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

IBCLC Certification Exam Eligibility Requirements for CSUN Students

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Students wishing to pursue certification as an IBCLC must pass the IBCLC certification exam. In order to be eligible to take the IBCLC certification exam individuals must fulfill the below listed eligibility requirements:

IBCLC Certification Exam Eligibility Requirements for CSUN Students
    1. Complete course work in 14 health science subjects

Please note: IBCLC Recognized Health Professionals do not need to complete this requirement. To find out which health professionals are considered to be IBLCE Recognized Health Professionals please visit https://iblce.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/recognised-health-professions.pdf

  1. Complete at least 95 hours of education in human lactation and breastfeeding including 5 hours focused on communication skills within the 5 years immediately prior to applying for the exam.

  2. Complete clinical hours helping breastfeeding mother baby dyads.

Course Work in Health Sciences Subjects that can be fulfilled at CSUN
IBCLC Exam Health Sciences Course Work Eligibility RequirementsCourses Offered at CSUN
I. Health Sciences Course Work Requirement 
Courses that Must be Taken at an Accredited Institution of Higher Education 
BiologyBIOL 101: General Biology and Lab (3)*
Human AnatomyBIOL 211/212: Human Anatomy and Lab (3)*
Human PhysiologyBIOL 281: Human Physiology*
Infant and Child Growth and DevelopmentFCS 330: Child Growth & Development (3) or * CADV 150: Foundations of Child & Adolescent Development (3)*
NutritionHSCI 337 Nutrition and Health (3) or FCS 207 Nutrition for Life (3) *
Psychology or Counseling or Communication SkillsPSY 150: Introduction to Psychology (3)
Sociology or Cultural Sensitivity or Cultural AnthropologySOC 150: Introductory Sociology (3)
Introduction to Clinical ResearchMATH 140: Introductory Statistics (3)
Courses that May be Taken as Continuing Education 
Basic Life Support (CPR)HSCI 170: Emergency Procedures (2)*
Medical TerminologyHSCI 170: Emergency Procedures (2)*
Medical DocumentationHSCI 170: Emergency Procedures (2)*
Occupational Safety and Security for Health ProfessionalsHSCI 170: Emergency Procedures (2)*
Universal Safety Precautions and Infection ControlHSCI 170: Emergency Procedures (2)*
Professional Ethics for Health ProfessionalsHSCI 170: Emergency Procedures (2)*

Please note the following: Courses marked with a * are part of the Department of Health Sciences Minor in Human Lactation

95 Hours of Education in Human Lactation and Breastfeeding that can be fulfilled at CSUN
IBCLC Exam Human Lactation and Breastfeeding Course Work Eligibility RequirementsCourses Offered at CSUN
95** hours of Coursework in Human Lactation & BreastfeedingHSCI 434-Lactation Education: Prenatal and Perinatal Period (3)* HSCI 446- Lactation Education: Postpartum Period (3)* (Prerequisite HSCI 434)

Please note the following: Courses marked with a * are part of the Department of Health Sciences Minor in Human Lactation

** 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

Clinical Hours Helping Breastfeeding Mother Baby Dyads

At this time CSUN Does Not provide students with the opportunity to complete the required clinical hours needed to sit for the certification exam to become an IBCLC. CSUN students completing the Minor in Human Lactation, who wish to obtain the required supervised clinical experience to be eligible to sit for the IBLCE exam, may do so through IBLCE Pathway 1 or IBLCE Pathway 3. For more information about completing clinical hours towards the IBCLC certification exam visit. https://ibclc-commission.org/step-1-prepare-for-ibclc-certification/lactation-specific-clinical-experience/

Please note: Taking coursework at CSUN that leads to licensure and credentialing does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or credential.

  • Licensure and credentialing requirements are set by agencies that are not controlled by or affiliated with the CSU and can change at any time. For example, licensure or credentialing requirements can include evidence of the right to work in the United States (e.g., Social Security number or taxpayer identification number) or successfully passing a criminal background check). Students are responsible for determining whether they can meet licensure or credentialing requirements.

  • The CSU will not refund tuition, fees, or any associated costs to students who determine subsequent to admission that they cannot meet licensure or credentialing requirements. Information concerning licensure and credentialing requirements is available from the department.