Nurse-Midwifery Degree Program (D.N.P., CNM)

OHSU's Nurse-Midwifery D.N.P. program prepares you to provide advanced prenatal, birth and postpartum care.
Earn your nurse-midwifery degree from OHSU
- Top-ranked program. Ranked No. 2 nurse-midwifery program in the nation.
- Expert faculty and mentors. Work with faculty who bring decades of experience in midwifery practice, teaching and leadership.
- Diverse clinical experiences. Gain more than 1,000 hours of supervised clinical practice at hospitals, clinics and birth centers, including opportunities to attend water births.
- Clinicals set up for you. OHSU handles your clinical placements and preceptors, so you can focus on learning.
- Ultrasound training included. You’ll learn formal obstetric ultrasound as part of the program.
- Proven success. Most graduates pass the American Midwifery Certification Board exam on their first try.
Nursing scholarships
OHSU offers more nursing scholarships than ever before. See if you qualify.
Admission and application requirements
Admissions
Requirements for the nurse-midwifery program:
- B.S. or B.S.N. in nursing by the time you start the program
- RN license. If you don’t have one, you can get conditional admission, but you need a license before your first clinical course.
- GPA of 3.0 across all undergraduate and graduate courses, including all science courses
How to apply
Applications will reopen in mid-August.
- Go to Nursing CAS and apply.
- Enter your college courses in Nursing CAS.
- Submit 3 letters of reference, your resume and application essays in Nursing CAS.
- Send transcripts to Nursing CAS. Contact Nursing CAS to ensure your transcripts arrive.
Tuition and scholarships
- Cost: $699 per credit for Oregon residents and $908 for non-residents. Learn more about tuition and fees.
- Scholarships: Access more nursing scholarships than ever before. You may also qualify for loan forgiveness and repayment programs.
Classes and degree requirements
You need 116 credits to earn your nurse-midwifery degree. This includes 31 credits from clinical practicum courses (1,000 clinical hours) and 7 credits from D.N.P. project courses.
Why earn your nurse-midwifery degree at OHSU?
During OHSU’s nurse-midwifery program, you’ll learn from leading health care experts and graduate with a degree from Oregon’s only academic health center.
- Practice full-scope midwifery. Train in Oregon, where nurse-midwives can practice independently and offer complete reproductive health care.
- One-on-one clinical training. Work directly with faculty preceptors in midwifery clinics, birthing rooms, mother-baby units, triage units and lactation clinics.
- Community connections. Benefit from strong partnerships with the American College of Nurse-Midwives' local affiliate and Portland’s active home birth community.
Still have questions? Contact an admission counselor to schedule a call.
Nurse-Midwifery D.N.P degree program FAQs
Are scholarships available to become a nurse-midwife practitioner?
OHSU offers a variety of scholarships to help fund your degree. Loan repayment options are available for D.N.P. students.
What areas of care will I study in the nurse-midwifery program?
In the nurse-midwifery program, you’ll study a wide range of care areas, including:
- Pregnancy and childbirth: You’ll learn to provide prenatal, labor and postpartum care for expecting mothers and their infants.
- Reproductive health: You’ll gain expertise in providing gynecologic care, family planning and supporting women’s health at every stage.
- Obstetric ultrasound: You’ll receive formal training in obstetric ultrasound as part of your studies.
- Cultural and social factors: You’ll explore how culture, tradition, and social, economic and political forces impact women's health.
- Clinical skills: You’ll train in birthing rooms, clinics, mother-baby units, lactation clinics and more.
- Leadership and policy: You’ll study clinical leadership and policy to prepare for roles that shape the future of midwifery care.
This comprehensive approach ensures you’re prepared to provide full-scope care to women and families in a variety of settings.
What hands-on experience will I get in the nurse-midwifery program?
In the nurse-midwifery program, you’ll gain hands-on experience at OHSU’s Nurse-Midwifery Faculty Practice, which has provided care for over 30 years. You’ll work directly with experienced faculty preceptors in outpatient clinics, birthing rooms, mother-baby units and lactation clinics. This practice supports births at the OHSU Hospital, giving you a wide range of real-world clinical experiences.
You’ll also complete clinical placements at various sites, including community health centers, birth centers and hospitals. These placements provide opportunities to work with diverse patient populations in different care settings.
What career opportunities are available for nurse-midwifery graduates?
As a nurse-midwifery graduate, you’ll have many career opportunities, especially in Oregon. You’ll be able to work in hospitals, attend home births or provide care at places like Planned Parenthood and private ob-gyn offices. In Oregon, nurse-midwives can prescribe medications and are licensed as independent practitioners. The local American College of Nurse-Midwives affiliate offers support, including volunteer opportunities and networking within the profession.
How are clinical placements and preceptors arranged?
OHSU arranges both your clinical placements and preceptors. We work with top preceptors across Oregon, so you’ll learn from some of the best in the state.
How long does it take to become a nurse-midwife practitioner?
The OHSU nurse-midwifery program takes three years to complete, including clinical training and coursework
Still have questions? Contact an admissions counselor.
Contact us
- Ask admissions
- Attend an information session
- Call us at 503-494-7725 or 866-223-1811 (toll free)
Hear from students
Accelerated B.S. to Nurse-Midwifery D.N.P pathway
If you’re pursuing your B.S. in nursing and want to become a nurse-midwife, you can apply to the accelerated B.S. and nurse-midwifery programs with one application. This lets you transition directly into the D.N.P. program after earning your B.S.

Accreditation
OHSU is accredited by the NWCUU and OHSU School of Nursing is accredited by the CCNE.
Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education
The nurse-midwifery program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education through 2033.