About this Certificate

The Lactation Consultant Training Certificate Program is housed in the Department of Nutrition and allows students to meet the eligibility requirements to complete the International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) Exam and, once students pass the exam, work as a credentialed IBCLC. The MSU Denver Lactation Consultant Training Certificate Program is a residential program. There is not an online option for this program. Engaging in the classroom with peers and faculty members deepens the learning experience, broadens perspective, and will strengthen your professional network.

There are three pathways to become qualified for the IBCLC exam, according to the International Board of Certified Lactation Examiners (IBCLE).

For more information on the Lactation Consultant Training Certificate Program, please contact the Department of Nutrition at [email protected].

What is an IBCLC?

International Board Certified Lactation Consultants function and contribute as members of the maternal-child health team. They provide care in a variety of settings while making appropriate referrals to other health professionals and community support resources. Working together with mothers, families, policymakers and society, IBCLCs provide expert breastfeeding and lactation care, promote changes that support breastfeeding and help reduce the risks of not breastfeeding.

 

What can an IBCLC do?

IBCLCs typically work with patients as advanced practice clinicians. They work independently and as members of the maternal-child health team to manage clinical lactation concerns for mother, baby, and family units.

More information can be found on the IBLCE website.

Nutrition Faculty with baby

As baby formula shortages persist, breastfeeding education gets a boost

A new lactation-training program at MSU Denver prepares students to support nursing moms

Lactation Journal Club

This is a great place for students to network with IBCLC’s and others who work in maternal and child health. Attending Lactation Journal Club will keep you abreast of recent developments and updates in the field of lactation support. Additionally, 2 CEUs will be provided for each journal club attended.

Lactation Journal Club will meets monthly. Check out our upcoming events below!

You can register to attend the events that interest you at the link below:

https://commerce.cashnet.com/MSUDenverEM_NUTM

Lactation Journal Club Events

Lactation Journal Club Event Archive

Staff Directory

A photo of MSU Denver professor and Lactation Certificate program director, Dr. Jennifer Bolton.

Jennifer Bolton, PhD, RDN, IBCLC

Professor | Lactation Program Director

[email protected] 303-615-0990

MSU Denver Baby Café

The MSU Denver Baby Cafe’s are lactation support groups in the community and free to any community members who would like to participate. We offer groups in both Spanish and English, lactation support and community for postpartum parents. MSU Denver partners with these sites to provide a well-rounded experience to our lactation students as well as serve our community.

Mission and Goals

Program Prerequisites

Prerequisite courses – These courses are required to be completed before the program begins in August:

  • Biology
  • Human Anatomy
  • Human Physiology
  • Nutrition

Co-requisite courses – These courses are required to be completed by May when the lactation program is complete:

  • Introduction to Clinical Research
  • Infant Child Growth and Development
  • Psychology or Counseling Skills or Communications Skills
  • Sociology or Cultural Sensitivity or Cultural Anthropology

The Program Director or Manager cannot inform a student if their prerequisites will be accepted by IBCLC. Please visit their website and review the criteria for acceptance.

Corequisites

Prior to applying for the IBLCE exam, all candidates must complete education in 14 health science corequisites (including the prerequisites above). This general education must be completed prior to applying for the exam. See the required courses below.

For more information please review the Health Science Education Guide.

Additional subjects that will be met through program content: 

  • Medical documentation: content provided in program orientation
  • Medical terminology: content provided in program orientation
  • OSSHP: required prior to beginning NUT 4990/5990-Lactation Internship-provided through Healthstream modules
  • Ethics: required prior to beginning NUT 4990/5990-Lactation Internship-provided through Healthstream modules
  • Safety: required prior to beginning NUT 4990/5990-Lactation Internship-provided through Healthstream modules
  • BLS: all students must take a AHA CPR/BLS course prior to beginning NUT 4990/5990-Lactation Internship

Admission and Application Requirements

Tuition and Fees

Financial Aid

Scholarships

Pathways

Curriculum

IBCLC Exam Information

MSU Denver mascot Rowdy in celebratory pose.

Giving

Thank you for considering a gift to MSU Denver's Lactation Consultant Training Certificate Program and student scholarships.

Your tax-deductible donation will be used to help the Lactation Consultant Training Certificate Program continue to provide a quality and competitive lactation education and scholarships to students.

Connect with Us

Want more information?

For more information on the Lactation Consultant Training Certificate Program, please contact the Department of Nutrition. Click below to send us an email!

Email Us

Department of Nutrition

Phone:
303-615-0990

Office Location:
West Classroom 254

Office Hours:
8:00am – 5:00pm

Mailing Address:
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Department of Nutrition
Campus Box 33N
P.O. Box 173362
Denver, CO 80217-3362