The Certificate in Human Lactation provides a foundation of knowledge necessary to adequately support a breastfeeding dyad. The required courses focus on basic nutrition, anatomy and physiology of lactation, common lactation issues, and lactation support in community and clinical settings. The courses have a dyad-focused approach to lactation management by focusing on both the mother and baby experience.
The certificate is open to all majors and minors at USI and members of the community. In addition to providing health professionals with the necessary knowledge to support the mother/baby dyad through their breastfeeding journey, it is also a steppingstone to obtaining the International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) credential which is considered the gold standard for lactation credentials.
International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) has a list of recognized health professions that are eligible to sit for the IBCLC exam upon completion of 95 hours of lactation education and 1,000 hours of clinical lactation practice. The 95 hours of lactation specific education would be provided with the proposed certificate program while the completion of the 1,000 hours of clinical lactation practice would be the responsibility of the student.
Students must achieve a grade of "C" or better in all required courses.
The student must submit the completed form by the Thursday before priority registration if the change is to be made within the current semester.
A certificate in human lactation can lead to various rewarding career options focused on breastfeeding support and maternal health. Here are some potential career paths for individuals with this certification:
Skills enhanced by the Certificate in Human Lactation:
*Income data provided by CareerOneStop.
Opportunities and salaries vary by region and experience.
The University of Southern Indiana is committed to making college accessible to those wishing to further their education by providing numerous scholarships, grants, and financial aid options to assist students in managing tuition expenses.
