Lactation Education

  • Careers in Lactation Speaker Series

    Careers in Lactation Speaker Series

  • Mother and Father receive baby in hospital.

    Virtual Certificated Lactation Educator Training

  • A family bonds while mother breastfeeds baby.

    Virtual 95 hour Lactation Training

  • Dr. Efrat instructing a student in class.

    CSUN's Academic Program for Human Lactation

  • Students in Lactation Education class.

    Lactation Curriculum Expands with Federal Grant

  • Students smiling in Lactation Education class.

    Student Stories About Lactation Education

  • A Lactation Educator instructing two parents on how to use a breast pump.

    Responsibilities of a Lactation Educator

FAQs for CSUN Students

General Human Lactation for CSUN Students FAQ’s

I tried to enroll in a human lactation course (HSCI 434: Lactation Education: Prenatal and Perinatal Period or HSCI 446: Lactation Education Postpartum Period), but the course is full. What should I do?

  • Place your name on the SOLAR wait list.  For instructions on how to place your name on the SOLAR wait list visit:  https://www.csun.edu/admissions-records/waitlist
  • If you still are unable to get a spot, the next time the course is offered be sure to enroll as soon as your registration appointment allows.
  • We typically offer HSCI 434 during the fall, spring and summer semesters; and HSCI 446 during the spring semester.

When are the human lactation courses offered?

  • HSCI 434 – Lactation Education: Prenatal and Perinatal Period (3)
    • Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters
    • This course is a prerequisite to HSCI 446
  • HSCI 446 – Lactation Education: Postpartum Period (3)
    • Spring Semester ONLY
    • Plan accordingly to your anticipated graduation year and term

Are there any internship opportunities?

B.S. in Public Health Students

All other Majors

  • Please consult with your academic advisor.

LEAARC approved breastfeeding course For CSUN students FAQs

Does HSCI 434 provide me with the training needed to be a lactation educator?

  • Yes.
    • HSCI 434 provides students with the opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills needed to serve as lactation educators in the community.

How have CSUN graduates who have completed CSUN’s LEAARC recognized breastfeeding course (HSCI 434) applied the knowledge and skills they gained in this course in their personal and professional life?

To learn more about students success stories visit https://www.csun.edu/health-human-development/lactation-education/student-succes-stories.

To hear students share stories about their experiences taking HSCI 434 watch this video testimonial.

What designation do I earn after completing HSCI 434?

  • A student who successfully completes HSCI 434 receives a certificate of course completion which enables him or her to use the designation of certificated lactation educator (CLE).  Moreover, HSCI 434 is recognized by the Lactation Education Accreditation and Approval Review Committee (LEAARC) as basic education (under 90 hours) for breastfeeding educators and counselors.

Does CSUN's LEAARC Recognized breastfeeding course count towards the IBLCE exam eligibility requirements?

  • Yes, students who complete HSCI 434 will have completed 45 of the 95 hours of lactation specific education IBLCE exam requirement.

Does CSUN offer the training required to become an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)?

  • CSUN offers individuals the opportunity to complete the lactation specific education IBLCE exam requirements as well as the health sciences course work IBLCE exam requirement.  For a list of courses students can take at CSUN to meet IBLCE exam course work requirements click here.

Are there any prerequisites for the lactation courses offered at CSUN?

Yes.

  • To enroll in HSCI 434, you must be at least a junior (i.e. completed at least 60 units at either a community college and/or a four year university).
  • To enroll in HSCI 446, you must complete HSCI 434 at CSUN.

Are any of the CSUN lactation courses offered online?

  • Beginning Summer 2019, HSCI 434 will be offered in a fully online format.
 
 

Minor in Human Lactation FAQs

What are some careers that are associated with a Minor in Human Lactation Program?

There are two career paths in the field of human lactation: 1) lactation educator, and 2) lactation consultant. To learn more about each of these career paths, please visit: https://www.csun.edu/health-human-development/lactation-education/careers-human-lactation

Will I be an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant after earning a Minor in Human Lactation?

No. CSUN’s Minor in Human Lactation prepares students for a career as a Lactation Educator. To become an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant, individuals must pass the IBLCE exam. Participants who earn a Minor in Human Lactation will have completed one of the three IBLCE exam requirements: 95* hour of lactation specific education requirement, including 5 hours focused on communication skills. For more information on all of the eligibility requirements for the exam to become a IBCLC, please visit: https://www.csun.edu/health-human-development/lactation-education/ibclc-certification-exam-eligibility-requirements-non.

* If you completed HSCI 446 Spring 2021 or before this date you will have completed 90 hours of lactation specific education requirements and need to take an additional 5 hours focused on communication skills to fulfil the 95 lactation specific education requirements.

What are the steps to declare a Minor in Human Lactation?

How you submit your request depends on the number of units you have completed. Students may only add a minor if they can complete both their major and minor within 140 units:

  • If you have completed less than 90 units towards your degree, you may submit your request to declare the Minor online in SOLAR by visiting: https://www.csun.edu/admissions-records/change-major-minor
  • If you have completed more than 90 units towards your degree, you must submit an electronic copy of the following to: . 1) An academic plan that demonstrates that you can complete the Minor in Human Lactation and your major within 140 units, and 2) a completed PDF copy of the Change of Minor for Currently Enrolled Undergraduates form found at: https://www.csun.edu/sites/default/files/chngminor.pdf

When creating your academic plan, please be sure to show what semester and year you plan to take the required courses for the Minor in Human Lactation AND your major. Please use the CSUN catalog and your DPR as a resource to create your academic plan. The required courses for the Minor in Human Lactation can be viewed here: https://www.csun.edu/health-humandevelopment/lactation-education/academic-program-human-lactation

If you have any questions about the Minor in Human Lactation, or about the steps listed above, we are delighted to assist you. Please email us or schedule a phone or virtual Zoom advisement appointment.

Email: lactation.education@csun.edu

To schedule an appointment please visit: https://humanlactation.youcanbook.me

If I am majoring in FCS with an option in Nutrition & Dietetics and would like to minor in Human Lactation, what additional coursework will I need to take beyond my major?

In addition to the required B.S. in FCS with an option and Nutrition and Dietetics Program coursework, students majoring in FCS with an option in Nutrition & Dietetics who would like to also earn a Minor in Human Lactation will need to take:

  • HSCI 170 Emergency Procedures (2)
  • HSCI 434: Lactation Education: Prenatal and Perinatal Period
  • HSCI 446: Lactation Education: Postpartum Period (pre-requisite 434)

Students majoring in in FCS with an option in Nutrition & Dietetics will have likely satisfied the following Minor in Human Lactation program requirements as these are pre-requisites for required coursework in the B.S. in FCS with an option and Nutrition and Dietetics Program:

  • Biol 101/L General Biology and Lab:
    • BIO 215L is pre-requisite for FCS 301, which is required in your major and can be substituted for Bio101/L.
  • Biol 281 Human Physiology
    • Bio 281 is a pre-requisite for FCS 307, which is required in your major.
  • Minor in Human Lactation Nutrition requirement (FCS 207 or HSCI 337)
    • FCS 207 or HSCI 337 is a pre-requisite for FCS 321/L, which is required in your major.

If I am majoring in Public Health and would like to minor in Human Lactation, what additional coursework will I need to take beyond my major?

There is a great deal of overlap between required coursework that is part of the B.S in Public Health program and Minor in Human Lactation program. Students majoring in Public health who would like to also earn a Minor in Human Lactation will: want to satisfy the required 12 units of health sciences electives that are part of the B.S. in Public health degree requirements by selecting the following four health sciences electives.

  • FCS 330 Child Growth and Development (3 units)
  • HSCI 337 Nutrition and Health (3 units)
  • HSCI 434: Lactation Education: Prenatal and Perinatal Period (3 units)
  • HSCI 446: Lactation Education: Postpartum Period (pre-requisite 434) (3 units)

    need to take two additional lower division courses:
    • BIOL 211/212 Human Anatomy and Lab (2/1 units)
    • HSCI 170 Emergency Procedures (2 units)

Please note, in order to meet the upper division requirement for the minor in Human Lactation, students who take CADV 150 must take HSCI 337; students who take FCS 207 must take FCS 330 OR students may take HSCI 337 and FCS 330. Keep in mind, the above listed courses are general guidelines. You are encouraged to review the required courses both in the B.S. in Public Health program and the Minor in Human Lactation program, as requirements change from time to time, and seek regular advisement.

If I am majoring in Nursing and would like to minor in Human Lactation, what additional coursework will I need to take beyond my major?

Students earning a BS in Nursing at CSUN will have likely satisfied all of the following Minor in Human Lactation requirements as these are part of an Associates in Nursing degree program:

  • Biol 101/L General Biology and Lab
  • Biol 211/212 Human Anatomy and Lab
  • Biol 281 Human Physiology

Students earning a BS in Nursing at CSUN can substitute HSCI 170, a required Minor in Human Lactation course, with NURS 428L Community and Population Nursing and lab, which is a required course in CSUN’s B.S. in Nursing program. Students earning a B.S. in Nursing at CSUN will need to take the following Minor in Human Lactation courses that are not part of the BS Nursing course requirements:

  • HSCI 337 Nutrition and Health
  • HSCI 434: Lactation Education: Prenatal and Perinatal Period
  • HSCI 446: Lactation Education: Postpartum Period (pre-requisite 434)

Keep in mind the above listed are general guidelines. You are encouraged to review the required courses in the B.S. in Nursing program and the Minor in Human Lactation Program, as requirements change from time to time, and seek regular advisement.