Course Descriptions

BIRTH PRESENTATIONS BIR-532
This course will look at variations of presentations: posterior,
breeches, twins, and face presentations teaching
the practical application of handling these situations
though case studies, role playing and hand maneuvers.

BUSINESS PRACTICE BUS-231
Students will learn about organization, public relations,
referrals, responsibilities to the community, marketing,
legalities, basic record keeping, and tax deductions for
running a small business.

CAM Foundation CAM-111
This course allows students to gain knowledge in the
fundamental concepts of several Complementary and
Alternative modalities including Herbology, Chinese
Medicine, Homeopathy and Acupuncture. Students explore
the physiological pathways of mind body connection
and mind body interventions: relaxation, meditation,
& imagery. Students will learn about different herbal
preparations, dosages, contraindications, & develop the
beginning of an herbal & homeopathic repertoire.

CLINICAL NUTRITION CAM-321
This course teaches the nutritional needs of a pregnant
and lactating woman. Students gain a basic understanding
of how vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats and carbohydrates
work in the body, and the importance of weight
gain. Exploration of varied diet preferences and healthy
choices allows students to work within individuals
diets(vegan, vegetarian, macrobiotics, raw food) including
meal planning, while learning tools and techniques
for administering change.

CLINICAL PHYSIOLOGY & TERMINOLOGY PRE-141
This course will look at the physiology of the female
reproductive system during pregnancy and birth, including
fertilization, embryonic & fetal development, as well
as cardiovascular, uterine and renal adaptions. Students
also gain an understanding of medical terms, their roots,
suffixes and prefixes.

CPR CPR-211
This course certifies students in adult and infant CPR.

DIAGNOSTIC TESTING PHY-321
This course offers the knowledge of bio-technical screening
methods and diagnostic test used during pregnancy. Students
will look at the indications for risk and benefit, which
lab work can be done in office and how to interpret results.
Hands-on skills of in office lab work will be taught, including
how to find and work with your own lab.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES BIR-562
Students are taught to recognize and respond to obstetrical
emergencies through role playing. Development of transport
plans and consultation is emphasized.

INTEGRATIVE CAM PRACTITIONER I CAM-432
Students will learn how to develop herbal formulas and
holistic treatment plans that encompass a variety of CAM
modalities including lifestyle, herbs, homeopathy and energy
work. Students will work on pregnancy & birth related case
studies including GYN issues, variations & complications
of pregnancy/birth and postpartum issues. Students will
continue to develop their herbal repertoire to encompass
minimum of 35 herbs.
Pre-requisite or concurrently: CAM 111.

INTEGRATIVE CAM PRACTITIONER II CAM-542
This is a extension of CAM 442, learning how to work as a
traditional community midwife taking care of the general
health concerns of mother and family. Case studies and treatment
plans will encompass digestive, respiratory, cardiovascular,
and urinary systems. Students will continue to develop
their herbal repertoire to encompass 75 herbs.
Pre-requisite: CAM 111, CAM 321 and CAM 432.

MIDWIFERY MODEL OF CARE PRE-131
This course explore the history and ethics of midwifery, different
models of midwifery and the role a midwife plays in
the community including the responsibilities and commitments
involved.

NEONATAL RESUSCITATION NEO-522
Participants will have a thorough understanding and gain the
practical skills of chapters1-4 of the required text: Neonatal
Resuscitation (available through the American Academy of
Pediatrics 800-433-9016). Chapters 1-4 must be read prior to
the workshop.

NEONATOLOGY NEO-512
This course will provide knowledge and skills in assessing
the newborn’s transition to extra uterine life, including
gestational age, physical and neurological exams.
Common neonatal problems and abnormalities will be
studied.

NORMAL BIRTH PROCESS BIR-331
The focus of this course is developing intuitive, observational
and medical skills for normal delivery. Students
learn the importance of the ebb and flow of birth’s
rhythm and how these are crucial for this important rite
of passage. Student’s focus on how it is the midwife’s
duty to guide, support, inform and protect not only the
mother and baby but also the birthing space. Students
learn the normal mechanisms of labor and how to assess
its progress. Students will gain knowledge in fetal
heart tones, labor enhancement, comfort techniques,
hydration, hand maneuvers, protection of the perineum,
& delivery of the placenta.

PHARMACOLOGY BIR-422
Basic pharmacology relevant to drugs used in midwifery
care including medical uses of drugs, drug regulations,
legal classification of drugs, drug references and standards,
principle actions of drugs, storage and handling
of medication, calculation of medication, dosage and
types of administration, site selection and injections,
pharmacokinetics and anaphylaxis, and ethical implications.

PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT PHY-412
Students will learn physical examination assessment skill,
including how to differentiate what is outside of normal
limits and what requires a need for consultation.

POSTPARTUM CARE Pos-361
Students gain knowledge in the care, needs and concerns
of mother and baby in the first 6 weeks postpartum.
and what a midwife should keep a watchful eye on. Students
receive an introduction into lactation and common
postpartum problems.

PRENATAL CARE Pre-241
The focus of this course is to understand the importance
of excellent care in pregnancy. Assessment skills in
prenatal care will be taught with emphasis on birth as a
normal process.Health promotion and education will
be emphasized. Students will explore how cultural difference
effect care and how to assess low risk mothers.

PRENATAL CLINICAL ROTATION PRE-358
Students shadow a midwife or practitioner who does
births, for 8 hrs a month for six months, doing in office
work. Students will keep a daily journal documenting
learning issues and relevant research for these issues.

PRENATAL CARE II-VARIATIONS Pre-311
This course will address the importance of prenatal care
when a pregnancy is taking a questionable or an abnormal
course. Focus will be on the development of keen
observation, prevention, and guidance techniques using
a variety of modalities, while learning the importance
of consulting and referring with appropriate health
care practitioners. Students will also look at the importance
of developing positive relations with the medical
establishment.
 

PSYCHOLOGY OF BIRTH PSY-111
This course will explore the emotional and psychological
issues of pregnancy and birth including body image,
mothering issues, grief and loss, family dynamics, physical
& sexual abuse and how it affects birth and mothering,
substance abuse, transition to parenthood, and postpartum
depression. Students will also develop a basic
understanding of how to communicate and counsel
the mother and her family.

Turning POINTS WITHIN BIRTH BIR-552
The focus of this course is understanding how to
assess and make appropriate decisions when labor and
birth are outside the realm of normal. We will address
the process by which circumstances may change, and
what, if any, interventions may be necessary in order to
assure the progression and safety of the birth process.
Focus will be on the development of keen observation,
a holistic approach, while understanding the importance
of informed consent and referral. Case studies will be an
integral part of this course.