Program Overview

Program Overview

The Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Science (DCLS) is a terminal practice degree for the Clinical Laboratory Science profession. This degree provides an opportunity for advanced practice in multiple venues, including clinical institutions, reference laboratories, physician practices, industry, public health agencies, government facilities, and academic institutions.

Program Description

The three-year, full-time program consists of a minimum of 76 credit hours divided between advanced theory courses (core curriculum), research, and a one-year clinical residency. Core course delivery is primarily online but may include face-to-face options for specific courses. The core curriculum may be completed entirely as a distance learning program and on a full-time or part-time basis. However, the residency component requires full-time attendance at a clinical affiliate.

Core Curriculum

The core curriculum is designed to advance the foundational knowledge of the bachelor's-level medical laboratory scientist in the areas of:

• Hematology
• Clinical chemistry
• Clinical microbiology
• Immunohematology
• Clinical immunology
• Molecular diagnostics The core curriculum also includes clinical correlations, evidence-based medicine, and interprofessional practice.

Research

Research is a component of this program, and students will be expected to complete research projects over the course of the program, culminating in a hypothesis-driven capstone project suitable for publication. Research projects will advance practice and knowledge in clinical laboratory medicine.

Clinical Residency

The one-year clinical residency will provide immersion in the workings of the healthcare system by integrating the resident into patient care alongside physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals in clinical practice environments at program affiliates.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the doctorate in clinical laboratory science program is a competitive application process. To be considered for admission, the following are required:

• Completed prerequisite course work
  • Bachelor's degree in a life science
  • A NAACLS-accredited MLS/MT program must be completed (or equivalent)
• Grade point average
  • Cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale
• Required credentials
  • Professional certification as a generalist from the American Society of Clinical Pathology Board of Certification
• Professional work experience
  • A minimum two years of post-certification, full-time experience in a U.S. clinical laboratory as a medical laboratory scientist (or comparable role)
• Health and physical requirements
  • Good physical and mental health are essential
• Background check/drug screening
  • The Joint Commission requires all incoming students to pay for a background check and provide the report to the university
• English language proficiency
  • All applicants, regardless of citizenship or residency status, are required to have command of the English language

Degree Requirements

• On a full-time basis, degree requirements are normally completed within 3 years of admission to the program, although a maximum of 8 years is allowed
• Cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of at least a 3.0 for all KU graduate coursework
• Successful completion of a minimum of 76 credit hours
• Successful completion of the University's Research Skills and Responsible Scholarship requirement
• Successful completion of the DCLS comprehensive examination
• Successful completion of the DCLS Research Project requirement
• Successful completion of the DCLS Clinical Residency requirement
• Successful completion of the DCLS Capstone requirement

Course Descriptions

The program includes a range of courses, such as:

• DCLS 800: DCLS Advanced Topics
• DCLS 802: Principles of Healthcare Education
• DCLS 805: Advanced Molecular Diagnostics
• DCLS 815: Research Methods in Clinical Laboratory Sciences
• DCLS 820: Evidence Based Practice
• DCLS 830: Advanced Clinical Chemistry
• DCLS 836: Advanced Hematology
• DCLS 838: Advanced Immunology and Transplant
• DCLS 842: Advanced Clinical Microbiology
• DCLS 844: Advanced Immunohematology
• DCLS 851: Clinical Correlations I
• DCLS 852: Clinical Correlations II
• DCLS 880: Principles of Interprofessional Education and Practice Theory
• DCLS 890: Advanced Laboratory Operations
• DCLS 899: Independent Study
• DCLS 901: DCLS Research I
• DCLS 902: DCLS Research II
• DCLS 903: DCLS Research III
• DCLS 911: Clinical Residency I
• DCLS 912: Clinical Residency II
• DCLS 913: Clinical Residency III
• DCLS 999: DCLS Capstone

Essential Requirements

Graduates of the clinical laboratory science doctoral program must have the knowledge and skills to function in a broad variety of clinical laboratory and patient care environments. The following abilities and expectations must be met by all students in the program:

• Essential Observational Requirements
  1. Read and comprehend text, numbers, and graphs displayed in print and other visual displays
  2. Perform comparative observations of text, movement, shapes, graphs, colors, etc.
  3. Observe and respond to subtle cues of individual’s moods, temperament, and social behavior
  4. Observe, learn from, and analyze medical record content
  5. Observe, learn from, and analyze statistical, financial, and reimbursement data
  6. Observe, learn from, and analyze class demonstrations and experiences in disciplines relevant to Clinical Laboratory Sciences
• Essential Movement Requirements
  1. Perform actions requiring coordination of both gross and fine muscular movement, equilibrium and use of senses
  2. Move freely and safely about healthcare settings
  3. Travel to sites both on and off campus involved in coursework and residency
  4. Perform moderately taxing continuous physical work over several hours
  5. Use an electronic keyboard to generate, calculate, record, evaluate, and transmit information
  6. Prepare assignments, both written and on-line
  7. Deliver public presentations to large and small audiences
• Essential Communication Requirements
  1. Read, interpret, and comprehend technical and professional materials
  2. Be able to share and to elicit information from patients, healthcare providers, peers, and research collaborators verbally and in a recorded format
  3. Assimilate information to prepare papers, produce reports, and complete documentation for patient care and research purposes
  4. Effectively, confidently, sensitively, and confidentially communicate with patients, laboratory staff, and healthcare providers regarding laboratory test selection, interpretation, and follow-up
  5. Communicate effectively with faculty, students, laboratory staff, patients, and other healthcare professionals
  6. Take paper and computer examinations
• Essential Intellectual Requirements
  1. Understand and perform measurements, calculations, synthesis, analysis, reasoning and problem solving
  2. Participate in research activities involving the laboratory or patient oriented research activities
  3. Possess sufficient judgment to recognize and correct performance deviations
• Essential Behavioral and Social Requirements
  1. Manage the use of time and be able to systematize actions in order to complete academic, professional and technical tasks within realistic constraints
  2. Possess the emotional health necessary to effectively employ intellect, act ethically, and exercise appropriate judgment
  3. Demonstrate appropriate affective behaviors and mental attitudes as to not jeopardize the emotional, physical, mental and behavioral safety of other individuals with whom there is interaction in academic clinical, and residency settings
  4. Possess the mental and emotional rigor to maintain relationships and demonstrate respect to all people, including students, faculty, patients, and other healthcare professionals at residency settings, without showing bias or preference on the basis of race, color, age, sex, religion or creed, national origin or ancestry, gender expression, gender identity, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation or genetic testing & screening
  5. Adapt to professional and technical change, being flexible and creative
  6. Use appropriate language
  7. Demonstrate empathy when appropriate
  8. Work effectively in inter-professional teams
  9. Demonstrate an understanding of the rationale and justification for one’s performance
  10. Demonstrate attention to detail and flexibility to function in a clinical and/or research setting
  11. Recognize potentially hazardous materials, equipment, and situations and proceed safely in order to minimize risk of injury to self and nearby individuals
  12. Practice honesty, compassion, and responsibility
  13. Be forthright about errors or uncertainty
  14. Critically evaluate one’s own performance, accept constructive criticism, and look for ways to improve
  15. Critically evaluate the performance of students, patients, and healthcare providers, tactfully offering constructive comments
  16. Provide professional and technical services while experiencing the stresses of heavy workloads, task-related uncertainty, emergent demands, and a distracting environment

Program Progression

A recommended plan of study for full-time students in the DCLS program is shown below: Year 1

• Fall: DCLS 815, DCLS 830, DCLS 836, BIOS 704
• Spring: DCLS 842, DCLS 844, DCLS 851, PHSL 843 or NRSG 812
• Summer: PRVM 800, PTRS 807 (or PRVM 853 during Year 1, Fall semester) Year 2
• Fall: DCLS 802, DCLS 805, DCLS 838, DCLS 880, HP&M 810
• Spring: DCLS 820, DCLS 852, DCLS 890, PTRS 854
• Summer: DCLS 800, DCLS 901, DCLS 911 Year 3
• Fall: DCLS 800, DCLS 902, DCLS 912
• Spring: DCLS 800, DCLS 903, DCLS 913, DCLS 999

Total Hours

The DCLS is a minimum 76 credit hour program designed to be completed in a three-year time frame if enrolled full-time.