MSN: Nurse-Midwifery

The need for midwives is critical to address the alarming maternity care crisis in the United States, where maternal mortality is rising, and Black and Indigenous mothers die at three times the rate of White mothers. Midwives make a difference by individualizing care and addressing both the physical and psychosocial needs of patients and their families. This high-touch approach results in fewer preterm births and babies born at low birth weight, more vaginal births with fewer complications, and more enhanced bonding and successful, extended breastfeeding.

At GW Nursing, the online MSN: Nurse-Midwifery program integrates research and nurse-midwifery practice, with a strong emphasis on women’s health and primary care throughout the lifespan.

Our Online Curriculum

Our online curriculum is designed to promote student success. Students enroll in two courses each semester, and all courses, except the professional role integration course, are completed before the last two semesters of clinical immersion. These two semesters of intense clinical immersion improve the application of knowledge and achievement of midwifery clinical competency.

Upon completion of our program, midwives will be prepared to:

Provide holistic, respectful, and compassionate primary and reproductive health care

Honor and promote
normal physiologic processes of menarche, birth, breastfeeding, and menopause

Place patient
and family at
center of care and decision-making

Champion
reproductive
justice

Engage and lead
interprofessional teams to ensure quality outcomes and patient satisfaction

In The SPOTLIGHT

3 Questions with Tarnisha Hemphill

In an interview with GW Today, Tarnisha Hemphill, assistant professor of midwifery and a practicing midwife, breaks down the holistic, family-centered model of care that underpins our program.

Himmelfarb Faculty Profile: Suzan Ulrich

Himmelfarb Library becomes better acquainted with Suzan Ulrich, Director of Nursing and Midwifery Education at the School of Nursing.

In recognition of Black Maternal Health Week 2026, GW Nursing hosted a powerful virtual conversation with Kia Hollis, Certified Nurse-Midwife and Director of the Centering Program at Mercy Medical Center, on an innovative model of care that is making a meaningful difference in outcomes for Black and Brown birthing people.

Group prenatal care models such as Centering Pregnancy have been shown to lower maternal morbidity rates by increasing engagement in prenatal visits and breaking down critical barriers to care. These programs often provide supportive services that address social determinants that disproportionately impact marginalized communities.

A Lifelong Calling: Shanay Plater Honors Midwifery Legacy in Pursuit of Transformative Care

November 12, 2025

For Shanay Plater, a student in the GW Nursing MSN in Nurse-Midwifery program, the decision to pursue this advanced practice role wasn't a single "aha" moment—it was an inherent calling.

Standing in the Gap: Alexandra Clark’s Calling to Midwifery and Birthing Justice

November 3, 2025

For Alexandra Clark, pursuing an advanced practice role in nursing was never just a career move

At GW Nursing, We Follow the Midwifery Pearls of Physiologic Birth

October 2, 2025

The Midwifery Pearls of Physiologic Birth are a cornerstone of midwifery practice.

Become a Nurse-Midwife if you're passionate about...

Health Equity

Ensuring equitable, accessible, compassionate care for patients from menarche through menopause.

Quality Care

Providing patient centered, evidence-based, high-quality, respectful, care that decreases health disparities.

Young family with infant and small child

Community Birth

Increasing access to culturally congruent midwifery-led care in community birth centers that improve pregnancy outcomes.

Reproductive Justice

Supporting autonomy, control, respect and systems of support for reproductive decisions.

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COSTS & AID

Want to learn more about the program?

We offer info sessions periodically throughout the year. During each session, we cover the admissions basics, tips on funding your education, why you should choose GW, and offer the opportunity to ask questions of faculty and admissions staff.

Upcoming Nurse-Midwifery Info Sessions

View All Upcoming Info Sessions

I was "shopping around" for CNM programs. I went to many info sessions, and the only one that was personable and felt welcoming was GWU, and that is why I chose it. Your check-ins have proven that I chose the right school, so thank you for that. I appreciate it a ton!

Noeris Gil, BSN, C-EFM, SNM
GW Midwifery

Why Choose GW Nursing?

US News and World Report: SON #5 for Best Online Master's Programs, MSN Veterans USNWR

Ranked #12 for Best Online Masters Programs, Grad Nursing, MSN, USNWR 2026

GW Nursing is a leader in online learning with a reputation of academic excellence, flexible programs, and a respectful, supportive learning environment.

We're focused on making our students feel welcomed, represented, and safe, as well as challenged to be leaders and change agents to improve the health of the nation.

We are proudly ranked within the Top 10 for Best Online Master's in Nursing and Top 20 for overall Best Master's in Nursing by U.S. News & World Report. These solid rankings are a testament to GW's growing reputation as a premier destination for nurses looking to advance their careers.

Our Commitment to Equity

Our commitment is to create an environment where student midwives feel welcomed, represented, supported, and safe. We are dedicated to respect for persons in both the learning and clinical environments without bias based on race, gender identity, sexual orientation, reproductive and parenting decisions, geographical locations, or physical, functional, and learning abilities. The faculty champion the adult learner principles of self-direction, motivation, engagement, mentorship, and the importance of goal attainment. It is imperative that students develop self-care and resilience for their educational journey as well as for their midwifery career. We commit to graduating well-educated, clinically-competent, culturally sensitive midwives who mirror the diverse populations they serve.

woman attending virtual meeting through her laptop

Application Deadlines

Application Open: 10/01/26
–
Priority: 12/01/26
Final: 06/15/27

About the Program

The MSN: Nurse-Midwifery program consists of 50 credit hours and 840 clinical hours.

Graduates of the program are eligible to take national examination to be a certified-nurse-midwife (CNM) administered by the American Midwifery Education Board (AMCB).

Questions about the program should be directed to the program director, , DrPH, CNM, FACNM via email at suzanulrich8gwu [dot] edu (suzanulrich8[at]gwu[dot]edu) or text/call 606-205-7240.

Programs of Study

Nurse-Midwifery program of study (fall entry, part-time) (PDF)

For optimal viewing results, please open the file using a PDF reader, like Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Courses

For full listing of courses and descriptions, please visit the University Bulletin.

Additional Requirements

Virtual New Student Orientation
You will be required to complete the Virtual New Student Orientation, which provides the knowledge and tools needed to be successful at GW Nursing. You will learn about the academic resources available to you, program requirements, course registration, online technology and other expectations. You will also connect with faculty members, advisors and your fellow students.
Clinical Learning and Skills Intensive (CLASI)
You are required to successfully complete the on-campus preparation for clinical at the beginning of semester 7 to demonstrate your knowledge and learn, practice and show competency in skills before beginning your clinical immersion.
Birth Center Workshop
You are required to attend the How to Start a Birth Center Workshop by the completion of year two. You will gather knowledge on how to start an evidence-based practice in the wellness model of care.
Technology Requirements
Each student admitted to the MSN program is expected to own and have ready access to a laptop or tablet with basic productivity software for classroom use. View Policy (PDF).

Complete applications that are submitted by the priority deadline will be reviewed first. Applications do not have to be verified by the priority deadline, only completed and submitted. Questions? Contact the Office of Admissions at nursinggwu [dot] edu (nursing[at]gwu[dot]edu).

A completed application includes the following components:

Bachelor's degree in nursing from a regionally accredited college or university
Preferred scholastic GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from a regionally accredited college or university
Official transcripts (from all post-secondary schools)
Two letters of recommendation
Current resume
Statement of Purpose
Active and unencumbered RN license from a U.S. state or territory

Note:

GW Nursing is subject to state authorization requirements in order to offer an approved nursing curriculum. View available states.

At the conclusion of this MSN program, you will be able to:

Cultivate a professional identity that embodies ethical and professional standards by integrating self-reflection, lifelong learning, collaborative leadership, and well-being.
Create systems change based on public and population health theories and principles by addressing social determinants of health that improve equitable population health outcomes.
Generate innovative nursing care management by applying nursing knowledge that integrates expertise from arts and sciences and by employing appropriate information, healthcare, and communication technologies.
Integrate advanced nursing knowledge to formulate holistic, compassionate, individualized person-centered care that improves health and transforms nursing practice.
Organize high quality care that minimizes risk while maximizing system effectiveness through advocacy and collaborative efforts among professionals, patients, and communities.

At the conclusion of the Midwifery program, you will be able to:

Formulate a professional identity based on the ACNM Philosophy, Standards, and Code of Ethics that promotes self-reflection, lifelong learning, collaborative leadership, and well-being.
Create systems change based on population health principles and an understanding of the social determinants of health that improves outcomes and reduces health disparities.
Use appropriate scientific knowledge along with information, healthcare, and communication technologies to produce evidence-based midwifery care that promotes a non-interventive approach in the absence of complications.
Integrate midwifery scholarship to generate person and family centered care that fosters shared decision making, respects diversity, and honors preferences and cultural backgrounds.
Formulate effective collaboration, advocacy, and communication skills that build relationships and create safe high-quality patient experiences with seamless continuity.

The program is designed with two semesters of clinical immersion (840 hours) following completion of the didactic course. This allows full concentration on applying the midwifery model of care in the clinical setting with a seasoned preceptor. GW networks with midwives throughout the metro DC area and across the nation to assure high quality clinical experiences with an emphasis on birth centers and home birth. The midwifery faculty and clinical placement team support students in securing clinical sites in their area.

Our Mission

Provide an excellent learning experience that produces diverse and competent midwives who partner with patients and families to give holistic, individualized, high-quality, equitable, ethical, high-touch, and compassionate care from menarche to menopause, with particular attention to childbearing, while honoring the normalcy of these physiologic processes.

Our Philosophy

Patients deserve safe, equitable, high-quality health care that respects and values individuality and diversity and is informed, relationship centered, continuous, and compassionate. This midwifery model of care improves inequities in health outcomes by applying evidence-based interventions that honor the normal physiologic processes with judicious use of interventions. It places patients, families, and communities at the center of care and decision making using human presence and skillful communication. It involves collaboration within the health care system to optimize care and leadership and advocacy to promote policy changes at the community, state, national, and international levels that positively affect health care and the midwifery profession. Educating and socializing midwives to be excellent and ethical leaders, providers, and scholars requires engaging and innovative education; that embrace diversity, courage, and instills a commitment to lifelong learning and reflection as well as developing resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

The GW Nursing Midwifery Program is pre-accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education, 2000 Duke Street, Suite 300, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; supporttheacme [dot] org; (703) 835-4565; www.theacme.org