What the Practicum Is

The practicum is a structured, supervised experience designed to help doulas strengthen practical confidence while serving real families under Born Again Academy standards of practice.

It is intended for graduates who want support in areas such as:

• gaining early experience 

• receiving mentorship and feedback 

• building a stronger professional record 

• meeting certain state-specific experience requirements where applicable 

What the Practicum Is Not

• The practicum is not part of the 80-hour course and is not required in order to complete the course.

• The practicum is also not required for certification through Born Again Academy. Graduates who complete the course and meet Born Again Academy certification requirements may still pursue certification without participating in the practicum.

Because state systems vary, some graduates may choose the practicum to help meet external requirements such as birth attendance, client evaluations, or other pathway-specific expectations. Those requirements are determined by outside organizations or state systems and are separate from Born Again Academy certification.

Prerequisite

Successful completion of the course Community-based Perinatal Support and Childbirth Education is required before entering the practicum.

What the Practicum Includes

Practicum experiences may include supervised support across the perinatal period, such as:

• prenatal visits 

• birth attendance 

• postpartum visits 

• client communication, preparation, and follow-up support 

All practicum activities are completed under Born Again Academy standards of practice and include evaluation and feedback. The number of clients served within the practicum and the types of experiences required depends on individual graduate needs. Please visit the State Pathways page to see what is required in your state. At this time, graduates are responsible for finding practicum clients to serve.

Mentorship and Oversight

The practicum is a mentored experience. Participants receive oversight and guidance designed to support both growth and accountability.

Mentorship may include:

• review of client evaluations 

• feedback on doula support and professional conduct 

• help documenting experience appropriately 

• support in understanding state-specific expectations where applicable 

Who the Practicum May Be a Good Fit For

The practicum may be a good fit for graduates who:

• want guided oversight as they begin serving families 

• want evaluations and feedback on real-world support 

• are pursuing a state pathway that may call for additional experience 

• want help building early confidence, references, and professional credibility 

Tuition is $250

Practicum tuition includes orientation meeting, instructor guidance and availability, resources, and a debrief meeting with instructor and peers. Interested course graduates should attend the practicum FAQ meeting for further information. Invoices will be sent individually once it is verified that a graduate needs practicum experience.