PROD

Orientation 0.5 △ BIOL 2015 Genetics 2 MDWF 3035

Subject

PROD

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

www.midwifery.edu

The purpose of this course is to provide students with a primer to professional growth and leadership in the midwifery and perinatal health fields. This course infuses best practices in leadership, learning, and self-actualization theory, and rests on the MCU Graduate Program’s commitment to meaningful education, socially just leadership, and professional growth of midwives and the midwifery profession. This course is divided into four broad sections: 1) Learning Styles, Personality Type, & Leadership Capacity; 2) The Imposter Syndrome; 3) Writing & Work Efficiency; and 4) Developing Your Passion. The Social Change Model of Leadership (SCM) is infused throughout the course. By the end of the course, students will be equipped with the conceptual and practical tools necessary to develop as leaders in the midwifery field. In addition, this course provides current and aspiring graduate students the opportunity to explore graduate education and employ strategies for success in graduate school. Learning Objectives: 1. Identify their personality type and learning styles that govern their professional self 2. Theorize the role personality types and learning styles play in professional growth and leadership in midwifery and perinatal health 3. Analyze the 7 core values of the Social Change Model of Leadership Development 4. Theorize how the framework of the Social Change Model can advance midwifery professionalization and perinatal health equity 5. Articulate how the Imposter Syndrome can interfere with professional and leadership goals, and strategies for overcoming identified obstacles 6. Develop and employ S.M.A.R.T. goals 7. Identify evidence-based strategies for professional and writing success 8. Articulate internal professional capacity and how graduate education can further the achievement of professional goals in midwifery

Subject

PROD

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

1

Credit unit

cr.

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

www.midwifery.edu

(Three course sections) The purpose of this course is to guide you in the development of a prospectus for your thesis or project work. The prospectus is a hallmark of the graduate education process and is intended to communicate your applied project or research-based thesis proposal to selected audiences. The primary audience, here, is your MSM advisory committee. The prospectus allows you the opportunity to think through, in detail, your proposed topic, design, and deliverables. Your committee will provide substantive, critical feedback on the development of this prospectus, as well as final approval. Upon successfully passing your prospectus oral defense and making any revisions required by the committee, you will be ready to commence your original thesis research or project work. Your thesis or project work will be conducted, written, and defended in MDWF 560/5060 (for research-based theses) or MDWF 584/5084 (for non- thesis projects). Learning Objectives: 1. Summarize the differences between a non-thesis project and a research-based thesis 2. Develop original research or applied project proposal of significance that integrates leading theories, methods, and techniques from the fields of midwifery, maternal-child health, and integrative health 3. Defend a prospectus of significance 4. Sustain coherent written and oral arguments for both generalized and specialized audiences 5. Articulate Ethical Review Board (ERB) processes at MCU (for research-based theses) or ethical professional engagements in project deliverables (for non-thesis projects) - 50 -

Subject

PROD

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

cr.

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

www.midwifery.edu

Offered limited terms (note: graduate course eligibility required; see section in the Course Catalog) The purpose of this course is to introduce midwives to the process of publishing and the publication world. Through experiential learning and guided pedagogy, students will have the opportunity to explore the basics of publishing and learn how to prepare a practice manuscript for publication in an academic journal. Learning Objectives: 1. Theorize the importance of publications for professional and disciplinary development 2. Identify the main differences, benefits and drawbacks between scholarly (peer-reviewed or refereed) and popular publication sources 3. Describe what “open source” journals are, their benefits and drawbacks 4. Critically analyze the differences and benefits between different types of publication formats 5. Compare and contrast different journal possibilities for publication and describe the core elements that inform journal selection 6. Describe and develop targeted writing for journal article publication 7. Develop refined writing skills, and theorize why critical reading of quality articles is essential for developing quality writing skills 8. Articulate strategies for writing and developing a writing plan 9. Summarize the main steps and requirements of the publication process 10. Articulate the importance of institutional or ethical review board approval for original research and publication of research 11. Develop a full-length manuscript for publication to a scholarly journal 12. Locate and critically read model published articles 13. Critically evaluate peer review feedback and incorporate suggested revisions 14. Develop a compelling argument for publication 15. Summarize the submission, review and revision process 16. Identify and describe common elements of author guidelines 17. Develop a convincing abstract for publication 18. Critically reflect on the writing and publishing process

Subject

PROD

Credits (min)

2

Credits (max)

2

Credit unit

cr.

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

www.midwifery.edu

This course will explore concepts of public health as they specifically apply to childbearing families and community health. The learner will research, investigate, and theorize specific areas of concern in the field of community maternal-child health (MCH). Course content includes theoretical foundations, issues in community maternal-child health, and practical programming considerations. Students will develop their writing, planning, and critical thinking skills in becoming midwives of technical expertise and personal greatness. Students will engage in a culminating project of direct relevance to the communities they serve in becoming midwives of professional excellence.

Subject

PROD

Credits (min)

2

Credits (max)

2

Credit unit

cr.

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

www.midwifery.edu

Offered limited terms (note: graduate course eligibility required; see section in the Course Catalog) This course will examine policy and advocacy issues, strategies, and structures in midwifery on local and national scales. Students will analyze successful grassroots organizations and policy frameworks that advance midwifery and perinatal health. Students will have the opportunity to review and critique current midwifery legislation and work with various midwifery political and advocacy organizations on local and national levels. Learning Objectives: 1. Analyze how the history of midwifery has impacted the current political climate of midwifery 2. Explain governmental structures and processes 3. Summarize legislative structures and policies for midwifery policymaking 4. Identify major midwifery organizations and synthesize their position within midwifery policymaking. 5. Examine advocacy strategies and apply them to midwifery related policy change. 6. Theorize strategies for engaging stakeholders, community members, and allied health professionals in policymaking activities. 7. Discuss advocacy and policymaking strategies for improving perinatal health for marginalized communities 8. Analyze current issues in midwifery policy 9. Strategize approaches to improving midwifery policy in the US. 10. Synthesize policymaking and advocacy tenets to engage in the political system.

Subject

PROD

Credits (min)

2

Credits (max)

2

Credit unit

cr.

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

www.midwifery.edu

Subject

PROD

Credits (min)

2

Credits (max)

2

Credit unit

cr.

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

www.midwifery.edu

Offered limited terms (note: graduate course eligibility required; see section in the Course Catalog) This course will critically examine trends, achievements, goals, policies, and challenges pertaining to maternal and child health on a global and cross-cultural level. Students will have the opportunity to research, investigate, and theorize specifics areas of perinatal health through six broad sections. Upon completion of this course, students will be equipped with advanced theories, content expertise, tools, and approaches to integrate midwifery care in global settings and advance global health equity. Learning Objectives: 1. Synthesize the state of maternal and child health on a global level, with an understanding of current trends and strategies for health equity. 2. Identify the predominant barriers that exist worldwide which prevent pregnant persons and children from accessing health care. 3. Integrate cross-cultural understandings of health, care and access into midwifery practice. 4. Analyze existing research that informs care practices and culturally safe care provision. 5. Analyze the historical roots and contemporary context of social determinants of health as they impact perinatal health care access, experiences, and outcomes. 6. Critically examine the role of politics and power systems in health care provision and access. 7. Theorize strategies to overcome barriers to care and improving the state of maternal and child health. 8. Analyze current health equity strategies and partnerships that successfully promote perinatal health and long-term well- being; and 9. Research specific global perinatal health topics and priority areas for change.

Subject

PROD

Credits (min)

2

Credits (max)

2

Credit unit

cr.

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

www.midwifery.edu

Offered limited terms (graduate course eligibility required; see section in the Course Catalog) The purpose of this course is to explore holistic care modalities during midwifery care. Topics covered include brain functioning, stress, hormonal systems, natural medicine, and therapies as well as allopathic familiarity. Through a combination of readings, research, and discussion, this course encourages students to deepen their understanding of current trends in the holistic health fields. By the end of the course, students will have the knowledge and skills necessary to create holistic and comprehensive care plans during the childbearing year for varying ailments and health occurrences. Learning Objectives: 1. Explain current trends in holistic health fields. 2. Design and execute various healing modalities for childbearing. 3. Critically analyze current research on the brain, stress and the effects of embodied stress. 4. Articulate examples of current nutritional trends. 5. Describe alternative healing modalities. 6. Identify herbs and other treatments for health and vitality of the childbearing person. 7. Explain various natural treatments for physical and emotional ailments. 8. Formulate herbal treatment plans 9. Develop a holistic health treatment plan for a particular childbearing topic or problem. 10. Articulate research on a childbearing issue and a treatment plan to a midwifery group.

Subject

PROD

Credits (min)

2

Credits (max)

2

Credit unit

cr.

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

www.midwifery.edu

This course examines current issues in midwifery education and introduces students to best pedagogical practices for midwifery education preparing them to advance their contributions and abilities as educators of excellence. The course culminates in completion of a teaching portfolio. The purpose of this course is to survey the landscape of techniques, topics, trends and approaches in higher education, broadly, and midwifery education, specifically. This course is divided into five sections: Section 1) Foundations of Midwifery Education in the United States; 2) Theories & Approaches to Midwifery Education; 3) Pedagogical Innovations; 4) Assessment; and 5) Teaching Portfolios (culminating project).

Subject

PROD

Credits (min)

2

Credits (max)

2

Credit unit

cr.

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

www.midwifery.edu