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Clinical laboratory scientists (medical technologists) perform laboratory tests used to diagnose and treat disease and maintain health. Clinical laboratory scientists work in blood banking, chemistry, hematology, immunology, microbiology, urinalysis and molecular diagnostics.They ensure accurate and reliable test results. In hospital clinical laboratories, laboratory scientists analyze blood, body fluids and tissues to detect disease.They work with sophisticated computerized technology such as automated chemistry and hematology analyzers, GLC-Mass spectrophotometers and molecular testing such as PCR and DNA probes. Clinical Laboratory Scientists also develop and evaluate new test procedures, maintain quality assurance programs, educate laboratory professionals and manage laboratories. Clinical laboratory scientists are sought in clinical areas, research and industry.
Skills and Interests Suited to a Career in Clinical Laboratory Science
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Accuracy, dependability, communication skills, adherence to deadlines, responsibility, manual dexterity and good interpersonal skills are essential.
Clinical laboratory scientists are employed in general hospital laboratories, physicians’ offices, private laboratories, mission fields, armed forces, Peace Corps, Project HOPE, public health, medical research programs, pharmaceutical laboratories, blood banks, forensic laboratories, bioterrorism response and industry.
Career interests include research, quality improvement and process control, clinical specialties, computer analysis, forensic science, education and management.
Graduates with this advanced education may progress to supervisory, specialist or management positions, depending on capability, experience. Opportunities are available for graduate education in biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, immunohematology, education, management and specialist categories.
Beginning salaries for graduates with baccalaureate degrees average $40,000 in clinical areas and $55,000 in industry, depending on location and job responsibilities. Experienced technologists who become laboratory managers in large hospitals may earn $90,000 or more.
GHSU grants a Master of Health Science in Clinical Laboratory Science. The program requires 71-75 graduate semester credit hours for graduation. The student must have a bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, microbiology, or related science field. This is an entry-level degree and upon graduation, the student would be eligible to sit for the national certification examinations. The program is 5 semesters long and culminates in a research or capstone project. This program will also offer courses in evidence based practice, clinical services delivery, epidemiology, and education principles. This degree will prepare the student for practice in research, management, and education as well as practice as a clinical laboratory scientist.
For the internet students, laboratories are conducted at a satellite campus in Atlanta or at the clinical affiliates. The clinical internships are conducted at affiliated clinical sites. Internet students are encouraged to identify possible internship sites convenient to them. The Program of Clinical Laboratory Science will contact these sites to explore a clinical affiliation. The program requires computer capability and Internet connectivity.
- Application Deadline: June 1, Fall entry
Applications and supporting materials received after the program deadline will be considered on a space-available basis only.
- Minimum Degree Requirement and Official transcripts: Bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, microbiology, or related science field approved by the department.
Official transcripts are required from all colleges ever attended. Transcripts should be mailed to GHSU’s OAA directly from the Registrar’s office of the institution. Applicants may also deliver or mail official transcripts to GHSU’s OAA if the transcript remains in the original, unopened, sealed and stamped/signed envelope from the Registrar’s office at the institution.
- Transcript/credential evaluation of foreign transcripts: Official transcripts from foreign countries must be evaluated by a professional evaluation agency prior to application (see www.georgiahealth.edu/admissions/intstud.htm). Official evaluations based on unofficial transcripts, documents, or copies will not fulfill this requirement.
- Three Letters of recommendation with Graduate Reference Form: Recommendations from three individuals are required. Referees should be individuals (usually college professors) qualified to critically assess the applicants prior academic, employment, artistic, research and/or clinical experience and qualifications (as applicable) as well as the applicants potential as a graduate student in the field/program selected.
Graduate reference forms and letters can be submitted online only. Applicants list names and provide information for three individuals as references during the online application process. Once the application is submitted, each referee will receive an email directing them to complete the online reference form. The completed reference form will then be forwarded to the Office of Academic Admissions via the online application system, CollegeNet. An applicant wishing to change a reference letter after the application has been submitted must log into his/her CollegeNet account and change the name and contact information for the reference.
- GRE requirement: Official GRE scores are required (only the General GRE test is required). All official GRE scores must be submitted to GHSU’s OAA directly from the Education Testing Service (ETS) and must be less than five years old. The institution code for submission of GRE scores to GHSU is 5406. Please do not select a department code.
A minimum verbal and quantitative combined GRE score of 1000 is needed for full admission. Provisional acceptance may be awarded for highly qualified applicants with a GRE score less than 1000. The results of all three components, including the analytical/written section of the general GRE exam must be provided.
- GPA requirement: A minimum overall grade point average of 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale) and a minimum math/science grade point average of 2.75.
- Program Prerequisites:
- At least 16 semester hours of biology courses, including biology with lab and anatomy and physiology.
- At least 12 semester hours of chemistry courses, including general chemistry 1 and 2 with lab, and organic chemistry with lab
- At least 3 semester hours of college algebra (or higher-level math)
- Documented Observation: A minimum of 8 hours of documented observation (documentation on official letterhead from institution where observation took place) of clinical laboratory scientists in a clinical laboratory.
- TOEFL exam scores: Minimum score of 550 paper-based, 213 computer based
- Personal Interview (includes writing sample)
* Applications deferred to the next year are subject to all admission requirements in effect for the semester to which they are deferred.
Technical Standards/Essential Functions
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In addition to demonstrating personal characteristics appropriate for a health professions career, students must satisfy general and specific technical standards for this program. Please visit http://www.georgiahealth.edu/sah/brt/cls/standards.html to review these requirements.
National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science
5600 N. River Road
Suite 720
Rosemont, IL 60018-5119
Financial Aid and Scholarships
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Financial aid and other assistance is available. GHSU Participants in all federal student aid programs as well as state and private programs. GHSU helps students fund their education through grants, scholarships, loans, a service commitment program and/or employment.
Applications for the Masters of Health Science in Clinical Laboratory Science must be graduates of a regionally accredited college or university and meet the following qualifications:
- bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, microbiology, or related science field approved by the department;
- minimum verbal and quantitative combined GRE score of 1000 is needed for full admission. Provisional acceptance may be awarded for highly qualified applicants with a GRE score less than 1000, The results of all three components, including the analytical/written section of the general GRE exam must be provided);
- minimum overall grade point average of 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale) and a minimum math/science grade point average of 2.75;
- minimum of 8 hours of documented observation (documentation on official letterhead from institution where observation took place) of clinical laboratory scientists in a clinical laboratory;
- at least 16 semester hours of biology courses, including biology with lab and anatomy and physiology; at least 12 semester hours of chemistry courses, including general chemistry 1 and 2 with lab, and organic chemistry with lab; at least 3 semester hours of college algebra (or higher-level math);
- three letters of recommendation;
- for applicants whose first language is not English, minimum score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) of 550 paper-based (213 computer-based);
- official transcripts from foreign countries must be evaluated by a professional evaluation agency prior to application. Official evaluations based on unofficial transcripts, documents, or copies will not fulfill this requirement.
For best chance of acceptance, application to this program should be made during the fall preceding the fall in which admission is sought to allow adequate time receipt of all required information. All application materials should be received in GHSU’s Office of Academic Admissions by June 1st. Applications completed after this date are considered on a remaining space available basis. Complete applications include the application, references, official academic materials, documentation of shadowing materials, documentation of professional certifications, if applicable. If accepted to the program, documentation of current CPR and First Aid certification is required upon enrollment.
How to Get an Application
To receive an application for this career field, visit www.georgiahealth.edu/admissions, or call or write:
Office of Academic Admissions
170 Kelly Building-Administration
Georgia Health Sciences University
Augusta, Georgia 30912
Telephone: 706-721-2725
800-519-3388
E-mail: Admissions@georgiahealth.edu
Georgia Health Sciences University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution.
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