The following courses are offered in a distance-learning, online format as part of the Certificate in Holistic Midwifery program. Non-matriculating students who meet course prerequisites are welcome to enroll when space is available. Cost $160 per credit hour.
LPD 0101 Introduction to Leadership (2 credits). Students will learn about different leadership styles and will consider personal challenges and competencies and how skills such as reflection, critical thinking, goal setting, time management, physical fitness, and stress management relate to leadership. Prerequisite: None. Offered: Summer/Winter.
LPD 0202 How to Establish a Successful Apprenticeship (2 credits). Students will establish clear goals and benchmarks for apprenticeship, research midwifery regulations where they live, and take the necessary steps to establish a preceptor relationship that is mutually beneficial and long lasting. This course is designed to develop critical thinking and analytical abilities, build confidence, and ensure that apprentices have a safe place to ask questions and benefit from ongoing peer support. Based on a participatory, active learning approach, with an emphasis on self-awareness and leadership development. Prerequisite: LPD 0101. Offered: Spring/Fall.
LPD 0302 Interpersonal Communication for Midwives (2 credits). Students will build upon basic understanding of leadership by learning specific skills for successful interpersonal communication, including: personal integrity, accountability, active listening, non-violent communication, conflict resolution, coaching and feedback, and strategic questioning. Based on a participatory, active learning approach, with an emphasis on self-awareness and leadership development. Prerequisite: LPD 0101. Offered: Summer/Winter.
LPD 0402 Culture & Diversity for Midwives (2 credits). Students will learn about cultural humility and examine similarities and differences within, among, and between groups of people with whom others interact in their professional, personal, public, and private lives. Students are encouraged to be self‑reflective, with an emphasis on critical analysis and adjustment of perceptions, behaviors, and styles which allow for effective interaction with people from different ethnic, racial, sexual, gender, class groups. Based on a participatory, active learning approach, with an emphasis on self-awareness and leadership development. Prerequisite: LPD 0101. Offered: Spring/Fall.
LPD 0502 Client-Caregiver Relationships (2 credits). Students will examine challenges in the client-caregiver relationship and develop skills for improving trust and communication, including informed consent, client advocacy, and methods for supporting parents when there are unexpected birth outcomes such as miscarriage, stillbirth, and Caesarean birth. Based on a participatory, active learning approach, with an emphasis on self-awareness and leadership development. Prerequisite: LPD 0101. Offered Summer/Winter.
LPD 0602 Professional Development for Midwives (2 credits). Provides an overview of the professional and legal issues related to establishing and maintaining a practice, including: business management and bookkeeping, informed consent, malpractice, record keeping, insurance, professional autonomy, and the expanding role of midwifery within the health care system. Based on a participatory, active learning approach, with an emphasis on self-awareness and leadership development. Prerequisite: LPD 0101. Offered: Spring/Fall.
LPD 0702 Self-Care for Midwives (2 credits). Students will explore self-help techniques, personal wellness, and mindfulness practices to decrease the likelihood of burnout and cope with grief-related distress. Based on a participatory, active learning approach, with an emphasis on self-awareness and leadership development. Prerequisite: LPD 0101. Offered Summer/Winter.
LPD 0802 Global Maternal Health (2 credits). Students will examine how difference, power, and privilege intersect to produce documented disparities in maternal-child health outcomes and practices worldwide. Student will research historical and current sociopolitical frameworks that contribute to such disparities and will discuss culturally competent care and the actualization of anti-oppression midwifery professional practices – in commitment to equity in maternal-child health for all childbearing families. Based on a participatory, active learning approach, with an emphasis on self-awareness and leadership development. Prerequisite: LPD 0101. Offered: Spring/Fall.
LPD 0903 Research Project (8 credits). Students will spend 48 weeks (4 sequential quarters) learning about health research and conducting an independent research project. This course is based on a participatory, active learning approach, with an emphasis on peer-to-peer learning. Prerequisite: Completion of 80 credit hours of previous coursework, and at least the following clinical experience: 20 births as active participant and 75 prenatal exams as a primary midwife under supervision, including 20 initial exams.
LPD 0903-1 Methods: Students will learn how to locate, understand, and evaluate research literature; will identify a personal research topic related to complementary and alternative medicine applications within the field of midwifery; and will develop a plan for conducting an independent research project, including research evaluation and presentation. Offered: Summer/Winter.
LPD 0903-2 Ethics: Students will examine ethical and political issues related to clinical studies of women and birth and how results are applied to maternity care. Reading, reflection assignments, group meetings, and lectures will support applied critical thinking using independent research projects as a case study. Offered: Spring/Fall.
LPD 0903-3 Writing: Students will survey techniques for organizing and sharing research findings, including: formulating research topics, developing effective arguments, and the role of evidence in persuasive writing. By the end of the course, students will submit an 8-10 page paper summarizing the results of their independent research project. Offered: Summer/Winter.
LPD 0903-4 Public Speaking: Students will prepare and deliver the findings from their research project within a public setting and group discussion. Emphasis is on preparation and delivery of well-organized, informative, and persuasive presentations. Upon completion, students should be able to speak publically and participate in group discussion with appropriate audiovisual support. Offered: Spring/Fall.