The certified nurse-midwife (CNM) independently provides comprehensive care throughout pregnancy, childbirth, the postpartum period, and the first 28 days of a newborn’s life. CNMs also provide gynecologic, family planning, preconception, and primary care services for individuals across the lifespan. They practice in a wide range of settings, including hospitals, birth centers, community health centers, ambulatory clinics, private practices, and patients’ homes.
While both MSN- and DNP-prepared nurse-midwives deliver high-quality clinical care, the DNP, the highest level of nursing education, prepares graduates to lead system-wide improvements, implement evidence-based practice, influence health policy, and guide interdisciplinary teams. For those seeking greater leadership opportunities, career flexibility, and long-term earning potential, the DNP offers a distinct advantage, as leadership and executive positions often earn $30,000 to $50,000 more annually than primarily clinical roles.
The Nurse-Midwifery (DNP-NM) specialty is a hybrid program that combines online didactic coursework, on-campus intensives, and clinical placements. Applicants may enter the DNP program as a post-BSN student or a post-MSN student. The program has both full-time and part-time options. Graduates of the NM specialty are prepared according to the ACNM Core Competencies for Basic Midwifery Practice and are eligible to apply for certification through the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB).
**Students in the DNP-NM specialty who participate in clinical rotations in Arizona are eligible for $25,000 in support through the ANEW grant (19 students/year). Ask your advisor for more information!
The U of A DNP program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. See the bottom of this page for full details.
Rooted in the rich history of midwifery, the specialty's mission is to educate the next generation of midwives and improve access to care for all by supporting communities in achieving reproductive health equity.
- Demonstrate the necessary knowledge, skills, and professional attributes, thereby meeting the Core Competencies of Basic Midwifery Practice (ACNM, 2020).
- Use the midwifery management process to provide evidence-based clinical care within a shared decision-making model.
- Integrate the hallmarks of Midwifery in academic, clinical, and professional settings.
- Apply self-reflection to midwifery practice to minimize bias and discrimination.
- Implement strategies to address the social determinants of health to improve health equity and outcomes.
General DNP Program Outcomes:
- Generate and disseminate nursing practice knowledge to stimulate research and improve clinical outcomes
- Improve health outcomes through scientifically based advanced practice within a specialty
- Engage in and lead collaborative practice teams
- Influence clinical practice transformation and policy initiatives
The University of Arizona College of Nursing Midwifery Specialty acknowledges the generations of midwives who have come before us, especially those from Indigenous nations and communities of color. The midwifery specialty will uphold the belief that everyone is unique and has a right to reproductive healthcare, in which they can be actively engaged, by advocating for equitable access to holistic care. Pregnancy and birth will be respected as normal physiologic processes, and each person has the right to be actively engaged in their health care decisions. The midwifery specialty will infuse the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) Hallmarks of Midwifery and the University of Arizona Core Values in its curriculum.
Program Facts
3
Years
Full-time Program Length
3-4 Courses per Semester
Hybrid
Program Delivery
Online coursework with 3 on-campus intensives and a clinical practicum
69
Credit
Hours
900
Clinical
Hours
Aug
15
Applications Open
March
1
Final Deadline
| Graduation Year | Full-Time Students | Part-Time Students | Attrition | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100% |
| 2025 | 2 | 0 | 1 LOA | 50% |
| 2026 | 9 | 0 | 0 | Pending |
| Graduation Year | Certifying Body | Specialty | Number of Students taking Exam | Certification Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | AMCB | Midwifery | 2 | 100% |
| 2025 | AMCB | Midwifery | 1 | 100% |
| 2026 |
Curriculum
Students admitted to the DNP-NM program must complete a rigorous curriculum consisting of 69 credit hours and 900 clinical hours. In addition, students attend RISE twice and CPI once during their program of study. Admitted students should refer to and follow the academic program guide for their cohort year.
Residential Intensive Summer Experience (RISE)
RISE is an intensive learning experience designed to support student success in the DNP program. DNP students are required to attend RISE virtually for the first year.
Clinical Immersion (CI)
CI helps prepare DNP students for further specialty-specific skills under the supervision of a clinical preceptor. Students are required to attend in Tucson, AZ, once before the start of clinical coursework.
Clinical Practicum
Clinical placements for students are arranged with appropriate preceptors, clinical coordinators, and administrators. Priority is given to arranging clinical placements in the student's geographical area.
Frequently Asked Questions
For more information about this DNP specialty or applying to the DNP program, please contact:
Layla Salazar
Enrollment Coordinator, Doctoral Programs
Email: CON-OSAA@arizona.edu
Phone: 520-621-1860
See the Costs & Financial Aid page for cost estimates.
Students are assigned clinical sites in coordination with clinical coordinators and the program administrator. Students may be required to travel to a different geographic area if a suitable preceptor cannot be found.
No elective courses are required for this DNP specialty. Students may elect to take additional courses to meet their needs and interests but should first consult their faculty advisor.
Consider attending a virtual information session hosted by the College of Nursing for all specialties EXCEPT Nurse Anesthesia. You will have the opportunity to meet the program team and select members of the faculty as well as ask questions about the program and admissions process. Registration is required and the session is conducted via Zoom.
The DNP program holds multiple information sessions throughout the year. If you are unable to attend a currently scheduled session, check back soon for the next available session or fill out the Request Information form on this page to have program details delivered to your inbox.
Ready to take the next step?
See the full admission requirements and application process on the DNP Program Admissions page.
The University of Arizona College of Nursing is not regulated in Texas under Chapter 132 of the Texas Education Code. To contact the agencies that regulate the University of Arizona College of Nursing or file a complaint, please find:
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001 | P: 202-887-6791 | https://www.aacnnursing.org/ccne-accreditation
- Arizona Board of Nursing, 1740 W. Adams Street, Suite 2000, Phoenix, AZ 85007 | P: 602-771-7800 | https://www.azbn.gov/
- Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education, 2000 Duke Street, Suite 300, Alexandra, Virginia 22314 | P: 703-835-4565 | https://theacme.org/