Last Updated: May 2025 | Reviewed by Abbie Jacobs
The Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME) is the only programmatic accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for nurse-midwifery education. Since 1982, ACME has maintained rigorous standards, ensuring accredited programs provide the education necessary for safe, competent practice.
Without exception, all RNs seeking national recognition as a Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) through the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) and the mandatory state-issued advanced practice license that allows them to practice nurse-midwifery must graduate from a master’s or higher degree program that has received ACME accreditation.
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Why ACME Accreditation Matters
ACME accreditation is essential for prospective nurse-midwives for several reasons:
- Certification Eligibility: Only graduates of ACME-accredited programs qualify to take the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) examination required for CNM credentials
- License Requirements: State licensing boards require ACME accreditation for advanced practice licensure
- Quality Assurance: Programs undergo rigorous evaluation of curriculum, faculty qualifications, and student outcomes
- Professional Recognition: The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recognizes explicitly midwives educated through ACME-accredited pathways
ACME currently awards three types of accreditation status:
| Accreditation Type | Description | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Preaccreditation | For new programs that have met initial standards | Up to 5 years |
| Initial Accreditation | First full accreditation status | 5 years |
| Continued Accreditation | Renewed status for established programs | Up to 10 years |
Graduates from programs with any of these accreditation statuses qualify to sit for the AMCB certification examination.
CNM Education Pathways
Certified Nurse-Midwife programs accommodate diverse educational backgrounds through several structured pathways:
| Program Type | Designed For | Typical Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN/MS Programs | RNs with Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees | 2-3 years full-time |
| RN-to-MSN Programs | RNs with associate’s degrees in nursing | 3-4 years full-time |
| Post-Graduate Programs | RNs with an MSN wanting to add CNM certification | 1-2 years full-time |
| DNP Programs | RNs seeking the highest level of clinical preparation | 3-4 years full-time |
Distinguishing Between Midwifery Credentials
The midwifery profession in the United States encompasses several distinct credentials:
- Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) are registered nurses who have completed graduate-level education through an ACME-accredited midwifery program and have passed the AMCB certification examination
- Certified Midwives (CMs) are graduates of ACME-accredited midwifery programs who take the same certification examination as CNMs but do not have nursing backgrounds
- Direct-Entry Midwives (DEMs) follow different educational pathways, typically focusing on out-of-hospital birth settings, educated through apprenticeship, self-study, or programs not necessarily ACME-accredited
CNMs are licensed in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, enjoy prescriptive authority in most states, and can practice in all settings, including hospitals, birth centers, and homes.
Educational Trends in Nurse-Midwifery
The American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) has tracked ACME programs and the graduates of those programs for years in an effort to ensure there are an adequate number of educators and programs available to enrolling students. The latest data reveals the steady strides this profession has made in recent years:
- Many nurse-midwifery education programs have incorporated distance learning for didactic coursework through web-based technology; national trends show enrollment for distance education courses rapidly increasing
- Most nurse-midwife students now earn their degrees online and in hybrid programs. As of 2018, a full 21 percent of all ACME-accredited programs offered exclusively online options, while another 45 percent were hybrid, combining both remote and campus-based learning
- The number of ACME-accredited nurse-midwifery programs has held steady at 39, with several programs holding pre-accreditation status
- From 2014 to 2018, the number of qualified applicants increased by 25 percent, with the total number of enrolled students rising by 19 percent during that period
- The number of nurse-midwifery graduates increased from 583 in 2014 to 683 in 2018
Several nurse-midwifery programs offer graduate-level options to accommodate students with different educational backgrounds. These range from full master’s and doctorate programs designed for bachelor ‘s-prepared RNs to graduate certificates for master’ s-educated nurses.
“My ACME-accredited program transformed my nursing career in ways I never imagined. The rigorous curriculum combined with supportive faculty and diverse clinical experiences prepared me to provide holistic, evidence-based care to women and families. Today, I lead a midwifery practice at a community hospital and precept students who are following the same educational pathway. The foundation provided by my ACME-accredited education was invaluable.”
— Jennifer Kline, CNM, MSN, Graduate of Frontier Nursing University, Class of 2018
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a Focus in Nurse-Midwifery and Master of Science (MS) in Nurse-Midwifery Programs
Each program below is fully ACME-accredited, qualifying graduates to sit for the American Midwifery Certification Board examination.
Bethel University
Bethel University: Saint Paul, Minnesota
- Program Length: 57 credits, 20 months
- Format: Hybrid (80%+ online)
- Program Details: MS degree program; only Christian nurse-midwifery program in the U.S.
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2028
California State University, Fullerton
California State University, Fullerton: Fullerton, California
- Program Length: 53 semester units; 2 years full-time or 3 years part-time
- Format: On-campus
- Program Details: Offered as a nurse-midwife/women’s health nurse practitioner dual focus MSN
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2029
Case Western Reserve University
Case Western Reserve University, Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing: Cleveland, Ohio
- Program Length: 48 credit hours, 18-24 months
- Format: Online available
- Program Details: MSN; With the addition of 4 clinical hours, students are eligible for dual certification in Women’s Health
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2031
East Carolina University
East Carolina University, School of Nursing: Greenville, North Carolina
- Program Length: 51-53 semester hours
- Format: Online available
- Program Details: MSN degree; full-time/part-time formats available
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2030
Emory University
Emory University, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing: Atlanta, Georgia
- Program Length: 54 credit hours
- Format: Hybrid (prerequisite courses online)
- Program Details: MSN degree; part-time study available; joint specialty programs in nurse-midwifery/women’s health and nurse-midwifery/pediatrics available
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2027
Frontier Nursing University
Frontier Nursing University, Dexter, Georgia
- Program Length: Two years full-time
- Format: Online with brief on-campus sessions
- Program Details: MSN; part-time study available
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2032
Georgetown University
Georgetown University, School of Nursing and Health Studies, Washington D.C.
- Program Length: 49 credits, 27 months part-time
- Format: Online with clinical placements
- Program Details: MS; offered as a nurse-midwife/women’s health nurse practitioner dual focus program
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2029
Marquette University
Marquette University, College of Nursing: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Program Length: 49 credits
- Format: Hybrid online program
- Program Details: MSN degree
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2029
New York University
New York University, College of Nursing: New York, New York
- Program Length: 48 credits; 1,080 clinical hours
- Format: On-campus
- Program Details: MS degree
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2026
Ohio State University
Ohio State University, College of Nursing: Columbus, Ohio
- Program Length: 54-71 credit hours
- Format: Majority of courses offered online
- Program Details: MS degree
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2027
Oregon Health Sciences University
Oregon Health Sciences University, School of Nursing: Portland, Oregon
- Program Length: 77 credit hours
- Format: On-campus
- Program Details: Master of Nursing (MN)
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2031
San Diego State University
San Diego State University, School of Nursing: San Diego, California
- Program Length: Two-year full-time or three-year part-time
- Format: Hybrid
- Program Details: MS degree; also available as a dual focus nurse-midwife/women’s health nurse practitioner program
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2028
Seattle University
Seattle University, College of Nursing: Seattle, Washington
- Program Length: 80-87 course credits, 690 clinical hours
- Format: On-campus
- Program Details: RN-to-MSN degree
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2032
Shenandoah University
Shenandoah University, School of Nursing: Winchester, Virginia
- Program Length: 24 months full-time; part-time also offered
- Format: Hybrid
- Program Details: MS degree; also offered as an RN-to-MSN track
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2030
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook University, School of Nursing: Stony Brook, New York
- Program Length: 45 credits
- Format: Online with some on-site requirements
- Program Details: MS degree
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2028
SUNY Downstate Medical Center
SUNY Downstate Medical Center: Brooklyn, New York
- Program Length: 5 or 7-semester option
- Format: Online available
- Program Details: MS degree
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2027
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Nursing: Lubbock, Texas
- Program Length: 51 semester credit hours
- Format: Fully online
- Program Details: MSN degree
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2029
University of California at San Francisco
University of California at San Francisco: San Francisco, California
- Program Length: Two years
- Format: On-campus
- Program Details: MS degree; also offered as a nurse-midwife/women’s health nurse practitioner dual focus program
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2031
University of Cincinnati
University of Cincinnati Nurse-Midwifery, College of Nursing and Health: Cincinnati, Ohio
- Format: Fully online
- Program Details: MSN degree
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2028
University of Colorado Denver
University of Colorado Denver, College of Nursing: Aurora, Colorado
- Program Length: 48 credits
- Format: Online available
- Program Details: MSN degree; ranked 13th best among graduate midwifery programs by U.S. News and World Report
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2030
University of Michigan
University of Michigan, School of Nursing: Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Program Length: 47 credit hours, 768 clinical hours
- Format: Mainly on-campus with some web-blended courses
- Program Details: MS degree
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2026
University of New Mexico
University of New Mexico, College of Nursing: Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Program Length: 6-term full-time program, 55 credit hours, 1,000+ clinical hours
- Format: First- and second-term classes are web-based
- Program Details: MSN degree
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2027
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Program Length: Full- and part-time plans available
- Format: Hybrid
- Program Details: MSN degree; dual focus program allows graduates to sit for the CNM and WHNP examinations; ranked second nationally among graduate midwifery programs by U.S. News and World Report
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2028
University of Washington
University of Washington, School of Nursing: Seattle, Washington
- Program Length: 6 sequential quarters with approximately 1,500 hours of clinical practice
- Format: Distance learning with classes meeting on campus three times per quarter
- Program Details: MSN degree
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2029
Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University, School of Nursing, Nashville, Tennessee
- Program Length: 53 credit hours; part-time format available
- Format: Hybrid format
- Program Details: MSN degree; multiple bridge programs available for students without a bachelor’s degree in nursing; dual nurse-midwife/family nurse practitioner program also available; ranked third in the nation among graduate midwifery programs by U.S. News and World Report
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2031
Wayne State University
Wayne State University, College of Nursing: Detroit, Michigan
- Program Length: 48 credits
- Format: Synchronous learning allows participation in live videoconferencing
- Program Details: MSN degree
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2027
Yale University
Yale University, School of Nursing: East Haven, Connecticut
- Program Length: 47.6 credit hours, 1,009 clinical hours
- Format: On-campus
- Program Details: MSN degree; offered as a dual focus nurse-midwife/women’s health nurse practitioner MSN program
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2032
Post-Graduate Certificate Programs in Nurse-Midwifery
These programs are designed for nurses who already hold a master’s degree in nursing and want to add nurse-midwifery certification to their credentials.
Baystate Medical Center
Baystate Medical Center: Springfield, Massachusetts
- Program Length: 5 semesters
- Format: Online option for students completing the MS in Midwifery through the Midwifery Institute of Philadelphia
- Program Details: Private, nonprofit, 716-bed acute-care hospital; students may complete an MS in Midwifery concurrently with the certificate
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2026
Case Western Reserve University
Case Western Reserve University, Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing: Cleveland, Ohio
- Format: Online available
- Program Details: Courses offered in non-traditional formats, including intensive, web-based, and weekend courses; with 4 additional clinical hours, students are eligible for dual certification in Women’s Health
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2031
East Carolina University
East Carolina University, School of Nursing: Greenville, North Carolina
- Format: Online available
- Program Details: Requires a master’s degree in nursing and at least one year of clinical experience as an RN
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2030
Emory University
Emory University, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing: Atlanta, Georgia
- Program Details: Each program includes coursework to establish a knowledge base and advanced practice courses
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2027
Marquette University
Marquette University, College of Nursing: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Program Length: 4 semesters
- Format: Hybrid online program
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2029
New York University
New York University, College of Nursing: New York, New York
- Program Length: 12-33 credits, 1,080 clinical hours
- Format: On-campus
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2026
Ohio State University
Ohio State University, College of Nursing: Columbus, Ohio
- Format: Majority of courses offered online
- Program Details: For practicing nurses who already have a master’s degree in nursing for advanced specialty certification
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2027
Rutgers Biomedical Health Sciences
Rutgers Biomedical Health Sciences, Rutgers School of Nursing: Newark, New Jersey
- Program Length: 30 credit hours, 630 clinical hours
- Format: Hybrid program
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2028
Seattle University
Seattle University, College of Nursing: Seattle, Washington
- Program Length: 62-65 credit hours, 690 clinical hours
- Format: On-campus
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2032
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook University, School of Nursing: Stony Brook, New York
- Program Length: Minimum of 19 credits
- Format: Online with some on-site requirements
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2028
SUNY Downstate Medical Center
SUNY Downstate Medical Center: Brooklyn, New York
- Program Length: 5 semesters
- Format: Online available
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2027
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Nursing: Lubbock, Texas
- Program Length: 33 semester credit hours
- Format: Fully online
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2029
University of California at San Francisco
University of California at San Francisco: San Francisco, California
- Program Length: Two years
- Format: On-campus
- Program Details: Also offered as CNM/WHNP program
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2031
University of Colorado Denver
University of Colorado Denver, College of Nursing: Aurora, Colorado
- Format: Online available
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2030
University of Kansas
University of Kansas School of Nursing: Kansas City, Kansas
- Program Length: 23 credit hours, 704 clinical practicum hours
- Format: Online with on-campus clinical seminars 2-5 times each semester
- Program Details: Students come to the KU Medical Center for clinical seminars during the 21-credit hour Midwifery Specialty Core
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2029
University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota, School of Nursing: Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Program Length: Three- and four-year full-time options
- Format: Web-based with on-campus seminars 2-3 times per semester
- Program Details: Ranked sixth nationally among graduate midwifery programs by U.S. News and World Report
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2028
University of New Mexico
University of New Mexico, College of Nursing: Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Program Length: 800 clinical hours and at least 15 graduate credit hours
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2027
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Program Details: Nurses who have completed a Women’s Health Care NP (WHCNP), or who are NPs in another specialty, are eligible to apply
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2028
University of Utah
University of Utah, College of Nursing: Salt Lake City, Utah
- Format: Some courses available online
- Program Details: Individualized and variable for each student
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2030
University of Washington
University of Washington, School of Nursing: Seattle, Washington
- Format: Distance learning with on-campus meetings 3 times per quarter
- Program Details: Students develop an individualized, mutually agreed upon curriculum plan with faculty
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2029
Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University, School of Nursing, Nashville, Tennessee
- Format: Hybrid format
- Program Details: Students may combine the post-grad certificate with the DNP program
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2031
Wayne State University
Wayne State University, College of Nursing: Detroit, Michigan
- Program Length: Two-semester, full-time 16-credit graduate certificate; must be earned within 3 years
- Format: Synchronous learning with live videoconferencing
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2027
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Programs in Nurse-Midwifery
These programs represent the highest level of clinical preparation for nurse-midwives, combining advanced clinical expertise with skills in systems leadership, quality improvement, and evidence-based practice.
Baylor University
Baylor University, College of Nursing: Dallas, Texas
- Program Length: 75 credits (38 credits within the program and 37 credit hours transferred from master’s work) over three years full-time
- Format: On-campus
- Program Details: Part-time study available
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2026
Oregon Health Sciences University
Oregon Health Sciences University, School of Nursing: Portland, Oregon
- Program Length: 40 credits
- Format: Online available
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2031
Rutgers Biomedical Health Sciences
Rutgers Biomedical Health Sciences, Rutgers School of Nursing: Newark, New Jersey
- Program Length: 77 credit hours, 765 clinical hours
- Format: Hybrid program
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2028
University of Illinois at Chicago
University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Nursing: Chicago, Illinois
- Program Details: Also available as a dual focus nurse-midwife/women’s health nurse practitioner DNP program
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2027
University of Kansas
University of Kansas School of Nursing: Kansas City, Kansas
- Program Length: 76 credit hours including the 21-credit nurse-midwifery core
- Format: Online with on-campus visits for clinical seminars
- Program Details: Students visit the KU Medical Center 2-5 times each semester for clinical seminars
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2029
University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota, School of Nursing: Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Program Length: Three-year full-time program
- Format: Primarily online
- Program Details: Ranked sixth nationally among graduate midwifery programs by U.S. News and World Report
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2028
University of Utah
University of Utah, College of Nursing: Salt Lake City, Utah
- Program Length: 8 semesters (dual focus: 9 semesters); full-time, three-year program
- Format: Some courses available online
- Program Details: Also offered as a dual focus nurse-midwife/women’s health nurse practitioner DNP; one of the top 10 programs in the U.S.
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2030
Wayne State University
Wayne State University, College of Nursing: Detroit, Michigan
- Program Length: BSN-to-DNP: 80-82 credits; MSN-to-DNP: 75-77 credits
- Format: Synchronous learning with live videoconferencing
- Program Details: Offered as a BSN-to-DNP and a MSN-to-DNP
- Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation through 2027
Choosing the Right CNM Program
Selecting the optimal nurse-midwifery program requires careful consideration of multiple factors:
Key Evaluation Criteria
- Accreditation Timeline: Programs with Continued Accreditation status have demonstrated sustained quality over time
- Clinical Placement Support: Investigate how programs assist with securing meaningful clinical experiences
- Learning Format: Consider whether online, hybrid, or campus-based learning aligns with your personal and professional circumstances
- AMCB Pass Rates: Request certification examination success rates from programs of interest
- Faculty Expertise: Research faculty clinical experience and academic credentials
- Program Flexibility: Evaluate part-time and full-time options based on your timeline and other commitments
- Cost Considerations: Compare tuition, fees, and available financial assistance
Questions to Ask Programs
- What is your program’s certification exam pass rate for the past 3 years?
- What types of clinical sites do students access for practicum experiences?
- What percentage of graduates secure employment within 6 months?
- What support services are available for distance learners?
- What distinguishes your program from other ACME-accredited options?
- How does the program accommodate students with family or work responsibilities?
- What financial aid options are available specifically for midwifery students?
Certification Process for Nurse-Midwives
Graduates of ACME-accredited programs follow a structured pathway to professional practice:
AMCB Certification Requirements
- Graduate from an ACME-accredited nurse-midwifery program
- Hold an active RN license
- Successfully pass the American Midwifery Certification Board examination.
- Maintain certification through continuing education and recertification every 5 years
State Licensure Process
- All states require AMCB certification for CNM licensure
- Most states authorize full practice authority for CNMs
- Some states require collaborative practice agreements with physicians
- Prescriptive authority varies by state
Professional Organizations
- American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) provides professional development resources
- American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) administers certification examinations
- Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME) oversees educational standards
Frequently Asked Questions About Nurse-Midwifery Education
What prerequisites are required for nurse-midwifery programs?
Most nurse-midwifery programs require an active RN license, a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN), and clinical experience. Some programs specify minimum GPA requirements (typically 3.0 or higher) and prerequisite statistics, health assessment, and pathophysiology coursework. Many programs also require letters of recommendation and a personal statement expressing your interest in midwifery.
How long does it take to become a Certified Nurse-Midwife?
For BSN-prepared registered nurses, master’s programs typically require 18-24 months of full-time study and approximately 600-1,000 clinical hours. Post-graduate certificate programs for nurses with an MSN may be completed in 12-15 months. DNP programs generally require 3-4 years of study. Part-time options usually extend these timeframes by 1-2 years.
What is the difference between a CNM and other midwifery credentials?
Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) are registered nurses with graduate-level midwifery education from ACME-accredited programs who have passed the AMCB certification exam. Certified Midwives (CMs) complete the same midwifery education and certification exam, but without a nursing background. Direct-Entry Midwives follow different educational pathways, including Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs), who focus primarily on out-of-hospital birth settings and follow a certification process through the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM).
How much clinical experience is required during midwifery education?
ACME-accredited programs typically require 600 – 1,000+ clinical hours under the supervision of qualified preceptors. Programs structure these experiences across various practice settings, including hospitals, birth centers, and community clinics. Clinical rotations cover the full scope of midwifery care: prenatal care, labor and birth, postpartum care, newborn care, gynecology, primary care, and family planning.
What employment settings are available for CNMs?
CNMs practice in diverse settings, including hospitals (66% of CNMs), birth centers (8%), private practices (12%), academic medical centers, federally qualified health centers, Indian Health Service facilities, and home birth practices (5%). According to ACNM data, the median full-time salary for CNMs is approximately $115,000. Some CNMs combine clinical practice with education, research, or policy work.