The Licensed Midwifery curriculum prepares graduates to work in direct patient care settings as Licensed Certified Professional Midwives (LCPMs). LCPMs work in the community to independently provide comprehensive prenatal care, attend births at home and in birth centers, and provide postpartum and newborn care in a system which allows for collaboration with and referral to affiliated health care providers. Clinical education is provided at cooperating birth centers, health facilities, and in private homebirth practices. Students entering clinical Internships will be required to provide a criminal background check and drug screening test before or during each rotation. Upon completion of the program students must sit for and pass the North American Registry of Midwives exam in order to be licensed and practice in the field. Primary employment opportunities for LCPMs include birth centers and private midwifery practices. LCPMs may also be employed by state or federal government agencies and by health organizations for provision of care in the community, including health education, prenatal and/or postpartum home visitation, STI testing, nutritional counseling for the childbearing year, lactation counseling, newborn/infant assessment in the community, and postpartum depression assessment.

Program Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
General Education Courses
ENGLISH 101	Composition 1	3
BIOLOGY 121	Biology I 1	5
MATH 118	General Education Math (Recommended MATH 125) 1	4
SOC 203	Sociology of Families and Intimate Relationships	3
SOC 241	Institutional Racism	3
Required Program Core
BIOLOGY 226	Human Structure and Function I	4
BIOLOGY 227	Human Structure and Function II	4
MDW 101	Midwifery Fundamentals & Skills Lab	3
MDW 102	Microbiology for Midwives	1
MDW 103	Intro to Midwifery: History, Ethics, & Practice	2
MDW 104	Public Health for Midwives	1
MDW 105	Physical Health Assessment	2
MDW 106	Nutrition for the Childbearing Year	2
MDW 201	Antepartum + AP Lab	4
MDW 202	Intrapartum	4
MDW 203	Postpartum	2
MDW 204	Newborn with Lab	1
MDW 205	Well Woman Gyn with Lab	3
MDW 206	Pharmacology for Midwives	3
MDW 221	Professional Issues in Midwifery	2
MDW 222	Midwifery Research	1
MDW 223	Midwifery Clinic Lab	1
Required Work-Based Learning Courses
MDW 110	Practicum 1 – Birth Observations	1
MDW 120	Practicum 2 – Midwifery Assistant Phase I	2
MDW 210	Practicum 4 - Midwifery Primary Phase I	3
MDW 130	Practicum 3 – Midwifery Assistant Phase II	2
MDW 220	Practicum 5 Midwifery Primary Phase II	3
MDW 230	Practicum 6 - Continuity Of Care	3
Total Hours		72

¹

Program prerequisite

Pathway

This is an example course sequence for students interested in pursuing the Associate in Applied Science in Licensed Certified Professional Midwifery. This does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability.

Semester-by-Semester Program Plan for Full-Time Students

All plans can be modified to fit the needs of part-time students by adding more semesters.

Plan of Study Grid

Semester 1		Hours
ENGLISH 101	Composition 1	3
BIOLOGY 121	Biology I 1	5
MATH 118	General Education Math (Recommended MATH 125) 1	4
	Hours	12
Semester 2
BIOLOGY 226	Human Structure and Function I	4
SOC 203	Sociology of Families and Intimate Relationships	3
MDW 101	Midwifery Fundamentals & Skills Lab	3
MDW 102	Microbiology for Midwives	1
MDW 110	Practicum 1 – Birth Observations	1
	Hours	12
Semester 3
BIOLOGY 227	Human Structure and Function II	4
SOC 241	Institutional Racism	3
MDW 103	Intro to Midwifery: History, Ethics, & Practice	2
MDW 104	Public Health for Midwives	1
MDW 120	Practicum 2 – Midwifery Assistant Phase I	2
	Hours	12
Semester 4
MDW 105	Physical Health Assessment	2
MDW 106	Nutrition for the Childbearing Year	2
MDW 130	Practicum 3 – Midwifery Assistant Phase II	2
	Hours	6
Semester 5
MDW 201	Antepartum + AP Lab	4
MDW 202	Intrapartum	4
MDW 210	Practicum 4 - Midwifery Primary Phase I	3
MDW 222	Midwifery Research	1
	Hours	12
Semester 6
MDW 203	Postpartum	2
MDW 204	Newborn with Lab	1
MDW 205	Well Woman Gyn with Lab	3
MDW 206	Pharmacology for Midwives	3
MDW 220	Practicum 5 Midwifery Primary Phase II	3
	Hours	12
Semester 7
MDW 221	Professional Issues in Midwifery	2
MDW 223	Midwifery Clinic Lab	1
MDW 230	Practicum 6 - Continuity Of Care	3
	Hours	6
	Total Hours	72

¹

Program prerequisite

Choose your courses with your College Advisor.

Program Admission Requirements

The Licensed Certified Professional Midwifery (LCPM) Program at Kennedy-King College establishes admissions requirements that are both rigorous and equity-driven, ensuring alignment with Midwifery Education Accreditation Council (MEAC) standards. Applicants must hold a high school diploma or GED and demonstrate academic readiness through prerequisite coursework in Biology I, Gen Ed Math, and English composition. In addition to academic preparation, candidates submit a personal statement, resume or CV, and two letters of recommendation, and complete an admissions interview to assess communication skills and professional readiness.

The program employs a holistic admissions process that values both academic achievement and community-based experience, such as doula practice, public health work, or grassroots birth support. Applicants from historically underrepresented groups in healthcare are strongly encouraged to apply, reflecting the program’s mission to advance maternal and child health equity. By combining MEAC-compliant standards with community-centered recruitment, the LCPM program ensures a diverse pipeline of midwives prepared to meet the urgent maternal health needs of Chicago’s South Side and beyond.

Admissions Requirements

1. General Admission to Kennedy-King College
   • High school diploma or GED equivalent.
   • Completion of the City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) admissions application.
   • Submission of official transcripts from all prior institutions.
2. Academic Prerequisites
   • Successful completion (grade C or higher) of the following courses:
     • English 101: Composition
     • Biology 121: Biology I
     • Math 118: Gen Ed Math (or higher)
   • Recommended: prior coursework in health sciences, social sciences, or public health.
3. Program-Specific Application Materials
   • Personal statement describing professional goals, interest in midwifery, and commitment to health equity.
   • Current resume or curriculum vitae (CV).
   • Two letters of recommendation (academic, professional, or community-based).
4. Interview Requirement
   • Admissions interview with program faculty/staff to assess readiness, communication skills, and alignment with program mission.
5. Clinical Readiness
   • Proof of required immunizations in compliance with clinical site guidelines.
   • Background check and drug screening as required by City Colleges of Chicago and clinical partners.
6. Equity and Access
   • Holistic admissions review considers both academic achievement and community-based experience in birth work, doula practice, or public health.
   • Applicants from historically underrepresented groups in healthcare are strongly encouraged to apply.
7. Upon Admission
   • Mandatory attendance at program orientation.

Completion of bridge/refresher courses in writing, mathematics, or science if recommended by faculty.