School: Fanshawe College

Program：Doula Studies

Program Description:

If you have a passion for accompanying individuals through their pregnancy journey, equipping and supporting them to access information and resources to make the best choices for their own care, a rewarding career as a doula may be the perfect fit for you. Doulas are professionals, educated to provide physical and emotional support to expectant families, not only before, during and after childbirth, but across the full spectrum of their reproductive choices. The role of a doula involves advocacy, education, counselling, negotiation and most of all, honouring expectant families by providing continuous support.

Fanshawe's innovative certificate program is the first of its kind in Ontario. Using an evidence-informed and social justice approach, the program emphasizes the role of the doula in the health care community and prepares students for a career providing families with information and support across their reproductive journey. Students receive valuable hands-on experience through two field placements and are introduced to the complex, multi-dimensional world of the health care system, all of which prepares them to run a business, including entrepreneurship, sales and marketing and personal financial management.

Advantages:

This program emphasizes the dynamic role of the Doula in the health care community to prepare students for a rewarding career collaborating with the birth team to provide families with information and support for a healthy pregnancy, a safe and satisfying childbirth experience and a comfortable postpartum period. The curriculum captures the specialized knowledge, skills and experience that Doulas require relating to anatomy, physiology, and the emotional, psychological and cultural aspects of birth. Students are also introduced to business management/entrepreneurship concepts and strategies including business ethics and contracts, marketing and sales techniques and personal financial management.

Admission Requirement:

OSSD with courses from the College (C), University (U),
University/College (M), or Open (O) stream 
OR 
Academic and Career Entrance Certificate (ACE) 
OR
Ontario High School Equivalency Certificate (GED) 
OR 
Mature applicant with appropriate preparation

Tuition Fees:

Canadian Students

International Students

Career：

Doulas are professionals who provide non-medical care and support to families across the reproductive cycle. Fanshawe's one-year innovative certificate program provides in-depth training that will provide students with a strong foundation of knowledge, practical skills, and valuable field placements to prepare them to have a rewarding career helping families across their reproductive journey.
Most Doulas are self-employed, and graduates of this program will be prepared to develop and manage their own business. Given the comprehensive nature of the program, graduates will be able to work as a full-spectrum Doula, Birth Doula and a Postpartum Doula. Graduates will also be prepared to work in clinics, health units, social service and community centres providing childbirth education workshops, post-natal care workshops and breastfeeding clinics.

Credits Transfer

Fanshawe has pathway partnerships with over 60 institutions worldwide.  From degree completion to Master's Program admissions pathways – we have it covered.

Pathways database

Fanshawe's Pathways database can be searched by your Fanshawe program or your desired institution.  We make every effort to reflect the most current pathway information, however, it may be subject to change.

ONTransfer.ca

Link to Fanshawe College Official Website

https://www.fanshawec.ca