College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences

HUMAN LACTATION PATHWAY 2 CERTIFICATE

Are you a prospective student interested in pursuing a career in lactation? Join us for our Spring Virtual Open House Sessions to learn more about our programs, meet faculty and staff, and explore opportunities in this growing field. Sessions take place every 3rd Wednesday at 6:00 PM from January through April.

A large and diverse group of predominantly women, many wearing white t-shirts with a colorful logo, pose together in a conference room. They are smiling and looking at the camera. A projector screen in the background displays a colorful graphic with the words 'Uplifting Black Bodies Conference.' The room has bright lighting, with tables covered in red tablecloths in the foreground.

Save the Date! The 2nd Annual Uplifting Brown and Black Lactation Success Conference is back August 6th-8th, 2025! Join us to celebrate, educate, and uplift voices in lactation, birth work, and community care. Stay tuned for updates and follow us on social media for the latest news!

Human Lactation LogoThe Human Lactation Pathway 2 Program at N.C. A&T prepares individuals to become International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs), healthcare professionals who specialize in the clinical management of breastfeeding. To be eligible to take the IBCLC examination, an individual must complete one of three pathways. Pathway 2 requires completion of a comprehensive, accredited academic program in human lactation.

The program offers a post-baccalaureate certificate accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, and provides the required 95 hours of coursework and 300+ hours of supervised practice in lactation consulting. This 18-credit-hour program offers 12 credit hours of didactic coursework (FCS 620, 622, 623 and 625) and 6 credit hours of supervised practice experiences (FCS 621 and FCS 624) in clinical settings within the Triad region of North Carolina. 

A lactation consultation office with three beige fabric chairs with metal frames arranged in a semi-circle. A wooden bookshelf holds a breast pump, baby bottles, educational books, and a basket filled with baby dolls and plush toys. A black and white poster on the wall displays the words "Pathway 2 Human Lactation Training Program" with an illustration of a mother and baby. A desk near a large window has a baby scale, a small stack of rainbow stacking rings, and a potted plant. Natural light streams through the window, showing parked cars and green trees outside.

The N.C. A&T P2P Community Outpatient Lactation Clinic provides no-cost, in-person and virtual lactation support to help families navigate breastfeeding and lactation with confidence. We’re open during the spring semester on Tuesdays: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Thursdays: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Book your appointment today!

For more information

Jessica Aytch
Clinic Coordinator
jnaytch@ncat.edu

General Classroom Building
Room 110A
601 N. Benbow Rd.
Greensboro, NC 27401 
Phone: (336) 334-7850

Schedule an Appointment

THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE

Our certificate program, housed in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, is designed for students committed to supporting underserved communities through breastfeeding education. With a strong foundation in human lactation and a focus on communication skills, the program prepares entry-level lactation consultants to empower families and improve health outcomes.

  • Community Focus: Dedicated to supporting resource-limited populations.
  • Strong Foundations: Comprehensive training in human lactation with an emphasis on effective communication.
  • Career Ready: Prepares graduates for the IBCLC Examination
  • Diverse Impact: Equips professionals for roles in hospitals, private practice, and public health policy.
Group of diverse women in yellow dresses and white lab coats standing on steps in front of a university building, smiling and laughing. Text on the image reads: "N.C. A&T Human Lactation Pathway 2 Program" with the university logo.

Why Choose the Human Lactation Program at N.C. A&T?

N.C. A&T’s Pathway 2 program is a pioneering lactation certificate program dedicated to excellence in education and healthcare communication. Discover the key highlights of our unique program below:

  • Exceeds Standards: Surpasses the 5-hour didactic requirement with two dedicated courses in effective healthcare communication.
  • Patient-Centered Care: Equips graduates with strong communication skills for delivering high-quality, impactful healthcare.
  • Unique Opportunity: One of only a few lactation certificate programs at an Historically Black College and University (HBCU), and the only public HBCU offering this program, expanding access to lactation education.
  • Workforce Impact: Prepares highly trained lactation consultants to reduce breastfeeding gaps and improve public health outcomes.

A CREDENTIAL EMPOWERING MATERNAL & CHILD HEALTH

Due to the certification’s value and adaptability, International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) can thrive in a wide range of healthcare environments, from local facilities to international public health organizations.

Despite the many benefits of breastfeeding — such as reducing the risk of acute and chronic diseases from infancy to adulthood — breastfeeding rates remain inconsistent. Key factors contributing to lower breastfeeding rates include:

  • Changes in birthing practices: Evolving methods and protocols around childbirth can impact early breastfeeding success.
  • Mass production of formula: Increased availability of formula may discourage or delay breastfeeding initiation.

By growing the lactation workforce, we can address these differences through tailored support and guidance. One of the program’s key health initiatives is to promote breastfeeding as a public health priority, ensuring that families receive the education and support needed to make informed feeding choices.

ACCREDITATION

The Human Lactation Pathway 2 Program at N.C. A&T 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. The program earned its initial accreditation on May 15, 2020, and is current until 2025.  CAAHEP, 113th St. N, #7709 Seminole, FL 33775 (727) 210-2350

HOW TO APPLY

We are currently accepting applications for the 2025-2026 Academic Year. All prospective applicants must read the Student Handbook before submitting an application.

Apply Now

Application Requirements:

  • Undergraduate Degree (any discipline)
  • Two written letters of support
  • Application to Graduate College
  • Supplemental Application

Support the N.C. A&T Human Lactation Pathway 2 Program

Your donations help to advance the mission of the N.C. A&T Human Lactation Pathway 2 Program by supporting student education, resources, and community initiatives.

To give, visit GiveCampus and select “Human Lactation Pathway 2” under the designation.

Thank you for your generosity!

IBLCE Exam Pass Rate

Graduating Class

2021
2022
2023

Pass Rate

82, N = 9/11
57, N = 4/7
77, N = 10/13

Contact

Department of Family and Consumer Sciences
202-A Benbow Hall, N.C. A&T State University
Greensboro, NC 27411
Phone: 336-334-7850

For inquiries regarding program strategy or academic leadership, please contact our Program Director, Janiya Mitnaul Williams, at jtmitnau@ncat.edu.

For questions about collaborations, projects, or events, please reach out to our Project and Accreditation Coordinator, Leatrice Priest, at alpriest@ncat.edu.

If you're a current student, clinical affiliate, preceptor, or aspiring clinical affiliate needing help with onboarding or clinical rotations, please contact our Clinical Coordinator, Emma Burress, at emburress@ncat.edu.

For inquiries regarding coursework or current student concerns, please get in touch with our Didactic Coordinator, Cierra Murphy-Higgs, at cnmurphy@ncat.edu.

For information about our Outpatient Community Clinic or media inquiries, please contact our Clinic and Content Coordinator, Jessica Aytch at jnaytch@ncat.edu.

For general inquiries or questions regarding prospective or active applications, please reach out to our General Inbox at ncatp2p@ncat.edu.

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Connect with Us on Social Media!

Follow us on social media to stay informed, inspired, and engaged with the N.C. A&T Human LactationPathway 2 Program!

Join our online community and be part of the movement to support breastfeeding families and advance lactation education!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Learn the answers to frequently asked questions about the program.