The Human Lactation Consultant Program is designed to provide an opportunity for individuals interested in becoming Internationally Board Certiï¬ed Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) to obtain the required 90 hours of didactic coursework and 300 hours of supervised practice to be eligible to sit for the certiï¬cation exam. The courses are designed for current Drexel students, practicing health care and public health professionals outside of Drexel, and others interested in entering the health professions. There is currently a strong global and national emphasis on increasing breastfeeding to promote health at the population level, prevent acute and chronic illness and decrease societal health care costs. The United States Surgeon General, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Healthy People 2020, the Institutes of Medicine, the Joint Commission, Michelle Obama's Let's Move Campaign and many professional associations include breastfeeding as a key health strategy.
The certiï¬cate program consists of six 2-credit courses in lactation. The didactic coursework is offered in the classroom setting. The supervised practice is offered in clinical hospital and outpatient sites, as well as area WIC offices affiliated with Drexel.
Students who wish to become IBCLCs must complete all six courses. To be eligible to take the certifying exam given by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners they must have also completed coursework including anatomy and physiology, biology, child growth and development, nutrition, psychology, which may be taken at Drexel or other institutions. Drexel has accreditation as a Pathway 2 Program with the Lactation Education Accreditation and Approval Review Committee.