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 Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.

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

Admission requirements

Applicants must hold a midwifery degree or an equivalent qualification approved by the Faculty Board, and must be registered as a midwife and must hold a current practising certificate.

The Board 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 Faculty Board:

  • 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 program must be completed full-time within three consecutive semesters or part-time within eight consecutive semesters.

Pathway 1 - Coursework

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 Capstone: 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)
MIDW9009  Pharmacology for Midwives (9 units)
MIDW9010  Investigations and Diagnostics for Midwives (9 units)
MMED9110  Principles of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (4.5 units)
MMED9111  Pharmacology for Advanced Professional Practice (4.5 units)

Pathway 2 - Coursework & Research

Core topics

18 units comprising:

NURS9218  Approaches to Research Designs  (4.5 units)
NURS9219  Introduction to Research  (4.5 units)
NURS9220  Developing a Literature Review  (4.5 units)
NURS9221  Writing Research Proposals for Ethical and Funding Requirements  (4.5 units)

Research Project topics

plus 18 units comprising:

NURS9614C  Research Project  (4.5/18 units)
NURS9614D  Research Project  (4.5/18 units)
NURS9614E  Research Project  (4.5/18 units)
NURS9614F  Research Project  (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)
 MIDW9009  Pharmacology for Midwives (9 units)
 MIDW9010  Investigations and Diagnostics for Midwives (9 units)
 MMED9110  Principles of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (4.5 units)
 MMED9111  Pharmacology for Advanced Professional Practice (4.5 units)

Students may, in consultation with the Course Coordinator, select other postgraduate topics relevant to midwifery offered by the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences as their option topics.