Format
3 required courses (456 total hours)
- Canadian Midwifery Practice Foundations (36 hours over 6 weeks)
- In-Person Theory, Lab and Simulation Intensive (120 hours over 4 weeks)
- Midwifery Clinical Integration Practicum (300 hours over a minimum of 12 weeks)
Delivery
Blended (Online Synchronous, Classroom/Simulation Lab, and Supervised Practicum) | Learn more
Duration
6 months (Full-time)
Cost
$10,000 (Total program tuition)
Build on your international midwifery education and experience and prepare for the Canadian midwifery practice environment.
The Internationally Educated Midwives Bridging Program at Mount Royal University Continuing Education is designed for internationally educated midwives who require structured orientation, skills assessment, theory review, lab-based practice, and supervised clinical experience in the Albertan and Canadian midwifery context. The program supports learners in strengthening their readiness for safe, ethical, culturally responsive, evidence-informed midwifery practice in Alberta.
Highlights and benefits
Build on your experience | Apply your international education and professional experience while developing knowledge and skills relevant to Canadian practice.
Understand the Canadian practice context | Gain an understanding of Canadian health-care systems, professional standards, legislation, scope of practice, and the Canadian model of midwifery care.
Strengthen clinical skills | Develop and practise clinical knowledge and skills through simulation and other experiential learning opportunities.
Benefit from supervised clinical experience | Apply your learning in a supervised clinical environment and become familiar with the expectations and practices of midwifery care in Canada.
Apply evidence-informed practice | Develop your ability to apply current evidence, professional standards, and best practices to midwifery care.
Support your professional pathway | Prepare for the next steps in your professional registration pathway by addressing gaps between your previous education and experience and Canadian midwifery practice requirements.
Program requirements
- Candidates are responsible for tuition, examination and certification fees; travel and accommodation expenses in Calgary, and during placements, which may take place in rural communities in Alberta.
- The IEMBP is a full-time program and participants are most likely not able to work during the program due moving for placements, full-time course load, and being on call alongside preceptor midwives.
Admission requirements
Applicants must meet the following eligibility, language proficiency, education and professional experience requirements.
Eligibility and residency
Applicants must be:
- a Canadian citizen or permanent resident (PR).
- physically present in the province of Alberta for a minimum of five months.
- available in Alberta for clinical and written exams as required.
- a Midwife
English language proficiency
Applicants must provide proof of English language proficiency through an English language test completed within the past two years. Accepted options include:
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic, with a minimum score of 7 in each category.
- Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL-iBT) with a minimum total score of 95.
- An alternative approved by the Admission Team
Midwifery education and credentials
Applicants must provide proof of graduation from a recognized midwifery education program. The program must have been delivered by an accredited educational institution and meet the following criteria:
- A minimum of 2,400 clinical hours.
- A minimum of 850 academic hours.
- A minimum of 18 months of midwifery education, or 1 year of post-nursing midwifery education.
- Evidence of both theoretical and clinical studies, with clearly defined competencies and outcomes.
- An educational framework that enables students to link theory to practice.
- Supervised clinical practice that integrates theory into midwifery practice.
- Education and clinical experience covering antenatal and intrapartum care; postpartum and newborn care to at least 28 days; and the fundamentals of safe, evidence-based midwifery care.
- Applicants must also submit an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from World Education Services (WES) or the International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS).
Note: Midwifery schools or programs not recognized by the program may still be considered. Applicants from these programs will be required to demonstrate the suitability of their education for the program through competency testing.
Professional registration and experience
Applicants must:
- Have prior registration with a professional body.
- Have experience providing midwifery care under their own professional authority.
- Provide proof of good professional standing.
- Meet the active practice requirement by either:
- Having actively practised midwifery for at least five of the past 10 years while registered with a midwifery regulatory organization; or
- Having completed a midwifery education program within the past five years.
- Have attended at least 100 births as the primary midwife within the past 10 years. Note: Some of these births may have been attended as a student.
Frequently asked questions
About the program
Who is this program intended for?
This program is designed for internationally educated midwives who have previous midwifery education and professional experience and want to prepare for midwifery practice in Canada. Applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada to be eligible to apply.
What does the program prepare me for?
The program prepares graduates to work confidently as registered midwives within Canada. The program also provides the framework, competencies, and skills certifications required for registration with the College of Midwives of Alberta. Upon completion of the program, you will be eligible to write the Canadian Midwifery Registration Exam.
How is the program structured?
Canadian Midwifery Practice Foundations (36 hours over 6 weeks) – online synchronous learning, including live virtual seminars and independent study.
In-Person Theory, Lab and Simulation Intensive (120 hours over 4 weeks) – full-time, in person at Mount Royal University in Calgary. This course includes official OSCE assessments required for registration with the College of Midwives of Alberta.
Midwifery Clinical Integration Practicum (300 hours over a minimum of 12 weeks) – completed in Alberta, likely in a rural community, following a practising midwife (preceptor) and applying clinical skills.
Admission and eligibility
Do I need to have previous midwifery experience?
Yes, you must have graduated from an accredited academic midwifery program and have relevant clinical experience.
Can my previous education or experience be recognized?
Yes, previous education is a requirement for the program. The Internationally Educated Midwife Bridging Program is a professional training program; it is not considered a midwifery education program.
Professional registration
What certification will I get?
Upon successful completion of the program, learners will receive an extension certificate. An extension certificate is a university-recognized professional program that provides individuals with a range of professional skill sets, usually specialized in one area of study. The certificate is issued on MRU parchment paper with the university seal, signed by both the dean of the Faculty and the president of the University. Note: graduates of any extension certificate program have MRU alumni status.
Will completing the program allow me to practise as a midwife in Canada?
Successful completion of the program provides the frameworks, competencies and certifications required for registration with the College of Midwives of Alberta.
What are the next steps toward professional registration after completing the program?
After completing the program, graduates will write the Canadian Midwifery Registration Exam. After successfully passing this exam, they are eligible to apply for registration with the College of Midwives of Alberta.
Clinical learning
Where will clinical learning take place?
The clinical skills component of the program will take place on the Mount Royal University campus in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Will I have opportunities to practise my clinical skills?
The clinical component will occur both in the classroom and the lab, with opportunities to practice simulation based scenarios. In course 3, Midwifery Clinical Integration Practicum, you will have the opportunity to integrate your skills, under the supervision of a practicing midwife.
- Are there other costs associated with the program?
- What are the costs to consider after completion?
- Can I get help with the costs of the IEMBP?
- During the pilot period (2027-2028), each participant will receive a $2000 bursary to use at their discretion
- RHPAP - Approved healthcare learners participating in rural experiences may be eligible for housing free of cost:
- Continuing Education Funding opportunities
Potential extra costs to consider include:
| Education Credential Assessment (WES/ IQAS) |
| Permanent Residence Application processing |
| English Language Test Certificate (IELTS/ TOEFL) |
| Relocation for course & practicum |
| Costs of living during program |
| Reliable Vehicle (required for practicum) |
Costs are approximate/subject to change
| Registration application fee (College of Midwives of Alberta) | 300 |
| CMRE (Canadian Midwifery Regulation Exam) | 1000 |
| Registration Fees (1 year) (College of Midwives of Alberta | 3875 |
| Insurance Fee (HIROC) | 1000 |
| Association fees (Alberta Association of Midwives) | 750 |
| New Registrant Equipment | 3000-10000 |
Additional information
Refer to CE Student Information for more information.
Program questions?