A new course of study in midwifery science offered at the University of Freiburg

On Friday, October 1, 2021 the new course of studies in midwifery science will start at the University of Freiburg. At 9:30 a.m., the 29 first-year students will be welcomed by Prof. Dr. Lutz Hein, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Prof. Dr. Christiane Kugler, Director of Nursing Science, and Helmut Schiffer, Director of Nursing and Member of the Board of the Medical Center- University of Freiburg. Midwife Prof. Dr. Mechthild Groß from the Hannover Medical School will give the welcome address. Representatives of the press are cordially invited to the large lecture hall surgery, Hugstetter Str. 55.

The establishment of the Bachelor of Science in Midwifery provides students with a closely interwoven academic and professional training. In seven semesters of standard study time, students learn the basics of midwifery science, midwifery practice and the related sciences. The practical part of the studies takes place in various hospitals and practice facilities as well as with freelance midwives or in outpatient midwife-led facilities.

In addition, a so-called skills lab is available to strengthen special practical skills. Specific interview situations, examination methods or obstetric emergency situations can be simulated here. “The close interweaving of theoretical and practical study components offers students an optimal basis for being able to work as competent midwives in all fields of midwifery activity in the future,” says Luise Lengler, midwifery scientist at the University of Freiburg.

Location with a long tradition

The new course of study also strengthens the Medical Center - University of Freiburg as a traditional location for midwifery training. The Freiburg School of Midwifery, located at the Meidcal Center – University of Freiburg, was founded in 1832 as the “Grand Ducal Academic Maternity and Midwifery Institute” (Seidler Eduard 1991). It looks back on almost 190 years of history. Currently, trainees are still being trained in three courses at the midwifery school at the Academy for Medical Vocations of the Medical Center – University of Freiburg. The last trainees will finish their training there at the end of March 2024. The Midwifery Science program now continues the tradition at the university level, making an active contribution to securing specialists in maternal and child care and enabling lifelong learning for midwives. The new location in Freiburg also offers the opportunity to further develop midwifery science and strengthen the profession in all fields of activity within the midwifery profession. 

Another special feature of the study program is that students will receive a monthly salary. Successful completion of the program and passing the state examination integrated into the program will provide the professional requirements to use the professional title of “midwife” and to graduate with the academic degree of Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.).

Contact and registration
Luise Lengler MSc Midwifery Science
Dr. Christa Müller-Fröhlich
Nursing Science
University of Freiburg
Tel. 0761/270-64820
Email: ipw.info@uniklinik-freiburg.de

Bastian Strauch
Office of University and Science Communications
University of Freiburg
Tel.: 0761/203-4301
E-Mail: bastian.strauch@pr.uni-freiburg.de