Clinical Laboratory Science Certificate Program

Clinical Laboratory Science is designed for students who seek a Bachelor of Science degree, national certification and Florida licensure as a clinical laboratory scientist. The post-baccalaureate certificate program in Clinical Laboratory Science is designed for students with baccalaureate degrees in the chemical or biological sciences who seek licensure/certification in clinical laboratory science.  Your knowledge of the human body in health and disease is broadened in courses that include physiology, chemistry, human genetics, microbiology, transfusion medicine, immunology, hematology and molecular diagnostics. Clinical experiences at community laboratories are integrated within the curriculum and enhance your growth as professionals. Graduates of this  program have diverse skills for employment in a clinical or research setting. The CLS curriculum also serves as a solid preparation for medical, dental, veterinary, pharmacy, and graduate school.

Graduates of the program will find career opportunities in a variety of settings:

• Hospital laboratories
• Physician group practices
• Regional reference laboratories
• Industrial biotechnology
• Clinical management
• Medical and pharmaceutical sales
• Research
• Laboratory computer information systems
• Product development
• Forensic medicine
• Clinical education
• Public health laboratories
• Government
• Veterinary laboratories
• Laboratory consultant
• Infection control

Requirements 

The Clinical Laboratory Science program at Florida Gulf Coast University is under reactivation for accreditation by the  National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science and approval by the State of Florida. The coursework includes didactic preparation available online, and practical application in diverse clinical settings. Students completing the Certificate Program are eligible to sit for the professional national certification exams, which qualify them for Florida licensure.

Students must apply for post-baccalaureate Non-Degree admission to FGCU and the Division of Health Sciences, Clinical Laboratory Science Program.  Applicants must complete the common prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of "C" prior to admission.  Courses completed outside the Florida system will be examined for their relevant content.

Admissions requirements include:

• Submission of a FGCU Non-Degree Enrollment application (post-baccalaureate) to the Office of Graduate Admissions.
• Submission of a completed Clinical Laboratory Science supplemental application.
• Graduation from a baccalaureate level program from an accredited college or university documented by official transcripts.
• Satisfaction of prerequisites.
• Applicants may apply for summer admission.

Required Courses in the Certificate Program (39 Credit Hours)

• MLS 3038C  Essentials of CLS  (3)
• MLS 3220C  Biological Fluid Analysis  (2)
• MLS 4191C  Molecular Diagnostics   (3)
• MLS 4308C  Hematology/Hemostasis  (3)
• MLS 4404  Diagnostic Microbiology  (3)
• MLS 4505C  Clinical Immunology  (2)
• MLS 4550C  Immunohematology & Transfusion  (3)
• MLS 4627C  Clinical Biochemistry  (3)
• MLS 4820C  Clinical Biochemistry Practicum  (3)
• MLS 4821C  Clinical Microbiology Practicum   (3)
• MLS 4822C  Clinical Hematology Practicum  (3)
• MLS 4823C  Clinical Immunohematology Practicum  (3)
• MLS 4826C  Clinical Immunology Practicum  (2)
• MLS 4462  Diagnostic Virology/Mycology/Parasitology  (3)

Prerequisites:

•     Biology I and II (or equivalent) or
•     General Chemistry I and II (or equivalent)
•     Organic Chemistry I and II (or equivalent)
•     General Microbiology (or equivalent)
•     Mathematics elective
•     Genetics (recommended)
•     Immunology (recommended)