Master of Midwifery

The Master of Midwifery is a 54-unit course comprising two pathways which combine coursework and research and is offered by the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

A Graduate Certificate in Midwifery and Graduate Diploma in Midwifery are also available.

• Admission requirements
• Course aims
• Learning outcomes
• Program of study 
  

Admission requirements

Applicants must hold a midwifery degree or an equivalent qualification approved by the Dean (Education), and must be registered as a midwife and must hold a current practising certificate.

The Dean (Education) may, under certain circumstances and subject to specific conditions, admit others who can show evidence of fitness for candidature.

Credit may be granted on application for appropriate prior studies as per the University's Policy on Credit Transfer.

Course aims

The course aims to provide students with opportunities to contribute to research and the development of the profession of midwifery.

Learning outcomes

Graduates of this course are expected to be able to:

• critically review the theory and practice of contemporary midwifery care within dynamic professional and political contexts
• advance the discipline of midwifery by developing new conceptual frameworks and promoting excellence in midwifery practice
• apply advanced critical analysis and reflection skills to cotemporary midwifery professional practice in order to enhance its quality
• advance midwifery knowledge and practice research
• develop interdisciplinary and inter-organisational relationships in midwifery practice
• demonstrate advanced evidence-based knowledge, professional autonomy, accountability and leadership skills in their midwifery practice.

Program of study

To qualify for the Master of Midwifery, a student must complete 54 units with a grade of Pass, NGP or better in each topic, according to the program of study below.

Students must complete one of the two pathways outlined below.

Except with permission of the Dean (Education):

• students enrolled in Pathway 2 - Coursework and Research are required to undertake field work for their Research Project (except with the permission of the Course Coordinator);
• no topic may be attempted more than twice;
• a student may not include a topic which repeats work previously undertaken.

The award of a grade of Fail (F) in the same topic on more than one occasion or in 9 units or more, or failure to complete the course within eight consecutive semesters may constitute prima facie evidence of unsatisfactory progress for the purpose of the University's Policy on Student Progress.

Pathway 1 - Coursework - Not offered in 2021

Core topics

27 units comprising:

NURS9219  Introduction to Research  (4.5 units)
NURS9123  Epidemiology and Population Studies for Health Care Practice  (4.5 units)
NURS9124  Advanced Thinking, Communicating and Problem Solving for Health Professionals  (4.5 units)
NURS9126  Leadership in Health Studies  (4.5 units)
NURS9222  Advancing Research Knowledge to Inform Professional Practice (9 units)

Option topics

plus 27 units selected from the following topics:

MIDW9004  Midwifery Models of Care  (9 units)
MIDW9005  Psychosocial Contexts in Midwifery  (9 units)
MIDW9011  Pharmacology and Prescribing for Midwives (4.5 units)*
MIDW9012  Investigations and Diagnostics for Midwives (4.5 units)*
MMED9110  Principles of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (4.5 units) 
MMED9111  Pharmacology for Advanced Professional Practice (4.5 units)
GEOG9141  Women's Health and Child Survival (4.5 units)

Pathway 2 - Coursework & Research - No further student intake

Core topics

18 units comprising:

NURS9124  Advanced Thinking, Communication and Problem Solving for Health Professionals  (4.5 units)
NURS9126  Leadership in Health Studies  (4.5 units)
NURS9219  Introduction to Research  (4.5 units)
REHB9034  Clinical Research Methods  (4.5 units)

plus 18 units of  Research Project topics:

REHB9010A  Dissertation in Clinical Research Design and Implementation  (4.5/18 units)
REHB9010B  Dissertation in Clinical Research Design and Implementation  (4.5/18 units)
REHB9010C  Dissertation in Clinical Research Design and Implementation  (4.5/18 units)
REHB9010D  Dissertation in Clinical Research Design and Implementation  (4.5/18 units)

Option topics

plus 18 units selected from the following topics: 

 MIDW9004  Midwifery Models of Care  (9 units)
 MIDW9005  Psychosocial Contexts in Midwifery  (9 units)
 MIDW9011  Pharmacology and Prescribing for Midwives (4.5 units)*
 MIDW9012  Investigations and Diagnostics for Midwives (4.5 units)*
 MMED9110  Principles of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (4.5 units) 
 MMED9111  Pharmacology for Advanced Professional Practice (4.5 units)
 NURS8720  Primary Health Care Constructs and Contexts  (4.5 units)
 NURS8821  Health Maintenance for Infants, Children and Young People  (4.5 units)
 NURS8823  Clinical Practice for Child and Family Health Nursing (PEP)  (4.5 units)
 NURS8824  Introduction to Working with Infants, Children and Families  (4.5 units)
 NURS9123  Epidemiology and Population Studies for Health Care Practice  (4.5 units)
 NURS9126  Leadership in Health Studies (4.5 units)
 NURS9222  Advancing Research Knowledge to Inform Professional Practice (9 units)
 DSRS9057  Introduction to Disability Theory and Professional Practice  (4.5 units)
 DSRS9063  Autism Spectrum Disorder Across the Lifespan GE  (4.5 units)
 DSRS9070  Early Intervention for Children with Developmental Delays  (4.5 units)
 PHCA9504  Critical Practice in Indigenous Health  (4.5 units)
 PHCA9507  Health Promotion in Public Health (4.5 units)
 GEOG9141  Women's Health and Child Survival (4.5 units)

Students may, in consultation with the Course Coordinator, select as their option topics other postgraduate topics relevant to midwifery.

*Domestic students with current midwifery registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) who successfully complete both MIDW9011 and MIDW9012 may apply to the NMBA for endorsement for scheduled medicines for midwives. Please refer to the NMBA web site for additional requirements for endorsement.