Important Note: The degree program is currently undergoing the accreditation process. Subject to successful accreditation, the program is scheduled to begin in the summer semester of 2027. All information in this document regarding course content, modules, admission requirements, and application deadlines is subject to change as part of the accreditation process.
Online Information Sessions
Would you like to learn more about what we offer? Then join one of our online information sessions —with no obligation.
Dates (6:00–7:00 p.m. each):
- October 20, 2026
- November 24, 2026
- December 15, 2026
- January 7, 2027
Registration:
Please register without obligation by emailing anika.werner@hwg-lu.de.
After you register, you will receive the access link for the online event in a timely manner.
Profile
A brief summary of the degree program:
- Standard duration of study: 3 semesters (full-time)
- Degree: Master of Science (M.Sc.)
- Organizing Institutions: Joint degree program offered by JGU Mainz and HWG LU; courses are offered at both campuses
- Study locations: HWG LU and JGU Mainz
- Teaching approach: A combination of in-person sessions and a high proportion of online education (lectures, seminars, skills lab sessions, and simulations)
- Language: German/English
- Start Date: Each summer semester (subject to accreditation, beginning in the summer semester of 2027)
What makes this degree program special:
The three-semester, consecutive master’s program in Midwifery Science – Advanced Practice Midwifery (APM) is a joint program offered by the Ludwigshafen University of Business and Society (HWG LU) and Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU). It is designed for midwives who hold a first professional degree and wish to deepen their clinical expertise at the academic level and assume responsibility in expanded, cross-sector care roles.
The goal of the program is to prepare midwives for the increasingly complex demands of obstetric and reproductive health care. The program focuses on acquiring advanced obstetric clinical skills, scientifically grounded counseling, in-depth research competence, and the ability to independently manage and further develop cross-sectoral care processes. Graduates are able to take on roles as Advanced Practice Midwives in clinical practice, case and care management, research and education, as well as in interprofessional teams—including in crisis and disaster contexts.
Interdisciplinary exchange takes place in selected degree programs in collaboration with the Advanced Practice Nursing (APN) program at HWG LU to promote collaborative learning in the healthcare sector.
Who is this degree program suitable for?
The degree program is designed for midwives who
- wish to expand their clinical expertise in complex obstetric care situations and in the broader field of sexual and reproductive health and rights
- wish to assume responsibility in expanded roles within the German and international healthcare systems (Advanced Practice Midwifery)
- wish to acquire academic qualifications to lead, support, or translate research projects into practice
- wish to pursue a career in academia in the medium term.
What qualifications will I earn?
Graduates of the degree program are able to
- assess complex obstetric care situations based on evidence and manage them in an interprofessional manner,
- conduct advanced clinical assessments and diagnostic procedures independently and integrate them into decision-making processes,
- implement, evaluate, and provide scientific support for innovations in health care,
- reflect on their professional role as an Advanced Practice Midwife at the intersection of clinical practice, science, and the healthcare system,
- design care processes for women*, families, and newborns in a way that is diversity-oriented, sustainable, and resilient—even under conditions of crises, disasters, and limited resources.
What are my career prospects?
The degree program prepares students for advanced, independent roles at the intersection of clinical midwifery practice, healthcare management, research, and health policy. Potential career paths for graduates include:
- Advanced Practice Midwife in hospitals, birthing centers, midwife-led facilities, and in outpatient/non-hospital care, with advanced diagnostic and clinical competencies,
- Case and care management in cross-sectoral care processes throughout the reproductive life span,
- Participation in or leadership of research and implementation projects in midwifery and healthcare research,
- Education and training activities at universities and in academic midwifery education,
- Specialized and leadership roles in health policy, in associations and committees (e.g., participation in the development of guidelines and standards),
- Work on international projects related to health system development and global health, as well as in humanitarian care in crisis and disaster contexts,
- A foundation for subsequent doctoral studies in midwifery science or a related discipline.
Content & Schedule
The curriculum of our Master’s program in Midwifery Science combines in-depth clinical training in obstetrics (e.g., initial care and management of obstetric and neonatal complications, advanced clinical reasoning, and gynecological care) with scientific training (research methods, evidence-based practice, scientific writing, and research ethics), as well as topics in public, global, and planetary health, civil protection, and humanitarian care—including in disaster situations. The practical module and the master’s thesis allow students to carry out their own implementation or research project, either in Germany or abroad.
Research Methods
6 ECTS
Innovative Cross-Sectoral Care Models
6 ECTS
Advanced Practice Midwifery and Cross-Sectoral Care Design
6 ECTS
Health Promotion, Assessment, and Preventive Care Planning in Midwifery Practice
6 ECTS
Current Developments in Primary Care Practice
6 ECTS
Advanced Obstetric Competence in Complex Care Situations
12 ECTS
Advanced Research Management
10 ECTS
A Global, Planetary, and Crisis-Based Perspective on Reproductive Health
8 ECTS
Practical Module
8 ECTS
Master's Thesis and Accompanying Seminar (including oral defense)
22 ECTS
Application & Admission
Application
Application Deadlines (tentative, subject to accreditation)
Since the degree programs begin each summer semester, the following tentative schedule is expected—similar to comparable master’s programs at HWG LU:
- The application period is expected to run from mid-November through January 15 prior to the respective summer semester;
- for the planned first start of the program in the summer semester of 2027, this is expected to be from mid-November 2026 through January 2027,
- Applications must be submitted via the HWG LU online application portal; for applicants with a related field of study or 180-ECTS degrees, this may include a date for the oral entrance exam,
- Admission notifications will be made available on the student portal once the application review is complete.
Admission Requirements
Admission Requirements (tentative, subject to accreditation)
- Proof of a valid professional license as a midwife,
Proof of German language proficiency at least at the DSH-2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) for graduates with a non-German-language bachelor’s degree,
- Proof of English proficiency at the B2 level according to the CEFR, as well as either
- a first professional degree comprising at least 210 ECTS credits earned in a dual degree program in midwifery studies or midwifery science, along with a concurrent professional certification in accordance with the Midwifery Act (HebG), or
- a first university degree in midwifery or a related field; (the admissions committee determines whether the field is related),
- Applicants with a degree comprising 180 ECTS credits may also be admitted, provided they demonstrate additional competencies in midwifery science, e.g., by passing an oral entrance examination at HWG LU as part of the application process.
If you have questions regarding individual admission requirements (e.g., for a bachelor’s degree with 180 ECTS), it is recommended that you contact the program director well in advance.
A 180-ECTS bachelor’s degree combined with this master’s program does not automatically grant access to a subsequent doctoral program; this must be clarified on an individual basis with the respective university that awarded the degree.
Program Directors and Contact Persons
- Prof. Michaela Michel-Schuldt, Ph.D. – HWG Ludwigshafen (michel-schuldt@ 8< SPAM protection, please remove >8 hwg-lu.de) and Anika Werner (anika.werner@hwg-lu.de)
- Prof. Dr. Barbara Fillenberg – JGU Mainz (barbara.fillenberg@ 8< SPAM protection, please remove >8 uni-mainz.de) and Madeleine Tabatabai-Madani (madeleine.tabatabai-madani@uni-mainz.de)
Questions about the application?
The Student Service Center (SSC) team is happy to assist with any questions regarding applications and admission—whether you need help with the application process or have questions about the required documents.
By phone and email (all day)
Email: ssc-bewerbung@ 8< SPAM protection, please remove >8 hwg-lu.de
Phone: +49 621 5203-0
In-person appointments
Mon and Tue: 9 :30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Thu: 9 :30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Wed and Fri: closed
If you have questions about the content or focus of a specific degree program, the respective program managers for your desired program will be happy to assist you. You can find their contact information below.
