
Online Doula Training: August 6 – September 2, 2023
Training begins Monday, August 6, 2023. SMC Full Circle Doula Birth Companion Online Training is a four-week course for dual certification for the labor and postpartum doula.
About the Training
SMC Full Circle Doula Birth Companion Online training is a four-week course for dual certification for the labor and postpartum doula. SMC Full Circle Doula Birth Companion Training was created in 2002 to train doulas in the legacy of the 20th Century African American midwife who demonstrated traditional and spiritual perinatal care.
The training is designed to build capacity in the Black community, increase the number of doulas of color, and learn the midwifery model of care. Learn more about SMC Full Circle Doula Birth Companion Online Training.
Training Structure
TRhe training is designed to guide you through four lessons, a total of 47 linear course steps (topics), with one lesson introduced each week. Unique assignments, topics, discussions, required readings, and live training sessions are associated with and specific to the lesson of the week. This structure facilitates comprehensive learning strategies that to help you acquire SMC Full Circle Doula knowledge and certification; building community, gaining insight from instructor feedback, building confidence by providing feedback, and completing the lesson topics and assignments prior to the live training session, are integral.
Training Schedule
Week 1: Orientation and Full Circle Doula Care, August 6th – 12th.
Week 2: Pregnancy Care and Nutrition, August 13th – 19th.
Week 3: Labor and Delivery, August 20th – 26th.
Week 4: Postpartum Care & Entrepreneurship, August 27th – September 1st.
Live Zoom Class with Instructors: Each Week on Wednesday from 11:00am PT– 2:30pm PT.
Virtual Graduation: September 6th, 2023 11:00am – 12:30pm PT
Frequently Asked Questions
All registered students attending the training receive:
- Exclusive SMC Doula Training Manual
- Weekly Live Zoom Session during the course where you can interact instructors
- Resource List
- Provisional Doula Certificate
- Certification Packet
- Membership in the SMC Full Circle Doula Birth Companions Private Facebook Group, for ongoing support towards full certification
The only requirements to enroll in the training are that you (1) are 18 years of age or above, (2) have a high school diploma or GED (3) are interested in supporting women and families before, during and after birth.
Shafia Monroe Consulting (SMC) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status in any of its activities or operations.
To prepare for the training, please read the required reading before the first day of your course.
Required Reading List:
- SMC Full Circle Doula Philosophy, an abstract by Shafia M. Monroe Download PDF — 10-pages
- The Doula Guide to Birth, by Ananda Lowe and Rachel Zimmerman
- Listen to Me Good, Life Story of an Alabama Midwife, by Margaret Charles Smith and Linda Janet Holmes
Your training manual will be shipped to the shipping address provided on your registration form. Please allow 14 business days to receive your training manual if shipped within the United States. Deliveries outside of the U.S, may be subject to customs and delivery restrictions. Please allow an additional 7 business days for export deliveries.
You can pay over time or make a onetime payment via PayPal, debit or credit card. Payment Installments are available for online trainings only.
Online Training:
Single Payment of $1468
Two Weekly Installments of $734 per week
Three Weekly Installments of $489.33 per week
Four Weekly Installments of $367 per week
In-Person Training:
Please Note: Registration fees must be paid at least 30 days of advance of the first day of training.

Training Includes
- 4 Lessons
- 41 Topics
- 1 Quiz
- Training Certificate
