ACPHS students focused on a pathway to a graduate program in Physician Assistant Studies are enrolled in the B.S. in Biomedical Technology program with a concentration in Clinical Laboratory Sciences, a degree in the field of laboratory diagnostics.

During the freshman and sophomore years, students in the program enjoy opportunities to develop a strong background in basic science as well as a liberal arts core that encourages personal intellectual growth and a sense of professionalism. Throughout the curriculum, students will be assisted in obtaining the appropriate exposure to patient care and the health care environment. Faculty at ACPHS and Albany Medical College will assist the student in documenting the activities that they pursue.

Professional courses in the Clinical Laboratory Sciences concentration begin in the junior year and continue through the summer between the junior and senior years. In the fall and spring of the senior year, students spend several hours a week in clinical laboratories around the Capital Region. Classes on campus on Mondays and Fridays offer not only laboratory management and molecular diagnostics, but also the opportunity to perform clinical correlations, during which students integrate the information from all clinical laboratory testing to build a comprehensive picture of the patient's health.

Upon completion of the program, in addition to being prepared to seek admission to a graduate program in Physician Assistant Studies -- either through ACPHS's academic affiliation with Albany Medical College's Center for Physician Assistant Studies or another avenue -- students are eligible to take the national certification examination in Clinical Laboratory Science.

ACPHS's B.S. in Biomedical Technology degree program has clinical affiliations with the following hospitals: St. Peter's Hospital, Northeast Health, Ellis Hospital, Seton Health, Albany Medical Center Hospital and Stratton VA Hospital. In addition, the College participates in an academic affiliation with Sage College of Albany.

Biomedical Technology B.S. Clinical Laboratory Sciences concentration/Physician Assistant Studies curriculum (subject to change)

FIRST YEAR

Fall

Spring

General Biology I

4

General Biology II

4

General Chemistry I

4

General Chemistry II

4

Humanities I

3

Humanities II

3

Elective or Academic Reading and Writing

3

Elementary Statistics            3

Introduction to Lab Data

2

Principles of Communication

3

Seminar in Health Professions           1    

Total Hours

17

Total Hours

17


SECOND YEAR

Fall

Spring

Survey of Organic Chemistry

4

Survey of Biochemistry

4

Microbiology

4

Advanced Cell Biology

3

Anatomy and Physiology I

4

Anatomy and Physiology II

4

Humanities III Psychology
3  
    Sociology Elective             3 

Total Hours

15

Total Hours

17


THIRD YEAR

Fall

Spring

Clinical Immunology

2

Immunohematology

3

Hematology

3

Advanced Hematology

3

Clinical Chemistry I

3

Clinical Chemistry II

3

Clinical Microbiology I

4

Clinical Microbiology II

4

Fundamentals of Clinical Laboratory Science

2

Elective

3

Medical Terminology
3
   

Total Hours

17

Total Hours

16

Summer Session I Summer Session II

Clinical Practicum I

6

Clinical Practicum I/II

6

Laboratory Management and Education 3    
Total Hours
9
Total Hours
6

FOURTH YEAR

Fall

Spring

Clinical Practicum II

6

Entrance into AMC Master's in Physician Assistant Studies ****

Clinical Correlations I

3

Clinical Correlations II

3

Molecular Basis of Disease

3

Total Hours

15

Degree Total at ACP
129 
   

 

* All incoming students participate in the Writing Assessment that is administered as part of the Orientation program. The assessment is designed to direct students to the courses for which they are best prepared in the first year of the curriculum.

** Early Health Care Experience (EHCE) credits are included as part of the academic program. Students are required to maintain a portfolio. If a student wishes to obtain this experience outside of the academic program, the same expectations of portfolio development must be met in order to assure compliance with admission criteria for PA programs. Students will be expected to take elective courses to reach a total of 120 credit hours to complete the B.S. Biomedical Technology-PA option degree.

*** Students will be expected to attend only one Summer Session at ACPHS based on the clinical studies track they have chosen. With prior approval, EHCE experience during the Summer Sessions may be arranged outside of the Albany area.

**** Students whose academic performance falls below the ACPHS-AMC Pysician Assistant Studies program's standards but otherwise remain in good academic standing would be able to complete the B.S. in Biomedical Technology. Fourth-year Spring semester courses would be Laboratory Management and Education (4 credits), Clinical Practicum (3 credits) and two Directed Electives (3 credits each), for a semester total of 13 credit hours. Directed electives may include courses offered by the Department of Basic and Pharmaceutical Sciences such as Advanced Cell Biology, Genetics, Pharmacology sequence and Independent Research, as well as courses offered in other departments such as Economics of Health Care, Bioethics and Introduction to Epidemiology. Directed electives will be chosen with consent of Faculty Advisor.