Birthwise offers a rigorous academic component delivered by a diverse faculty in our Bridgton facility, as well as a clinical component with qualified preceptors located locally and ultimately in a location of the student's choosing. Birthwise offers two arrangements of its program. Our Campus Program is a residential program that follows the typical academic calendar and the Community Program allows students to stay in their home communities for their clinical work interspersed with ten 2-week classroom sessions at the Birthwise facility during the 3-year program.

Upon graduation from Birthwise, students are eligible to sit for the National Registry of Midwives (NARM) exam. Passing the NARM written exam in conjunction with graduation from Birthwise gives the student the national CPM credential.  Many U.S. states use the CPM credential as a requirement for licensure.  Birthwise is approved by the state of California and graduates are eligible to apply for licensure in that state.

For more information on the profession of direct-entry midwifery visit www.nacpm.org, www.mana.org, and www.cfmidwifery.org.

If you are a practicing midwife, an apprentice, or anyone who works with birthing women, be sure to click to the Continuing Education page to see what is currently being offered.

If you are interested in becoming a preceptor for Birthwise students, contact our This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for information pertaining to the job description, compensation, and application process.