Frequently Asked Questions:
How to Become a Midwife
Become a Midwife FAQ
Our Become a Midwife FAQ is designed to answer the most common questions. If you need additional information not provided on our site, don’t hesitate to contact us; we’d be happy to help. Become
a Midwife FAQ
Midwifery Training Options
How and when can I speak with someone from Midwife International about the program?
If you would like to speak with someone from Midwife International, please sign up for an upcoming virtual information session. This the best way to get your questions answered. To sign up please email mackenzie@midwifeinternational.org, and please specify the date and time listed below on which you would like to attend. If these dates and times do not work for your schedule, please send us an email and we will setup some one-to-one time via telephone.
- Tuesday, February 5 at 12:30 pm Mountain Standard Time
- Tuesday, February 19 at 12:30 pm Mountain Standard Time
- Tuesday, March 5 at 12:30 pm Mountain Standard Time
- Tuesday, March 19 at 12:30 pm Mountain Standard Time
Approximately how many births will I be able to attend as a student or intern?
The average number of births you will attend during your time abroad will vary by clinical site and will depend on your level of experience. The majority of our clinical partners have an average of 30-40 births per months. However, some clinics may have fewer births. We will work with you during the admissions process to ensure that you are placed at a clinic that fulfills the NARM PEP process, based on your level of previous experience.
Can I pick my site for the 1-Year program?
Rather than picking your own midwife training site, you will be grouped with a team of students according to your level of experience and placed at the site most appropriate given your goals. During the application process you will be given the opportunity to select a first, second and third-choice site, and we will do our very best to place you at one of your top-three choices.
Who will my teachers and preceptors be?
Preceptors and guest teachers are Certified Professional Midwives, Certified Midwives or Certified Nurse Midwives who have a minimum of 3-years professional experience and demonstrated leadership in the field of midwifery. They will receive additional program-related training from Midwife International, and will be given curriculum and facilitation support throughout their stay.
What if I don’t speak the language?
While it is not expected that you speak local dialects, proficiency in English is required with Spanish and French a plus. While interpreters may not be appropriate in the birth room at some sites, interpreters will be provided whenever possible and your preceptor will review births with you during case reviews. At some locations you will have the option to receive formalized language instruction, with a focus on colonial languages. Where indigenous languages and local dialects are spoke, independent language study is highly encouraged as learning the local language will open many opportunities for you to integrate with the community, communicate about your birth center’s available services and connect with the women you work with. Midwifery education curriculum and study groups will be administered in English. Become a Midwife FAQ
Can I participate in the Global Midwife Training Program for multiple years?
Yes. You can apply to the Global Midwife program as an entry-level student, and participate in our program for up to 3-years. Doing this would provide you with experience in a wide variety of settings with diverse groups of people and would allow you to advance through the NARM PEP process efficiently. If you have a family or for some reason extended international travel is not a realistic option for you, we recommend the 3-year Guatemalan Midwifery School, where students will experience greater consistency living and studying in one place with the same group of participants for the duration of the three years. Become a Midwife FAQ
How many applicants will be accepted to each program?
We place a maximum of 4 students at each site. An additional 2 interns may also be placed at sites where volume is high enough. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and students are placed on a first -come, first-served basis, so apply now to be placed at your preferred site. Become a Midwife FAQ
How can I increase my odds of getting accepted to your programs?
The strongest candidates will demonstrate personal awareness, appreciation of diversity, and the ability to work in a team environment. This is a very intense experience, and applicants should be willing to immerse themselves completely into all aspects of our program. Become a Midwife FAQ
When will I know if I have been accepted to the program?
Midwife International will review applications on a rolling basis and qualified candidates will be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis. Upon acceptance you will have 48-hours to return a contract and commit to our program. For program-specific payment schedules, please see our tuition and fees page.
Is there a book list?
Visit our Midwife Training information page to see our reading list visit.
What are my options for financial aid? Become a Midwife FAQ
Midwife International does not offer scholarships or grants, and our programs do not qualify for United States Federal Student Loans or student loans from banks. However, there are several options for raising the money to fund your midwifery education, and Midwife International is here to support you in every way possible. We encourage you to get creative, and inspire your community to support you to make a difference for mothers and babies worldwide. Please visit our tuition and fees page for more information about payment and take a look at our Financial Aid Resources PDF for fundraising ideas. Become a Midwife FAQ
Is it possible to apply as a group? Become a Midwife FAQ
Absolutely. We welcome groups to apply, keeping in mind that each site can only host a total of 4 students. In order to be placed at the same site, group applicants need to have the same general level of exposure to midwifery. Become a Midwife FAQ
If I apply and am accepted, can I defer my enrollment to the following year?
Due to the evolving nature of our program, we recommend applying during the application process that immediately precedes the year you would like to participate. If you have already applied when you realize that the upcoming program is not feasible for you, we are willing to hold your materials. However, we are not responsible for lost materials, and we are unable to guarantee your placement in the program for the following year. Become a Midwife FAQ
Midwifery Certification
Is the 3-Year Midwifery School or Global Midwife Program MEAC (Midwifery Education Accreditation Council) accredited?
Our programs are offered overseas and are therefore not eligible for MEAC accreditation. However, our curriculum follows the NARM PEP process, which is the only existing certification process available for internationally trained midwives. Learn more about midwife certification, and please contact NARM if you have additional questions about PEP requirements.
Will I be eligible to take the NARM exam after completion of your programs?
Midwifery education students should plan to spend a minimum of 3-years training to become a midwife, starting with book study and active observation, progressing to birth assistance under supervision and culminating in a minimum of 1-year as primary under supervision. Whether or not you will be eligible to take the NARM exam after completion of the Midwife International programs will depend on your experience upon entering the program. Students who have already assisted 20 births under supervision, documented by a NARM certified preceptor, would be assigned “advanced status” and will therefore be ready to sit for the NARM exam upon completion of the year. Entry and intermediate-level students will not be eligible. Become a Midwife FAQ
Can I sit for the NARM exam while still on site, after the completion of my program?
NARM requires that you sit for your exam within the United States. Please visit the NARM website for specified testing locations and dates. Become a Midwife FAQ
Will Midwife International programs allow me to meet the requirements for becoming a professional midwife in my home country?
Midwife International programs are aligned with the requirements set forth by the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) as guidelines for developing our curriculum because NARM offers an international certification option. Please contact your local midwifery organization to learn more about internationally-based certification options in your country and we will work with you to meet all reasonable requirements. Become a Midwife FAQ
Will I be able to apply my credits from the Global Midwife Program or Intensives toward the 3-year program in Guatemala?
Because the 3-year midwifery school is a comprehensive package that will be delivered over the three-year period, it is not possible to apply previous experience.
What opportunities does Midwife International offer for a recently registered or certified midwife to gain clinical experience or volunteer? Midwife International FAQ
In order to be a preceptor or guest teacher at one of our sites, you must become a NARM approved preceptor, which requires a minimum of 3-years as a registered and certified midwife. If you are a recently registered nurse or certified midwife, not meeting NARM preceptor requirements, we encourage you to apply now as a way to build your skill set and gain experience in a high-volume, high risk birth setting abroad.
Traveling, Living and Studying Midwifery Abroad
What will a typical week look like for me at my site?
While you work to become a midwife, your week will vary based on the site you are placed. In addition to study group meetings and clinical rotations, you will be expected to participate in daily language instruction and commit a dedicate a block of time to your community project. Community projects will be site specific and will be facilitated by your preceptor. You will have at least one day per week to relax and recover to take care of personal needs. Become a Midwife FAQ
Can I bring my family? What kind of living situation is available for families? Become a Midwife FAQ
Families are more than welcome to accompany you on any Midwife International program, and we will work with you on a case-by-case basis to set up the appropriate living situation. Our sites are all children-friendly; schooling is available at most (but not all). We encourage you to apply so that we can begin to understand your unique situation and begin to work out the best options. You can expect that, depending on your site, your monthly living expenses will increase according to the number of people you bring with you.
Can my partner come with me, and what kinds of opportunities are available for him/her while we are there?
Your partner is more than welcome to accompany you to the site, however Midwife International is unable to provide opportunities for work or participation in programmatic activities unless he or she is also enrolled. If the two of you apply as a couple and have a similar level of experience, we are happy to place you as a pair at the same site. At most sites, your partner will be required to interview and gain approval from our host partners before being accepted. Become a Midwife FAQ
What will my living accommodations be like?
Accommodations are simple and vary from one site to another. In rural areas accommodations may be rustic, without running water or electricity. Every effort will be made to accommodate the student preferences, but this can be done only within the limits of the available housing. At most sites, you will have the option to choose between living in community (with other students), living with your own family, or living alone. Midwife International will work with host sites to coordinate housing arrangements on the student’s behalf to ensure the best possible arrangement.Become a Midwife FAQ
At some sites, you will have the option to live in a home-stay with a local midwife or family with the option for one month or up to the full year. While not mandatory, the home-stay is strongly recommended, as it gives students an opportunity to fully immerse and build trust in the local community. Become a Midwife FAQ
What if I have food restrictions or allergies?
Whether staying onsite or offsite, students may purchase and prepare their own food to accommodate food preferences or allergies. Please be sure to tell us about food preferences and allergies when you apply so that we can take those into account when discussing site placement.
Will I be safe?
Safety is a top concern to us. We take any and all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of our students and staff on the ground. None of our sites are placed in areas that are known to be dangerous, but we nevertheless take action to protect our sites as best we can by, for example, having 24-hour guards on site. If you are sent to a site where you will be living alone or in shared housing with other students, we will do the research for you so that we know your housing is in a safe area of town. Become a Midwife FAQ
What is a visa and how do I find out if I need one for my program?
A visa is a document that is placed inside of your passport and is often required to enter or stay for a certain amount of time in some countries. Every country has its own unique policy regarding visas, and is sometimes based on the country in which you are a visa holder. Students and preceptors are responsible for obtaining the appropriate visa for their assigned site. Midwife International and host sites will provide students with necessary documentation to support the application process but cannot guarantee that a visa will be awarded. If a visa application is denied, students may request a tuition refund but placement fee and deposit will not be refunded. Become a Midwife FAQ
Are there any breaks during the program? Would I get to go home during them?
Each session will include a 3-week break between second and third quarter. Students may choose to stay onsite and act as an intern for an additional fee, or they may choose to use the time to travel. You are welcome to take a maximum of two additional weeks vacation during the program to account for special events (family events, holidays or visiting guests). You will schedule this break with your preceptor and the manager of your site according to your needs once you are onsite. In the event of a family emergency, Midwife International would be very supportive of your need to take a break or leave for an agreed upon amount of time. Become a Midwife FAQ
Can I or should I bring my own equipment?
All equipment is provided for students of our programs on site. However, you are welcome to bring equipment that you have an affinity to, provided that it fit in your luggage. Become a Midwife FAQ
Are Midwife International students covered by insurance, and if so, who underwrites it?
During orientation, students will be debriefed on insurance coverage at their respective host site and offered the opportunity to opt-in to insurance coverage based on their personal preferences. All students are responsible for their own health and travel insurance, and any additional insurances they wish to carry. Before departing for the host site, students are required to show proof of basic medical and travel coverage, regardless of site assignment. During orientation at the site, students will review protocol and safety measures for their specific site and will be expected to follow all protocols for their own safety and the safety of the mothers and babies they serve.
How should I prepare to leave after I have been accepted?
Once accepted to the program and given your site assignment, you will receive a full packet of orientation and preparation materials. It is good to note that during this preparation time you will be expected to arrange transportation to your host country one day before the start of your program, get any suggested immunizations, and take care of any business you need to at home. Ground transportation from the airport or bus station to the host site will be arranged by Midwife International at the students’ expense. Become a Midwife FAQ
Is Midwife International affiliated with any religion? Become a Midwife FAQ
No. Midwife International is a secular organization. We have no religious underpinnings, and are not affiliated with any one religion. We welcome applicants of any belief system and embrace the different ways in which students live in alignment with their religion.
Take the Next Step
Did the Become a Midwife FAQ not answer all of your questions? Sign up for a virtual information session and contact us to answer any additional questions.
Ready to Apply? Visit our Become a Midwife Apply Now page for application materials and procedures
Answering the Call for Midwives
The world needs more midwives. Our Global Midwife Training Advanced Internships, Midwifery Intensives and 3-Year Midwifery School provide a challenging learning environment intended to train midwives who will be equipped to provide high-quality maternity care in a variety of settings. But we do more than just train midwives. Our service learning model is designed to influence the way student midwives see themselves and their role in the communities they serve, and to develop the skills necessary to become the future leaders of positive change in maternity care. Apply Now.
Learn More
Take a look at our unique approach to midwifery education and international clinical experience. Find out how we integrate service learning into our methodology. Learn more about midwife certification and the Midwives Model of Care, or how our programs can help you to become a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) through NARM. Read inspiring stories about how to become a midwife on our weekly blog. Learn about the state of maternal health worldwide. Share the UNFPA “Call to Action” with your network.
Visit our Midwife Training FAQ or our Tuition and Fees pages for additional program details, or contact us directly to learn how Midwife International can support you to become a global midwife!
