The Community Program begins in July of every even year and consists of ten 2-week academic sessions at the Birthwise facility alternated with longer periods of clinical work with an approved preceptor chosen by the student. This allows students to remain in their home regions while completing the program. 

This program could be a good option for:

 * Students who are not able to relocate due to family or other responsibilities.
 * Students already working with a mentor midwife who would like to augment their theoretical learning in a classroom setting.  

The Community Program differs from our Campus Program in the following ways:

 * Academic sessions are two weeks long (10 full days of class) and convene every 2-4 months to make it easier for students    coming from long distances.
 * Students who enroll in this program must identify potential preceptors before enrolling.  Assistance in arranging for a preceptor is offered by the Clinical Director during the first semester at Birthwise.  Preceptors in both programs receive a stipend for the for the work they do with Birthwise students.

Community Program Academic Calendar:

Semester 1 (July - Dec 2012)

Total Credits: 15.5

Session 1 (Two weeks in July 2012)

Session 2 (Two weeks in Sept 2012)

Session 3 (Two weeks in Nov 2012)  

Orientation (.8cr)

History of Midwifery (1 cr)              
Overview of the Human Body (4 cr)      
Physical Assessment  (1.6 cr)
Normal Prenatal   (3 cr)    
Skills Practice 1 (1.4 cr)       
Informed Choice (.5 cr)

Normal Labor and Birth (3.2 cr)

Semester 2 (Jan-June 2013)

Total Credits: 16.9

Session 4 (Two weeks in Jan 2013)

Session 5 (Two weeks in April 2013) 

Post Partum (1.6 cr)     
Prenatal Complications (4 cr)      .
Normal Prenatal  (2 cr)      
Neonatal Resuscitation (.4 cr)        
Counseling Skills (.5 cr)         
Charting (.4 cr)

Skills Practice 2 (1 cr)

Preceptorship 1 (7 cr)           

Semester 3   (July-Dec 2013)

Total Credits: 16.6

Session 7 (Two weeks in Oct 2013)

Complications of Labor and Birth (4 cr)

Women's Mental Health (1 cr)
Skills Practice 3 (1 cr)
Research Methods (.8 cr)
Whole Foods Nutrition (.8 cr)

Breastfeeding Seminar (.4 cr)

Preceptorship  2 (7 cr)

Semester 4   (Jan-June 2014)

Total credits 17

Academic Session 8  (Two weeks in Jan 2014) 

Academic Session 9   (Two weeks in April 2014) 

Well Woman (1.6 cr)
Therapeutic Nutrition (1.2 cr)
Labwork for Midwives (1.2 cr) 
Independent Research (3 cr) 
Business of Midwifery (.6 cr) 
Skills Practice 4 (1 cr)

Diversity Training (.4 cr)

Legal, Political & Ethical Issues (.4 cr)

Homeopathy for Midwives (.8cr)

VBAC seminar (.4 cr)

Waterbirth Seminar (.4 cr)

Preceptorship 3 (6 cr)

Academic Session 10  (Two weeks in August 2014)

Pharmacology for Midwives (1.2 cr)
Botanicals (1.2 cr)  
Professional Responsibilities (1 cr) 
Hospital Birth seminar (.4 cr) 
Birth Center seminar (.5 cr) 
Skills Practice 5 (.5cr)  
Preceptroship 4 (11 cr) 

Semester 6 (Jan-July 2015)

Total Credits: 16 

Homecoming 2 (1 cr)

Preceptorship     9.0 credits (270 hours)