Here are answers to some of the most common questions about Mount Royal University's four-year Bachelor of Midwifery (B.Mid.) Program.
Mount Royal offers Alberta’s only four-year B.Mid. degree. The B.Mid. degree offers relevant content that reflects current trends in the field and the future of midwifery practice in Canada. Our program is offered in direct response to the evolution of Alberta's healthcare needs and the growing recognition of midwives' contribution to the well-being of pregnant people and their families.
Mount Royal’s B.Mid. program places an emphasis on the integration of midwifery theory and practice, science, arts and general education, with extensive clinical learning in the latter years of the program under the direct supervision of registered midwives and interprofessional preceptors. There is an emphasis on the physiological birth process and choices available in care for the pregnant person, newborn and family.This is the only midwifery degree program in Alberta, and it has been designed specifically with the needs of Albertan families in mind. The program was developed with advice from provincial midwifery regulators, midwifery associations, and registered midwives to ensure that it provides a solid grounding on the needs of stakeholders.
Yes. When you graduate from Mount Royal’s B.Mid. program, you will be prepared to write the Canadian Midwifery Registration Examination (CMRE) and apply for registration as a midwife in Alberta or other provinces and territories. You will also be prepared to meet the Canadian Midwifery Regulators Council Competencies for Midwives.
Midwifery philosophy of care promotes a holistic approach that recognizes that pregnancy and birth are physiologic processes. Our program follows the seven core principles of the Canadian Midwifery Care Model: professional autonomy, partnership, continuity of care provider, informed choice, choice of birthplace, evidenced-based practice, and collaborative care.
The Alberta Association of Midwives (AAM) describes a midwife as a "health care professional who provides expert primary care to [pregnant people and babies] during pregnancy, labour, birth, and six weeks postpartum." Registered midwives have complete access to laboratories and diagnostic services, are able to prescribe and carry select medications, and consult or refer to other specialists when needed."
The midwifery approach promotes awareness, self-care, personal growth, and confidence, empowering pregnant people's innate strength and ability to give birth safely. Further, it reinforces that parents have the right and responsibility to make informed decisions about how they choose to give birth.
According to the Alberta Association of Midwives (AAM):
- Currently, there are over 164 practicing registered midwives in Alberta. This is five times the number of midwives since 2009 when public funding began.
- Registered midwives provide care for approximately 10.6% of birthing people and their babies in Alberta.
- Since 2009, the number of babies delivered by midwives in Alberta has significantly increased. Midwives attended over 5300 births in 2021.
Midwives typically work as independent practitioners, either on their own or with groups of other midwives in private practice. Midwives collaborate with other primary healthcare professionals and provide care in pregnant people’s homes, private offices, or other healthcare facilities.
Alberta Health Services fully funds the course of care for midwifery services. Midwives provide care to their clients in homes, private offices, and hospitals.
Yes. You will be prepared to pursue study at the graduate level in Canada and abroad in fields such as health policy and administration, health education, epidemiology, midwifery research and practice, bioethics, and international health and development.
Please note: you must always contact the institution you wish to attend to determine their admission requirements and process.
Applicants must apply during Mount Royal’s early admission period. See the Admission dates and deadlines for specific dates.
Visit Admissions and Recruitment to read more about Mount Royal’s admission requirements and procedures, and to apply online.Yes. Please review the Clinical Practice Requirements. You must provide proof of your up-to-date immunization status and a current police information check. Additional pre-practice requirements must be met in each year of the program. All costs associated with these other requirements are your responsibility. All B.Mid. students must have a valid driver’s license and access to a personal vehicle for the entire program. All newly admitted students will receive an admission package with specific program requirements.
The fee structure for the B.Mid. program is the same as for all other Mount Royal bachelor’s degrees. The current tuition fees can be found here — Tuition and Costs. In addition to tuition and fees, students are responsible for their travel and living costs.
A variety of scholarships and financial aid are available to students who qualify.If you have already completed post-secondary coursework, Mount Royal will assess your transfer credit when we receive your admission application and final/official post-secondary transcripts. Once your transcripts have been assessed, you can view your transfer equivalencies online.
Mount Royal will review the courses you have completed at other Canadian midwifery programs on a course-by-course basis for transfer credit.
The B.Mid. offers relevant content that reflects current trends in the field and the future of midwifery practice in Canada. The four-year program combines general education courses with midwifery, biological, social and health science courses. Please review the most recent Program Planning Guide for more information on required courses.
Students required to withdraw from the Bachelor of Midwifery Program (RTWP) are eligible to apply for readmission to the program 12 months after the RTWP.
Step 1: Application (The application process* has two parts)
- Application through ApplyAlberta. The application must be received at Mount Royal University (MRU) by the February 1 deadline. You are responsible for requesting all final, official post-secondary transcripts from institutions attended since the last application to MRU (if outside of Alberta). The final official transcripts must be received at MRU by February 1. Check dates and deadlines for admission.
- Submit the Reintegration Plan form to the School of Nursing and Midwifery director by February 1. Contact the B.Mid. Academic Advisor for the Reintegration Plan Form.
Step 2: Assessment
- Admissions will complete the academic assessment to determine the applicant’s eligibility for readmission and notify the Director of the School of Nursing and Midwifery.
- If the applicant is academically qualified, the School of Nursing and Midwifery Director convenes a meeting of the School of Nursing and Midwifery Readmission Committee. The Committee reviews the applicant’s Reintegration Plan and the applicant’s MRUGradU8. The Director invites eligible applicants to an interview with the School of Nursing and Midwifery Readmission Committee.
Step 3: Decision
- The Readmission Committee renders a decision to Admissions, and the applicant is notified of the decision by Admissions through the standard admission notification procedure.
Step 4: Reintegration
- The successful applicant meets with the Bachelor of Midwifery academic advisor to begin implementing their reintegration plan.
*Full details of the RTWP readmission process are available in the B.Mid. Handbook.