Lactation Consultant Schools in California - CA
By Allison Skoglind, XYZ Media contributing writer
Published: May 24th, 2010
Lactation consultant training in California usually consists of two components: academic education and clinical experience. Most professionals enter into this occupation by first gaining a college degree in a health care related field. Luckily, California is home to literally dozens of state colleges and universities that offer degrees in nursing, vocational nursing, medical assistance, human services, health administration, health care education and surgical technology. Most lactation consultants possess at least a bachelor degree in health care, although a master degree is preferred.
In addition, training should also include lactation and breastfeeding specific education. Organizations like Women, Infants and Children (WIC), Breastfeeding Support Consultants, and the Center for Breastfeeding and Health e-Learning offer 45-200 hour distance learning courses in lactation consulting. Some examples of courses found in these programs include: Management of Breastfeeding, Mechanics of Breastfeeding, Breastfeeding Devices and Feeding Alternatives, and Communication and Counseling Skills. After earning a degree in health care and completing a lactation specific education program, students must gain clinical work experience (paid or unpaid). Often, academic programs will provide clinical experience as part of the curriculum. However, supervised clinical experience can also be gained through internships, job shadowing, peer counseling, and volunteering in maternal health care facilities like hospitals and medical clinics throughout California.
Through campus based and online programs, aspiring Lactation Consultants in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose and San Francisco, California can prepare themselves for careers at some of the best hospitals and healthcare facilities in the country including Laguna Honda Hospital, Community Regional Medical Center, L.A. County & USC Medical Center, and Huntington Hospital.
Online / Distance Programs
Degrees: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) - General, M.S. in Nursing (MSN) - BSN Track - Education, M.S. in Nursing (MSN) - BSN Track - General, M.S. in Nursing (MSN) - BSN Track - Informatics, M.S. in Nursing (MSN) - BSN Track - Leadership & Mgmt,
and more...
Degrees: Master of Science in Nursing - Nursing Administration, Master of Science in Nursing - Nursing Education, RN to BSN (licensed RNs only)
Degrees: MSN - Nurse Educator, MSN - Nurse Educator, MSN - Nurse Educator, MSN - Nurse Educator Bridge, MSN - Nurse Educator Bridge,
and more...
Degrees:  Master of Business Administration - Health Care Management,Bachelor of Health Services Administration,Bachelor of Science - Psychology,Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Degrees:  Master of Science in Exercise Science and Health Promotion - Wellness and Fitness,Master of Science in Exercise Science and Health Promotion - Performance Enhancement and Injury Prevention,Master of Science in Exercise Science and Health Promotion - Sport Psychology,Master of Science in Exercise Science and Health Promotions - Rehabilitation Science,Post-Master Certificate in Performance Enhancement,Post-Master Certificate in Wellness and Fitness,Post-Master Certificate in Rehabilitation Science,Post-Master Certificate in Sport Psychology,Master of Science in Nursing - Nursing Administration and Leadership,Graduate Certificate in Sports Counseling
Degrees:  Bachelor of Science in Psychology,Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN Degree Completion)
Degrees:  RN to BSN,Advanced Physician Assistant Studies Program (M.H.S),MSN Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner,MSN Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner,MSN in Clinical Trials Research,MSN in Contemporary Nursing Faculty,MSN in Innovation and Intra/Entrepreneurship in Advanced Nursing Practice,MSN in Nursing Leadership in Health Systems Management,MS in Clinical Research Organization and Management,Post-Bachelor's Certificate in Clinical Trials Research,Post-Bachelor's Certificate in Contemporary Nursing Faculty,Post-Bachelor's Certificate in Innovation and Intra/Entrepreneurship in Advanced Nursing Practice,Post-Bachelor's Certificate in Leadership in Health Systems Management,Certificate of Study in Clinical Research,Certificate in Healthcare Informatics,Certificate in Epidemiology & Biostatistics,Certificate in Toxicology & Industrial Hygiene,Post-Master's Certificate in Medical Family Therapy
Degrees:  Master of Science in Nursing - Nurse Educator,Master of Science in Nursing - Health Systems Leadership,RN to MSN
Degrees:  Associate of Applied Science - Medical Coding and Billing,Bachelor of Science - Health Systems Management,Bachelor of Science - Nursing: RN-BSN Degree Completion Program,Master of Healthcare Administration,Master of Science - Health Systems Management,Master of Science - Nursing
Degrees:  Associate of Science (AS) in Advanced Respiratory Care,Associate of Science (AS) in Allied Health,Bachelor of Science (BS) in Health Services Management,Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN),Bachelor of Science (BS) in Respiratory Care,Master of Business Administration (MBA) - Health Care,Master of Public Health (MPH),Master of Science (MS) in Health Care Administration,Master of Science in Health Services (MSHS) - Community Health,Master of Science in Health Services ? Health Promotion,Master of Science in Nursing (MSN),Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) - Community Health,Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) - Gerontology,Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) - Wellness Promotion,Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) - Administration
Degrees:  LPN to BSN - Bachelor of Science in Nursing,RN to BSN - Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Degrees:  Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy,Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling,Master of Arts in Human Services - Executive Leadership,Master of Arts in Human Services - Health and Wellness,Master of Arts in Human Services - Marriage and Family,Associate of Arts in Psychology,Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN),Bachelor of Science in Psychology,M.Ed. School Counseling,Master of Arts in Professional Counseling,Associate of Arts in Psychology - Christian Counseling,Bachelor of Science in Psychology -?Christian Counseling,Master of Science in Nursing - Acute Care,Master of Arts in Professional Counseling - 60 Hour
Degrees:  Master of Science in Nursing - Health Care Systems Management,Master of Science in Nursing - Health Care Systems Management,Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Bridge Program,Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Bridge Program
Degrees:  Bachelor of Science in Nursing - RN to BSN (Degree Completion)
Degrees:  Legal Nurse Consulting Certificate,Master of Science (M.S.) in Human Services,Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Management for Registered Nurses
Degrees:  Certificate in Clinical Pathology,Domestic Violence Prevention,Master's in Gerontology - Aging Services,Master of Education in School Counseling,Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling,Behavioral Intervention in Autism,Certificate in Gerontology - Management of Aging Services,Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling,Bachelor of Arts in Psychology,Master of Science in Family Therapy,Certificate in Gerontology,Doctor of Nursing Practice
Degrees:  Master of Science in Nursing - Clinical Nurse Leader
Degrees:  Disaster Mgmt, Health Education, Health Management, Health Policy, Nursing
Degrees:  Nurse Midwifery
Degrees:  Nurse Midwifery, Nursing
Degrees:  Family NP, Nurse Educator
Degrees:  Leadership in Health Care Systems, Nursing Ed, Nursing Leadership in Health Care Systems
Degrees:  Nursing, Nurse Admin, Nurse Educator
Degrees:  Acute Care Nursing
Degrees:  Adult NP, Family NP, Forensic Nursing, Nursing Admin, Nursing Education, Psychiatric and Mental Health, School Nurse
Degrees:  Nursing, Nursing Admin, Nursing Educator
Degrees:  Adv Public Health Nursing, Nursing, Post-Licensure Advanced Generalist
Degrees:  Clinical Nurse Leader, Patient Care Svcs Admin, Nursing Ed
Degrees:  Nurse Educator, Nursing
Degrees:  CNS/Nurse Educator, Nurse Midwifery, Nursing Admin, Psychiatric/Mental Health CNS/NP, Women's Health NP
Degrees:  Health Care Admin, Nursing
California
American Career College
Degrees: Dental Asst, Health Claims Examiner, Medical Biller, Massage Therapy, Medical Asst, Optical Dispensing, Pharmacy Tech, Respiratory Therapy, Vocational Nursing
Carrington College California
Degrees: Vocational Nursing
Concorde Career College
Degrees: Dental Asst, Medical Asst, Insurance Coding & Billing, Physical Therapist Assistant, Respiratory Therapy, Surgical Tech, Vocational Nursing
Everest College
Degrees: Vocational Nursing
Institute of Technology
Degrees: Medical Billing/Coding Specialist, Medical Office Admin, Pharmacy Technician, Professional Medical Asst, Vocational Nursing
Kaplan College
Degrees: Dental Asst. Medical Asst, Medical Office Specialist, Vocational Nursing
Santa Barbara Business College
Degrees: Medical Assisting, Medical Office Admin, Pharmacy Tech, Vocational Nursing
Stanbridge College
Degrees: Nursing
Summit Career College
Degrees: Licensed Vocational Nurse
West Coast University
Degrees: Nursing