Catalogue 07-08: Application, Enrollment and Registration
Please note that this is the March 2007 version of the 2007-2008 Catalogue. Information within is accurate as of this date. Subject to change without notice.
Academic Year
Cohort Year/Catalogue Year
Credit Hours/Depth of Study
Transfer of Credits
Transfer to Other Schools Disclaimer
Technical Standards for Midwifery Integration
Application Process for the Midwifery Program
Enrollment
Registration
Matriculation
Orientation
Enrollment Status
Types of Students
Academic Year
The academic year at Birthingway College of Midwifery begins with the spring term. There are three terms during the year. Spring term is 14 weeks in length and generally begins the last week of March or the first week of April. Summer break begins with the 4th of July and ends Labor Day. Fall term begins the Tuesday after Labor Day and is 15 weeks long. The winter break begins in mid-December and ends the first Monday after New Years Day. Winter term begins the Monday after New Years Day (unless New Years Day is on a Monday, in which case it starts Tuesday the 2nd of January) and is 11 weeks in length. There is a one-week break between winter and spring terms.
Cohort Year/Catalogue Year
Students matriculating into the midwifery program in the same academic year are considered a “cohort,” because this group of students follows the midwifery Core sequence together (including sharing the same “Core” day). Each cohort is required to complete the graduation requirements defined in the Catalogue for their matriculation year (i.e. if you matriculate in Spring 2007, you must complete the program requirements laid out on the 07-08 Catalogue.) Any changes proposed to the requirements of a particular cohort, must be agreed to by every student in that matriculation year. If the entire class cannot reach a consensus, the program requirement will remain unchanged.
You may choose to meet the requirements of a Catalogue year later than your matriculation year (i.e. if you matriculated in 05-06, you may use the 06-07 program requirements), however, you will have to meet ALL the requirements of the new Catalogue year (i.e. You are an 05-06 student and must take “Class A.” 06-07 students don’t have to take “Class A” but they do have to take “Class C,” which is not required for you. You can follow the 06-07 course requirements, and not take “Class A,” but then you will have to take “Class C.”) This may mean repeating some courses if learning objectives have changed between years.
Birthingway will provide the exact courses necessary to meet your graduation requirements, or the equivalent, during the three years following your matriculation year (your “core” years). After these three years, although you will still be able to complete requirements defined at your matriculation, courses may not be available in the same format. It may be necessary for you to attend longer courses, portions of different courses, or to complete special testing or individual projects in order to meet your original graduation requirements. (Also see LENGTH OF PROGRAM and CREDIT EXPIRATION)
Credit Hours / Depth of Study
Our academic hours are semester credit hours. For all courses, one credit hour is based on a total of 45 hours of combined classroom/outside time, including a minimum of 15 hours in the classroom. For each hour of classroom time, students are generally expected to study two hours outside of class, for a total of 45 hours of effort per credit hour. Assignments and projects reflect this level of study, investigation and research. Unlike course credit, apprenticeship credit hours are calculated based on 30 contact hours per one hour of semester credit.
Transfer of Credits
In general, credit is transferred only for General Education and the Anatomy and Physiology and English Composition requirements. To be transferred, General Education credits must be graded with C/2.0 or better and Anatomy and Physiology and English Composition credits must be graded B/3.0 or better.
Credit may be transferred from colleges or universities that are regionally and/or institutionally accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting body or that are authorized by the Oregon Office of Degree Authorization or from other institutions on a case-by-case basis, depending on accreditation status. In addition, to meet the Anatomy and Physiology prerequisite, courses can be transferred from accredited post-secondary schools of related healthcare professions, and/or vocational-technical schools, such as Massage Therapy, Chinese Medicine, Chiropractic, and Naturopathy on a case-by-case basis. Credit may be received, or transferred, for distance education courses, as long as the offering institution meets the transfer credit policy outlined above. Birthingway does not offer credit for non-college level work, and does not offer Advanced Standing based on high school work, unless such work has been accepted for credit by an institution that meets Birthingway transfer credit policy. Such credit is accepted for General Education requirements only.
In the case of Midwifery Program requirements, we will evaluate college credit from an accredited college or university on a case by case basis. Some courses which might be eligible for transfer include Medical Terminology and Human Genetics. We do not automatically transfer credit from other midwifery education programs.
Transferred Midwifery Program coursework must be graded with a B+/3.5 or better or equivalent. The same course may not be used to meet both General Education and Midwifery Program requirements. Credit given for a particular course will not exceed credit given for the equivalent or corresponding Birthingway course. At least 25% of credits must be completed in regular coursework at Birthingway.
Birthingway does not offer placement testing. Credit from advanced placement testing is accepted in transfer for General Education requirements from other institutions that meet Birthingway’s transfer credit policy.
Transfer to Other Schools Disclaimer
Transfer of credit from Birthingway College of Midwifery to other programs is always at the discretion of the receiving school, and generally depends on comparability of curricula, and may depend on comparability of accreditation.
Technical Standards for Midwifery Integration
Because a midwifery diploma from Birthingway signifies the holder is a midwife prepared for entry into active practice, candidates for graduation must have the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and judgment to function in a broad variety of clinical situations and to render a wide spectrum of client care. Therefore, the following abilities and expectations must be met by all candidates for admission to Birthingway and maintained through graduation. Students/applicants who have questions regarding these standards are encouraged to contact the Student Affairs Coordinator.
- Candidates must be able to observe demonstrations and experiments in the basic sciences, and to learn to conduct basic office lab procedures.
- Candidates must have sufficient use of the sensory, vision, hearing, motor and the somatic sensation necessary to perform a physical examination. Candidates must be able to perform clinical care activities such as palpation, auscultation, percussion, the administration of intravenous medication, the application of pressure to stop bleeding, the opening of obstructed airways and the movements, equilibrium and functional use of the senses of touch and vision (see Skills Assessment Checklist for complete list of required skills).
- Candidates must be able to learn to respond with precise, quick and appropriate action in emergency situations.
- Candidates must be able to communicate with accuracy, clarity, efficiency, and sensitivity.
- Candidates must have the skills to analyze and synthesize information, solve problems, and reach diagnostic and therapeutic judgments.
- Candidates must be able to acknowledge evaluation and respond appropriately.
- Candidates must possess the interpersonal skills to develop rapport and positive relationships with clients, midwives, other care providers and with other students.
- Candidates are expected to possess the perseverance, diligence and consistency to complete the midwifery school curriculum. Candidates, therefore, must be able to tolerate physically taxing workloads, to function effectively under stress, to adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility and to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the clinical problems of many clients.
Application Process for the Midwifery Program
Admission to Birthingway College of Midwifery is by application. An information packet, including an application, will be sent upon request at no charge. The official catalogue is available for a charge of $15.00 or it can be accessed at our website, www.birthingway.edu. All enrolled students receive the catalogue free of charge.
Core class size is limited to generally fifteen, and prospective students are encouraged to apply as early as possible prior to the October 15 application deadline. Late applications will only be considered for admission if space is available; after all other applicants have been considered.
Applicants must meet the following prerequisites:
- Hold a high school diploma or equivalency
- Demonstrate proficiency in the English language
- Meet Technical Standards for Candidates for Admission
- Complete a post-secondary level human anatomy and physiology course with a grade of B/3.0 or better, prior to admission acceptance
- Complete an approved Labor Doula/Labor Assistance workshop or course
- Complete an expository English Composition course with a grade of B/3.0 or better, prior to admission acceptance
Applications are due at the College no later than October 15. A non-refundable application fee of $50 is charged. The College recommends that the applying student keep a copy of the application.
Complete application includes:
- The completed application form
- Answers to essay questions
- Copy of high school diploma, GED, or equivalency certificate, or high school transcript
- Official college transcripts from any colleges attended
- Official transcript documenting completion of post secondary Human Anatomy and Physiology course covering all body systems with grade of B/3.0 or better
- Official transcript documenting completion of English Composition course with a grade of B/3.0 or better
- Documentation of successful completion of an approved Labor Doula workshop or course
- Two written letters of recommendation sent directly to the College from references. Fax or e-mail is acceptable provided signed, hard copies follow
- $50 Application fee
Applications are screened for completeness and a letter is sent notifying the applicant when all information has been received or if more information is needed.
Students enrolled in classes to meet admission prerequisites at the time of application must provide an official transcript including the final grades no later than December 31.
Applicants are encouraged to observe a class at the College if this has not been done prior to submitting the application. Applicants are also encouraged to attend the workshop "So, You Want to be a Midwife?" which is offered at the College each summer or fall.
Personal interviews with the Admissions Committee are held in October and November for applicants living in geographical proximity to the College. For potential students living at a distance from the College, interviews are generally arranged and held during the third week of November, in conjunction with the “Meet and Greet” reception. The purpose of the interview is to familiarize the applicant with the program and to learn more about an applicant in order to assess if a good match exists between the College and the applicant. Content of the interview includes the following:
- Review and discussion of the candidate's application.
- Discussion of unique features of the College: emphasis on relationship, on traditional midwifery, on personal integrity and responsibility, on the College community, on evaluation and learning methods
- Discussion of ways in which students learn from others. Specifically, students are expected to participate in class discussions, to prepare and study for each week's lesson, and to participate in hands-on learning of clinical skills using each other. In that regard, applicants need to notify the Student Affairs Coordinator at the interview if they have objections to participating in vaginal exams, blood draws, or other procedures due to issues of modesty, privacy, or religious belief.
- Discussion of the ways in which each student's unique history and experiences will shape her learning and future midwifery practice, including her birth, sexual, and any abuse histories. How a midwife feels and acts, including emotional, physical and sexual self-awareness, will be projected onto future relationships with clients and colleagues.
- The nature of the program. Birthingway is a small college, consciously structured on the traditional apprenticeship model of relationship, rather than on an institutional style. Face-to-face interaction and personal responsibility are emphasized.
- Financial considerations
- Other questions and concerns
A "Meet and Greet" reception is held on the third Friday in November. All applicants are strongly encouraged to attend; current students are required to attend. Area midwives, faculty, and former students are also welcome. Input from the college community is a vital part of application evaluations and presence at the reception greatly improves an applicant’s chances of acceptance. Not attending the “Meet and Greet” could put an applicant at a disadvantage. The selection decision is made no later than the first Thursday in January.
In evaluating applications, the following factors will be considered:
- Completeness and clarity of the application
- Responses to the essay questions on the application
- Compliance with all prerequisites including technical standards for candidates for admission
- Time available to study, be available for clinicals, etc.
- Previous life experience which would contribute to the sensitivity and insight a good midwife needs, and which demonstrate initiative, independence, and leadership
- Previous experience as a birth educator, health care provider, lactation consultant, doula, or birth assistant
- Previous study in midwifery, including attendance at midwifery conferences, workshops, meetings, apprenticeships, reading midwifery-related books and journals
- Academic training and coursework in areas related to midwifery, such as early childhood development, genetics, nutrition, child development, psychology
- Demonstration of commitment to midwifery as an autonomous profession through a history of membership and involvement in midwifery organizations and causes
A high priority is placed on applicants currently residing in communities that need or desire midwifery services. Women of color and women who are fluent in non-English or other foreign languages are encouraged to apply.
Birthingway College of Midwifery strives to foster an environment of diversity and acceptance. The College does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnic identity, national origin, religion, age, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. Concerns regarding this policy can be addressed to the Title IX coordinator, G. Neyland, 12113 SE Foster Rd., Portland, OR 97266, 503-760-3131, or by contacting the Office of Civil Rights at 400 Maryland, SW, Washington D.C. 20202-1100, 1-800-421-3481.
Once the Admissions Committee has reached a decision, notification letters are sent immediately. Three different letters are sent:
- "Congratulations, you're in!" Includes packet with information about enrollment, financial paperwork, text ordering information, etc.
- "You're on the waiting list"
- "Sorry, we had more applicants than space"
Enrollment
Birthingway has extremely limited space in the midwifery program. A student’s decision to accept admission to the program is a statement to the Birthingway community of their intention to complete the three-year core program and to graduate. To emphasize the importance of this decision, Birthingway uses an Enrollment Agreement. The agreement, along with the one-time enrollment fee of $150, must be returned to Birthingway no later than the third Friday in January or it will be assumed that the offer of admission has been declined, and the space is offered to an applicant on the waiting list. Registration and textbook order forms will be sent in February and due back by the registration deadline in late February or early March.
Registration
Term registration is completed by mail or in person no later than four weeks prior to the beginning of each term. Registration materials, including Registration Form, fees, and tuition payments must be received by the College no later than 28 days prior to the first day of the term. Students who register and/or pay their tuition or make tuition agreements after that date must pay a late registration fee of $75. Classes may be added or dropped after a student has registered without receiving a late fee.
Birthingway College of Midwifery makes reasonable attempts to distribute registration materials to current students. Registration forms are available on our website http://www.birthingway.org. A copy will also be placed in each student mailbox. Students are responsible for obtaining materials and completing their registration in a timely manner. Classes are filled on a “first come, first served” basis. Students who register late may find courses already filled.
New students must register by the registration deadline of their first term (Spring term). They will be given one week grace period after the deadline for extreme circumstances. If they have not registered within one week after the registration deadline Birthingway will assume the student is not going to register and will invite the next person on the waiting list to fill their position.
Matriculation
New students must attend “New Student Orientation” on the first day of the academic year, and must attend the first class day to be considered a matriculated student. If a student is unable to attend either of these days due to an emergency, they MUST contact the College and inform the Student Affairs Coordinator that they will not be attending. It will be counted as an absence, excused or unexcused, depending upon the circumstances.
New students who are enrolled and registered but fail to matriculate at the beginning of the academic year will, after one week without contacting the College, be assumed to have decided against attending Birthingway. Their place will be given to an applicant on the admissions waiting list. They will be withdrawn and tuition/fees refunded per policy.
Orientation
The Welcoming Reception and Student Orientation occurs on the Monday before the first class day of the academic year. All students must attend. New students will be provided with a copy of the College Catalogue/Student Handbook, and oriented to the facilities, policies, and procedures of the College. Continuing students (second year or later) will be provided with an update to their Catalogue, and informed of any changes in policies and procedures. This is also an opportunity to give feedback on the program.
Enrollment Status
The “Academic Year” is defined as 24 credits and 40 weeks.
Full-time students are registered for a minimum of nine credit hours during spring and fall terms, and seven credit hours in winter term. A student who was full time every term would complete 25 credits each academic year.
Three-quarter time students are registered for a minimum of seven credits per term in spring and fall terms and six credits in winter term.
Half time students are registered for a minimum of five credits per term in spring and fall terms and four credits in winter term.
Part time students are registered for four or fewer credits during spring and fall terms and three or fewer in winter term.
Types of Students
Midwifery Program Core Students are students who matriculate together as a cohort and move through the 3 years of core classes together.
Midwifery Program Extension Students are students who have completed three midwifery core years, and have clinical practicum, supplemental courses, electives, or missed core to complete or retake before graduating. There is no time limit to complete graduation requirements. Students must be continuously enrolled and registered as a core or extension student from the time they matriculate until they complete their requirements to graduate from Birthingway. Please see LENGTH OF PROGRAM in the MIDWIFERY PROGRAMS section for details of this policy.
Extension students must register each term and pay a registration fee of $50.