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 Home / Midwifery /
 Midwifery (Associate in Science)
 FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I never heard of this program before. Can I take it at Broward Community College or any other community college in Florida?
A: Miami Dade College presently offers the only Midwifery educational program in any public college or university in the country where you can earn a degree in direct-entry (non-nurse) midwifery. The first class began in August, 1994.
Q: Do I need a high school diploma or equivalency diploma?
A: Yes, according to F.S. 467, the Midwifery Practice Act.
Q: Does the College provide housing?
A: No, the College does not provide housing.
Q: Who does Miami Dade College serve?
A: Miami Dade College offers programs and maintains services designed to serve the community and the individual without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or disability of qualified handicap.
Q: How long is the Midwifery Program?
A: After completing the prerequisite courses, the program is 5 semesters (2 years) in length.
Q: How many credits are included in this Program?
A: There are 90 credits including prerequisite courses:
15 general education prerequisite credits
19 basic science prerequisite credits
56 core midwifery credits
Q: What are the prerequisite courses for this Program?
A: PREREQUISITE COURSES: Total 34 credits
General Education Courses (15 credits)*
ENC 1101 English Composition (3 credits)
MAC 1105 College Algebra (3 credits) or any 3 credit college level math course
PHI 2604 Critical Thinking and Ethics (3 credits)
CLT 1006 Psychology of Personal Effectiveness (3 credits)
SPC 1026 Fundamentals of Speech (3 credits)
* course requirements met with AA degree or higher
Basic Science Courses (19 credits)
BSC 2085 Anatomy & Physiology I (3 credits)
BSC 2085L Anatomy & Physiology I Lab (1 credit)
BSC 2086 Anatomy & Physiology II (3 credits)
BSC 2086L Anatomy & Physiology II Lab (1 credit)
CHM 1033 Chemistry (3 credits)
MCB 2013 Microbiology (3 credits)
MCB 2013L Microbiology Lab (2 credits)
HUN 1201 Essentials of Nutrition (3 credits)
The above courses may be taken at any regionally accredited college or university.
Q: Does a student have to have completed all of these prerequisite courses before being accepted into the Program?
A: Applicants are encouraged to complete all prerequisite courses before entering the Program. Applicants must complete all except 5 prerequisite credits. Remaining prerequisites must be completed during the first semester of the core midwifery coursework.
Applicants to the Associate in Science in Midwifery program must take most of the general education and basic science courses before admission to the Midwifery program. Those courses that must be taken before admission are: ENC 1101, MAC 1105 (or any 3 credit college level math course), CHM 1033, BSC 2085, BSC 2085L, BSC 2086, and BSC 2086L. In addition, we strongly recommend that you take the rest of the general education and basic science courses, especially Microbiology and Microbiology Lab (MCB 2013 and MCB 2013L), before admission to the Midwifery program.
Q: Are there any other prerequisites for this Program?
A: 1. High school diploma or GED
2. Attend the 4 hour HIV/AIDS workshop required for all Florida health care workers, and provide a copy of a certificate of attendance. If the applicant attended this workshop more than two years before the date of the application, the applicant must attend an additional 1 hour HIV/AIDS workshop to update the information.
3. Hold current certification in adult and infant CPR level C (professional level), and provide a copy of this certification. This certification must remain current at all times while the student is enrolled in the Program. The student must supply the Program Chairperson with an updated copy of current certification before the expiration date. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in dismissal from the Program.
4. Take all prerequisite courses no more than two times each and earn a grade of C or better in all courses.
5. Attend an Information Session.
Additional requirements include:
- Complete the College computer competency testing requirements: By the 16 th earned college level credit (excluding ESL, ENS and college preparatory courses) a student must pass CGS 1060, an equivalent continuing education or vocational credit course, or retest with a passing score on the computer competency test.
- Write an essay, typed, minimum 250 words, explaining: “Why I Want to be a Licensed Midwife”
- Send a copy of any licenses or certificates you may hold in a health care field
(note: you do not need a degree, license or certificate in any other field for admission to the Midwifery Program)
Q: What is covered in the Information Session?
A: What student midwives will learn and experience, what career opportunities exist for licensed midwives, and how they relate to other maternity health care providers. It is important to understand the demands and commitments needed to practice midwifery, as well as the rewards, so that applicants can make the right career choices to meet their professional and personal goals.
Q: Why is this program longer than any other Associate Degree program?
A: The Florida midwifery licensing law requires 3 years of education for a Licensed Midwife, and a minimum of 90 credits. Miami Dade College requires specific coursework for an Associate in Science degree.
Q: Will I be participating in an externship program?
A: Yes. According to law, to complete an educational program, a student midwife must observe 25 births and manage 50 deliveries under supervision. In addition, the midwife student will gain experience providing prenatal care, postpartum care, newborn assessments, well woman gynecological care and family planning.
Q: Where will these deliveries take place?
A: In the hospital, in birth centers and in clients' homes. Students may have to travel to clinical sites outside of Dade County in order to meet the required number of deliveries.
Q: Who will be supervising these activities?
A: Supervising preceptors may be Florida licensed midwives, certified nurse-midwives, obstetricians, family practice physicians, or a combination of these.
Q: What if I'm a midwife licensed in another state or country?
A: You must contact the Florida Council of Licensed Midwifery to determine whether you would be eligible to become licensed in Florida by completing a 4 month accelerated course or whether you would have to complete the full midwifery program.
Council of Licensed Midwifery
Florida Department of Health
4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #CO-6
Tallahassee , Fl. 32399-3256
Phone: 850-245-4161 Ext. 3489
Q: What if I'm already a nurse?
A: Nurses have completed most or all of the prerequisite courses and can enroll directly into the Midwifery Program. Nurses who may also want to explore the educational avenues to become a certified nurse-midwife can contact the Florida Board of Nursing and the Florida Chapter of the American College of Nurse Midwives.
Q: What is the difference between a licensed midwife and a certified nurse-midwife?
A: A certified nurse-midwife is educated in two disciplines, nursing and midwifery. A licensed midwife is a direct-entry midwife; no education in any other profession is necessary before enrolling in a midwifery education program. Differences between the two kinds of midwives who are licensed and practice in Florida are explained further in the Information Session.
Q: Do licensed midwives work in hospitals?
A: There are no legal restrictions as to where licensed midwives may practice, however Licensed Midwives traditionally practice out of the hospital, in their own practices, delivering babies in homes and birth centers.
Q: How much money can a licensed midwife earn?
A: A midwife in a self-owned homebirth practice or in partnership with other midwives may earn a gross income (before business expenses and other deductions) from $25,000 to $50,000 a year, depending upon the size of the midwifery practice and whether the midwife works part-time or full-time. Midwifery services are reimbursable by private insurance and Medicaid.
A midwife may own and operate a birth center, or be employed by a birth center or a practicing licensed midwife, nurse-midwife or physician, a health clinic or agencies like the Healthy Start Coalition of Miami-Dade. Employed midwives make between $25,000 and $55,000 a year depending upon factors such as rural or urban location and previous experience. Other employment opportunities may include public health units, clinics, and so forth.
Q: Do licensed midwives have to have malpractice insurance?
A: Malpractice insurance is required for licensed midwives and is available through the Florida Medical Malpractice Joint Underwriters Assurance as well as some private insurance agencies.
Q: After I graduate with an Associate in Science Degree in Midwifery from Miami Dade College, how can I become a Florida licensed midwife?
A: Graduates are eligible to take the North American Registry of Midwives National Examination. Those who pass the examination can apply to become Florida Licensed Midwives and obtain national midwifery certification as a Certified Professional Midwife, through the North American Registry of Midwives. This credential enables licensing and Practice in other states and countries.
Q: If I graduate from the Midwifery Program and pass the state licensing exam, is there any other reason that I might not be able to get a state license?
A: Individuals who have been convicted of a felony and/or have had a license denied in another health care field or in midwifery in another jurisdiction may not be eligible for licensure as a Florida Licensed Midwife. Any applicant who has an arrest record must fully disclose all information to:
Council of Licensed Midwifery
Florida Department of Health
4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #CO-6
Tallahassee , Fl. 32399-3256
Phone: 850-245-4161 Ext. 3489
Disclosure of convictions greater than a traffic ticket is required on the Midwifery Program application at the time the application is submitted.
Q: What if I want to become a nurse after I graduate from the Miami Dade College Midwifery Program?
A: If you have earned an Associate in Science degree in Midwifery from Miami Dade College, have passed the state licensing exam and become a Florida licensed midwife, you can apply for admission to Miami Dade College's accelerated transitional nursing program and complete it in as little as one year.
Q: Can this curriculum be used towards a Bachelors Degree?
A: Senior institutions will generally accept all courses from state community colleges. However, senior institutions require an Associate in Arts degree as a prerequisite to earning a Bachelors Degree. The student would need to take some additional credits to earn an Associate in Arts degree.
Q: What is the process for applying to the Program?
A: You must first apply to Miami Dade College and receive a student identification number. Then you are responsible for making sure an official transcript is sent from any college or university you have attended. Have one copy sent directly from the college to each:
Justine Clegg, Program Director
Midwifery Department, Room 2353
Miami Dade College Medical Center Campus
950 N.W. 20 Street
Miami , Fl. 33127-4693
Admissions Department, Room 1201
Miami Dade College Medical Center Campus
950 N.W. 20 Street
Miami , Fl. 33127-4693
Your transcripts will be evaluated to see which courses you have taken that can be applied to the program prerequisite courses. You can call 237-4333 for an unofficial evaluation of your previous coursework, however no official evaluation will be made until an official copy of your transcript is received by the College.
Q: How often are students admitted to the Program?
A: Students are admitted to the Program once a year in the fall semester.
Q: What is the deadline for applying to this Program?
A: You may apply at any time.
Q: What if I'm not accepted into the Midwifery Program?
A: Applicants who have not completed the prerequisite courses are encouraged to reapply for the following year. Applicants may also explore other programs and career options with a college advisor. Miami Dade College medical center campus has the largest division of Allied Health Technologies of any college or university in the country, with 26 allied health and 3 nursing programs.
Q: What if I have more questions?
A: Attend an information session and call the New Student Center at 305-237-4141, or the Midwifery Program office at 305-237-4234.
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