Program Overview

Program Overview

The Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Science (DCLS) at KU Medical Center is an advanced-practice degree for actively practicing American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)-certified medical laboratory scientists. The program provides advanced theory, research, and clinical residency, and is the third program of its kind in the United States.

Program Details

The 77-credit hour program includes courses in:

• Advanced theory
• Clinical correlations
• Research
• A one-year, full-time clinical residency at a clinical affiliate Core curriculum may be completed as a distance learning program and on a part-time basis.

Core Curriculum + Research

The program includes:

• Advanced theory courses building on the foundation of the bachelor's-level clinical laboratory science curricular content
• Integration of knowledge from health policy and management, pharmacology, health care education, public health, epidemiology, and advanced pathophysiology
• Innovative approaches to clinical education including clinical correlations, evidence-based medicine, and interprofessional practice
• Completion of research courses and development of projects, culminating in a capstone project

Residency Immersion

The residency immersion includes:

• Residents integrated into patient care alongside physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and other health care professionals
• Focus on laboratory test selection, result interpretation, and application to the clinical decision-making process to contribute towards the provision of quality patient care
• Address proper utilization of lab tests, correct specimen requirements, and interfering factors affecting results

Mission

The mission of the KU doctorate in clinical laboratory science program is to provide a setting where qualified students can prepare themselves for advanced practice in the clinical laboratory sciences. The program strives to develop in each graduate an understanding of, and an appreciation for, the needs and concerns of the patient and other members of the health care team.

Program Goals

Upon completion of the degree program, graduates should be able to:

1. Provide patient-centered, customized consultation services on appropriate test selection and interpretation for the purpose of clinical decision-making among the interprofessional health care team and for the patient.
2. Monitor laboratory data, test utilization, and diagnostic testing processes for individual patients and populations using informatics and analytics to reduce diagnostic errors, improve efficiency, and reduce costs.
3. Conduct research and apply evidence to demonstrate clinical utility of laboratory tests and algorithms and to improve the quality, efficiency, and safety of the overall diagnostic testing process.
4. Educate health care providers, patients, their families, and the general public on the indications, best evidence, patient preparation, and interpretation of clinical laboratory testing including home self-testing.
5. Direct laboratory operations to comply with all state and federal laws and regulations, as well as guidelines determined by professional boards of licensure, and certification/accreditation agencies.
6. Participate in public and private health policy decision-making at all organization and government levels using best evidence.

Future Careers

Graduates of the program may pursue careers as:

• Health care consultant
• Laboratory director
• Patient educator for health care providers
• Researcher
• Academician

Accreditation

The KU Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences plans to apply for accreditation of the DCLS program by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS) as soon as the program becomes eligible for accreditation.