Midwifery Education Accreditation Council

The Midwifery Education Accreditation Council (MEAC) is an independent, non-profit organization in the United States that provides accreditation for midwifery education programs. MEAC was founded in 1991 to promote excellence in midwifery education and to ensure that education programs meet rigorous standards of quality.

MEAC accredits both direct-entry midwifery programs and midwifery bridge programs. Direct-entry midwifery programs are designed for individuals who have no prior healthcare training, while midwifery bridge programs are designed for individuals who are already licensed healthcare professionals, such as nurses.

MEAC accreditation requires education programs to meet a set of core competencies, which include knowledge and skills in areas such as anatomy and physiology, obstetrics and gynecology, prenatal care, labor and delivery, postpartum care, neonatal care and newborn care. In addition, MEAC requires that education programs provide clinical experience and instruction in accordance with established standards of care.

MEAC accreditation is voluntary, but it is recognized by many organizations and institutions in the United States as a mark of quality and excellence in midwifery education. Graduates of MEAC-accredited programs are eligible to take the national certification exam administered by the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM), which is required for certification as a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) in the United States.