CNM Online Education: Frontier vs. University of Cincinnati

Specialties CNM

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I'm a RN (have my BSN) planning on going back to school to become a CNM. There are no programs close to where I live, and I can't move, so I'll need to do it online. Anyone have any insight on which online program might be better for training and getting a job once I'm done? Or which school has a better reputation with midwives, doctors, and hospitals out there? I've heard good things about both Frontier and the University of Cincinnati's programs, but haven't heard from anyone who has actually gone through them.

I'm a current Frontier student who will finish in June. Although I might be biased, I think it's a fantastic program. I know several Frontier grads who are excellent midwives. I haven't met a single one from Cincinnati, so I have no personal knowledge of the quality of that program. One thing that I know for certain you'll get from Frontier that you won't get a Cincinnati is a sense of "connectedness" and family that you will get from Frontier. I'm willing to bet there are others on here who can tell you that going to Frontier Bound and Clinical Bound were life-changing events where they met friends that they'll have for life.

Specializes in L&D.

Frontier has had a CNM program for a long, long time and Cincinatti's is relatively new ( I think less than 5 years). I believe that U of C is slightly cheaper, they don't have a travel requirement. So, depends on what you are looking for. I decided to apply only to Frontier.

Specializes in L&D.

After a lot of research I've chosen University of Cincinnati. I always thought I would go to Frontier, and I even applied a couple months ago. Howerver, The three things that swayed me were the following:

Cincinnati:

#1: requires you to have L&D nursing experience (To me that implies a certain base level of knowledge required for entrance at Cincinnati)

and

#2: Their program is 2 1/2 years long VS Frontier's only 2 years. (To me this implies a more in-depth program: On top of the higher base level of knowledge required for entrance)

and finally:

#3: Grades lower than a 3.0 are unacceptable at Cincinnati and would lead to dismissal. (Again, implying a higher standard).

So, from my research, I've concluded that the more challenging, indepth program is Cincinnati. At the end of the day, it is about getting the best education available. That is why I'm choosing Cincinnati.

Also, From my reseach, it is more expensive (Just as a reply to the previous poster).

Specializes in Labor and Delivery.

Just as an FYI--the 3.0 requirement is standard minimum grade for all graduate schools (including Frontier).

Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
Just as an FYI--the 3.0 requirement is standard minimum grade for all graduate schools (including Frontier).

Actually, I think that at Frontier, if it's less than 3.0, you can still be admitted, but you have to take the GRE.

Specializes in Labor and Delivery.

Yes, you can be admitted with less than a 3.0, but you must maintain a 3.0 to stay in school.

Specializes in L&D.

You need to go with what you feel most comfortable with, so good for you and hope it goes well!

Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
Yes, you can be admitted with less than a 3.0, but you must maintain a 3.0 to stay in school.

Ah, I misunderstood the original statement, sorry!

Specializes in L&D.

"Also, From my reseach, it is more expensive (Just as a reply to the previous poster)."

Yes, my mistake, I meant to say U of C is more expensive.

Specializes in L&D.

#1: requires you to have L&D nursing experience (To me that implies a certain base level of knowledge required for entrance at Cincinnati)

I do agree with this requirement....I have worked in Labor and Delivery for 15 years and some days I still wonder if I have enough experience to become a CNM! I cannot imagine starting this kind of program without any L&D experience.

#1: requires you to have l&d nursing experience (to me that implies a certain base level of knowledge required for entrance at cincinnati)

not necessarily so. i admit that i don't know enough about u. of c.'s program, but i can tell you that a base level of knowledge is definitely helpful at frontier. frontier will teach you what you need to know about l & d, but those students who came from a l & d background have a much easier time than those with no experience. frontier is a very challenging program... but with my l & d experience i had a much easier time in my intrapartum courses. that said, i know several people with doula experience who work in the er or icu who have absolutely no problem learning the material... and they have an edge over me in the primary care courses.

there is a certain benefit to having no l & d experience when you are learning the midwifery model. the medical model of care prevails in most l & d units, and it can be very hard to remove all of the "what if's" from your mind and focus on normal pregnancy.

#2: their program is 2 1/2 years long vs frontier's only 2 years. (to me this implies a more in-depth program: on top of the higher base level of knowledge required for entrance)

frontier's program is actually 27 months if you go full-time, so it's really only a 3 month difference. i don't know about "breaks" while at u. of c., but at frontier you only get 1 week off between terms and you go year round.

#3: grades lower than a 3.0 are unacceptable at cincinnati and would lead to dismissal. (again, implying a higher standard).

grades lower than 80% (3.0) are considered failing at frontier as well.

so, from my research, i've concluded that the more challenging, indepth program is cincinnati. at the end of the day, it is about getting the best education available. that is why i'm choosing cincinnati.

frontier is the oldest operating school of midwifery in the u.s. it is ranked among the best graduate nursing programs in u.s. news & world report. it's graduates are well-respected in the ob community. i don't know that the same can be said of u. of c. preceptors who take students from various midwifery programs consistently say that they will gladly take another frontier student in the future because they are well-prepared for clinical practice. i'm not trying to sway you into choosing frontier... that's your personal decision and you have to choose what you feel best about. but just based on the reasons you've cited, you might want to take another look at frontier.

also, from my reseach, it is more expensive (just as a reply to the previous poster).

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