The academic content and curriculum of the undergraduate midwifery program has a comprehensive structure that aims to provide students with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. In the first years, courses focusing on basic medical sciences enable students to acquire basic knowledge about the human body and health. These courses include subjects such as anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, pathology and pharmacology. These core courses enable students to understand the processes of health and disease and provide a solid foundation for the clinical courses they will take in the following years.
In the later years of the program, courses specific to the midwifery profession come to the fore. Topics such as women's health and diseases, pregnancy process, birth and postpartum care, neonatal health, breastfeeding counseling, family planning, reproductive health and gynecological examination techniques are covered in detail. These courses provide in-depth knowledge in specific areas such as normal and high-risk pregnancy management, the birth process and its complications, postpartum care and newborn monitoring. Students also learn about the health behaviors of individuals and communities and the social dimensions of health care through courses in psychology, sociology and public health.
In addition to theoretical courses, practical training also plays an important role in the curriculum. Practices in simulation laboratories allow students to develop their clinical skills and practice on realistic scenarios. Simulation training plays an important role in the acquisition of critical skills such as management of the labor process, emergency obstetric interventions and neonatal resuscitation. These hands-on trainings increase students' ability to put their theoretical knowledge into practice.
In the last years of the program, clinical internships and field practices are intensified. Students complete compulsory internships in maternity wards of hospitals, family health centers and community health units. These internships give students experience in providing real patient care, managing labor and postpartum processes, caring for newborns and providing women's health services. In addition, students are accompanied by clinical mentors and specialized midwives during the internships, so they have the opportunity to apply the knowledge they have learned in a professional environment.
An important component of the academic curriculum is elective courses that support continuous professional development. Students can take a variety of elective courses to deepen their areas of interest. These include topics such as advanced obstetric care, birth trauma, perinatal psychology, postpartum depression and pain management in childbirth. Elective courses help students to identify and gain competence in areas of specialization that match their career goals.
In conclusion, the academic content and curriculum of the midwifery undergraduate program aims to provide students with a comprehensive set of theoretical knowledge and practical skills. The education process starts with basic medical sciences and is supported by professional specialization courses and intensive clinical internships. This structure enables graduates to provide services in a competent, safe and ethical manner in the midwifery profession.