Degree Programme in Midwifery

Key learning outcomes

In your Bachelor of Health Care studies in the Degree Programme in Midwifery you will be profiled in the promotion of sexual and reproductive health. After your graduation you will also be qualified to work as a nurse. During the degree programme, you will gain extensive competence in nursing and midwifery, in which health promotion and clinical competence as well as digital and information security skills needed in midwifery are emphasised. In your studies you can develop your professional competence in midwifery from the perspectives of internationalisation, multiculturalism and sustainable development. You will have an opportunity to learn innovation and project skills in working life-orientated studies.

Education content and professional growth and know-how

The Degree Programme in Midwifery combines the Bachelor of Health Care, Degree Programme in Midwifery and Bachelor of Health Care, Degree Programme in Nursing degrees. The contents of the studies in the Degree Programme in Midwifery are based on nursing science and the disciplines that support it, including naturopathy and medical science as well as social and behavioural sciences.

Approximately one half of your studies will consist of practical training that will promote your vocational skills in social welfare and health care services, projects and Jamk’s simulation environments. You can also develop your competence by completing theoretical studies and/or practical training abroad, either in English or in other languages you know. Some of the studies included in the degree will be completed in English.

During the first three years, you will acquire the competence required for the Bachelor of Health Care, Degree Programme in Nursing degree. In the first year, you will develop your basic skills in nursing. In the second and third year, you will learn about the different areas of nursing while strengthening your theoretical and clinical nursing competence, decision-making skills, and guidance and teaching skills.

Your studies in the Degree Programme in Nursing will include a bachelor's thesis, which is a research, development or innovation project that responds to workplace development needs.

In the final 18 months to two years of your studies, you will advance your vocational competence in midwifery, which includes professional action in midwifery, client relationships in midwifery, promotion of and clinical expertise in sexual and reproductive health as well as developing midwifery.

Flexible studies

You can choose your alternative or elective studies from EduJyväskylä partner institutions (University of Jyväskylä and Gradia) and international studies from European EUDRES higher education institutions. You can also choose from Finnish and foreign partner universities, such as other universities of applied sciences and universities. You can apply for accreditation of higher education studies that you have completed elsewhere.

Working life oriented learning

Working life orientated learning will be part of your Bachelor's studies throughout the degree programme, including practical training that promotes vocational skills, a thesis and various working life projects. At Jamk, the operating model for working life-orientated and student-centric learning is Jamk Future Factory®. It brings together business actors, students, Jamk specialists and working life orientated learning environments. In addition to multidisciplinary and working life oriented project studies, it offers the opportunity to develop your future working life skills, career path and working life networks.

Studification of work is an opportunity for working life-orientated learning, which means combining work, project studies, and Jamk Future Factory® or similar activities with your studies. You will draw up a studification plan and document it as agreed with your teacher.

Career opportunities and employment

As a midwife, you can find employment in various roles as a nurse or midwife in the private and the public sector as well as in NGOs. For example, Bachelors of Health Care, Degree Programme in Midwifery work in birthing units, maternity inpatient wards, gynaecological outpatient clinics and wards, as well as at maternity and family planning clinics. You will also have good capabilities for working as a midwife in international tasks.

A Bachelor of Health Care graduate from the Degree Programme in Midwifery can also work as an entrepreneur.

Qualifications

The occupational titles of midwife (bachelor’s degree) and nurse (bachelor’s degree) can only be used and the professions practised by a graduated registered midwife (bachelor’s degree) and registered nurse (bachelor’s degree). The degree programme in midwifery (bachelor’s degree) includes the degree programme in nursing (bachelor’s degree) (Health Care Professionals Act 559/1994, Section 5: dual registration). The National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (VALVIRA) registers a person having completed the degree programme in midwifery (bachelor’s degree) as both a nurse and midwife health care professional. As a licensed midwife, you can independently carry out regular post-natal examinations as laid down in the Health Insurance Act (437/2010) and the associated Government decree (No 1090/2010).

The degree programme in midwifery (bachelor’s degree) meets the requirements set for the education in the Health Care Professionals Act (559/1994) and Decree (564/1994) as well as in the directive (2005/36/EC) / (2013/55/EU) of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Recognition of Professional Qualifications.

Further studies

You may, after graduating and gaining at least two years of work experience, apply for a master's degree level education. You can continue your studies by applying for e.g. Master's degree programmes in universities, vocational teacher education or Master's degree programmes abroad. The university of applied sciences offers opportunities for competence development in various institutes, such as the open university of applied sciences, specialisation training and work-oriented continuing education.

Education planning

The curriculum was prepared in cooperation with students, alumni and working life representatives. Both the findings of a periodic evaluation of degree-awarding education and AVOP feedback have been drawn on in the preparation of the curriculum. Curriculum development included examination of future competence needs together with stakeholders and benchmarking the curricula of degree programmes in midwifery at other universities of applied sciences.

Contact Information

Tiainen Elina
Senior Lecturer, Health Studies
+358400989451
firstname.lastname@jamk.fi