Frequently Asked Questions about our classes - scroll down for enrollment!
Question 1: Is this a Full certification course?
Yes, this is a full certification course; plus our course is recognized by DoulaMatch.net (one of the top listing sites for doulas). We are not associated with any other program. Catholic Doula Program is a stand alone program and we are seeking full Medicaid status in many states.
Question 2: Is this course part of DonA.org or comparable to it?
This course is NOT part of DONA.org or CAPPA.org or any other organization. We are our own"entity" as such. We do not make claims to be like other organizations. We are unique. However, we do believe our program either meets or exceeds any requirement from any other "top" organization. I was trained at Birth Arts International and HypnoBabies Hypno-doula. You also can be certified with us and then seek "cross-certification" with another organization if so desired. We have had many students come from DONA.org who have been very satisfied with the course. If you have recently trained within ONE year of training with another organization; we will consider a cross-certification discount. After that time frame we cannot offer such a discount because of various reasons (many doulas from other organizations stop their memberships, etc.) And we can only discount self-paced classes for cross-certification.
Question 3: Will my certification be recognized? Are you a national or international course? what about course in another language? Spanish is available...
Yes, we haven't had any problems with our students certification being recognized as long as the current situation keeps for doulas. We are a course listed on DoulaMatch.net where most of the other doula organizations are listed on that site. We just finished translation on Spanish postpartum and Spanish for Birth Doula. All students will still have to read English books - such as "First Forty Days" and "Boost Your Breastmilk" in English. My book "Comfort in Birth Method" is in English - but I can translate short passages to Spanish as needed. Thank you.
Question 4: Do you take Payment plans for fast-track course and/or self-paced? How does that work?
HI, yes, we take payment plans for all courses. Self-paced courses usually can be done a once a month payment (or bi-monthly if needing lower payments). Fast-track course students can pay in a weekly format, 2 times a month format, or monthly format depending on need of student. I usually offer like a 2 times a month format if you want to be finished paying when your class is over. (For longer months there might be 3 payments in one month).
Question 5: What do I need to do to be certified?
Please check self-paced doula page or certification requirements page for information. (Note: Most updated is the self-paced doula page). We are now requiring for fall students to go to one birth. If possible also shadow a midwife or doula for part of your certification requirement. (If you cannot find a doula to shadow please let us know!) We also have a community project where you work around 20 hours on this (the project can be a combination of things together - so if you work shadowing a doula for 10 hours that counts for instance). Also, taking the M.O.M. Advocacy Breastfeeding course will count as your breastfeeding component for birth doulas. Postpartum doulas have the book Boost Your Breastmilk that they go through.
Question 6: Can I work anywhere with this certification? What about Medicaid or Tricare?
Yes, you can work anywhere that allows doulas such as hospitals, homebirth and birth centers. Can I take Medicaid when finishing this course? Yes in California as long as you obtain 3 births during your training time and we are working on Michigan status for this. We now are adding in Maryland, Arizona and probably Oklahoma to this status as well - we will update this once we get full approval in these states. We will require 3 births where it is necessary to have 3 births. Michigan does not require such. The other states probably do; so we suggest to students who want Medicaid status to go for 3 births and we will accept documentation as such. Our program DOES qualify in California for the Medi-Cal program. So, if you are wanting to work with low income women and get paid - you can get certified through Catholic Doula Program and meet those requirements for that state. We do NOT qualify for Tri-care Military program - they are only allowing like the top 4-5 programs to work with for that - however, we can consider a cross-certification - so email us about what we need for that. As we do want you to have the opportunity to study a Catholic program if that is your desire or spiritual based course.
Question 7: Is this an online class only? Do you ever offer in person?
Yes, most of our classes are online classes whether you attend via zoom or self-paced via classroom, etc. We can occasionally offer workshops depending on your location. Refund policy? Also, we have a no refund policy on most of the courses because most other doula courses also have no refund policies. We are a small operation; we hope to answer all of your questions before you begin. However, if you are on a payment plan and decide to drop out after first payment, second, etc. and you drop out, we are sorry to see you go, but our $125 or $105 down payment is non-refundable as well as any other payments. And if you chose a rebozo to be mailed to you the down payment is higher. There are no refunds on rebozo shawl. Seeother FAQ pageon what is a rebozo. Explore class is also available for those who want to explore something first if so desired.
Regular student policies section: First of all our classes are pro life and expect students to uphold pro life standards... 1. You are responsible for assignments and to know what they are - most are listed in modules or classroom area. The classrooms have list of required assignments - if you need extra "hand holding" please add in a mentoring packages around $100 for 3 mentoring session package or if you signed up with more - that's great! We also have an option for 5-6 sessions if so desired. 2.We have changed time limits - fast-track program has one year to finish while self-paced has 2 years to finish. After that below fees apply. If you need an extension, please talk to us! Teen doula explore students are expected to finish within a year. Bereavement doula because of nature of this work - there is no time limit on that course. There is no time limit if you signup for multiple classes. Magnificat Childbirth Educator course is longer class and students can have up to 2 years to finish (or longer if needed). Magnificat Fertility doula class is a little shorter - but willing to offer 2 years as well to finish. 3. Extension fees only apply if you need to go beyond a year - but we can waive fees for lower income students - so if you ask around your one year mark then we are most likely going to waive it. If you are beyond a year or 18 month for self-paced - we most likely will ask you for a $49 donation towards our scholarship funds. 4. Late fees on payment plans only: This applies to payment plans: Late fee of $25 applies if a student is late 14 days. If student remains late on payment after 30 days there is another $25 fee, etc. (After 30 days - we drop you from the course for non-payment.) You can message me before your due date (usually we pick 1st or 15th of the month). 6. Drop fee is for those who are in combination of courses and are on a payment plan paying on them and decide to "drop" and not take a class - so let's say you are in birth/postpartum/bereavement and decide to drop one class - then there's a $55 fee PER dropped course. You may stay in the class that you decided to keep paying on, etc. Thanks for understanding as we ask for payment commitments and we understand life changes - thank you. Is there a drop fee on a single course if I decide to just stop paying? No. However if you feel like dropping out of any class, please let us know, so we can improve our courses. If something came up with an illness in family or something please let us know and we can arrange for delayed payment within reasonable amount of time. (Reasonable is 2 weeks - not a month not two months). Thank you. 7. There is no refunds on any classes as we send out samples to students to give you a "taste" of the class and we are a small operation. We also do not refund any rebozos if we have arranged to purchase one for you - we will send tracking. If it gets lost in mail, it is not our responsibility; however many times we order from other sellers and we will see what we can do for you. Thank you.
8. Rewards - is there a reward for paying in full? You bet! We are now waiving PayPal or Square fees for paying in full on all our classes. We also may offer a free book if you need it (ask instructor). Good student rewards: We now our honoring some students by displaying their work in "student work" section of the website. If you are a student who wants something displayed, let me know! 9. Fast-track doula (zoom)- how much is the fast-track zoom class? We have decided to keep the self-pace and zoom classes the same. It is a sacrifice on our part to do this, but we know that some students like the in person interaction and others are fine with recordings and self-paced class. 10. Rebozo and books - there are no refunds on these items as well - if a book is lost and ordered through amazon then we can see if we can get another one out to you. If ordering a rebozo, please ask us about extra insurance and pay it - otherwise, if item is lost - we cannot guarantee a replacement. We sometimes drop ship rebozos from other sellers (Ebay, Etsy, etc.) So, then it will be up to the policy of the seller. If you feel more comfortable buying your own, you are most welcome too.
Terms for zoom class students:
Terms for live classes: Our live classes take up alot more of our time and we appreciate your patience. You agree to be video taped and we have rights to share all videos with any students in our class and video feed. We might use module one video for promotional purposes - but not any of the other ones. We do not offer refunds for live classes, but you can switch to self-pace version at anytime. We do not have a classroom usually for live class - you need to come to the zoom meeting calls and we will present the material live for that particular class (Lives also may include mini-classes such as herbs, rebozo, business, etc.) We usually do the fast-track postpartum or birth live in a seasonal format. We will send you a list of expected homework to turn in and once you finish the homework and certification requirements you are fully certified doula! All assignments maybe emailed to our email or sent to classrooms.
Regular (birth doula/postpartum doula) Live class expectations of students: *Show up on time. *Listen to lecture *Participate in discussions (as time allows) *Take notes for quizzes over materials. *Have fun! *No refunds on class after payment.
Mini-Live Class expectations: If you signed up for Herbs, Rebozo, or Business class: *Show up for the class *Take notes - we may still have a quiz. *Participate in discussions * Herbal classes expect an herbal item to be made - see Hart Song Herbal School for more information as we have moved the classes to there as it is a collaborative effort. *There is no refund on mini-classes. Thank you.
Pro-Life Pledge for birth and postpartum and bereavement students only (though other students may make the pledge if so desired)....
Pro-Life Affirming Pledge for doulas to sign at certification: We are editing this - because someone non-Catholic can become a doula with our program. 1. I agree to be a life bearing and honoring mothers and babies doula from the moment of conception. 2. I agree to the Scope of Practice statements of Catholic doula program - see scope of practice for birth doula here. (Postpartum doula scope coming soon). 3. I agree that abortion is wrong and I agree not to assist at or help with an abortion including medical reasons. Miscarriages are not an abortion and should be treated with respect. Thank you. (This also means you do not drive someone to an abortion clinic. ) 4. Surrogacy is a broad subject with many pitfalls. We personally feel that this is out of scope of our Catholic doulas. If you feel you are called to support this - please note that you may want to have another certification to back you on that. Thanks. 5. We believe in using the words "mother/mom/mama" for mother. We refer to "father" as "father/dad/partner" throughout the course. We are Biblical based training - and if this offends you - this is not the course for you. 6. As Catholic Doulas we believe contraception is wrong and we only teach NFP in our course work. Protestants taking the class will go by their church teaching on this issue. I _________accept the terms of this Pro-life doula pledge and life affirming pledge.
7. Magnificat Course students do not have to sign a pro-life pledge; however, we are pro-life minded. We do hope to make scope of practice statements soon for those classes. Thank you.
Read Birth Doula Scope of Practice statement on this page. We are still working on a postpartum one so postpartum students will just follow the birth one for now and ask instructor for any additions related to postpartum work!