Since NMI was founded in 1996, educational options available to aspiring direct-entry midwives have grown exponentially. Today, prospective students may at first be daunted by the number of options for midwifery education available to them. Below are some of the special qualities of our program that may help you determine whether National Midwifery Institute is the right fit for you.

NMI is MEAC-accredited.

National Midwifery Institute is accredited by the national accrediting body for direct entry midwifery education, Midwifery Education Accreditation Council (MEAC). Choosing an accredited program provides students with consumer protection, quality assurance, enhanced employment opportunities post-graduation, and more. More information about NMI’s accreditation status and why students choose MEAC accredited schools is available on our Accreditation page or at meacschools.org. 

NMI offers 100% correspondence learning.

Correspondence education affords students an opportunity to complete program requirements in their own communities, becoming an integral part of their local birthing network by the time they are ready to start a practice. However, clinical requirements may be completed in various locations and settings. Our zero-residency component supports students to study from a large number of U.S. States. Students complete course work independently, but independent study does not mean isolation: NMI supports a vibrant virtual community of students, instructors, and graduates through weekly virtual study groups, an active message board, and easy access to instructors by text, phone and email. 

NMI is affordable. 

NMI is one of the least expensive MEAC accredited programs. Our reasonable payment plan option eases the challenge of paying for school while maintaining other financial obligations. And our partnership with the Meritize student loan program provides a reasonable financing option for learners with good credit and history of top-notch academic achievement. For more information, visit Tuition and Fees. 

NMI has over 20 years of experience.

Since NMI was founded in 1996, we have worked to advance our mission to preserve community-based midwifery education with a curriculum that enhances and supports the traditional apprenticeship model of midwifery education. Over the past two decades, we have grown and evolved to support the changing needs of midwifery students while consistently providing excellent student services, course work instruction, and NARM exam preparation, in keeping with our Mission Statement and Program Goals. 

NMI is student-centered.

Our philosophy of woman/pregnant person-centered care is upheld by our commitment to student-centered education. With a relatively small student body, NMI course work instructors and staff are better able to assist, support, and connect with students throughout their educational journey.

As adult learners, most of our students have full and complex lives, which we see as an asset, not a liability. Our reasonable minimum progress policies, generous program length, and compassionate leave provisions support this, even as we strive to help our students make steady progress toward graduation and NARM certification. 

NMI is self-paced. 

 NMI students work at their own pace, while taking responsibility for meeting minimum progress requirements. Unlike traditional semester-based programs in session for 36 weeks each year, NMI provides the opportunity for year-round academic and clinical activity. A student who is engaged in learning for 25 hours per week could finish program requirements in approximately three years; a student engaged in learning for 40 hours each week could finish program requirements in approximately two years. Note that clinical training must span at least two years, but students with prior birth experience may qualify for advanced placement, with the two year requirement adjusted accordingly. Students with prior learning and familiarity with the art and science of midwifery tend to progress more rapidly in academic study, and although a minimum of two modules must be submitted per quarter, there is no maximum submission within this time frame.

NMI’s curriculum is comprehensive and well-rounded.

Our student-centered curriculum consists of a three part formula including beginning coursework, advanced coursework, and supervised apprenticeship. The curriculum at National Midwifery Institute is designed to:

• Prepare students to meet MANA Core Competencies and MEAC Curriculum Checklist of Essential Competencies;

• Fulfill our purpose of preparing students for a scope of midwifery practice jointly defined by MANA and ACNM;

• Uphold our philosophy by addressing principles of community health, communication and counseling skills, and informed consent.

NMI graduates have excellent job placement rates and outcomes.

National Midwifery Institute surveys graduates for three years following graduation. During Winter 2018, NMI surveyed those who graduated from January 2015 through December 2017. NMI obtained data for all 26 graduates, as follows:

• 96% of graduates were NARM certified CPMs (25 of 26). Of the graduates who were not NARM certified CPMs, one had not yet taken the exam, and the other did not pass the exam and was preparing to retest.

• 84% of graduates were working as midwives (22 of 26).

• 11% of graduates were working in related fields (3 of 26). One was a recent graduate newly licensed, one was working as a public health nurse providing home visits to mothers/gestational parents and babies, and one was employed as a labor & delivery nurse in a remote international clinic.

NMI graduates have excellent NARM exam pass rates.

National Midwifery Institute obtains test results directly from NARM following student graduation. Details given below include NMI graduates from January 2014 to December 2017. (Note that prior to January 2016, students in MEAC accredited programs could test prior to graduation with the NARM early testing option. The percentage and number of each year's graduates who tested under the NARM early testing option is included below.)

• 2017: 100% of 2017 graduates took the NARM exam and passed (7 of 7).

• 2016: 100% of 2016 graduates took the NARM exam and passed (10 of 10). 50% of these (5 of 10) passed the NARM exam prior to graduation.

• 2015: 100% of 2015 graduates took the NARM exam and passed (7 of 7). 14% of these (1 of 7) passed the NARM exam prior to graduation.

• 2014: 95% of 2014 graduates took the NARM exam and passed (22 of 23). 56% of these (13 of 23) passed the NARM exam prior to graduation.

  We are VERY PROUD of our Graduates!

To learn more, view the NMI Handbook.