Virginia Union University Offers Doula Certification Program

In an exciting development, Virginia Union University (VUU), a historically Black university, has become the first in its state to offer students a certified doula course. This groundbreaking initiative sprung from a partnership between VUU, the birth center Birth In Color, and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). The announcement, revealed on Tuesday, March 18th, 2025 marks the inception of a six-month doula training certification program, just in time for World Doula Week (March 22-28, 2025).

Are you wondering what a doula is? Allow me to break it down for you. Latham Thomas, the founder of Mama Glow Foundation, likens a doula to a birth “producer.” Just as a producer guides a film from concept to completion, a doula provides essential emotional, physical support and education during childbirth. Furthermore, they furnish soon-to-be parents with advocacy tools, a key in societies where self-advocacy is expected, especially for Black women.

Now, it’s a common misconception that doulas are less educated or not as compliant as their healthcare counterparts. But trust me, that’s far from the truth. Doulas are every bit as vital in the childbirth fabric, more so in marginalized communities where their role can make a significant difference. The VUU’s initiative is indeed a game-changer, opening up a new realm of potential support and empowerment for communities in need.

This isn’t just an innovation in the landscape of higher education – it’s a chance for students to play a critical role in addressing racial disparities in healthcare, especially around childbirth, and make a tangible difference in their communities. And isn’t that what we are all striving for?