Graduate Certificate in Clinical Laboratory Science 

• 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

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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.

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 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.