Birthwise offers two distinct arrangements of its curriculum. Our original three year program consists of 3 1/2 semesters of study in Maine, which include two clinical rotations in local sites, followed by 2 1/2 semesters of clinical training in a location of your choice.

Our new Community-based Program condenses the academic component into 10 two-week sessions in Maine, which are interwoven with clinical training in a location of your choice. This allows students to remain in their home regions for the majority of their 3 year training.

Graduates of Birthwise receive a Certificate of Midwifery and are ready to take the national NARM exam and apply to become Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs). CPMs provide primary care to pregnant women and their families during the childbearing year in homes or freestanding birth centers throughout the U.S.

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.