The midwifery program reflects the philosophy of midwifery in Ontario and its focus on women’s participation in their health care. It prepares students to become midwives with the ability to give the necessary supervision, care, and advice to women during pregnancy, labour, and the postpartum period, to conduct deliveries, and to care for the newborn infant. The program works closely with practising midwives and other maternity care providers to ensure a high quality clinical environment for students.
- four-year program leads to an honours bachelor of health sciences (B.H.Sc.) in midwifery
- program offered in collaboration with McMaster and Ryerson universities
- in addition to academics, students do six terms of full-time midwifery placements
- the Ontario Ministry of Health is committed to the ongoing growth of the profession throughout the province and currently guarantees funding for all graduates in their first year of practice (the “new registrant’s year”)
Prospects: registration with the College of Midwives of Ontario, registration in other provinces via the Interprovincial Reciprocity Agreement.
Offered in English and French. See "Profession de sage-femme" on French side of Calendar.
Admission requirements
Ontario secondary schools
OSSD with six (6) OAC (Ontario Academic Credit) or U/M courses including the following required courses:
- U/OAC English,
- U/OAC Biology or Chemistry (both are recommended),
- U or M/OAC Social Science (e.g., History, Sociology, Psychology, Geography, or Law)
Students must obtain a minimum of 70% in each of the 3 required courses AND a minimum overall average of 70% in 6 OAC or U/M courses including the required courses.
For addionnal information, please go to http://midwifery.laurentian.ca/
Admission process
The Midwifery Education Program is jointly offered by Laurentian, McMaster and Ryerson universities. Students may apply to only one of the three universities.
Because of the nature of the selection procedures, deadlines are strictly enforced. The OUAC application and midwifery supplemental application plus all transcripts from secondary school studies and all courses and programs taken at any post-secondary institution must be submitted by February 1st.
In the supplemental application, you must address four items in a typed submission (not to exceed 5 double-spaced pages) which details background experiences and personal attributes that make you suitable for a career in midwifery. Your personal profile must be written in the language of the stream to which you are applying.
Late applications will be considered only if the program is not filled with applicants whose applications were received by the deadline.
All applications are first assessed for academic eligibility. The personal profiles of eligible applicants are reviewed and ranked by an admissions team. This is a limited enrolment program. The number of places offered each year is determined by the availability of clinical placements.
Application to the Midwifery Education Program implies acceptance by the applicant of the admission policies and procedures, and methods for applicant selection.
See Admissions for other requirements.
General information
The program is based on the belief that midwifery has the potential to be one of the most important components of women’s health care in Ontario. Midwives’ expertise in the care of normal pregnancy and childbirth arises from their understanding of childbearing as a social, cultural and biological process and from their ability to demonstrate competent clinical skills and decision making. Midwifery education must provide the base for sound professional practice.
The flexible and culturally-sensitive program promotes an academic setting that is respectful of students, committed to scholarly enquiry and emphasizes the lifelong ability to learn and change.The importance of public involvement in the evolution of the profession is evident in the ongoing participation of healthcare users in program advisory and evaluation activities, and in the admission process.
Purpose of the program
Through the learning activities of the program, students gain the necessary competencies to practise midwifery in Ontario: supervision, care and advice to women during pregnancy, labour and the postpartum period, conduct deliveries on their own and care for the newborn infant. Midwives are expected to have well-developed interpersonal skills and be highly competent in areas of health education, counselling and inter-professional collaboration.
See also:
Program
Course descriptions