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Key details
Duration
Locations
Entry requirements
View full entry requirementsCredit points required
40Course code
Overview
The Graduate Certificate of Diagnostics and Prescribing for Midwives is an online course. This course is designed to provide you with core knowledge and skills needed for the expanded role of the Endorsed Midwife. The course is addressing experienced Registered Midwives with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) who want to enhance their professional practice in the safe and effective prescribing of scheduled medicines as well as in midwifery diagnostics including the ordering and interpreting of investigative tests for childbearing women.
The course builds on the knowledge you have already gained through your midwifery studies and professional experience. Throughout the course there is an emphasis on woman-centred care that is culturally responsive and applied within primary, secondary or tertiary healthcare settings where an Endorsed Midwife provides care.
Career opportunities
This course will be particularly relevant to midwives who are working or planning to work in private practice or in rural and remote settings, who wish to expand their scope of practice--and therefore the range of services they can provide to women and babies in their care
Professional recognition
This course is currently undergoing accreditation with Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC). Once approved graduates of this course are eligible to apply for midwifery endorsement with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Pathways
Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
For information about credit transfer available to students with complete or incomplete study at this or other Institutions refer to Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
Credit transfer
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Credit transfer
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Fees
Non-Commonwealth supported places
Full fee paying places are available in this course.
Information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.
Why study Nursing and Midwifery at CDU?
Future-proof your career in healthcare with a postgraduate nursing or midwifery degree at CDU. Delivered by passionate and expert lecturers, your learning will be guided by evidence, innovation and patient-centred care.
- #2 in Australia for postgraduate nursing starting salary (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate nursing employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate learner engagement in nursing
- Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
Why study Nursing and Midwifery at CDU?
Find a rewarding career in healthcare when you study nursing or midwifery at CDU. Our graduates have the academic knowledge and hands-on experience to confidently enter the workplace and deliver evidence-based care to their patients.
- Gain practical experience through placements and state-of-the-art clinical simulation suites located around Australia
- #2 in Australia for postgraduate nursing starting salary (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate nursing employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate learner engagement in nursing
Why study Nursing and Midwifery at CDU?
Future-proof your career in healthcare with a postgraduate nursing or midwifery degree at CDU. Delivered by passionate and expert lecturers, your learning will be guided by evidence, innovation and patient-centred care.
- #2 in Australia for postgraduate nursing starting salary (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate nursing employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate learner engagement in nursing
- Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
Why study Nursing and Midwifery at CDU?
Find a rewarding career in healthcare when you study nursing or midwifery at CDU. Our graduates have the academic knowledge and hands-on experience to confidently enter the workplace and deliver evidence-based care to their patients.
- Gain practical experience through placements and state-of-the-art clinical simulation suites located around Australia
- #2 in Australia for postgraduate nursing starting salary (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate nursing employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate learner engagement in nursing
What will I study?
This Graduate Certificate is offered as a part-time, one-year online course, over two Semesters.
Course structure
The first Semester of this course provides you with the opportunity to increase your knowledge and skills in screening and diagnostics. The unit will assist your professional growth though the synthesis of findings that after critical evaluation, informs your independent decision making on judicious and relevant diagnostic investigations.
Semester two of this course will prepare you with the knowledge and skills you require to safely prescribe and integrate pharmacological therapies into their care of women and babies. Topics include: principles of Quality Use of Medicines, Safe prescription including collaborative practice, the pharmacological principles of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics and the application of these into clinical pharmacology.
Overall, the course will develop your understanding of contemporary, evidence-based approaches to screening, diagnostic and pharmacological management in the holistic care of women and babies, underpinned by principles of safety, quality and risk management.
A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 40 credit points (cp) as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless otherwise indicated.
| Unit type | Credit Points | Specific requirements |
| Core Units (2 units) | 40cp | Compulsory Core units totalling 40 credit points as detailed below. MID514 Screening Diagnostics and Clinical Decision-Making in Midwifery (20cp) (available from 2027) |
| 40cp | Total Credit Points |
Course Rules (unless otherwise indicated in the above course structure)
- See the Higher Education Course Rules (Award Requirements) in the Units and Courses Policy.
Study plan
STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 1 (Not available for entry in 2026)
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student enrolling in a full-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the assumed knowledge, pre-requisite and co-requisite requirements for each unit.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit |
Full-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| MID514 Screening, Diagnostics and Clinical Decision-Making in Midwifery (20cp) | CO | MID515 Advanced Therapeutics and Prescribing for Midwives (20cp) | CO |
_____________________________________
STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 2 (Available from 2026)
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student enrolling in a full-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the assumed knowledge, pre-requisite and co-requisite requirements for each unit.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit |
Full-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| MID515 Advanced Therapeutics and Prescribing for Midwives (20cp) | CO | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| MID514 Screening, Diagnostics and Clinical Decision-Making in Midwifery (20cp) | CO | ||
Entry requirements
Admission criteria
Applicants must have:
- Successful completion of a recognised Bachelor of Midwifery (or equivalent international qualification); and
- Current unconditional registration with the NMBA as a Registered Midwife; and
- A minimum of three years' full-time (or equivalent) clinical experience across the full scope of midwifery practice, including antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal care. This must be evidenced by a detailed Curriculum Vitae, and either a statement of service or signed letters from your employer/s confirming your role, duration of employment, and duties.
Additional admission requirements
This course is for Registered Midwives who want to extend their scope of practice and for those seeking endorsement for scheduled medicines with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.
Essential requirements
English language requirements
DOMESTIC STUDENTS
To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency Requirements for their chosen course of study. All applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application.
The minimum English language requirement for this course can be met by evidencing of one of the following:
| Year 12 | Successful completion of Year 12 within Australia, or an equivalent qualification from an approved country where English is the official language (refer to our approved standard and extended lists included below). |
| 0.5 FTE Higher Education Study | Successful completion of at least 0.5FTE of higher education study from Australia or an approved country where English is the official language (refer to our approved standard and extended lists included below). If studies were completed from a country on the extended list, they must have been completed within the past five (5) years. |
| CDU Enabling Course | Successful completion of a Charles Darwin University enabling program of at least 0.5FTE (40 credit points). |
| TAFE Qualification | Successful completion of a recognised TAFE qualification at a Certificate III level or higher from Australia. |
| AHPRA Registration | Current AHPRA registration as a Division 1 or Division 2 nurse. Registration must be current at the time of course commencement. |
| English Test^ | Completion of an approved English test within two years of commencement, meeting the minimum scores outlined in the table below. |
^ Minimum Requirements for English Tests:
| Postgraduate requirements | Undergraduate requirements | |
| CDU ELICOS - English for Academic Purposes | Successful completion of EAP004 | Successful completion of EAP003 |
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic test | Overall minimum: 6.5 No band below: 6.0 | Overall minimum: 6.0 No band below 6.0 |
| Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) | Overall minimum: 176 No skill below: 169 | Overall minimum: 169 No skill below 169 |
| Pearson Tests of English (PTE) Academic | Overall minimum: 58 No score below 50 | Overall minimum: 50 No score below: 50 |
| Test of English as a Foreign language | Overall minimum: 79 Minimum writing score: 21 | Overall minimum: 60 Minimum writing score: 21 |
IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted, allowing candidates to retake a single skill within 60 days of sitting their initial test. One Skill Retake results are valid for two years from the date of the first test (not from the date of the Retake test) to the date of commencement at CDU.
CDU accepts combined results from two test sittings of IELTS Academic, PTE Academic, or TOEFL, taken within a six-month period, if:
- Both tests were under the same testing system; and
- The overall score in both tests meets the overall minimum; and
- The applicant achieved the section minimum for each section in at least one test.
Recognised English-speaking countries:
| Standard List | Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America. |
| Extended List | Bermuda, Botswana, Cayman Islands, Ethiopia, Fiji, Kenya, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Seychelles, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu, Zimbabwe. |
For further details on the English requirements for CDU courses, please refer to the CDU English Language Proficiency Policy.
The people-first approach to flexibility and supportive learning environment at CDU meant I could find a balance with study, work and family life.
Nikki
CDU student
It’s a two-way education, educators here listen to us as much as we listen to them, so classroom experiences are amazing. I’ve also made a lot of friends through our regular group assignments or projects.
Farhana
CDU student
The people-first approach to flexibility and supportive learning environment at CDU meant I could find a balance with study, work and family life.
Nikki
CDU student
It’s a two-way education, educators here listen to us as much as we listen to them, so classroom experiences are amazing. I’ve also made a lot of friends through our regular group assignments or projects.
Farhana
CDU student
Course details
Accreditation
This course is accredited by the University in accordance with the Higher Education Standards.
Inherent Requirements
There are inherent requirements for this course. Students must read and understand the requirements for this course.
Australian qualification framework
This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8.
Additional information
Contact details
For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
Learn about nursing at CDU
Reeya is from Nepal studying a Bachelor of Nursing at CDU. Hear more about her experience of studying, living, working and playing in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
Learn about nursing at CDU
Reeya is from Nepal studying a Bachelor of Nursing at CDU. Hear more about her experience of studying, living, working and playing in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
How to apply
There are many ways to apply to CDU. The method you use depends on your course type, where you live and whether you are a new or returning student to CDU.
Remember to apply early for your best chance at securing an offer to study with us.
SATAC
SATAC is the application channel for residents of NT, ACT, SA, WA, QLD, VIC, NSW or TAS.
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