December. Interviews will be conducted in the first and second weeks of January. An invitation to an interview will be based on the applicant's academic performance. It is strongly recommended that applicants present a Portfolio at the time of interview. For more information contact Curtin Future Students on telephone (08) 9266 1000, email: futurestudents@curtin.edu.au, or website: www.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.

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.