Graduate Certificate in Clinical
Laboratory Science

Preparing Practicing Medical Laboratory Professionals for the Future

The Graduate Certificate in Clinical Laboratory Science is an on-line 12-credit post-professional course of study for medical laboratory professionals who hold a baccalaureate degree and are certified (BOC-ASCP).

This program is designed for practicing professionals who want to advance their knowledge and skills in clinical lab science and develop new proficiencies needed to meet the challenges of a changing profession and health care system. This is an excellent option for students who are not ready to commit to the Master’s degree program, but wish to advance their knowledge in clinical laboratory science
Program HighlightsAdmission CriteriaTuition & FeesCurriculumFAQsDepartment Home

Program Highlights

Advantages of completing the Graduate Certificate in CLS:

The program is unique in offering:

  • Short course of study provides an excellent way to gain additional knowledge in clinical lab science
  • Determine if on-line courses are an effective mode of learning for you
  • Credits completed in the Graduate Certificate in CLS may be applied to the Rutgers MS in CLS and DCLS Programs. (Please note: only courses completed within 5 years with a grade of B or better are eligible for transfer)

Our clinical lab science certificate program is:

  • 12 credits – 4 courses
  • Online

While learning valuable new advanced clinical lab science skills, students have the opportunity to interact on a one-to-one basis with faculty and colleagues from all over the country and internationally through various online asynchronous and synchronous delivery modes/technologies.

Distinguishing features include: 

  • Flexibility of anytime, anywhere education
  • Convenience of entirely online course offerings
  • Wealth of faculty expertise in clinical laboratory science
  • National and international guest lecturers who are experts in the field
  • Career ladder and advanced education opportunities in the MS in CLS and DCLS programs
  • Outstanding value of competitive tuition
  • Highly regarded university reputation

Students accepted into the clinical lab science certificate program enroll in a non-matriculated status. Completion of the Graduate Certificate in CLS does not guarantee acceptance into other degree programs offered by the Department of Clinical Laboratory and Medical Imaging Sciences or other programs offered by Rutgers University 

 Student must maintain a “B” average (GPA 3.0). 

 Students must complete the program within 3 years (6 semesters) of enrollment.

Questions?

For more information, contact program director Deborah Josko, PhD., MLT(ASCP)M, SM.

Admissions Criteria

Admissions Selection Process for the Clinical Laboratory Science Certificate Program

Selection of applicants for admissions to our clinical lab science program is a competitive process that is the responsibility of the program faculty admissions committee. The University places no restrictions on prospective applicants because of their color, creed, race, sex, age, marital status, or national origin. The University recognizes the value of diversity and is committed to providing appropriate support to its student body.

Accepting applications 

*Application, fee, and supportive documents must be submitted by the deadline date.

 

  • Baccalaureate degree in CLS or related science from a regionally accredited US institution or equivalent
    • Applicants who have earned a degree from a non-US accredited institution must comply with the applicable University and School policies and submit:
      • Official transcripts sent from the non-US institution directly to Rutgers-School of Health Professions
      • World Education Services (WES) Evaluation of transcripts
        • Only WES evaluation accepted; detailed course and grade evaluation is required
    • TOEFL Exam taken within the last 2 years
      • TOEFL is NOT required if a Bachelor’s degree or higher has been awarded in the U.S. Please note: If applicant has an Associate degree in the U.S. TOEFL scores are required
  • Professional certification as Medical Laboratory Professional: MLS(ASCP)CM, MLT(ASCP)CM or equivalent
  • Overall minimum GPA: 3.0
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0 for science courses
  • Official transcripts of undergraduate and graduate coursework from ALL institutions attended.
  • Curriculum vitae or resume
  • Personal essay addressing career goals and reasons for pursuing the Graduate Certificate in CLS.
  • Proficiency in written communication to successfully complete frequent writing assignments, exams, and papers required in online courses

How to apply:

Complete the “Certificate of Study Application Form” including all applicable fees.

  • Certificate Application form and fee
  • Official transcripts of undergraduate and graduate coursework from ALL institutions attended
  •  A copy of current professional certification as a medical laboratory professional (MLS(ASCP)CM, MLT(ASCP)CM or equivalent with BS degree)
  • Current resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
  • Personal essay addressing career goals and reasons for pursuing the Graduate Certificate in CLS

Non-Matriculated Status Practitioners who are not ready to make the commitment to a graduate program, or who wish to advance knowledge and skills, may take up to 12 credits on a non-matriculated basis. Registration information as a non- matriculated student can be found on the CACE website.

Tuition & Fees

SHP Tuition and Fees

For Tuition and Fees, please see the Graduate Tuition and Fees.
(Scroll down to Rutgers Health Tuition and Fee Rates and click on School of Health Professions)

Curriculum

In addition to the one required Molecular Diagnostics course, the student can customize their learning experience to meet their career goals by selecting three clinical lab science elective courses from the list below.

Require CORE Courses: 3 credits

  • Molecular Diagnostics

Elective Specialization Courses – 9 credits, select 3 courses

  • Topics in Molecular Diagnostics
  • Advanced Hematology
  • Advanced Hemostasis
  • Clinical Laboratory Data Analysis
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Advanced Topics in Clinical Chemistry
  • Transfusion Practice
  • Advanced Clinical Immunology
  • Healthcare Regulations & Laboratory Management
  • Clinical Laboratory Utilization in Quality Healthcare Delivery

These learning outcomes meet the National Academy of Sciences’ (Institute of Medicine) core competencies for health care professionals, namely, the ability to provide patient-centered care, work in interdisciplinary teams, employ evidence-based practice, apply quality improvement, and utilize informatics. (Institute of Medicine. Health Professions Education: A Bridge to Quality. Washington, DC: National Academies Press, 2003). 

  1. Critically review, appraise, and synthesize the health sciences literature.
  2. Identify and systematically investigate research questions pertinent to clinical laboratory practice.
  3. Synthesize new concepts, models and theories through the appropriate application of empirical knowledge and the scientific method to help resolve clinical laboratory and health sciences issues or problems.
  4. Apply the advanced knowledge and technical skills needed to serve as active contributors and/or leaders in the clinical laboratory science professions.
  5. Apply current knowledge to evaluate or design more effective ways to deliver clinical laboratory and health-related services.
  6. Use a variety of information technologies to address both theoretical and practical problems, enhance communication, and disseminate knowledge to applicable audiences and interest groups.
  7. Demonstrate proficiency in both oral and written communication, using both scholarly and technical formats.
  8. Work collaboratively with others to advance the scientific bases of knowledge in clinical laboratory science via ongoing scholarship.
  9. Integrate basic principles of ethics and cultural sensitivity within all interpersonal and professional activities.

FAQs

Clinical lab science certificate students register for courses each semester as a non-matriculated student through the Center for Advanced and Continuing Education (CACE)

Students register prior to the beginning of each semester, during Open Registration Period. Registration dates are posted on the SHP website.

Reliable access to Internet services that include Internet browsing capability and email are required.

The daily or weekly workload will vary with the number of courses taken. In general, the expectation is a minimum of 9-12 hours per week per 3-credit online course.

For structured courses, this typically involves logging on at least three times a week to check for new announcements, participating with classmates in posted discussion topics, working on regular unit readings and assignments (usually offline), and completing essay-type examinations or major course capstone project activities.

The majority of the online courses are offered on a two semester academic schedule in the fall and spring, with limited course offerings in the summer semester. Fall and spring semesters are normally 15-weeks. Summer semester is 10-12 weeks.

The online courses are taught by experienced and dedicated faculty in the Department of Clinical Laboratory and Medical Imaging Sciences.

Faculty are experts in their field with many years of professional and educational experience, including the delivery of high quality, student-centered, online education. Most are doctoral-prepared and clinical laboratory science faculty hold generalist and often specialist certification in their disciplines.

In addition, adjunct faculty who are nationally and internationally recognized as experts in CLS also serve as guest faculty.

A student has up to 3 years to complete the Graduate Certificate Program. Most students take one course a semester and complete in 2 years.

The best source for financial aid information is at the Rutgers Student Financial Aid Office.  They can be contacted 973-972-4376 or by clicking here.

The University is fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. There is no professional accreditation for the Graduate Certificate in Clinical Laboratory Science.