What are the differences between Certificate, Associate, and Bachelor's Programs?
The Certificate program is the foundation, based on MANA Core Competencies of what is needed to become a CPM and to be licensed in most states. For those who already have a degree in a different field, or who do not seek an academic degree, this program is appropriate. For those who seek an undergraduate degree, an Associate of Science in Midwifery (ASM), or a Bachelor's of Science in Midwifery (BSM), are degrees that may be used in further education, increased employment opportunities, and the sense of accomplishment that comes with being a college graduate.
Is the program self-paced?
No. This is a highly structured college-level academic program. There are deadlines, start and end dates for each course. You are required to be online five out of every seven days. There are assignments and online quizzes each week.
Are the courses flexible?
Yes. As long as you meet set deadlines, you can do course work when it fits your schedule: after work, when the baby is sleeping, whatever time of day works best for you.
Is the course work graded?
Yes, your grade is based on your attendance and participation in the online classroom, assignments, papers,and learning activities, as well as upon quizzes and tests. You must successfully pass one course before you move on to the next. In your clinical education your preceptor gives you regular evaluations, and it is pass/fail.
Can I become a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) through your program?
No. After our accreditation is complete, some programs may accept some credits towards your CNM. However Aviva Institute is a Direct-Entry program designed for the CPM credential. Please see this page on the differences between CNMs and CPMs.
How long does it take to complete?
The Certificate Program and Associates Program each take about three years, including prerequisites, with an additional year for a Bachelor’s. This may vary for those who have credits to transfer in, and your clinical placement. Sometimes it takes longer than three years to attend enough out-of-hospital births to meet the clinical guidelines for graduation. In some cases, the pace of matriculation can be accelerated, e.g., for advanced placement, or if a student takes more than twelve credits per term.
What is the longest a student can take to complete the program?
We prefer that a student stay in the same group throughout the entire three years. However, things come up that may lead a student to take time off, e.g., to have a baby, to travel to a clinical site, family issues, etc. Students have five years from the date of the last course taken for their courses to be counted towards completion. However, if students drop out of school entirely, they must reapply and pay the new, presumably higher tuition rate. When space is limited, priority is given to cohort groups.
You are a new school, how do I know the quality of your education?
Although we are a brand new school, our development team brings over thirty years of experience training midwives, including the operation of four different midwifery schools. Visit our Staff page to see the qualifications of the administrative staff, the pages for both Academic and Clinical Faculty.
What are the differences between Certificate, Associate, and Bachelor's Programs?