Is Frontier more expensive than non-distance programs?

doulalove · Feb 12, 2009

Huh... I found that Frontier is actually $400 per credit, while OHSU is $470 per credit... I'm having a hard time finding reasons not to skip the BSN and attend Frontier! It looks like an incredible program!

CNM2B · Feb 12, 2009

Big decisions! I was in a similar situation as you are. I'm already a nurse, but had applied to several CNM programs. I had to decide between a traditional brick-and-mortar school and Frontier. I have a 2-year old that I have stayed home with, and the schedule of the brick-and-mortar was just tough for me. Many of their classes are also online, but the few classes that are in the classroom met at horrible times and just was going to make it terribly difficult. I felt like I had to choose between school and being home with my daughter. It was especially hard because the traditional program is at my alma mater and I love that school. I'm a huge fan...

So I did a lot of research and a lot of soul-searching and decided that Frontier was the place for me. They have a strong belief that no one ends up there by mistake--it's serendipity. I am so thrilled with my choice and haven't regretted my decisions at all. Even my own CNM (a grad of the other program) was supportive of Frontier. When I was still deciding, I asked her opinion and she said, "well, School A is good and Frontier is really good. No, Frontier is great!" So that helped a lot.

I have felt so supported so far because all of my classmates in my "group" at Frontier have kids and they all "get it." We are all struggling with the same things--work, school, family...it's just a nice place to be.

I guess you have to just follow your heart. A lot of my fellow Frontier students say that something just drew us to Frontier...if you feel that way, then it may be the place for you!

doulalove · Feb 13, 2009

Thank you so much! I do feel drawn to Frontier, which is strange, because I really don't know as much about it as I'd like!

Another question... I know that I'd eventually like to have a home birth practice, and it seems like Frontier would better prepare me for out-of-hospital practice than OHSU, or any other hospital-based midwifery program. Does that sound right? Do Frontier students have the opportunity to gain clinical experience in birth centers and in homes?

CNM2B · Feb 13, 2009

Thank you so much! I do feel drawn to Frontier, which is strange, because I really don't know as much about it as I'd like!
Another question... I know that I'd eventually like to have a home birth practice, and it seems like Frontier would better prepare me for out-of-hospital practice than OHSU, or any other hospital-based midwifery program. Does that sound right? Do Frontier students have the opportunity to gain clinical experience in birth centers and in homes?

I felt drawn to Frontier as well. I just kept coming back to it over and over again. A lot of my classmates had the same experience.

I think a lot of that depends on where you live. If there is a birth center near you (that employs CNM's), then you can definitely do that! Frontier is a very pro-birth center school, so that is an aspect you will learn about a lot. In fact, we are required to attend a birth center conference and put together an actual business plan/proposal to develop our own birth center. Many of our faculty have experience running them, so you will have plenty of mentors and opportunity to learn. Kitty Ernst, who is a founding leader of our school (and a true hero in midwifery in the US and the immediate past-president of the ACNM) is the founder of the American Association of Birth Centers (www.birthcenters.org). You can't get any better than that!!

You will also probably need to do some time in an office setting, because you have to gain the required GYN/Well-woman care experience. But, you can mix it up and spend time with more than one preceptor. As for homebirths, I think a lot depends on the environment in your home state. Where I live, there are very few (if any) CNM's who do home births, so that really isn't an option for me. I am not really interested in doing home births, so that is ok for me. The cool thing is that we can really make our own experience out of the program.

Good luck!

doulalove · Feb 13, 2009

Thank you so much for the info! Very helpful. I love that putting together a business plan for a birth center is a requirement! That's really awesome.

CNMtobe2012 · Apr 22, 2009

Hi all, I am currently in the process of getting my application together for Frontier as we speak. Would really love any additional insight on your experience with the school and the quality of the education being provided from your perspetive. Any info is appreciated.