Program Overview

Clinical Laboratory Scientist Training Program

The Clinical Laboratory Scientist Training Program is a comprehensive 12-month full-time program of instruction in the field of clinical laboratory medicine and technology. The program provides both theoretical and practical applications of current and relevant clinical laboratory technologies.

Program Overview

• The program is designed to prepare trainees for the Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) certification exam offered by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) Board of Certification and the California law exam offered by the California Department of Public Health, Laboratory Field Services (CDPH-LFS).
• The program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).
• The program provides a certificate from UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies.

Program Details

• Program Duration: 52 weeks, full-time, Monday to Friday, excluding holidays.
• Location: Didactic education takes place on the UCSD campus, and clinical instruction takes place at one of the consortium's participating clinical laboratory sites, including UCSD Health, Sharp HealthCare, and Palomar Health.
• Program Fee: $12,500 + $50 application fee + $125 certificate fee.
• Payment Plan: A structured quarterly payment plan may be available.

Admission Requirements

• Academic Requirements:
  • Bachelor's degree (baccalaureate) with specific course requirements, including:
    • 16 semester or equivalent quarter credit hours of chemistry, including quantitative analysis or analytical chemistry, and clinical chemistry or biochemistry.
    • 16 semester or equivalent quarter credit hours of biological science, including medical, clinical, or pathogenic microbiology, hematology, and immunology.
    • 3 semester or equivalent quarter credit hours of physics, math, or statistics.
• Application Process:
  • Create an account on the UCSD Extended Studies website.
  • Apply for the CLS Trainee License and submit the license or proof of application by the December 31st deadline.
  • Upload a current unofficial transcript by the December 30th deadline.

Program Outcomes

• Graduation Rate: 100% (2022, 2023, 2024)
• Certification Rate: 100% (2022, 2023, 2024)
• Job Placement Rate: 100% (2022, 2023, 2024)

Required Courses

• Advanced Topics: PATH-40009, 2 units, TBD
• Chemistry/Urinalysis: PATH-40010, 10 units, TBD
• Hematology/Coagulation: PATH-40011, 6 units, TBD
• Immunology/Serology: PATH-40012, 2 units, TBD
• Laboratory Operations: PATH-40013, 1 unit, TBD
• Microbiology/Parasitology: PATH-40014, 8 units, TBD
• Transfusion Medicine: PATH-40015, 4 units, TBD

Advisory Board

• Ana Dowey, MLS (ASCP), MS, EdD: CLS Program Coordinator, UC San Diego Health
• Dr. Robert Fitzgerald, PhD, DABCC: CLS Program Clinical Advisor, UC San Diego Health - Clinical Laboratories
• Judie Nocera, MLS (ASCP), MA: CLS Program Director, UC San Diego Health - Clinical Laboratories
• Sharon Reed, MD, MsCTM, ABMM: CLS Program Clinical Advisor, Emeritus Director of Microbiology Laboratory
• Linda Evans, MLS: CLS Program Coordinator, Sharp HealthCare Laboratory
• Dr. Ahnika Kline, MD, PhD (ABMM): CLS Program Clinical Advisor, Associate Director, Clinical Microbiology Laboratory
• Shannon McDonald: Director of Custom Training & Leadership Programs, UC San Diego Extended Studies
• Amy Rockefeller, MAS, MLS (ASCP): CLS Program Board Member, Administrative Director, Lab. Services UC San Diego Health
• Eun Song, MLS: CLS Program Coordinator, Palomar Health Laboratory
• Kai Wang: Vice Chair, Pathology, UC San Diego Health

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