The State Diploma in Midwifery is a higher education degree issued by medical training and research units (UFR) at an accredited university. The training required for this diploma is provided in accredited specialised schools affiliated with a hospital maternity ward. Completion of this diploma takes 4 years of study and is structured in two 2-year phases: instruction is both theoretical and practical. To obtain the diploma, validation is required for the instructional units of both phases, internships and the dissertation.