Philosophy and Mission

MISSION
The mission of the Midwifery Institute at Philadelphia University is to offer quality educational preparation of midwives who will advance the profession of midwifery for the betterment of the health of women and their families.

PHILOSOPHY
The staff and faculty of the Midwifery Institute at Philadelphia University believe:

  • Midwifery care is the exemplary health care standard for all women.
  • Midwifery education models midwifery practice.
  • On line learning provides user friendly access to quality midwifery education.
  • It is desirable to educate students who reflect the racial, ethnic and cultural diversity of our country.
  • Learning is individualized through use of a wide variety of teaching/learning methodologies.
  • Master’s preparation for midwifery practice and research is optimum in the United States for the 21st century’s increasingly complex health care environment.
  • It is important for midwifery students and practicing midwives to pursue advanced education with a discipline specific focus in midwifery.

STRUCTURE OF THE ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
The Midwifery Institute ascribes to a modified mastery learning approach. This means that we believe each student can successfully master the learning objectives set before them.  This approach is modified to accommodate the time limits set by our term calendar. Students are expected to begin and complete a course within a specified time frame. On-line courses are delivered via Blackboard. 

Most course work is completed in an asynchronous format and requires students to contribute to course discussion via asynchronous on-line discussion rooms.  Asynchronous learning activities such as papers and case studies are submitted through Blackboard.  Mastery sessions are synchronous course sessions often held after several units have been explored individually and in the course seminar room, typically before exams, though they can be held solely as a learning experience and not as an exam review.  These are not lectures.  These are a time for faculty guided discussion of issues brought by students to the discussion. Attendance is strongly encouraged, but is not required for Mastery sessions.

Problem Based Learning (PBL) synchronous on-line tutorial groups are threaded throughout the midwifery curriculum in selected courses with a CMW prefix.  This educational modality is introduced during orientation. PBL is small group, student centered education that uses real life scenarios as a stimulus to learn how to approach discipline-specific issues. PBL is designed to facilitate the development of critical thinking skills, team building communication skills, and professional behaviors in the beginning practitioner. To facilitate real-time discussion among members of the PBL tutorial group, the scenario is introduced, learning issues are identified, students individually investigate the learning issues, and findings are discussed at the next PBL session.  Adobe Connect Pro is the computer platform for real-time discussion of midwifery based clinical scenarios. These synchronous discussions will be scheduled prior to the start of each semester.  Students are required to be present.

COURSE TUTORS
The role of the tutor at The Midwifery Institute at Philadelphia University is the foundation of our model for midwifery education. The Midwife Tutor model mimics the midwifery model of care for women: students are treated with respect as individuals, with a personalized approach that encompasses involvement in all aspects of the educational processes of advising, evaluation and supervision.

The Midwife Tutor’s primary focus is the facilitation of learning. This facilitation of the learning process is similar to the midwife’s role during labor. Both roles require the ability to challenge, assess, confront, encourage, provide feedback, assist, listen and problem solve. The challenge of distance education is to facilitate learning at a distance, where students and faculty share the responsibility for life long learning.

We are fortunate to have a diverse, experienced faculty in both midwifery education and clinical practice. We believe in lifelong learning and continue to be partners in the growth and development of ourselves, our students and the profession of midwifery.

It is wonderful to be able to continually renew our vision of midwifery and midwifery education through the minds, hands and hearts of the students and faculty of the Midwifery Institute at Philadelphia University. With the advances and advantages of on line learning, adult learners are able to reach their professional goals without losing any of the personal connectedness of midwifery education.