CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE OVERVIEW
The roles and responsibilities of a medical laboratory scientist (also known as a clinical laboratory technologist) are not familiar to most people, but make no mistake, these professionals are indispensable members of the health care team.
Working in settings such as hospitals, clinics, reference laboratories, and physician office labs, the medical laboratory scientist (MLS) performs tests on a variety of human samples – most typically body fluids. The work requires great precision and attention to detail which is why you must first pass a national certification exam before you can serve in this role.
The Master's program in Clinical Laboratory Sciences at ACPHS has been designed specifically to help you achieve this certification, while offering key curricular enhancements that help differentiate graduates of this program from those with a bachelor's degree. Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is one of the best Clinical Laboratory Science Colleges.
Coursework
The Master of Science in Clinical Laboratory Sciences program is a 65 credit, two year program designed to educate students in clinical laboratory disciplines and prepare them for the Board of Certification examination administered by the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP).
The core courses taken in the first year focus on the clinical disciplines within the laboratory including hematology, clinical chemistry, clinical microbiology, and immunohematology. The second year of the program emphasizes practical training in clinical laboratories of hospitals and clinics, culminating with a capstone project.
The Master's curriculum also includes a two course sequence in molecular diagnostics enabling students to pursue the additional designation of Molecular Biology, signified by (MB (ASCP)).
The ACPHS Clinical Laboratory Sciences program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), 5600 N River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018 (Phone: 773-714-8880).
The core courses taken in the first year focus on the clinical disciplines within the laboratory including hematology, clinical chemistry, clinical microbiology, and immunohematology. The second year of the program emphasizes practical training in clinical laboratories of hospitals and clinics, culminating with a capstone project.
The Master's curriculum also includes a two course sequence in molecular diagnostics enabling students to pursue the additional designation of Molecular Biology, signified by (MB (ASCP)).
The ACPHS Clinical Laboratory Sciences program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), 5600 N River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018 (Phone: 773-714-8880).
Clinical Rotations
Clinical rotations are where you apply what you have learned in the classroom and the lab to a real-world setting such as a community hospital or major medical center. You will complete two 9-credit rotations during the program where you will gain experience performing a variety of laboratory work while being mentored by a licensed practitioner (referred to as a preceptor).
Below is a partial list showcasing some of the College’s clinical rotation sites:
- Albany Medical Center Hospital
- Albany Stratton VA Medical Center
- Community Care Laboratory
- Ellis Hospital
- Glens Falls Hospital
- Nathan Littauer Hospital
- Saratoga Hospital
- St. Mary’s Hospital
- St. Peter’s Health Partners
Below is a partial list showcasing some of the College’s clinical rotation sites:
- Albany Medical Center Hospital
- Albany Stratton VA Medical Center
- Community Care Laboratory
- Ellis Hospital
- Glens Falls Hospital
- Nathan Littauer Hospital
- Saratoga Hospital
- St. Mary’s Hospital
- St. Peter’s Health Partners
97% PASS RATE ON ASCP BOARD OF CERTIFICATION
ACPHS graduates have historically performed exceptionally well on the Board of Certification examination administered by the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP).
A total of 29 students from the ACPHS Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs in Clinical Laboratory Sciences have taken the test in the past three years cycle (2020, 2021, 2022), touting a 97% pass rate, within one year of their graduation.
Year:
2020 - 90% Passing
2021 - 100% Passing
2022 - 100% Passing
Passing the exam certifies you to practice as a Medical Laboratory Scientist, which is denoted by the (MLS (ASCP)) designation.
96% GRADUATION/ATTRITION RATES
In the most recent average of the three consecutive years’ results of graduation rate (2020, 2021, 2022), 96% of CLS students who have begun the final half of the program (started clinical rotations) go on to successfully graduate from the program.
Year:
2020 - 100% Graduation
2021 - 89% Graduation
2022 - 100% Graduation
A total of 29 students from the ACPHS Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs in Clinical Laboratory Sciences have taken the test in the past three years cycle (2020, 2021, 2022), touting a 97% pass rate, within one year of their graduation.
Year:
2020 - 90% Passing
2021 - 100% Passing
2022 - 100% Passing
Passing the exam certifies you to practice as a Medical Laboratory Scientist, which is denoted by the (MLS (ASCP)) designation.
96% GRADUATION/ATTRITION RATES
In the most recent average of the three consecutive years’ results of graduation rate (2020, 2021, 2022), 96% of CLS students who have begun the final half of the program (started clinical rotations) go on to successfully graduate from the program.
Year:
2020 - 100% Graduation
2021 - 89% Graduation
2022 - 100% Graduation
Life After ACPHS
The United States Department of Labor projects an additional 25,000 jobs to be created through 2029 ensuring that high demand for medical laboratory scientists will continue.
100% JOB PLACEMENT RATE
These projections reflect the experiences of ACPHS graduates in the program, who in the past three years’ cycle (2020, 2021, 2022), have enjoyed a 100% job placement rate.
Year:
2020 - 100% Placement
2021 - 100% Placement
2022 - 100% Placement
And while master's students can expect similar opportunities as bachelor's students immediately following graduation, master's students will be better positioned for future promotions by virtue of having a graduate degree.
Recent graduates of the program can be found today working for employers including:
- Albany Medical Center
- CNY Fertility Center
- Ellis Hospital
- Glens Falls Hospital
- St. Elizabeth Medical Center
- St. Peter's Health Partners
100% JOB PLACEMENT RATE
These projections reflect the experiences of ACPHS graduates in the program, who in the past three years’ cycle (2020, 2021, 2022), have enjoyed a 100% job placement rate.
Year:
2020 - 100% Placement
2021 - 100% Placement
2022 - 100% Placement
And while master's students can expect similar opportunities as bachelor's students immediately following graduation, master's students will be better positioned for future promotions by virtue of having a graduate degree.
Recent graduates of the program can be found today working for employers including:
- Albany Medical Center
- CNY Fertility Center
- Ellis Hospital
- Glens Falls Hospital
- St. Elizabeth Medical Center
- St. Peter's Health Partners
For important information about licensure in the Unites States, please review our Professional Licensure Disclosures or contact the college admissions office.
CONTACT THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Mohamad G. Kolakji, M.S., MLS (ASCP) CM
Director of the Clinical Laboratory Sciences Program
mohamad.kolakji@acphs.edu
(518) 694-7208
Director of the Clinical Laboratory Sciences Program
mohamad.kolakji@acphs.edu
(518) 694-7208
CONTACT GRADUATE ADMISSIONS
106 New Scotland Ave.
Albany, NY 12208
(518) 694-7130
graduate@acphs.edu
Albany, NY 12208
(518) 694-7130
graduate@acphs.edu