Infant Formula Technician Training Frequently Asked Questions

Formula Technicians are responsible for providing nutritional services through preparing and distributing human milk, formula feedings, and maintaining formula labs in NICUs and/or pediatric floors of hospitals.

This noncredit course provides specialized training for technicians to increase confidence and capacity and decrease errors. Technicians receive training in every aspect of proper human milk and formula preparation based on infant feeding guidelines from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, including:
• Basic mathematics
• Medical terminology formula ratios
• Calorie mix
• Aseptic handling techniques
• Inventory control
• Customer service

Labs are becoming an important part of NICU and/or pediatric floors in hospitals, as they allow formula and breast milk to be prepared in a safe and sterile locations.

Upon completion, students are eligible for 1.6 continuing education units (CEUs) and a certificate.

Jennifer Powell Bolton, Ph.D., RDN, developed and instructs the course. She created the class to meet the growing need for trained professionals in infant need preparation. Dr. Bolton is an instructor for the MSU Denver Department of Nutrition, and has been a maternal and child nutrition profession and a clinical dietitian for over 20 years.

There are no prerequisites required. Students do not need to hold a college degree nor have specific work experience.

Since this is a noncredit certificate, you do not need to complete a formal admissions application. You simply need to register at www.msudenver.edu/formulatech.

The course is $475, plus the cost of the textbook. There is a $35 transaction fee per payment.

Many hospitals will pay for their employees to earn this certificate. Payment can be made by the student and reimbursed according to your employer’s rules, or the employer can pay directly for the certificate on your behalf.

Discounts for multiple students from the same hospital or organization may apply. Please contact us for more information before registering.

You will receive an automatic receipt via email once you complete the registration.

Noncredit courses and certificates at MSU Denver do not qualify for financial aid.

Unfortunately, we do not offer course waivers based upon education nor experience. You must successfully complete the entire course to receive an MSU Denver certificate.

Yes, the textbook will need to be purchased for $45 (though it can be shared with others in the same hospital/organization).

The training is delivered entirely online, and in a self-paced format. You can work through the course material as quickly or as slowly as needed. The course material is asynchronous and does not require you to login at a certain time.

Students determine the amount of time needed to master the material provided in each module. The instructor provides assistance when needed.

The course is conducted through Canvas Learning Management System. Course material includes discussion boards, reading, projects, and quizzes. There is no formal exam required for completion.

Yes, upon completion the student is eligible for 1.6 CEUs.

Refund Policy: Students can receive a 100 percent refund minus a $35 registration fee if the course is dropped before the course start date. There will be no refunds after the course begins, but students can request a deferment (postponement) to the next semester.

To request a refund, email Brandy Schooler at [email protected]. If students request a refund within the policy timeframe, documentation does not need to be provided.

Deferment (postponement) Information: If a student is unable to complete a course due to unforeseen or extenuating circumstances (see below), the student will be offered a deferment of registration to the immediately following semester before a refund is issued. If the registration deferment is not a feasible option for the student, a refund will be given if the below documentation can be provided.

To request a deferment after a class begins, email Brandy Schooler at [email protected] with an explanation and the official documentation – see the list below (copies will be accepted).

Documentation examples

A refund will be automatically denied for the following reasons:

• Student stopped attending before the extenuating circumstance timeline and or never engaged with the course content.
• Disputing course material, grade, or instructor.