Post-Baccalaureate Certificates in Clinical Laboratory Sciences
Students who already have a B.S. degree in Biology, Chemistry or a related science field and who are interested in working in a medical laboratory must first obtain national certification board exam and state licensure eligibility to obtain employment. To meet those eligibility requirements, students can apply for one or more of the post-baccalaureate certificate programs in CLS (clinical chemistry, clinical hematology, clinical immunohematology, or clinical microbiology), or a certificate in the complete CLS program as a Generalist.
Students are required to complete all Science Foundation prerequisites or equivalent courses. Substitutions must be approved by the CLS Program Director. Students who already have a degree in Biology or Chemistry have typically completed equivalent Science Foundation courses during their B.S degree.
Due to accreditation and legal liability requirements for clinical practicum experiences, students must apply for the minor and/or certificate and meet the same eligibility requirements and standards as students fully admitted into the CLS Program. In addition, students must undergo a criminal background check and drug testing prior to clinical training.
(see CLS Application Packet for additional information)
Science Foundation Prerequisites for Minor/Certificates in CLS: BIOL 189, 196, 223/224 (or 197/208), CHEM 121, 122, 220 (or 241), and HSC 300
Post-Baccalaureate Certificates in CLS Categories
Certificate in CLS - Clinical Chemistry (23 credits)
CHEM 474, CLS 352, 353, 402, 412/413, 442/443, 444/445, 452 and CLS 482
Certificate in CLS - Clinical Hematology (24 credits)
CHEM 474, CLS 352, 353, 402, 412, 422/423, 424/425, 452 and CLS 481
Certificate in CLS - Immunohematology (25 credits)
CHEM 474, CLS 352, 353, 402, 412/413, 414/415, 422, 424, 452 and CLS 483
Certificate in CLS - Clinical Microbiology (25 credits)
CHEM 474, CLS 352, 353, 402, 412/413, 432/433, 434/435, 452 and CLS 484
Certificate in CLS – Generalist (55 credits)
CLS 352, 353, 402, 412/413, 414/415, 422/423, 424/425, 432/433, 434/435, 442/443, 444/445, 452, 453, 481, 482, 483, and 484
A Clinical Laboratory Sciences Post-Baccalaureate Certificate will be awarded only if an overall GPA of at least 2.30 is maintained each semester for all required courses. All relevant prerequisite science courses and CLS courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better prior to enrolling in upper division CLS courses. Successful completion of national board exams is not a requirement of the CLS Minors or Certificates. Clinical practicum training courses may not be taken unless all prerequisite courses have been successfully completed.
Suggested course of Study for Certificates (pdf)
Prerequisite Checklist (pdf)
Application Packet (pdf)