The MSc (Midwifery) is a full-time taught programme for midwives running over two years from the date of first registration for the programme.

With potential exit award: Postgraduate Diploma in Midwifery Studies (60 credits)

A number of modules may be offered using a blended learning approach with the majority of the content of these modules delivered in an online mode.

Entry to Year 1

Applicants for the MSc (Midwifery) should normally:

• have a minimum of an Honours primary Degree in Nursing or Midwifery or approved equivalent degree or qualification approved by the College of Medicine and Health; and
• hold professional registration as a midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland or be eligible for such registration.

Recognition of prior learning:
Applicants who have undertaken relevant studies may be exempt from particular modules at the discretion of the Head of the School of Nursing and Midwifery.

Applicants who have completed a Certificate in Nurse/Midwife Prescribing will be granted exemptions on submission of a portfolio of professional development in Nurse or Midwife Prescribing. This will be at the discretion of the Head of the School of Nursing and Midwifery.

Direct Entry to Year 2
Applicants for Direct Entry to Year 2 should normally have completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Midwifery or a Higher Diploma in Midwifery (previously titled Postgraduate Diploma in Midwifery).

Two Year Rule
Students of Midwifery must pass/progress within two academic years of first registration for each year of the programme, otherwise they cannot continue in the programme. After failing a re-sit examination, students may be allowed to repeat the year. Any individual year can be repeated only once, however, a maximum of two failed years may be repeated during a student's programme of studies. Thus, students must complete their studies ordinarily within four years of registering for the MSc (Midwifery) programme.

Students take 90 credits as follows:

Year 1 (60 credits)
NU6005 Evidence Based Practice for Healthcare Professionals (10 credits)
NU6070 Clinical Leadership in Practice Enhancement for Nursing and Midwifery (10 credits)

plus elective modules (subject to availability) to the value of 40 credits to be chosen from the following:
NU6140 Woman Centred Care (10 credits)
NU6153 Preparation for Birth and Parenthood Facilitation (10 credits)
NU6167 Maternity Critical Care (10 credits)
NU6201 Personal and Professional Portfolio (10 credits)
NU6301 Personal and Professional Development (10 credits)
NU6303 Advancing Practice for Patient Safety (10 credits)
NU6306 Clinical Leadership for Healthcare Quality Improvement (10 credits)
NU6310 Implementation of Evidence-Based Practice for Quality Improvement in Healthcare (10 credits)
NU6312 Contemporary Issues in Healthcare (10 credits)
NU6313 Digital Healthcare (10 credits)

Note: Not all modules will be offered each year. Alternatively students may take up to a maximum of 10 credits, relevant to the MSc programme with the approval of the School of Nursing and Midwifery and subject to timetabling restraints, in lieu of 10 credits above.

Year 2
MH6014 Advanced Research Methods for Healthcare Professionals (10 credits)
NU6151 Dissertation in Midwifery (20 credits)

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2020/2021 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2020/2021.

Exit Award: Postgraduate Diploma in Midwifery Studies (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
Upon successful completion and passing Year 1 modules to the value of 60 credits students may exit the programme with a Postgraduate Diploma in Midwifery Studies.
A student who subsequently wishes to continue progression for the degree of Master must complete the programme within 5 academic years from the date of successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma Examinations, subject to the programme being available.

Programme Learning Outcomes for MSc Midwifery (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Practise with greater insight of the research-base, ethical, socio-political and professional underpinnings of midwifery and health care in Ireland;
• Exercise enhanced personal and professional competence through accountability and autonomy in midwifery practice;
• Demonstrate higher levels of judgement in the practice of midwifery through the generation of midwifery knowledge for innovative, research based midwifery practice;
• Act as innovators and leaders and contribute to practice development in midwifery;
• Demonstrate vision of professional practice that can be developed beyond scope of practice;
• Demonstrate critical inquiry, research evaluation and synthesis skills to the study of a discrete area of professional practice.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Diploma in Midwifery Studies (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of these programme pathways, students should be able to:

• Exercise enhanced personal and professional competence through accountability and autonomy in midwifery practice;
• Critically reflect on the process of enhancing the contribution of midwifery to the delivery of woman centred maternity care;
• Systematically and critically review research evidence as applied to an area of professional practice;
• Critically reflect on how practitioners engage with evidence based practice.