Choosing a career in midwifery is not just a professional decision—it’s a commitment to providing exceptional care to mothers and babies, ensuring the best outcomes for all involved.

At the University of Newcastle, the Master of Midwifery Studies program is designed to cultivate specialised midwives equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in this vital field. Whether you’re just starting your career or looking to advance it, it’s never too late to embark on this rewarding journey. 

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s report on Australia’s mothers and babies in September 2024 underscores the growing need for specialist midwives. As more women are having children later in life and seeking antenatal care earlier, there is an increasing demand to address women’s health and wellbeing before and during pregnancy. Various factors, including maternal and perinatal health, influence these needs to additional support and research. 

Consider the story of Belinda, a recent graduate of the Master of Midwifery Studies program at the University of Newcastle. After over a decade as a clinical midwifery educator in her local health district, Belinda sought to expand and develop her knowledge further. “The University of Newcastle offered such a broad range of specialised courses in the Master of Midwifery Studies degree that I knew it was going to enhance my career development,” she shared. 

The Master of Midwifery Studies program offers four specialisations tailored to suit various career goals. The Midwifery Primary Care specialisation focuses on providing comprehensive, woman-centred care to childbearing women and their babies, including pharmaceutics. The Research specialisation delves into maternity service delivery and the translation of health research into midwifery practice and health policy, covering professional issues affecting midwives. 

The Leadership and Management specialisation trains midwives in effectively managing staff, policy, and finances, preparing them to lead the coordination and delivery of care in maternity wards, departments, or community settings. Lastly, the Clinical Education specialisation equips midwives to support and teach midwifery students, developing, designing, implementing, and evaluating midwifery education and professional development programs for maternity staff. This was the path Belinda chose. “It was flexible, interactive, and you really felt like you were part of a bigger network,” she said. 

Belinda has not only expanded her skills but also opened new job prospects. “I’ve secured a senior midwifery education position, which has allowed me to be part of working parties for the Ministry of Health, oversee district education, and postgraduate midwifery recruitment,” she explained. 

The 80-unit program is designed with flexibility in mind, offering three intakes per year. Students can choose to study full-time and complete the program in one year or opt for part-time study to balance their education with other work and life commitments. The program is also available 100% online, allowing students to study anytime, anywhere. Moreover, there are limited Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) available, offering a discount of over 70%, which can save students thousands of dollars. 

Graduates of the Master of Midwifery Studies program have a plethora of career options, including roles such as:  

• Midwifery Primary Care,  

• Midwifery Clinical Educator,  

• Midwifery Manager/Unit Manager,  

• Midwifery Researcher, and  

• Clinical Midwife Specialist/Consultant.  

The University of Newcastle, ranked top 38 in the world for Nursing (Shanghai Ranking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2023), ensures that students learn from clinical experts who teach contemporary midwifery theories and practices. 

Belinda is just one of the hundreds of specially trained midwives who have benefited from the University of Newcastle’s program, and she highly recommends it to her colleagues. “I would say look very closely at the University of Newcastle. The flexibility is there, the core subject range is fabulous. The course coordinators and convenors are exceptional, and the support is outstanding,” Belinda noted. “It’s had a great impact on my career development and what I’ve been able to bring to the local health service, giving me fresh eyes, new perspectives, and innovation to take midwifery education to the next level.” 

Applications are now open. Visit newcastle.edu.au/midwifery-studies for more information. 

Article supplied by University of Newcastle