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Lactation Consultant: Pathway 2

Professional Certificate

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About the Lactation Consultant: Pathway 2 Program

Courses

Delivery Method
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  • Live Online
  • In-Person
  • Online
  • Hybrid

Lactation Education CounselorRMED-40029

Units: 4.50

$745

Lactation Education Counselor Course Description This comprehensive 45-hour course prepares health professionals and other interested individuals to become lactation counselors. It furnishes the basi...

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Pathway 2: DidacticRMED-40032

Units: 12.00

$6,900

The Pathway 2 professional certificate program expands the clinical knowledge of the breastfeeding professional who interfaces with the breastfeeding client by understanding problems of clinical manag...

Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

30 Units Required

Clinical Competencies InternshipRMED-40037

Units: 30.00

$100

300 hours of lactation-specific clinical practice...

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring

Clinical Competencies Internship IRMED-40033

Units: 15.00

$100

Contact HoursThis course provides 150 contact hours. ...

Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered: Spring

Clinical Competencies Internship IIRMED-40034

Units: 15.00

Free

150 clinical hours...

Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered: Summer

Pathway 2 students additional CE subjects required for IBCLE exam

Medical Terminology: An Anatomy and Physiology ApproachFPM-40632

Units: 1.50

$345

Using an anatomy and physiology systems approach, this course reviews common terms associated with medical practice, research, and different healthcare settings. The goal: to better prepare individual...

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Anatomy & Physiology for Allied HealthFPM-40320

Units: 4.50

$515

This course is designed to develop an integrated understanding of human structure and function, and an appreciation for the close interrelationship between anatomy and physiology. Clinical examples u...

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Occupational Safety & Security for Health ProfessionalsFPM-40554

Units: 1.00

$235-$245

This course is specifically designed for general healthcare personnel in healthcare or healthcare-related organizations. Students will receive a broad, comprehensive exposure to safety and health req...

Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Fundamentals of Infection Prevention/Clinical EpidemiologyFPM-40577

Units: 1.00

$145-$155

The concepts of Fundamentals of Infection Prevention and Clinical Epidemiology will be communicated through a series of web-based sessions, with each session building upon knowledge and principles com...

Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

CT: Practical Clinical Statistics for the Non-StatisticianFPM-40233

Units: 2.00

$525

This course presents the statistics essentials for the non-statistician involved in clinical trials. Topics include study designs, hypothesis testing, sample size calculations, assumptions, controls, ...

Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Foundations of Nutrition I: Introduction to Nutrition ScienceBIOL-40320

Units: 3.00

$455

Over the ten-week length of the course, students will study nutrition science principles on the following topics: The importance of nutrition research, research study designs, the scientific methodPl...

Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Introduction to PsychologyPSYC-40028

Units: 4.50

$845

Gain an Introduction to Psychology This undergraduate-level online course is designed to introduce students to the exciting field of psychology. Students explore a range of topics including cognitio...

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Human Growth and DevelopmentPSYC-40029

Units: 4.50

$845

Human Growth and Development This course provides an introduction to the major theories, models, and research related to human development throughout all stages of the lifespan from birth to death. S...

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Medical DocumentationFPM-40676

Units: 1.50

$345

This course is intended for those who wish to expand their knowledge of medical documentation. The goal of this course is to present material on an introductory level covering multiple facets of the s...

Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Medical Ethics for Allied Health ProfessionsFPM-40675

Units: 1.50

$345

This course is designed to familiarize the student with medical ethics in a way which will allow for personal expression and further growth as a critical thinker. This course will discuss theories, co...

Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
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Industry Certification

CAAHEP.pngThe Lactation Consultant Program provided by UC San Diego Extended Studies is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Lactation Education Accreditation and Approval Review Committee (LEAARC). The program earned its initial accreditation on November 17, 2017 and is current until November 30, 2022.

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
25400 U.S. Highway 19 North, Suite 158
Clearwater, FL 33763
727-210-2350
www.caahep.org

UC San Diego Extended Studies supports IBLCE as the credential and certification board for practicing Lactation Consultants. The IBLCE Exam is given twice a year in September and April. Students must complete the IBLCE requirements as currently defined at www.IBLCE.org.

Students may meet the certification exam requirements by any Pathway, however, UC San Diego only supports Pathway 1 and Pathway 2. All students who successfully complete this training program and its requirements are eligible to sit for the IBLCE exam.

Conditions for Admission

Please see the application for specific admission requirements for this program. Although a college degree or professional experience in the field are not required, applicants with such experience may receive preference for admission when program capacity is limited. All students are required to complete the application (click on "Apply Now").

Next Steps Experience

Connect your classroom education with real-world knowledge through a Next Step Experience. These specially designed programs allow students to gain hands-on experience by working closely with instructors and/or peers on real-world projects.

The Lactation Consultant specialized certificate program expands the clinical knowledge of the breastfeeding professional who interfaces with the breastfeeding client by understanding problems of clinical management. The Pathway 2 Next Step Experience includes a supervised in-person clinical rotation with a current IBCLC as well as crucial test preparation for the IBCLE Exam.

Continuing Education for Nurses

UC San Diego, Division of Extended Studies is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

Course content expires December 31, 2023. No one in a position to control content has a relevant financial relationship with an ineligible company.

UC San Diego Extended Studies is an approved provider of re-licensure credit for registered nurses by the California Board of Registered Nurses, Provider number 0058.

  

Lactation Information Session

Learn how to expand your current knowledge and provide the best patient care in lactation education and how to become a Lactation Consultant.

Frequently Asked Questions

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How do I become a Lactation Consultant?

What are the UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies application requirements of Pathway 2?

Pathway 2 Candidates: The UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies Lactation program for Pathway 2 meets the IBLCE 95 hours of didactic education requirement for the IBLCE exam. The UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies course is 95 hours in length. The UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies Lactation program requires that all Pathway 2 applicants have met the professional educational prerequisite requirements of the IBLCE before taking the UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies Pathway 2 education program. These requirements can be reviewed below or at IBLCE.org.

What are the “pre-requisites” for the UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies Pathway 2 program?

Pathway 2 Candidates: Completion of “General Education Requirement” of the IBCLE is required before the start of the UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies Lactation Consultant Pathway 2 program.

1. General Education Requirement: Candidate must be a Licensed, Registered or Recognized Health Professional. For the UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies hybrid lactation program pathway 2 application you will be required to identify your health profession, and required to submit a copy of your license, registration, diploma or unofficial transcript.

Health professionals include: physicians, nurses, midwives, dietitians, occupational, physical and speech therapists, physician assistants, dentists, pharmacists and chiropractors. If your profession is not on this list, please see IBLCE.org for more information about whether or not your professional training will satisfy the General Education requirements.

If you are not a licensed, registered, or recognized health professional you will be required to submit proof of completion of the 8 academic college courses and 6 CEU courses as described by the IBLCE.org. These courses must be from an accredited college or university.

**See next FAQ for the list of 8 academic college courses and 6 CEU courses as described by the IBLCE.org.

2. Completion of a 45-hour lactation education training program (preferably UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies’s program), within the past 5 years. The course is LEC – Lactation Educator Counselor RMED-40029. The LEC – Lactation Education Counselor course is offered online each quarter or in a classroom setting at various locations throughout California.

What are the Required 8 College Subjects and 6 Continuing Education Subjects?

See IBLCE Health Sciences Education Requirements

If you are not a licensed, registered or recognized health professional, you will be required to submit proof of completion of the 8 academic course and 6 CEU courses as described by the IBLCE.org. These courses must be from an accredited college or university.

Health professionals include: physicians, nurses, midwives, dietitians, occupational, physical and speech therapists, physician assistants, dentists, pharmacists and chiropractors. If your profession is not on this list, please see IBLCE.org for more information about whether or not your professional training will satisfy the General Education requirements.

1. 8 College Subjects must be from an accredited college or university and at least one academic term in length. Candidates must have received a passing grade in each course of "C" or better in each of the courses.


2. 6 Continuing Education Subjects available at UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies ONLINE:

In addition, UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies requires completion of the following course:

When will the Pathway 2 course be completed?

The UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies program works closely with IBLCE. For UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies Pathway 2 candidates, all homework and clinicals will be due by May 1, of each year. This deadline will allow ample time to apply for the IBLCE exam in September of that year. 

In regards to Lactation Consultant program Pathway 2 program for fall: will all the course requirements be met by May?

In the past, the IBLCE allowed for a Moratorium of Understanding to be completed stating that exam requirements would be met by the time the exam was taken. As noted at IBLCE.org, IBLCE no longer allows for a MOU and all requirements to sit for the September exam must be completed by the May deadline. 

What is the application deadline for the UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies Pathway 2 course and when is the IBLCE test date?

The UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies Pathway 2 program application is open from October 15, 2022 to February 15, 2023. The IBLCE test application deadline is May with a test date in September, annually.

What if my LEC or equivalent is older than 5 years?

Complete UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies RMED-40036 Lactation Education Refresher course. This course will update the educational points of RMED-40029 Lactation Education Counselor course.  The course is two units and tuition is $275.

What is the estimated time commitment for the Hybrid Lactation Pathway 2 program?

Clinical: Interns are required to do 12-14 hours per week of clinicals. 300 clinical hours are required.

Weekly Time Commitment:
Video Viewing: Approximately 7-8 hours per week
Homework: Approximately 5-6 hours per week
Intern can work ahead on hours and homework. Intern is subject to removal from program if they get behind in requirements.
 

What are the IBLCE Exam dates and IBLCE test application dates?

April IBLCE Exam - Application due previous November
September IBLCE Exam - Application due previous May

School code for application to sit for the exam: 164875

What are the costs associated with this program?

Cost of Program
Pathway 2 Hybrid course: Didactic education and clinical $7500
Application Fee $50
Clinical Placement Fee $500
P2 Didactic 6900
Clinical Competencies I $100
Additional Costs
Clinical background document fees between $50-$250
Cost of books approximately $250
Cost of Complio Tracking Package $22
Cost of IBLCE Exam --
Cost of Specialized Certificate $95
Cost of homework printing and supplies $150 for the year
Cost of babysitting and travel to the course as applicable

For financial aid or student loan information, please review UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies’s financial aid information. There are no scholarships for this course from UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies.

There may be scholarships available from your local breastfeeding coalition. In addition, you may have educational funds available as part of your employment package at many hospitals.

How do I enroll in a class?

To enroll into a class, click on the class link in the matrix and that will take you to that class page. There you can find a course description, prerequisites, and the start date for that course. To enroll in the course click on “Add to Cart” which will lead you to complete the registration/payment process.

How are online courses formatted?

Online courses are asynchronous. Students do not need to meet at a specific time online, but will need to log in each week to view the lessons, participate in course discussion, and complete and submit coursework/quizzes/tests.

When will I have access to my online course?

You will have access to an online class on the official start date of the class. Access will be available at 7:30am Pacific Standard Time. Enrollment in online classes can take up to 24 hours to process and sync with our online classroom platform. For example, if a class started on Tuesday and that is the day a student enrolled, they will likely not have full access to the class until 24 hours later on Wednesday.

Uyen Tran

The program helped me gain confidence about myself and what I could offer, prepared me for the exam and also to become an IBCLC full of hope and aspiration.

Uyen Tran, Alumni

Advisory Board

Alexandra Barrera, RN, IBCLC

UC San Diego, Division of Extended Studies

Kristina Chamberlain, CNM, ARNP, IBCLC, Lead Instructor

UC San Diego, Division of Extended Studies

Rose deVigne-Jackiewicz, RN, IBCLC

UC San Diego, Division of Extended Studies

Jamie Felice, BSN, RN, PHN, IBCLC

County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency

Ruth Hammer, MSN, RN, IBCLC

UC San Diego Health

Robin Kaplan, MEd, IBCLC

San Diego Breastfeeding Center

Michelle Lee, PhD, RN

Kaiser Permanente

Michelle Leff, MD, IBCLC, FAAP

UC San Diego Health

Tessa Rowe

Kara Sunderland, RN, IBCLC

Rady Children's Hospital

Christina Tenorio, IBCLC, CLC, ICCE

Huntington Memorial Hospital

Nancy Wight, MD, IBCLC, FABM, FAAP

San Diego County Breastfeeding Coalition

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This certificate requires an application before taking any courses. There will be a $50 fee to apply to this program. Students will also be required to pay a $95 certificate fee upon enrollment into the program after acceptance. View the complete Certificate Registration and Candidacy Guidelines.