Lactation Consultant Training Certificate Program

The mission of the Lactation Program at MSU Denver is to prepare diverse students for successful careers in maternal and child health and wellness as well as eligibility for the IBCLE credentialing exam to become an IBCLC through quality education that is culturally sensitive and instills a desire for life-long learning.

To prepare competent entry level lactation consultants in the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective learning domains.

Prepare graduates for a career using their knowledge of lactation support.

For Summer 2023, the priority deadline is April 15, 2023.  Acceptance after the priority deadline is only granted if space in the program is available. The final application deadline for Spring 2023 is May 1, 2023.

To apply for the Undergraduate Certificate in Lactation Consultant Training complete the online Undergraduate Admission Application.

• No minimum GPA Requirement
• No Application Fee

To apply for the Graduate Certificate in Lactation Consultant Training applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.

Here are the steps to complete an application:

1. Complete the online Graduate Admission Application
2. Submit a $50 non-refundable fee online
3. Submit Official Transcripts directly from all colleges and universities attended to Graduate Admissions at [email protected] *MSU Denver official transcripts do not need to be requested

Students admitted to the Graduate Certificate in Lactation Consultant Training are non-degree seeking students. Non-degree seeking students do not qualify for financial aid. If you are enrolled in the MSND or another graduate program, you may qualify for financial aid.

The proposed tuition for the Undergraduate Certificate in Lactation Consultant Training is $400/credit hour for residents and $450/credit hour for non-residents.

The proposed tuition for the Graduate Certificate in Lactation Consultant Training is $400/credit hour for residents and $450/credit hour for non-residents.

Pathway 1 is primarily meant for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs), Registered Nurses (RNs) or other recognized health care professionals.

This pathway requires a minimum of 95 hours of lactation-specific education including 5 hours of communication skills and a minimum of 1,000 hours of lactation-specific clinical practice. Lactation-specific clinical practice hours can be obtained in an appropriate setting to include hospital, birth center or community clinic. More details on Pathway 1 can be found on the IBLCE website.

*Pathway 1 can be completed at the undergraduate or graduate level.

To see how MSU Denver meets this pathway requirement, please review the curriculum below.

Pathway 2 is the lactation education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).  The requirements for this pathway include meeting key educational requirements, a minimum of 95 hours of lactation-specific education including 5 hours of communication skills, 12 credit hours, and a minimum of 300 hours of directly supervised lactation-specific clinical practice.

*Pathway 2 is primarily meant for existing nutrition undergraduate and graduate students as well as students pursuing other careers in health care.

To see how MSU Denver meets this pathway requirement, please review the curriculum below.

Pathway 3 is a mentorship program established with an existing IBCLC that requires a minimum of 95 hours of lactation-specific education including 5 hours of communication skills within the five years prior to IBCLC examination application, 12 credit hours, and a minimum of 500 hours of directly supervised lactation-specific clinical practice.

*Pathway 3 can be completed at the undergraduate or graduate level.

To see how MSU Denver meets this pathway requirement, please review the curriculum below.

In the Pathway 1 program, the Department of Nutrition at MSU Denver will provide 95 hours of lactation-specific education through two courses (NUT 4950 and NUT 4970.  Students in this pathway will gain their lactation-specific clinical practice in their healthcare-related places of employment under the coordination and direction of the Department of Nutrition.

Fall IBCLC Pathway 1 – Undergraduate Advising Document

In the Pathway 1 program, the Department of Nutrition at MSU Denver will provide 95 hours of lactation-specific education through two courses (NUT 590F and NUT 590D.  Students in this pathway will gain their lactation-specific clinical practice in their healthcare-related places of employment under the coordination and direction of the Department of Nutrition.

Fall IBCLC Pathway 1 – Graduate Advising Document

In the Pathway 2 program, students will complete the courses outlined in the document below as pre-requisites before enrolling in the Lactation Consultant Training Certificate Program.  In Pathway 2, an additional 95 hours of lactation-specific education will be provided through two courses (NUT 4950 and NUT 4970).  The supervised practice hours will be provided through existing partnerships that the Department of Nutrition has established with Colorado HealthONE hospitals (NUT 4990).

Pathway 2 – Pre-Requisites/Advising Document

Fall IBCLC Pathway 3 – Undergraduate Advising Document

Fall IBCLC Pathway 3 – Graduate Advising Document

The IBCLC Exam is offered twice per year.

Spring Offering – Apply in the Fall, registration opens mid-September to October

Fall Offering – Apply in the Spring, registration opens mid-April to May

Eligible for exam after all education courses and supervised hours are complete.

For initial candidates the cost is $660.