National College of Midwifery

Statement of Understanding
(Revised 07/2015)

Name: ________________________________________________________________________
I have read and acknowledge my understanding of the policies and program requirements in the
NCM Handbook/Catalog including, but not limited to the following:
Initials:
ASM Students must identify themselves as a STUDENT MIDWIFE.
Prior to application, the student and preceptor must take as much time as they need to carefully review the
NCM curriculum and clinical requirements to their satisfaction, which are available in their entirety for free
review and download from the NCM website.
Prior to application, the student and preceptor must create a plan of completion, in which they set out their
course load / clinical load and expected date of completion (examples are available on the NCM website).
Direct Supervision by the Preceptor over the NCM Student, by being physically present to diagnose,
authorize, and approve all student work performed is required during, but not limited to all client counseling,
clinical encounters, births, and NARM skills.
The preceptor may only sign-off clinical and academic student work that she/he personally supervised and
evaluated, and for which the student demonstrated mastery or the appropriate level of competence required
for credit as defined in NCMs Handbook/Catalog.
Work done prior to enrollment, or with someone who is not the students official NCM preceptor at the time
the work was done, will not be eligible to satisfy program requirements.
Students and Preceptors are responsible for following current midwifery laws, regulations for midwifery
students, and requirements for licensure.
In states where licensure is required by law, the Preceptor is required to maintain licensure, free and clear,
during any and all training or supervision of her/his NCM Student. Any change in the Preceptors licensure
status must be immediately reported to NCM. Work completed during a time that the license was not free
and clear will not be eligible to satisfy program requirements.
The Student and the Preceptor are responsible to keep current of ongoing updates to the NCM
Handbook/Catalog, accessible on the NCM website.
The Student is responsible for organizing and directing her/his studies and all attendant NCM paperwork.
Students have 2-5 years to complete their program. Students enrolled beyond 3 years, will be required to
pay annual accreditation fees and submit a plan of completion to NCM.
Enrollment by itself does not guarantee the issuing of a degree.
Graduation from NCM does not guarantee midwifery licensure or certification in any state.
Prior to enrollment, it is the students responsibility to learn how to become a CPM and/or gain appropriate
state licensure. An overview of information on various state licensure processes can be found on the MANA
website, and the Student must directly contact her/his states midwifery licensing board for current
information. It is highly recommended that the student contact the midwifery association in their state.
After completion of all coursework, students must pass an outside exam in order to receive an ASM from the
National College of Midwifery. If she/he chooses not to take an outside examination after completion of
coursework, or fails the exam, NCM will issue a Certificate of Midwifery (a certificate of completion).
Students seeking licensure in California must complete two additional courses, in Chemistry and Child
Development, and additional Learning Objectives in anesthesia/analgesia, suturing and episiotomies.
Payments made to the National College of Midwifery are usually not tax deductible and NCM does not issue
1098T forms.
NCM considers the date of enrollment the commencement of study. Students and Preceptors are bound by
NCMs Refund Policy (NM Commission of Higher Education rule 20.D 10/2012) for College fees and tuition payments.
Student transcripts, progress and records will be shared with the Students Preceptors during enrollment.
Complaints, which cannot be resolved by direct negotiation with NCM in accordance to its written grievance
policy, may be filed with the New Mexico Higher Education Department. All student complaints must be
submitted in writing.

Signature:_______________________________________________ Date:___________________________