PROGRAMS
Choose Your Path
Your journey to midwifery begins with finding the program that best aligns with your purpose and needs. At CCSM, we’ve structured our racially congruent and culturally sensitive programs to be rigorous in nature so our students are prepared to become leaders in the maternal health field, as well as in their communities. All of CCSM’s programs are built and founded on The JJ Way® four tenants; Access, Connection, Knowledge, and Empowerment.
We offer hybrid versions of our direct-entry midwifery program, as well as an endorsement program for individuals who have obtained out-of-state or foreign midwifery certification, or obstetrics degrees, and wish to practice in Florida. We encourage our interested students to read over our program descriptions and prerequisites, to see if Commonsense Childbirth School of Midwifery is the right choice for you.
Congratulations on starting your midwifery journey, and we’re excited to have you here!
Programs
CCSM is proud to offer the following programs to meet the needs of aspiring midwives.
Become a Midwife in the United States
Hybrid Direct Entry Midwifery Program
The Hybrid Direct-Entry Midwifery program is adapted to suit the needs of aspiring midwives across the United States. Our hybrid students will attend their academic courses virtually, with clinical lab courses on campus during once-a-trimester workshops, and participate in a clinical externship in their local community.
Already a Doctor or a Foreign-Trained Midwife? Get your Florida Midwifery License
Licensure by Endorsement Program
The Licensure by Endorsement Program is designed to prepare experienced foreign-trained midwives or doctors, as well as registered or licensed midwives from other states, for careers as Florida Licensed Midwives. The program focuses on the art of out-of-hospital birth, equipping students with the knowledge and skills necessary to be a safe independent practitioner, in Florida. Course work is both academic and clinical, with a strong emphasis on the laws and rules that govern practice as a Florida Licensed Midwife. The Licensure by Endorsement Curriculum consists of 24 credits over a minimum of four months.
I was able to start my own midwifery clinic
I had a great experience at Commonsense Childbirth School of Midwifery. The school gave me a good foundation and I was able to start my own midwifery clinic as soon as I got my license. I had excellent teachers during my three years of school and had the opportunity to learn and prepare myself for the work I’m doing now.
A valuable opportunity to learn
Studying in CCSM was a valuable opportunity to learn about the difference between an OB/GYN and a midwife, and the laws and rules of Florida. That gave me the possibility to work quickly and be confident with the midwifery… Read more “A valuable opportunity to learn”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Please find some answers to some of our commonly asked questions.
What is Commonsense Childbirth Inc?
Commonsense Childbirth Inc. is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization founded by Jennie Joseph in 1998. Jennie Joseph has dedicated her life to helping birthing people and families have better birth experiences. Over the years, Jennie’s work has grown beyond the birth room, from the opening of her own midwifery school, to her national and international advocacy on the positive outcomes of the midwifery model of care. Jennie Joseph started Commonsense Childbirth Inc to directly combat, advocate, and provide change for the maternal mortality rate and inequitable maternal care in minority and disenfranchised populations in the United States.
Do you offer an online three-year direct-entry program?
Although we do offer a hybrid version of our Direct-Entry Midwifery program, it is not completely an online program. The Hybrid Direct-Entry Midwifery program has live class sessions that students attend once a week, on-site time at a clinical externship in their local area, and once a trimester in-person travel to the school for clinical lab workshops. Since the weekly classes are held online through live sessions, much of your coursework can be done online from the comfort of your home, which provides students ample time to participate in their clinical externship throughout the week.
What is the difference between the programs?
The Hybrid Direct-Entry Midwifery program is designed to meet the educational needs of aspiring midwives across the United States, with no prior midwifery, nursing, or medical training. The Hybrid program follows the same Midwifery Core Curriculum as our In-Person Direct-Entry Midwifery program but adapted to be hosted primarily online, with preceptorships in your local area.
The Licensure by Endorsement program is designed to prepare experienced foreign-trained midwives or doctors, as well as registered or licensed midwives from other states for careers as Florida Licensed Midwives. This program is facilitated online, with the preceptorship in Florida.
If you are an LPN or RN, please read the next FAQ 'I am a registered nurse' for more information about how your prior education and experience can be applied to our Direct-Entry Midwifery program.
Are there any states that do not accept midwifery students?
Yes, New York and North Carolina. This is because the states do not allow CPM student midwives to complete their clinical requirements as CPM licensure is not legalized in those states.
Does CCSM allow international students to study overseas?
Unfortunately we do not at this time due to a lack of accreditation.
Can I transfer into CCSM? What's the first step in transferring?
If you are interested in transferring to our school, please reach out to us at admissions@commonsensemidwifery.org to see if we have openings in our programs. Transfer students are required to apply to our program and complete a transcript evaluation. If you would like to get a head start on the process you can please complete the same Transcript Evaluation Request Form, pay the applicable transcript evaluation fee, provide a copy of your course catalog(s), and send an official transcript along with your initial email.
Can I use CCSM’s Licensure by Endorsement to get licensed in a different state than Florida?
Licensure in each state is unique to their state rules and regulations, so our Licensure by Endorsement program is not transferable to a different state than Florida. However, Florida licensure can open the pathway to licensure in other states, so please reach out to us to discuss your specific situation.
How much do your programs cost?
Our Direct-Entry Program’s tuition is $27,000 and our Licensure by Endorsement Program’s tuition is $6,000. We offer a payment plan to help spread the cost of education, as well as scholarship opportunities to our students. Click here to learn more about financing the midwifery school.
Where can I complete my prerequisites?
While we do not require that our prerequisites be completed at these institutes, these are just some suggestions where you can meet our prerequisites:
- Doula Certification - Commonsense Childbirth Institute
- Lactation Educator Training - Commonsense Childbirth Institute
- Childbirth Educator Training - Commonsense Childbirth Institute
- College-level Math Course - StraighterLine.com
- College-level English Course - StraighterLine.com
- College-level Anatomy & Physiology 1 and 2 Courses - Commonsense Childbirth Institute
- HIV/AIDS 4-hour Course - North American Learning Institute
- CPR Certification - American Red Cross
- NRP Certification - Birth Emergency Skills Training
If you have any questions about whether or not your previous experience will meet our prerequisites, feel free to ask us!
Do you have a scholarship program?
Yes, we do! Please Click here to learn more about our scholarship opportunities.
Do you accept FASFA or GI Bills?
We do not currently accept FAFSA or FL Prepaid at this time. While this is an eventual goal for our school, we do not know when exactly we will be able to provide this as an option for our students. CCSM is currently in the process of applying to accept GI Bills. To stay up to date on our financial aid options, feel free to sign up for our interested student mailing list.
How does the Transcript Evaluation work?
If you are applying to our school and are interested in determining if some of your previous education could be applied as for credit, all you need to do is complete this Transcript Evaluation Request Form and pay the applicable transcript evaluation fee (see below for the link to pay via Paypal). You will need to gather a copy of your course catalog(s), as well as have an official transcript. Once you’ve complete those steps, please email everything to admissions@commonsensemidwifery.org.
Please note, transcript evaluations are not required for our college-level prerequisites, just your official transcript(s) submitted with your application.
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Can you help me find a preceptor?
CCSM has strong relationships with midwives across Florida and continues to establish new midwife relationships across the nation. Although we cannot guarantee placement with a preceptor from our faculty, we pride ourselves on assisting students with their placements. Our preceptors practice in a variety of settings, which allow students to explore the type of midwifery practice they would like to establish upon graduation.
I am a registered nurse, will any of my prior learning count toward your direct-entry program?
Florida Statute 467.009 allows students with previous nursing or midwifery education to be applied to our program but does not allow for training to be reduced to a period of fewer than 2 years. All interested students have the ability to request a transcript evaluation and consultation to discuss how their unique educational experience can be applied towards their midwifery education and training. We encourage our students to review our catalog and handbook, to compare your previous experiences with our curriculum. Feel free to reach out to us.
I have been trained as a midwife but I am not registered or licensed. Can I still enroll in the Licensure by Endorsement Program?
Florida law requires registration or licensure to qualify for Licensure by Endorsement and therefore interested students must have one or the other to apply. If you are not registered or licensed as a midwife, please contact us to find out what other options are available to you.
What can I do to prepare for midwifery school while I wait for the next program start date?
While waiting for CCSM’s next direct-entry cohort, there is plenty to do to better prepare you for your midwifery journey. Below are some suggestions on how to prepare for midwifery school:
- Complete our prerequisites via our partner CCI Training - please reference the program pages for a full list of our prerequisites
- Apply for jobs in the birth field, such as;
- Birth Assistant
- Doula
- Lactation Educator or Peer Counselor
- Childbirth Educator
- Research midwifery books and podcasts
- Join our interested student list, so you can stay up to date with CCSM
Curious to learn more about how our programs can prepare you?
At CCSM, our curriculums meet all the academic and clinical requirements specified in Florida Statute 467 the Midwifery Practice Act. Our core competencies identify the essential knowledge base required of an entry-level midwife, so you're prepared for job opportunities.
Graduates from our Direct-Entry Midwifery Programs will graduate with a Diploma in Midwifery and will be eligible to sit for the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) exam. Graduates from our Licensure by Endorsement Program will be awarded a Certification of Completion, and will also be eligible to sit for the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) exam. The NARM exam is the National certifying exam for the midwifery profession and is used as the licensure exam in Florida.
All CCSM graduates must pass the NARM Exam, and be granted licensure by the Council of Licensed Midwifery before they may work as a midwife in the State of Florida. If you're located out of state, we want to ensure CCSM meets your state's midwifery needs. You can research your state's specific requirements here.
If you are eager to learn more, we encourage you to read through our catalog and student handbook.
Why Choose Commonsense Childbirth School of Midwifery?
Dedication to Diversity
CCSM believes that exposure to diversity will best prepare our students to serve all birthing people and families. Because of our strong commitment to equity and social justice, the school promotes non-discrimination in all its facets.
Unrivaled Educational Philosophy
We are dedicated to educating student midwives in the ancient art and modern science of midwifery practice. We believe that any student wanting to reach their goal will be able to benefit from the education CCSM offers.
MEAC Accredited
Our hybrid Direct-Entry Midwifery program at Commonsense Childbirth School of Midwifery was granted accreditation by the Midwifery Education Accreditation Council (MEAC) on July 8, 2020. Our Licensure by Endorsement program is not accredited by MEAC.
Over 40 Years Experience
Commonsense Childbirth School of Midwifery founder Jennie Joseph brings over 40 years experience with the results to match.
My time at CCSM was something I will never forget
I attended CCSM from 2015 to 2018. It was one of the hardest and best things I’ve ever done. I appreciate the realistic expectations that were given at the orientation and the caution to only pursue this career if it was a calling on my life. My time at CCSM was something I will never forget and will always be thankful for. Jennie Joseph’s vision for quality and equitable care is so tangible and contagious. It is my goal in my practice to follow the methods of the JJWay. The schoolwork was challenging and the instructors were knowledgeable and approachable. When I graduated in the Summer of 2018, I felt confident and prepared as a midwife. Years later, I still reference the things I learned in school. I highly recommend CCSM to any potential midwife looking for a school.