Lactation Admissions
All students must first complete our Lactation Education courses. We recommend that interested undergraduate students in the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health take our Lactation Education courses in their Junior or Senior year. Students can start the Lactation Education course series in the Fall or Winter term each year if they meet our prerequisite requirements.
Any PSU student can enroll in those courses as long as they meet the prerequisite requirements. Students can obtain the Undergraduate Certificate in Human Lactation while seeking a degree, after degree completion (Post-bac) or as a non-degree seeking student. Use the link below to review the different student types and then enroll as a PSU student.
Lactation Practicum
Applications for the Pathway 2 Lactation Practicum are closed at this time.
We will start accepting applications for the 2026-2027 Pathway 2 Lactation Practicum in mid April 2026. You can download the application questions prior to review them before the application opens.
LACTATION APPLICATION TIMELINE
- April 7th, 2025: Pathway 2 Lactation Practicum Application open for viewing
- April 14th, 2025: Pathway 2 Open House & Application submission starts. Students can request the Zoom link for the live webinar or a link to view the recorded session by emailing lactation@pdx.edu
- May 16th, 2025: Completed application and all materials due by 5:00pm (PST)
- June 2nd, 2025: Applicants notified of virtual interview invitation by email
- June 9th-12th, 2025: Interviews held 9:00am-4:00 pm (PST)
- June 20th, 2025: Interview participants notified via email of final admission status
- July 31st, 2025: All screening documents for practicum due
- September 2025: Clinical preparation live distance learning course class dates/times – Wednesdays – Sept 3rd, 10th & 17th from 9 am to 1 pm PT
- September 29th, 2025: Fall term & clinical experience starts.
- Fall 2025 term: Weekly live evening distance learning classes. Dates/times TBD
- Fall 2025 term: One in-person Skills Workshop Weekend at PSU – Sat 9 am – 4:30 pm PT & Sun 9 – 2 pm PT. Can attend virtually if travel is prohibitive. Dates TBD
Practicum Requirements
All students are required to meet to the OHA Health Profession Student Clinical Training Standards which require students to:
- Pass a background check, including 10 panel drug screen
- Provide documentation of updated vaccines/titers.
- Provide documentation of recent TB screen
- Obtain current certification in CPR/Basic Life Support for healthcare providers.
Students can expect to spend an average of two days per week at their clinical site. Site location and schedule are based on availability and may change from term to term.
There will also be a required weekend of skills development classes (Sat & Sun) once each term. Students in the Portland metro area are required to attend in person. Students from outside the Portland metro area can attend in person or can attend virtually.
Practicum Fees
The practicum has fees beyond that for the course itself. The approximate cost is between $200-$350.- Scrubs
- Background Check & Drug Screen
- Vaccines
- TB Screen
- Basic Life Support
- ID fees
Request Information
Contact lactation@pdx.edu or schedule an appointment with our lactation advisors if you have more questions or would like to receive more information about our program.