Fairfield University's Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program in Nurse Midwifery, which launched in 2017, is designed to meet the competencies for the practice of midwifery set forth by the American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM) and to meet the ACNM Core Competencies for Basic Midwifery Practice. The Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME) works to both advance and promote excellence in midwifery education. Fairfield’s Nurse Midwifery DNP program has been pre-accredited by ACME since welcoming its first cohort of students in 2017.

“In the fall of 2020, we prepared and welcomed ACME site visitors (virtually) to Fairfield, to share the outcomes of our program, notably: our 100% certification rate for our Class of 2020 graduates, our robust simulation-based education, and our focus on preparing our graduates in the areas of perinatal palliative care and trauma-informed care. We are in compliance with all ACME policies and criteria, and therefore, have received accreditation for the entire five-year cycle,” said Nurse Midwifery Program Director Jenna LoGiudice, PhD, CNM, RN. 

The DNP program prepares students as expert nurse midwives for every stage and in every setting in which midwifery care is delivered to women. DNP students gain clinical experience through attending births and providing primary, gynecologic, antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum, newborn, and breastfeeding care under the supervision of Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) faculty. 

“The accreditation from ACME recognizes the work of our faculty and students alike in promoting excellence in the midwifery profession,” said Dr. LoGiudice. “Fairfield’s program has received accreditation through 2026, and we look forward to continuing to educate future midwives who will make a positive difference for their patients.”