Program Overview

Overview of the Midwifery Program

The Midwifery Education Program at McMaster University is a collaborative venture shared by McMaster and Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), leading to a Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHSc) in Midwifery. Midwives are primary health care providers who provide expert care to pregnant people and their newborns during low-risk pregnancy, labour, birth, and six weeks postpartum. The program helps create future leaders and teachers, assuring practice and teaching as a continuum so that learning environments become available across Ontario.

Admission Requirements

• 85% minimum average required for consideration plus supplementary application.
• Admission is by selection following an admissions interview.
• Students must obtain a minimum grade of 85% in English, Biology, and Chemistry.
• Additionally, students must achieve an overall minimum consideration average of 85%.

Why Midwifery at McMaster?

McMaster University offers a long-standing reputation as Canada’s “most innovative” university. McMaster is an international leader in midwifery care and research. The faculty of the Midwifery Education Program are highly respected leaders in the midwifery profession. Many teaching faculty also maintain clinical practice. They regularly publish in professional journals and give presentations in national and international forums.

Program Structure

Clinical Education

Clinical courses consist of a clinical placement and concurrent problem-based weekly tutorials. Students are assigned to a midwifery practice for an extended period to ensure continuity of care to expectant mothers and supervision from a clinical preceptor. Throughout the program, students will be placed in more than one midwifery practice and will gain clinical experience in a hospital setting and with an obstetrician.

Facilities

The Midwifery Program is based out of the Health Sciences Centre (HSC) building.

Your Classes

Typical First-Year Courses

• Anatomy and Physiology (HTHSCI 1DO6 A/B)
• Social Justice and Healthcare (HTHSCI 1C06 A/B)
• Introduction to Research Methods and Critical Appraisal (MIDWIF 1F03)
• Midwifery the Profession I (MIDWIF 1D03)
• Midwifery the Profession II (MIDWIF 1G03)
• Life Sciences for Clinical Practice (HTHSCI 1J03)
• One of:
  • Indigenous Medicine I – Philosophy (INDIGST 3H03)
  • Indigenous Medicine II – Practical (INDIGST 3HH3)
• One elective course with a focus on humanities or social sciences from the Faculties of Health Sciences, Humanities, or Social Sciences

Beyond First Year

Learn more about the Level II and above requirements.

Potential Program Courses

For a full list of courses that can be available in this program, please consult the academic calendar.

Career Prospects

Graduates from the BHSc (Midwifery) program are eligible for registration in Ontario and meet internationally accepted standards. Career prospects are excellent. McMaster midwifery graduates have worked in midwifery practices across Ontario, in other parts of Canada, and the world.