Education

Curriculum design of midwifery programmes

These standards and requirements set out the educational standards and requirements for approval of the curriculum design for undergraduate midwife registration programmes.

Curriculum design and development

The curriculum design and development should reflect current evidence-based education theory and health care practice. The curriculum model chosen should be dynamic and flexible to allow for changes in midwifery practice, the delivery of maternity services and the continued development of evidence-based practice.

  1. All statutory and regulatory requirements of the NMBI and European Directives are met.
  2. The programme of study is designed as a Level 8 Honours Bachelor’s level on the National Framework of Qualifications.
  3. The programme of study makes the safety of the woman and her baby and the protection of the public an integral, explicit and continuing component within the curriculum.
  4. The curriculum design and development team is led by midwife lecturers and is guided by current educational theory, professional midwifery knowledge and health care practices that are evidence based.
  5. The curriculum development team comprises representatives of key stakeholders in midwifery education and midwifery practice, and includes input from users of maternity services and midwifery students.
  6. The curriculum is strategically planned to demonstrate balanced distribution and integration of theory and practice to achieve the learning outcomes as stated by NMBI.
  7. The curriculum utilises a range of teaching, learning and assessment strategies to facilitate the development of knowledgeable, competent, reflective midwife practitioners, who are equipped with skills for problem solving, critical analysis, self-directed and life-long learning.
  8. The curriculum design reflects various methods of learning and teaching, and provides a balance between workshops, small group interactions, demonstrations, enquiry-based learning, practical work, lectures, tutorials, and self-directed learning.
  9. The module descriptors identify the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System credits (ECTS), aims, learning outcomes, indicative content, student contact hours, student effort/self-directed learning hours and assessment strategies.
  10. The curriculum articulates opportunities for intentional, shared, interdisciplinary learning that is designed to enhance collaborative practice with other health professionals.
  11. The curriculum articulates how the student is facilitated to achieve the expected learning outcomes of the programme.
  12. The curriculum includes the assessment strategies in relation to the measurement of theoretical and clinical learning outcomes, and includes practice-based assessments.
  13. Opportunities for midwifery students to experience a clinical placement in another system of midwifery care within or outside of the European Union may be provided for a maximum period of thirteen weeks which includes orientation. Clinical placements must be based in institutions approved by the competent authority of the host country, and an agreed memorandum of understanding must be in place with the HEI. Placements must meet identified educational outcomes, and necessary support structures must be assured to the NMBI by the HEI. Criteria and mechanisms for students to avail of this opportunity are explicit.


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