CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE OVERVIEW
The roles and responsibilities of a medical laboratory scientist (also known as 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 body fluids and other human samples. The work requires great precision and attention to detail which is why you must also pass a national certificate exam before you can serve in this role.
The Clinical Laboratory Sciences program at ACPHS has been designed specifically to help you achieve this certification, allowing you to quickly begin working in this exciting and important field.
100% JOB PLACEMENT RATE
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences has one of the best programs if you are looking for Clinical Laboratory Science Colleges. Factors ranging from expanded health care coverage to the development of new laboratory tests are expected to keep demand high for Medical Laboratory Scientists.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects growth rate for the profession to be 16% between 2014-2024 which is much faster than the average for most occupations.
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 as medical laboratory scientists. Recent graduates of the program can today be found in places that include:
- Albany Medical Center
- CNY Fertility Center (Syracuse, NY)
- Ellis Hospital
- Glens Falls Hospital
- St. Elizabeth Medical Center (Utica, NY)
- St. Peter's Health Partners
- Saratoga Hospital
- University of Rochester Medical Center
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects growth rate for the profession to be 16% between 2014-2024 which is much faster than the average for most occupations.
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 as medical laboratory scientists. Recent graduates of the program can today be found in places that include:
- Albany Medical Center
- CNY Fertility Center (Syracuse, NY)
- Ellis Hospital
- Glens Falls Hospital
- St. Elizabeth Medical Center (Utica, NY)
- St. Peter's Health Partners
- Saratoga Hospital
- University of Rochester Medical Center
Coursework
In the first two years of the program, you will gain a thorough grounding in the basic sciences along with broad exposure to the world in which we live through coursework in the humanities and social sciences.
Year 3 is considered the first Professional year of the program. It contains program-specific coursework through classes that include hematology, immunology, and laboratory management. Each of these classes is reinforced by hands-on laboratory experiences.
The majority of the program’s fourth and final year - 18 of the 28 credits - is allocated towards hands-on work experiences or rotations (see description below).
The ACPHS Clinical Laboratory Sciences program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences, 5600 N River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018 (Phone: 773-714-8880).
Year 3 is considered the first Professional year of the program. It contains program-specific coursework through classes that include hematology, immunology, and laboratory management. Each of these classes is reinforced by hands-on laboratory experiences.
The majority of the program’s fourth and final year - 18 of the 28 credits - is allocated towards hands-on work experiences or rotations (see description below).
The ACPHS Clinical Laboratory Sciences program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences, 5600 N River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018 (Phone: 773-714-8880).
Clinical Rotations
Clinical rotations are where you will apply what you have learned in the classroom and the lab to real-world settings such as community hospitals or major medical centers.
You will do one rotation in each semester of your final year where you will gain experience performing a variety of laboratory work while being mentored by a licensed practitioner (referred to as the preceptor). A list of the College’s clinical rotation sites includes, but is not limited to:
- Albany Medical Center Hospital
- Community Care Laboratory
- Ellis Hospital
- Glens Falls Hospital
- Nathan Littauer Hospital
- Saratoga Hospital
- St. Mary’s Hospital (Amsterdam, NY)
- St. Peter’s Health Partners
- Albany Stratton VA Medical Center
You will do one rotation in each semester of your final year where you will gain experience performing a variety of laboratory work while being mentored by a licensed practitioner (referred to as the preceptor). A list of the College’s clinical rotation sites includes, but is not limited to:
- Albany Medical Center Hospital
- Community Care Laboratory
- Ellis Hospital
- Glens Falls Hospital
- Nathan Littauer Hospital
- Saratoga Hospital
- St. Mary’s Hospital (Amsterdam, NY)
- St. Peter’s Health Partners
- Albany Stratton VA Medical Center
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 (2020, 2021, 2022), touting a 97% pass rate, within one year of their graduation.
Passing the exam certifies you to practice as a Medical Laboratory Scientist, which is denoted by the MLS (ASCP) designation.
97% GRADUATION/ATTRITION RATES
In the most recent average of the three consecutive years’ results of graduation rate (2020, 2021, 2022), 97% of CLS students who have begun the final half of the program (started clinical rotations) go on to successfully graduate from the program.
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 (2020, 2021, 2022), touting a 97% pass rate, within one year of their graduation.
Passing the exam certifies you to practice as a Medical Laboratory Scientist, which is denoted by the MLS (ASCP) designation.
97% GRADUATION/ATTRITION RATES
In the most recent average of the three consecutive years’ results of graduation rate (2020, 2021, 2022), 97% of CLS students who have begun the final half of the program (started clinical rotations) go on to successfully graduate from the program.
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 the Admissions Office
106 New Scotland Ave.
Albany, NY 12208
518-694-7221
admissions@acphs.edu
Albany, NY 12208
518-694-7221
admissions@acphs.edu