Health Sciences

Master of Science in Advanced Practice Midwifery

The Master of Science in Advanced Practice Midwifery is a postgraduate programme that prepares advanced practice midwives to develop innovative, practical solutions to complex maternal and reproductive health problems from a scientific perspective. The programme trains midwives to become leaders with decision-making skills in advanced clinical practice and midwifery education.

Core areas of study include advanced midwifery practice, reproductive health, maternal and neonatal care, evidence-based practice, research methods, midwifery education, healthcare leadership, policy and governance, quality improvement, and clinical decision-making. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and advanced clinical practice in midwifery.

The programme is offered by Aga Khan University, with Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology as a college. Aga Khan University offers the programme through its School of Nursing and Midwifery, East Africa. The programme is designed for registered midwives seeking to advance their clinical practice, leadership, and research skills to an advanced practice level.

Students develop competencies in advanced clinical assessment, independent midwifery practice, evidence-based decision-making, research, midwifery education, healthcare leadership, quality improvement, and policy analysis. The programme includes coursework, clinical practicum, research, examinations, and a research thesis. Graduates are prepared to provide care independently in various settings for diverse patient populations.

The programme is delivered over two years. Aga Khan University offers need-based financial assistance, with partial scholarships available for MSc-APM students. The programme requires registration with the Nursing Council of Kenya and a current practice licence, plus a minimum of two years of post-undergraduate practice experience.

Graduates pursue careers as advanced practice midwives, midwifery educators, maternal health programme managers, reproductive health consultants, clinical midwifery specialists, and midwifery researchers in hospitals, training institutions, government, NGOs, and international health organisations.

Skills Required

Advanced Clinical Midwifery Practice
Independent Midwifery Care and Decision-Making
Evidence-Based Practice in Midwifery
Maternal and Neonatal Health Management
Midwifery Education and Training
Healthcare Leadership and Management
Quality Improvement in Maternal Health
Reproductive Health Policy Analysis
Midwifery Research and Publication
Clinical Audit and Risk Management

Key Subjects

Advanced Midwifery Practice
Reproductive Health
Maternal and Neonatal Care
Evidence-Based Practice in Midwifery
Research Methods in Health Sciences
Midwifery Education
Healthcare Leadership and Management
Quality Improvement in Maternal Health
Health Policy and Governance
Clinical Decision-Making in Midwifery

Certifications

NCK Advanced Practice Midwifery Registration
ICM International Midwifery Certification

Specializations

Advanced Clinical Midwifery

Focuses on advanced clinical midwifery practice, conducting independent assessments, managing complex maternal cases, and providing comprehensive midwifery care across diverse settings.

Midwifery Education

Examines midwifery education, training future midwives, curriculum development, clinical teaching, and advancing midwifery education standards.

Maternal and Neonatal Health

Covers maternal and neonatal health, managing high-risk pregnancies, neonatal care, reducing maternal and neonatal mortality, and improving maternal health outcomes.

Reproductive Health

Focuses on reproductive health, family planning, adolescent reproductive health, managing reproductive health programmes, and advancing reproductive health services.

Midwifery Leadership and Management

Examines healthcare leadership, managing midwifery services, quality improvement, policy development, and leading maternal health programmes and institutions.

Midwifery Research

Covers midwifery research, conducting research to advance midwifery knowledge, evidence-based practice, and contributing to the body of knowledge defining the discipline of midwifery.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 326,400
Private, up to: Ksh 463,200
Job market: Very high

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 15 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Advanced Midwifery Practice
Reproductive Health
Maternal and Neonatal Care
Evidence-Based Practice in Midwifery
Research Methods in Health Sciences
Midwifery Education
Healthcare Leadership and Management
Quality Improvement in Maternal Health
Health Policy and Governance
Clinical Decision-Making in Midwifery

Modules

12 in the programme

Advanced Midwifery Practice
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Examines advanced midwifery practice, conducting independent assessments, managing complex maternal cases, and providing comprehensive midwifery care across diverse settings and patient populations.
Reproductive Health
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers reproductive health, family planning, adolescent reproductive health, managing reproductive health programmes, and advancing reproductive health services and policies.
Maternal and Neonatal Care
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Examines maternal and neonatal care, managing high-risk pregnancies, neonatal care, emergency obstetric care, and reducing maternal and neonatal mortality.
Evidence-Based Practice in Midwifery
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers evidence-based practice in midwifery, critically appraising research, applying evidence to clinical practice, and conducting clinical audits to improve care quality.
Research Methods in Health Sciences
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines research methods for health sciences, study design, data collection and analysis, research ethics, and conducting midwifery research.
Midwifery Education
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers midwifery education, training future midwives, curriculum development, clinical teaching, assessment methods, and advancing midwifery education standards.
Healthcare Leadership and Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines healthcare leadership, managing midwifery services, human resource management, financial management, and leading maternal health programmes and institutions.
Quality Improvement in Maternal Health
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers quality improvement in maternal health, conducting clinical audits, analysing maternal health outcomes, implementing improvement initiatives, and ensuring quality of care.
Health Policy and Governance
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines health policy and governance, analysing maternal health policies, understanding health systems, and contributing to policy development for maternal health.
Clinical Decision-Making in Midwifery
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers clinical decision-making in midwifery, advanced clinical reasoning, managing obstetric emergencies, and making independent clinical decisions in complex situations.
Clinical Practicum
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Clinical practicum at AKU hospital and affiliated facilities, conducting advanced midwifery assessments and managing complex cases under supervision, with clinical portfolio.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis contributing to the body of knowledge defining the discipline of midwifery, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Advanced Clinical Midwifery
Focuses on advanced clinical midwifery practice, conducting independent assessments, managing complex maternal cases, and providing comprehensive midwifery care across diverse settings.
Midwifery Education
Examines midwifery education, training future midwives, curriculum development, clinical teaching, and advancing midwifery education standards.
Maternal and Neonatal Health
Covers maternal and neonatal health, managing high-risk pregnancies, neonatal care, reducing maternal and neonatal mortality, and improving maternal health outcomes.
Reproductive Health
Focuses on reproductive health, family planning, adolescent reproductive health, managing reproductive health programmes, and advancing reproductive health services.
Midwifery Leadership and Management
Examines healthcare leadership, managing midwifery services, quality improvement, policy development, and leading maternal health programmes and institutions.
Midwifery Research
Covers midwifery research, conducting research to advance midwifery knowledge, evidence-based practice, and contributing to the body of knowledge defining the discipline of midwifery.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc Advanced Practice Midwifery programme at Aga Khan University begins with morning lectures on advanced midwifery practice, reproductive health, or evidence-based practice. Students engage in theoretical discussions on complex maternal health cases, clinical decision-making, and advancing midwifery practice. Clinical practicum sessions take students to AKU hospital and affiliated healthcare facilities where they conduct advanced assessments, manage complex maternal cases, and provide independent midwifery care under supervision. Evidence-based practice sessions involve critically appraising research, applying evidence to clinical practice, and conducting clinical audits. Research methodology sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering health research methods, data collection, and analysis. Midwifery education sessions develop teaching skills, curriculum development, and clinical teaching competencies for training future midwives. Leadership and management sessions examine healthcare leadership, managing midwifery services, quality improvement, and policy development. Quality improvement sessions involve conducting clinical audits, analysing maternal health outcomes, and implementing improvement initiatives. Guest lectures from experienced midwives, obstetricians, and maternal health experts provide clinical and policy insights. Seminars feature case presentations, research discussions, and contemporary issues in midwifery practice. The programme's focus on advanced practice prepares graduates for independent practice and leadership roles. The two-year programme culminates in a research thesis.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's high maternal mortality rate creates very high demand for advanced practice midwives who can independently manage complex maternal cases.
Aga Khan University is a prestigious international university with strong clinical facilities, experienced faculty, and regional campuses across East Africa.
Programme prepares graduates for independent practice, leadership, education, and research, providing diverse career pathways.
AKU offers need-based financial assistance and partial scholarships, making the programme accessible to students with demonstrated financial need.

Against it

Programme is offered at only one university (Aga Khan University), a private institution with high tuition fees.
Programme requires registration with Nursing Council of Kenya, current practice licence, and minimum two years of post-undergraduate experience, limiting eligibility.
Advanced practice midwifery is a relatively new concept in Kenya, with limited recognition of the advanced practice role in the health system.
MMUST listed as a college does not appear to independently offer this programme, limiting geographic access.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 349 health sciences courses

Public187k to 326k

187k at Moi University326k at Kenyatta University

Private463k to 463k

463k at Aga Khan University463k at Aga Khan University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

Public: Moi 187K, KU 326K/yr (mawese.com). Private: AKU 463K/yr (aku.edu).

AKU offers a Financial Assistance Programme with partial scholarships available for MSc-APM students, allocated on a need basis upon admission. HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. UNFPA provides reproductive health grants for maternal health capacity building in developing countries.

Funding options

AKU Financial Assistance Programme
HELB Postgraduate Loan
UNFPA Reproductive Health Grants

Scholarships

3 recorded

AKU Financial Assistance Programme
ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan
AKU offers need-based financial assistance with partial scholarships for MSc-APM students. Allocation is done on a need basis upon admission.
HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate health sciences studies at recognised universities.
UNFPA Reproductive Health Grants
GrantKsh 400,000
UNFPA provides reproductive health grants for maternal health capacity building in developing countries, supporting midwifery training and research.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: The programme is designed for registered midwives seeking advanced practice, leadership, and research skills. Two-year full-time programme at Aga Khan University. Requires NCK registration, current practice licence, and minimum two years of post-undergraduate experience. AKU offers need-based financial assistance with partial scholarships available upon admission.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, case study analyses, evidence appraisal exercises, and class participation throughout the programme.
Written Examinations
Examination30% of the mark
Written examinations covering advanced midwifery practice, reproductive health, evidence-based practice, and healthcare leadership, conducted at end of each semester.
Clinical Practicum Assessment
Practical40% of the mark
Assessment of clinical practicum, evaluating advanced clinical skills, clinical decision-making, independent practice capability, and professional conduct, with clinical portfolio.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis contributing to the body of knowledge defining the discipline of midwifery, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Aga Khan University's MSc-APM is offered through its School of Nursing and Midwifery. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate health sciences training. Graduates must be registered with the Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK) and hold a current practice licence.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Aga Khan University's MSc-APM is offered through its School of Nursing and Midwifery. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate health sciences training.
Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK)
Professional accreditationRequired
NCK regulates nursing and midwifery practice in Kenya. Graduates must be registered with NCK and hold a current practice licence. The programme meets NCK standards for advanced midwifery practice.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Advanced Practice Midwife
Very high demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 600,000
Provides independent advanced midwifery care in hospitals, clinics, and community settings, managing complex maternal cases and leading maternal health services.
Midwifery Educator
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches midwifery in universities and training institutions, developing curriculum, training future midwives, and advancing midwifery education standards.
Maternal Health Programme Manager
High demandKsh 160,000 to Ksh 600,000
Manages maternal health programmes for government, NGOs, or international organisations, overseeing programme design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
Reproductive Health Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 550,000
Consults on reproductive health programmes and policies, advising organisations on maternal health, family planning, and reproductive health service delivery.
Clinical Midwifery Specialist
High demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 550,000
Provides specialist clinical midwifery services in hospitals, managing high-risk pregnancies, obstetric emergencies, and complex maternal cases.
Midwifery Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Conducts midwifery research in universities or research institutions, contributing to the body of knowledge defining the discipline of midwifery.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as advanced practice midwives, midwifery educators, and maternal health programme managers in hospitals, training institutions, and international health organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Clinical Assessment Equipment
EquipmentPrimary
Advanced clinical assessment equipment for maternal and neonatal care, including fetal monitors, ultrasound, and emergency obstetric care equipment.
SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical analysis software for midwifery research, analysing maternal health data, and conducting quantitative health sciences research.
WHO Maternal Health Guidelines
Resource
WHO maternal health guidelines and standards for evidence-based maternal and neonatal care, providing clinical practice guidelines.
Electronic Health Records
Software
Electronic health record systems for documenting maternal care, tracking patient outcomes, and managing maternal health information.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Advanced practice midwifery is just an extension of basic midwifery training.
Advanced practice midwifery involves independent clinical decision-making, managing complex cases, leadership, research, and education, representing a significant advancement beyond basic midwifery practice.
Midwives cannot practice independently in Kenya.
Advanced practice midwives are trained to provide care independently in various settings, with the MSc-APM programme specifically preparing graduates for independent practice and leadership roles.
There is no need for advanced midwifery training in Kenya.
Kenya's high maternal mortality rate and shortage of skilled maternal health professionals create very high demand for advanced practice midwives who can independently manage complex maternal cases.
This programme is only for those wanting to become midwifery educators.
While the programme includes education training, graduates also pursue advanced clinical practice, leadership, research, and policy roles, not just education.
Aga Khan University is too expensive for most students.
AKU offers need-based financial assistance and partial scholarships for MSc-APM students, making the programme accessible to students with demonstrated financial need.
Advanced practice midwifery is the same as advanced practice nursing.
While related, advanced practice midwifery specifically focuses on maternal and reproductive health, childbirth, and neonatal care, while advanced practice nursing covers broader nursing specialisations.