Program Overview

Online Graduate Certificate in Clinical Pathology

The Online Graduate Certificate in Clinical Pathology is designed to elevate knowledge of human anatomy and physiology, genetics, clinical chemistry, immunology, microbiology, hematology, histocompatibility, and cellular pathology. This program is intended for medical laboratory personnel, medical professionals, nurses, and those in the pharmaceutical, biomedical device, and biotechnology industries.

Program Overview

• Completion of this graduate program does not qualify students to sit for the national certification examination in Medical Laboratory Sciences/Medical Technology offered by the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification.
• Completed courses can be applied toward the online Master's in Applied Biomedical Sciences: Laboratory Management Option.
• The program can be completed in 9 months.
• It is one of the most affordable tuitions in the nation.
• No GRE is required for admission.
• A variety of financial aid and scholarships are available.

Career Outlook

• Jobs: 150,140 (2023)
• % Change: +2.3%
• Median Earnings: $88K/yr
• Annual Openings: 15,496
• Source: Lightcast, Jobs in New England, 2025

Curriculum Outline

• Required Courses: 2
• Electives: 2

Required Courses

• HSCI.5510 Clinical Pathophysiology
• MLSC.5600 Molecular Pathology

Electives

• PUBH.5310 Health Informatics
• PUBH.6070 Healthcare Information Systems (Available Spring 2026)
• PUBH.5140 Healthcare Management
• MLSC.6130 Infectious Disease
• A related course upon approval from the Program Coordinator

Course Descriptions

HSCI.5510 Clinical Pathophysiology

This graduate-level course is a comprehensive exploration of the etiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, and treatment of disease, examining disease processes as variants of normal physiological functions.

MLSC.5600 Molecular Pathology

This course studies the molecular aspects of disease, emphasizing applications and techniques utilized in molecular pathology. It provides information required to understand the increasing role of molecular pathology in the daily practice and management of chronic disease in medicine.

MLSC.6130 Infectious Disease

This course focuses on the pathophysiology of infectious disease, discussing major infectious organisms as biological models and their effects on major body systems. Emphasis is placed on journal readings describing significant episodes of emerging infections and current technology in diagnosis and treatment.

PUBH.5140 Healthcare Management

This course provides a framework for addressing common issues faced by management within a healthcare organization, covering how healthcare institutions are organized and governed, and the roles of management, clinical staff, support staff, and human resources.

PUBH.5310 Health Informatics

This course introduces healthcare professionals to the power of data and the importance of analysis, covering population informatics, consumer health informatics, translational bioinformatics, and clinical research informatics.

PUBH.6070 Healthcare Information Systems

This course provides a broad overview of the healthcare information systems industry, its history, recent developments, and challenges, as well as practical understanding of healthcare information systems acquisition and implementation.

Graduate Certificate Requirements

• Students must complete all courses indicated in the curriculum outline.
• Students may complete the certificate program at their own pace.
• A minimum grade point average of 3.000 is required with no more than one course grade below B to receive the certificate.

Tuition & Fees

• Tuition at UMass Lowell is typically half the cost of private colleges.
• Online tuition is among the lowest in the nation.
• Tuition for online programs is the same whether in-state, out-of-state, or outside the U.S.

Winter/Spring 2026 Tuition

Additional Costs

• Term Registration Fee: $30
• Returned Check Fee: $30
• Graduate Degree and Certificate Application: $50

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.000 GPA from an accredited institution.
• Official transcripts.
• Official test scores (GRE not required, but English proficiency tests may be required for international students).
• Application fee: $50.

Application Process

• Applications are accepted throughout the year.
• No deadlines.
• All applicants must submit an application, application fee, official transcripts, and official test scores (if required).