Student Rights and Responsibilities

Assignment: Please familiarize yourself with NCM's Student Rights and Responsibilities.  These are also found in the NCM Handbook/Catalog and can be referenced at any point during the course of your apprenticeship.

Student’s Rights and Responsibilities

NCM Student Rights include, but are not limited to: 

  • A right to pursue an education in midwifery free from discrimination.
  • A right to evaluate and provide feedback and to feel assured they will not experience discrimination for doing so.
  • A right to express themselves without being censored except in the case that those expressions are a violation of NCM policies and/or state, local, and federal laws.
  • A right to equitable and unbiased academic and clinical evaluation.
  • A right to privacy of all educational records in accordance with NCM’s FERPA policies and procedures.
  • A right to decline disclosure of private information such as health information, personal history, personal beliefs or political views.
  • A right to engage in an educational environment that honors freedom of expression, diversity of views, equity, and safety.

NCM Student Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

  • Reading and understanding the description of the curriculum in the National College of Midwifery Student Handbook for the Associate Degree in Midwifery.
  • Keeping a current working NCM assigned email address as well as current contact information on file with the College, and understanding that if the College is unable to contact the student for a period of 3 trimesters, without prior arrangement, the student will be withdrawn.
  • Understanding that enrollment by itself does not guarantee the issuing of a degree. The Bachelor of Science in Midwifery Degree will be awarded only when all of the following are completed and documentation of all is on file at the College administration headquarters:
    • When clinical and academic course requirements are successfully completed;
    • When the student has paid all college fees in full
  • Taking responsibility for annual extension fees after 3 years of enrollment.
  • Understanding that students are considered active from the time of enrollment to the time of graduation or withdrawal, including during trimesters when they do not complete and/or submit work. Extensions past 5 years may be granted by the president on a case by case basis.
  • Understanding that the student, not the faculty, is responsible for organizing and directing the student’s studies and all attendant NCM paperwork.
  • Submitting a progress report every trimester. All submissions must be signed and dated by the supervising clinical preceptor and all work submitted to the College must be accompanied by an evaluation with every clinical preceptor with whom the student has worked during the trimester.
  • Agreeing to contact NCM for counseling and/or mediation services in the case of any conflict or dispute with faculty.
  • Understanding that the student will not receive their diploma and final transcript until any outstanding fees are paid to the College.
  • Understanding that all academic and clinical work submitted towards the student’s degree is subject to approval by NCM.
  • Understanding that the National College of Midwifery does not issue 1098 T forms.  Please refer to IRS Publication 970.
  • Understanding that the legal status of midwifery varies from state to state. NCM will provide information and it is the student’s responsibility to use this to adhere to the laws in the state(s) in which they are studying.
  • Understanding that if the student is planning to continue with another college or university, it is their responsibility to check with that college or university if they will accept credit from NCM.
  • Understanding that in the case of any adverse clinical outcome, the clinical preceptor agrees to debrief with the student to the satisfaction of both the clinical preceptor and student. If either clinical preceptor or student cannot reach satisfaction on the completion of the debriefing process, both agree to contact the College administration for mediation services.
  • Work done prior to enrollment, or with someone who is not the student’s official NCM clinical preceptor at the time the work was done will not be eligible to satisfy program requirements, with the exception of birth observations.
  • Students must have continuous access to a computer and an internet connection.