Program Director: Chiasera
Faculty: Brown, Chiasera, Casanova, Greenup, Jeff, Unlap
The Master of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS) is a part-time or full-time graduate degree program. Through courses, research, and project or thesis preparation, CLS students can enhance their proficiency in clinical laboratory science disciplines, including immunohematology, laboratory operations, or microbiology.
The professional entry plan is designed for students who hold a Bachelor of Science in biology, chemistry, or a related major, and who are not certified medical technologists but who desire a career in medical technology. Such students, upon completion, will be eligible to take a national examination for certification as a Medical Technologist or Clinical Laboratory Scientist.
Accreditation: The curriculum in the Professional Entry Plan is accredited by the National Accreditation Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (8410 West Bryn Mawr Ave., Suite 670, Chicago, IL 60631-3415; telephone: 773-714-8880).
Credentials Conferred: Diploma—The Master of Science in Clinical Laboratory Sciences (M.S.C.L.S.) degree is awarded by the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Professional Certification: Graduates who complete the professional entry plan are eligible to apply for generalist certification examinations of the National Certification Agency for Medical Laboratory Personnel and the Board of Registry of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists.
Length of Study: Professional entry plan requires twenty-four months if full-time.
Program Entrance Date: Professional entry is Fall semester.
Application Deadline: All materials must be received by the Clinical Laboratory Sciences Division office at least four weeks prior to the term the applicant wishes to enroll. Applicants should consult
the UAB Graduate School web site for dates that the terms begin and end.
Application Procedure: The applicant should apply following the "Apply Yourself" directions availalbe on the UAB Graduate School web site. The following items must be submitted:
- completed UAB Graduate School electronic application and reference forms, which can be accessed at: UAB Graduate School Online Application.
- the general Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (please allow sufficient time for the testing agency to forward grades to the Graduate School),
- official transcripts from all colleges and universities, and
- if a foreign applicant, scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and transcript evaluation by an evaluation agency, WES or ECE.
Requirements for Admission: The applicant must meet the following criteria:
- possess a baccalaureate degree in biology, chemistry, or a related major from an accredited college or university,
- have a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 (A=4.0) (computed overall, or alternatively computed over the last 60 semester hours of earned credit),
- have scores of at least 500 in each of the verbal and quantitative sections of the Graduate Record Examination General Test,
- provide a written statement of career goals,
- if foreign-educated, have a score of at least 550 on the paper Test of English as a Foreign Language and submit a transcript evaluation by an acceptable agency (WES, ECE), and
- if accepted, complete the UAB medical history questionnaire and physical, provide proof of required immunizations, and receive satisfactory screening by the UAB Medical Center Student Health Service,
- have completed natural science and mathematics courses equivalent to those required for a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology (see Medical Technology Program).
Essential Requirements: Fundamental tasks, behaviors, and abilities necessary to successfully complete the academic and clinical requirements of the program and to satisfy licensure/certification requirements, if any, have been outlined and are available upon request from the academic program office. Students requesting disability accommodations must do so by filing a disability accommodation request in writing with the Disability Support Services Office.
Program of Study: The program consists of twenty-four (24) months as a full-time student for completion of degree requirements. Students must:
- complete course requirements and achieve defined competencies,
- maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 (A=4.0), and
- write and defend a Plan I thesis research proposal and original research paper or complete a Plan II non-thesis research project.
Typical Program: Professional Entry Plan
(Course requirements are listed in semester credit hours)
First Year
Fall
CLS 500 Health and Safety Management (1)
CLS 503 Body Fluids (1)
CLS 504 Body Fluids Laboratory (1)
CLS 505 Laboratory Management (3)
CLS 506 Laboratory Techniques (2)
CLS 518 Immunology (4)
CLS 519 Immunology Laboratory (1)
BST 600 Biostatistics (4)
Spring
CLS 523 Clinical Microbiology (3)
CLS 524 Clinical & Microbiology Lab (1)
CLS 526 Instrumentation & Automation (3)
CLS 527 Instrumentation & Automation Lab (1)
CLS 528 Hematology I (4)
CLS 693 Scientific Publications (3)
Summer
CLS 530 Immunohematology (3)
CLS 531 Immunohematology Lab (2)
CLS 532 Hamatology II (4)
CLS 538 Infectious Diseases (3)
CLS 539 Infectious Diseases Lab (2)
Second Year
Fall
CLS 542 Molecular Diagnostics (2)
CLS 543 Molecular Diagnostics Lab (2)
CLS 551 Clinical Chemistry (3)
CLS 552 Clinical Chemistry Lab (1)
CLS 560 Clinical Correlations (3)
Spring
CLS 595 Clinical Practice (12)
CLS 570 Professional Development (1)
Summer
CLS 610 Advanced Technology Assessment (3)
CLS 698 Master's Level Non-Thesis Research (4-6)
For further information, contact:
Department of Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences
Admissions Office
School of Health Professions Building Room 230
1705 University Boulevard
Birmingham, Alabama 35294-1212
Telephone: (205) 934-3209
E-mail: askCDS@uab.edu