Program Overview

Introduction to the Program

The Medizinische Fakultät of the RWTH Aachen University offers a unique, primary qualifying, practice-integrated, dual Bachelor's program in Hebammenwissenschaft (Midwifery Science), which concludes after 7 semesters with the professional recognition as a midwife and a Bachelor of Science degree.

Program Description

This program extends the university's study offerings through an academic discipline focused on health sciences, with an emphasis on maintaining the health of women and their families during pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, and breastfeeding. Future midwives require a deep understanding of the physical, psychological, and social changes during these life phases, as well as methodical-practical skills to provide targeted and professional support on these three levels. Additionally, they should offer women orientation and stability in this existentially significant life situation through a reflected personality. Midwives often work closely with various other professions and need a high degree of teamwork ability. Many areas of midwifery care originate from traditional experiential knowledge of midwives. To make the effectiveness and benefits of these activities demonstrable and to align their actions with evidence-based practices, midwives need scientific competence and research opportunities, which the RWTH provides with this program.

Program Structure

The particularity of the Hebammenwissenschaft B.Sc. program lies in its consistent promotion of the students' action competence: The theoretical-scientific courses of the university are supplemented by practical courses in the SkillsLab, and the contents are deepened and practiced in directly subsequent practical assignments in concrete situations. The students are individually supervised by experienced and pedagogically trained midwives in practice and by academically qualified midwives of the university.

Practical Assignments

The practical assignments take place according to an individual deployment plan in various hospitals and in institutions led by midwives in the region, as well as with freelance midwives. A prerequisite for enrollment is, therefore, a completed contract with a cooperating responsible practice institution for academic midwifery training. The application for this practice contract is carried out exclusively centrally via the Practice Center of the Hebammenwissenschaft B.Sc. program of the RWTH Aachen University.

Conclusion

The Hebammenwissenschaft B.Sc. program at RWTH Aachen University is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in midwifery science, combining theoretical knowledge with practical skills and experience. The program's focus on evidence-based practice, scientific competence, and teamwork prepares students for a successful career as midwives, capable of providing high-quality care to women and their families during significant life phases.