On Fri, Jun 18, 2010 at 11:21 PM, laurie wheeler <[log in to unmask]>wrote: > My understanding is you do not need a degree but you do need to complete > the > coursework listed in the 8 subjects and 6 subjects. This is my understanding, as well. I am a LLLL and planning to take the IBLCE exam in 2012. I have an undergraduate degree and a law degree and now I get to go back to school yet again! I have 4 of the 8 classes from my undergraduate degree, but I am enrolling in my local community college to complete the remaining 4 semester-long subjects and 6 continuing education subjects. No actual degree is required of non-health professionals, just coursework. I have mixed feelings on the new requirements. I know the intent is to make the IBCLC more of a stand-alone profession, but the net result of the new requirements will likely end up dissuading most of those in mother-to-mother community helping roles from seeking certification, and risks even further cementing the popular conception of lactation consulting as an add-on nursing credential. At one point, I was even thinking, "heck, by the time I've completed all of this, I'll have most of the prerequisites for nursing school - should I just go ahead and get a nursing degree, too, to improve my employment potential after certification?" On the other hand, while these new requirements are certainly an additional barrier to certification for many, I can't help but think this extra coursework will help make me a better IBCLC. For example, studying breast anatomy is challenging without a grounding in anatomy in general (learning that alveoli consist of epithelial cells surrounded by myoepithelial cells doesn't mean a whole lot to me right now). Aside from filling out my Leader Logs, I know next to nothing about medical documentation, so coursework there will help me. I don't want to be a minimally competent IBCLC when I pass the exam and start practice. I want to be the best I can be so that I am *really* helping moms. Anyway, those are my thoughts as one whose plans were shaken up a bit, but far from derailed by the new requirements. -Kori Martin J.D., LLLL Austin, TX, USA mostly lurker looking forward to meeting some of my LACTNET heroes in San Antonio next month! *********************************************** Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html To reach list owners: [log in to unmask] Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask] COMMANDS: 1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail 2. To start it again: set lactnet mail 3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet 4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome