Pathway to Midwifery

Smiling midwifery students deliver a 'simulated' baby during Midwifery Skills day.

Program Overview

Pathway to Midwifery: your roadmap to a rewarding career supporting individuals and families through compassionate, evidence-based midwifery care.

Interested in pursuing midwifery and not yet a nurse? The Pathway to Midwifery at Rutgers School of Nursing is designed for you. This program, designed for individuals with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, provides a clear, streamlined route to midwifery starting with nursing and leading directly to advanced midwifery education and training.

Why Choose the Pathway to Midwifery at Rutgers?

Start where you are: No nursing background required.

Guaranteed admission to the Rutgers MSN Nurse-Midwifery program upon successful completion of Rutgers Second-Degree BS in Nursing Program*

Expert guidance from midwifery faculty throughout your nursing studies.

Application fee waiver for your graduate program.

*Admission to the midwifery program is contingent upon successful completion of the Second-Degree BS in Nursing program with a GPA of 3.20 or higher and NCLEX exam prior to the start of the Nurse-Midwifery program.

Apply Now

Your Journey in Two Steps

Apply to the Second-Degree BS in Nursing program for individuals with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree.
Once admitted, apply to the Pathway to Midwifery. You’ll receive your Pathway decision before your first semester begins.

Application & Timeline

Spring admission is strongly encouraged, as it allows a seamless transition from the Second-Degree program directly into the Midwifery program, without a gap year.

Spring Start Application Period: Sept. 1 – Dec. 1
Summer Start Application Period: Jan. 1 – April 15

Admissions

Ready to take the next step? Here’s what you need to apply:

View Admission Criteria

Applications are considered on a rolling basis.
Supporting documents should be submitted in one email to snadmissions@sn.rutgers.edu.
Please include “Last Name, First Name – Pathway to Midwifery Applicant” in the subject line.
Confirmed admission to the Second-Degree Nursing program
Resume/CV
Official transcript(s) of all prior college work
A personal statement, limited to 500 words, which includes the following:
- Describe your personal experiences and qualities that demonstrate your interest in and dedication to working in midwifery.
- What are your professional goals as a midwife, and how will the Rutgers program further your achievement of those goals?
Two letters of reference that speak to your skills, abilities, and experiences that support your success in this program. Personal and/or character references from friends and family are not accepted.
- One must be from someone in a leadership role. The reference does not have to be from within nursing or midwifery; however, this is preferred.
- Ideally, one reference should be a current or former professor in an academic setting.
Following receipt of these materials, eligible applicants will be contacted by the admissions committee for an interview.

Meet the Program Director

Julie Blumenfeld, DNP, CNM, FACNM, FAAN is Program Director of the Nurse-Midwifery and Dual Women’s Health/Nurse-Midwifery Programs. She is an experienced and dedicated educator and midwife who is a passionate advocate for creating lasting change through health policy.

View Bio

“I feel incredibly fortunate to have been admitted to the Pathway to Midwifery. It has given my studies a clear focus as I progress through the BS in Nursing program. Regular advising with Dr. Blumenfeld in the midwifery program has helped me navigate the system and stay centered on my goal of graduating as a midwife. The opportunity to have one of my midwifery courses count toward my undergraduate degree is a tremendous benefit. Also, I deeply value the guaranteed placement in labor and delivery for my Dedicated Education Unit (DEU) experience.” — Sarah Cortes

Tuition and Fees

Learn more about Rutgers University tuition and fees

Refer to “Rutgers Newark – undergraduate” for second-degree program rates
Refer to “Rutgers Health – School of Nursing (Graduate)” for Midwifery MSN rates

International Applicants

The School of Nursing’s Division of Advanced Nursing Practice welcomes applications from international students. We encourage you to explore the resources available through Rutgers Global – International Students and Scholars. Please note: Our programs do not qualify for F-1 or J-1 visa sponsorship. Applicants should ensure that they hold or are eligible for another visa type before applying. View info for international applicants.

Licensure & Clinical Compliance for Nursing Programs

Licensure

At Rutgers School of Nursing, we are dedicated to preparing ethical and skilled nursing professionals. To be licensed in most states, a criminal history background check is a prerequisite for licensure as a registered professional nurse (RN) per the state’s Board of Nursing. Since eligibility criteria may vary, applicants should check with the Board of Nursing of the state in which they plan to apply for licensure to determine the eligibility criteria.

See our Nursing Licensure Requirements page for more information.

Clinical Compliance

All nursing students in clinical courses are required to complete a criminal history background check. Depending on your program, clinical sites may require additional screening, such as drug testing and/or fingerprinting, to ensure compliance with their policies and standards. Please review Clinical Clearance Requirements for individual Rutgers nursing programs. These practices reflect the nursing profession’s commitment to trust, accountability, and community safety. If you have questions or need support, our team is here to help guide you on your journey.

Accessibility Accommodations

Requesting Accessibility Accommodations in Admissions

Many students have questions about disclosing their disability needs when they apply to Rutgers Health programs. The short answer is you don’t have to disclose if you’re not comfortable sharing that information with us at the application stage. Some examples of accommodations needed may include, but are not limited to, sign language interpreters, interviewing accommodations, or accommodations during visitation. If you need accessibility accommodations during the application or interview process for admissions at Rutgers Health, you can explore your options by contacting the Rutgers Health Office of Disability Services or by calling 973-640-0058.

Rutgers Health doesn’t discriminate against students with disabilities, and students are not required or expected to disclose disabilities when they apply to Rutgers Health Programs, unless accommodations are needed during the application process. You can rest assured that we are committed to creating an equal-access environment and supporting your needs during your time at Rutgers.