In order to apply for this degree program at JGU, you must have a training contract with a cooperating institution.

Currently, these are:

Mainz University Medical Center
Community Medical Center Mittelrhein in Koblenz

Special requirements for the university entrance qualification (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung, HZB):

You need either

• A general university entrance qualification (usually Abitur),
• A subject-based university entrance qualification or
• A university of applied sciences entrance qualification (exception for this degree program)

or

A direct subject-based university entrance qualification based on your professional qualification in one of the following vocational training programs:

• Nursing (Gesundheits- und Krankenpfleger*in)
• Pediatric nursing (Gesundheits- und Kinderkrankenpfleger*in)
• Registered nursing (Pflegefachkraft)
• Nursing (Krankenschwester/Krankenpfleger)

Further entrance requirements for all applicants:

• An extended certificate of good conduct, not older than three months − issued from July 1 of the respective year at the earliest
• A blank form from the family doctor – see section 10 paragraph 1 no. 3 of the German Midwifery Law (Hebammengesetz, HebG)

You must present these to your practice partners.

You should have the following skills:

• Interest in biomedical subjects
• Enjoyment in dealing with people
• Flexibility
• Resilience
• Reliability
• Ability to work in a team
• Personal responsibility
• Independence
• English language proficiency

Midwifery is a dual degree program, consisting of a theoretical component at JGU and a practical work experience component at a cooperating practice institution.

In accordance with the legal requirements, the course comprises 4,600 hours of theory and is characterized by a comparatively high proportion of practical work experience amounting to 2,200 hours. Of course, all components of the state examination required to obtain the license to use the professional title of “midwife” are integrated into the course.

During your studies, you will attend lectures on the following topics, among others:

• Applied midwifery
• Microbiology, virology, and hygiene
• Birth assistance skills, gynecology, and women’s health
• Prevention and health promotion
• Reproductive physiology and supporting physiologic birth
• Support during pregnancy
• Care of newborns and women who have recently given birth
• The midwife-led birth
• Surgical care for pregnant women and during birth
• Pathological/irregular pregnancies and births

Stays abroad

A stay abroad is not actually planned in the degree program due to the practical components. If you are still interested, please contact your degree program coordinator.

Internships

As this is a dual degree program, you will always have a direct connection to professional practice and will apply the knowledge you acquire during your studies at JGU directly, as you will complete at least 2,200 practical hours in your cooperating practice institution.

After completing the dual program of study, you will have a double degree: A professional license to practice midwifery and a Bachelor of Science. This opens up a wide range of career opportunities, depending on your personal interests, skills, and career goals.

The following are some typical occupations:

• Midwife in obstetrics departments of hospitals or birth centers (freelance or employed):
  You support women during the birth, monitor the birth process, give instructions on breathing and relaxation, offer pain relief methods, and ensure the safety of mother and child.
• Freelance midwife or employment in a midwifery practice:
  You offer individual support and guidance. You usually work outside of hospitals and provide prenatal care, obstetric care, postnatal care, breastfeeding counseling, and preventive prenatal care. Freelance midwives can also offer courses and workshops, e.g. antenatal classes or postnatal gymnastics.
• Training, research, and teaching:
  Teach future midwives in theoretical and practical subjects and accompany them during their clinical placements. Or you can carry out studies at universities, clinics, or other research institutions, collect data, analyze results and thus contribute to the further development of midwifery knowledge and obstetrics.

Not sure what to do after graduation? Don’t worry!

A university degree generally does not prepare you for a single profession but qualifies you for a wide range of career paths – for example, in research, in a typical profession related to your field of study, or in one of many other academic fields.

This is why career orientation is also part of your studies. Gaining practical experience is key, and you can do so through internships, working student positions, part-time jobs or voluntary work, for example.

JGU’s Career Service will support you throughout the entire process with information, advice, workshops and numerous events – from career orientation and working on your profile and skills to finding your dream job and successfully applying for it.