| Policy: | Course Exemption |
|---|---|
| Effective Date: | August 1st, 2024 |
| Revised Date: | July 1st, 2024 |
| Review Date: | August 2029 |
Policy and Procedure Statements
Preamble. The University of British Columbia’s (UBC) Midwifery Program (BMw) and its Internationally Educated Midwives Bridging Program (IEMBP) are jointly referred to as “UBC Midwifery” or the “Program”. UBC Midwifery follows all UBC regulatory requirements and applicable UBC policies.
Background. Midwifery students may have a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds before entering the Program. Many have completed prior degrees, in whole or in part; many in related fields or covering related topic areas. Students have often completed courses that reflect similar learning objectives to those reflected in required Midwifery courses. In some, albeit relatively rare cases, an exemption from a required Midwifery Program course may be granted.
Registered Nurses who are admitted through the Advanced Admissions process undergo an individualized assessment of their course requirements upon admission to the Program. The Program has completed a side-by-side analysis of standard Canadian Registered Nursing competencies and curriculum to support this process, and students will be advised of which courses they will be exempted from, at this time. Any further exemption requests from Nursing candidates after this initial process must proceed through the regular exemption request process outlined below.
The details and process for exemption from Midwifery research courses are unique and are therefore described separately, below.
Policy
All clinical courses are required. To qualify for an exemption from any required Midwifery theory courses:
- The student must have completed, in the past 5 years*, one or more courses that addressed the same or very similar learning objectives and outcomes that are covered in the applicable Midwifery course, and at a similar or higher level of learning.
- The completed course(s) must have included assessment tools like the applicable Midwifery courses. Work experience in a related field or topic area will not be considered for course exemption purposes.
- Students who have an advanced degree in a related field may be exempted from a course even beyond the 5-year mark, especially if they have worked in the area since completing the related degree.
Procedure. The procedure for applying for an exemption from a required Midwifery course is as follows:
- The UBC deadline to drop courses is the end of the second week of classes. Students requesting exemption from any Midwifery course(s) must submit the request to the Student Services Manager/Advisor, one month before this deadline.
- Confirm that all transcripts showing a passing grade for each relevant course have been submitted and uploaded to their Applicant Services Centre (ASC).
- All relevant, complete syllabi from courses that they have completed from the year/term they completed the course(s) must be submitted to the Midwifery Student Services Manager & Advisor. Research papers or exercises completed as part of their coursework will not be considered instead of syllabi.
- Students with completed graduate degrees (Masters or Doctoral) in a related topic area may submit manuscripts, reports, or verification letters from supervisors for consideration. Unpublished research papers or exercises that were completed as part of their coursework will not be considered.
- Midwifery Student Services will verify syllabi against student transcripts from prior studies to verify that the student received a passing grade in the course(s) and that the course(s) were completed within the last five (5) years.
- Midwifery Student Services will share the student’s request, the course syllabus/syllabi, and any additional documents to the Midwifery faculty who acts as Course Lead for the requested course(s). The Course Lead will determine whether an exemption is appropriate. They may consult the Undergraduate Program Lead as needed.
- The student will be notified in writing when a decision is reached. Students must attend all classes until they receive approval for exemption.
The procedure for applying for an exemption from a research course is the same as outlined above, with the following exceptions:
- Students requesting exemption from Midwifery research courses MIDW 115 and MIDW 210, submit all relevant syllabi from courses that they have completed, with a passing grade, to the Student Services Office, before October 1st of their first term of Midwifery studies. Students should NOT send research papers or exercises that were completed as part of their coursework.
- Students with completed research-based graduate degrees (Masters or Doctoral) and/or recent work experience in full-time research positions that required knowledge and competencies in quantitative and qualitative methods may submit manuscripts, reports, or verification letters from supervisors for consideration. Unpublished research papers or exercises that were completed as part of their coursework will not be considered.
Exemption from Midwifery Research Courses
There are two research courses in the Midwifery Program. MIDW 115 and MIDW 210 are required courses. MIDW 115 introduces research methods and interpretation of statistical tests. MIDW 210 focuses on the application of research evidence in clinical practice and how to use research to guide midwifery practice and informed choice.
The Midwifery Program recognizes that some students come to Midwifery with past research experience or coursework. However, understanding research methods and how to apply research and evidence in clinical practice is an essential skill for health professionals. The independent conduct of research does not uniformly ensure that clinicians can apply research to their clinical practice.
Registered Nurses admitted through the Advanced Admissions process do not need to separately request exemptions from individual research courses. Research and basic statistical methods are included in education for Canadian Registered Nursing competencies, and the course requirements for these students will be reviewed individually, upon admission to the Program.
Qualification. To qualify for an exemption from MIDW 115 and/or MIDW 210:
- The student must have completed, in the past 5 years, one or more courses that focus on acquiring knowledge and competencies in research methods (quantitative and qualitative).
- The course(s) must have included: an assessment of the quality of study design, analytic techniques, interpretation including quantitative statistical testing, and knowledge translation.
- Courses that use the writing of research manuscripts to teach content do not suffice.
For a MIDW 210 exemption, demonstrated competencies in research methods applicable to health research is preferred.