Do you have a Bachelor of Science degree in biology, chemistry or another life science? Are you unsure of your path forward to a well-paying job? Are you interested in a position in healthcare and patient service? If so, then the master of science degree in clinical laboratory sciences at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is ideal for you, as it will allow you to become a professional clinical laboratory scientist diagnosing patients and treating illnesses in two short years.
Clinical laboratory scientists are a vital part of healthcare teams, performing 14 billion tests in more than 200,000 clinical laboratories in the United States each year. They are essential for patient sample testing and the diagnosis of diseases, as 70% of all medical decisions involve lab tests. These individuals can work in various settings, such as a hospital; clinical chemistry, hematology, or clinical microbiology laboratory’ in the biopharmaceutical industry; or at a public health agency.
Earn your master’s in clinical laboratory sciences in an innovative, hands-on program of study specifically designed to help you achieve national certification. Ranked the eighth best clinical/medical laboratory science master's degree school in the United States, our NAACLS-accredited medical laboratory scientist program has a 97% pass rate within one year of graduation. The Board of Certification examination is administered by the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP). Please visit professional licensure disclosures for more information.
Your first year of the clinical laboratory sciences master's program will focus on clinical laboratory disciplines including hematology, clinical chemistry, clinical microbiology and immunohematology. The second year emphasizes practical training in clinical laboratories of hospitals and clinics, culminating with a capstone project.
The master's curriculum also includes a two-course sequence in molecular diagnostics enabling you to pursue additional certification in molecular biology, signified by (MB (ASCP)).
Clinical laboratory sciences (also known as medical laboratory science) provides laboratory information and services for the diagnosis and treatment of disease. As indispensable members of health care teams, clinical laboratory scientists conduct complex lab procedures, ensure the quality of test results and take leadership roles in diagnostic lab settings.
Clinical laboratory scientists play a critical role in identifying and treating conditions like cancer, heart disease, diabetes and other medical conditions. Estimates are that 70% of all decisions regarding a patient's diagnosis and treatment are based on the results of the tests that medical laboratory scientists perform.
Clinical rotations at ACPHS are guaranteed and include clinical microbiology, clinical chemistry, immunohematology, hematology and coagulation, immunology/serology and molecular diagnostic testing. Clinical rotation sites include:
• Albany Medical Center Hospital
• Albany Stratton VA Medical Center
• Community Care Physicians' laboratory
• Ellis Hospital
• Glens Falls Hospital
• Nathan Littauer Hospital
• Saratoga Hospital
• St. Mary’s Hospital
• St. Peter’s Health Partners
You'll also complete a clinical practicum that will include specimen tracking, performance of routine analyses, demonstration of specialty testing, observation of automated instrumentation and management processes.
Recent graduates of the program work for some of the most respected healthcare organizations in the region:
• Albany Medical Center
• CNY Fertility Center
• Ellis Hospital
• Glens Falls Hospital
• St. Elizabeth Medical Center
• St. Peter's Health Partners
• Saratoga Hospital
The curriculum includes courses such as Clinical Hematology and Hemostasis, which highlights physiology, pathophysiology and laboratory testing of blood and bone marrow cells, as well as evaluation of various disorders.
Other topics include techniques for identification of antibodies important to transfusion medicine, the medical biochemistry of urinalysis and body fluids and a range of other courses covering all aspects of diagnostic laboratory practice and clinical research.
The master's curriculum also includes a two-course sequence in molecular diagnostics enabling students to pursue additional certification in molecular biology, signified by (MB (ASCP)).
| Outcome | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | Three-Year Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certification Rate | 100 | 91 | 100 | 97% |
| Graduation Rate | 100 | 89 | 100 | 96% |
| Employment Rate | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100% |
Associate Professor
Michelle.Parent@acphs.edu
518-694-7314
Albany, NY 12208
graduate@acphs.edu
518-694-7130