Master of Health Science with a Major in Clinical Laboratory Science


OVERVIEW

Augusta University grants a Master of Health Science in Clinical Laboratory Science. The student must have a baccalaureate degree approved by the department from an accredited college/university.

This is an entry-level degree and upon graduation, the student would be eligible to sit for the national certification examinations. The program is 5 semesters long and culminates in a research or capstone project. This program will also offer courses in evidence based practice, clinical services delivery, epidemiology, and education principles. This degree will prepare the student for practice in research, management, and education as well as practice as a clinical laboratory scientist.

For the internet students, laboratories are conducted at a satellite laboratory in Atlanta or at the clinical affiliates. The clinical internships are conducted at affiliated clinical sites. Internet students are encouraged to identify possible internship sites convenient to them. The Program of Clinical Laboratory Science will contact these sites to explore a clinical affiliation. The program requires computer capability and Internet connectivity.

Application Deadlines

Fall Entry: June 1

Web-based:  June 1

NOTE: Prerequisite liberal arts (core) courses do not have to be complete before applying to the program. These courses must be complete before the program begins in the fall. 

NOTE: All required application materials and documents must be received in order for an application to be considered complete and before an admission decision can be made. Applications and supporting materials received after the program deadline will only be considered on a space-available basis.

NOTE: Early submission of all application materials is strongly advised.

Campus & Program Delivery

Campus: Main-Augusta

Program Delivery: Traditional/On-Campus, Online

Requirements & Recommendations

Standard Admission Requirements

Completed Online Application

Application Fee: $55

GPA: Minimum overall undergraduate GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale. 

Minimum Degree Requirement:  Minimum of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. To be used to satisfy degree requirements, evaluation of foreign educational transcripts must show degree earned that is the U.S. equivalency of degree required by the program.

Official Transcripts:  Official transcripts are required from all universities and colleges ever attended. Only in the case of transcripts from international colleges/universities will an official course-by-course transcript evaluation be accepted in lieu of an official transcript. Official transcripts should be sent to Augusta University's Office of Academic Admissions. To remain official, all transcripts must remain in the original, unopened, sealed and stamped/signed envelope from the Registrar's office of the issuing institution. Alternatively, Augusta University will accept official electronic transcripts from the registrar's office at your prior institution. Electronic transcripts should be directed to admissions@augusta.edu.

Transcript/Credential Evaluation of Foreign Transcripts: An official, professional course-by-course evaluation based on official transcripts and documents is required for all foreign educational transcripts and documents from one of the following three credentials evaluation services: Josef Silny & Associates, Inc., World Education Services (WES), Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE). Silny and WES are recommended. Official transcript evaluations based on unofficial transcripts, documents or copies will not fulfill this requirement. International Students

References: Recommendations (which include a reference form and letter of recommendation) from three individuals are required. Referees should be individuals qualified to critically assess the applicant's prior academic (usually college professors), employment, artistic, research and/or clinical experience (clinical or research supervisor/manager) and qualifications (as applicable) as well as the applicant's potential as a graduate student in the field/program selected.
Graduate reference forms and letters of recommendation can be submitted online only. As part of the online application process, applicants provide the names and current email addresses for three individuals they have asked to serve as their referees. Once the online application is submitted, each referee will receive an email notification directing him/her to the online site where he/she can complete the reference form and submit his/her letter of recommendation. To change a referee after the application has been submitted, the applicant is instructed to log into his/her CollegeNet account and update the name and current email address for the referee. Status updates of your referees' submissions will be provided to you directly from CollegeNet.

Standardized Tests

  • GRE: Test scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) taken within 5 years of the date of application.
    • Minimum score: 
      • Test takers who took the GRE prior to August 1, 2011 were scored on the old scoring scale of 200-800. The minimum score requirement of 1000 total (combined Verbal and Quantitative Scores) will continue to be used for those who took the GRE prior to the scoring changes.
      • Test takers who took the GRE after to August 1, 2011 are scored on the new scoring scale of 130-170. The minimum score of 300 total (combined Verbal and Quantitative Scores) will be required for those who took the GRE after to the scoring changes.
      • Provisional acceptance may be awarded for highly qualified applicants with a GRE score less than the minimal requirements.
    • All official GRE scores must be submitted to Augusta University's Office of Academic Admissions directly from the Education Testing Service (ETS). The institution code for submission of GRE scores to Augusta University is 5406. Please do not select a department code. 
  • TOEFL Exam Scores: Official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) test scores are required for applicants whose first language is not English.
    • Minimum score: 550 paper-based, 213 computer-based or 79 internet-based.
    • The institution code for submission of TOEFL scores to Augusta University is 5406. Please do not select a department code.
    • Exemption from the TOEFL requirement is allowed for graduate students who submit proof of earning a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college/university where English is the language of instruction. 

Proof of Lawful Presence: In accordance with Board of Regents Policy 4.1.6, all applicants for admission to Augusta University are required to provide validation of lawful presence in the United States. Acceptance to the Augusta University is conditional until lawful presence is verified. ALL applicants who are U.S. Citizens must submit documentation that verifies his/her lawful presence in the United States at time of application to admissions@augusta.edu.

NOTE: While every effort is made to maintain this information as current, it may be subject to change. Please check with Augusta University's Office of Academic Admission for recent updates.

NOTE: Exceptions and/or waivers of minimum requirements must first be supported and approved at the program level and then formally approved by the Dean of The Graduate School.

NOTE: Applications deferred to another semester are subject to all admission requirements and program requirements in effect for the semester to which they are deferred.

Program-Specific Requirements

GPA requirement: A minimum overall grade point average of 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale) and a minimum math/science grade point average of 2.75.

Program Prerequisites:

  • Baccalaureate degree approved by the department.
  • At least 16 semester hours of biology courses, including biology with lab and anatomy and physiology.
  • At least 12 semester hours of chemistry courses, including general chemistry 1 and 2 with lab, and organic chemistry with lab.
  • At least 3 semester hours of college algebra (or higher-level math).

Personal Interview: Includes writing sample. Interviews by invitation only. Applicants will be selected for an interview based on an initial review of submitted application materials. Selected applicants will be notified directly by the program.

You must have current CPR and First Aid certification cards before the start of the program.  We do not accept certifications from online courses.

We require that all students have BOTH of the following certifications from the American Heart Association:

  • CPR - BLS for Healthcare Providers
  • Heartsaver First Aid

*Please note - we will only accept the certifications listed above from the American Heart Association*

If you would like information on the program listed above, please visit the College of Allied Health Sciences.

*Note:An applicant holding a Medical Laboratory Science Certification by the American Society of Clinical Pathology, MLS(ASCP), will receive advanced credit for the following courses:

CLS 6220 Introduction to CLS Practice 2 credit hours
CLS 6645 Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory 2 credit hours
CLS 6845 Clinical Hematology Laboratory 2 credit hours
CLS 6445 Clinical Microbiology Laboratory 2 credit hours
CLS 6745 Clinical Immunohematology Lab 2 credit hours
Total 10 Credit Hours

An applicant holding categorical/specialist ASCP certification in blood bank, clinical chemistry, hematology, microbiology immunology or molecular biology will receive up to 10 advanced credit hours for courses specific to their specialty area.

Admission Recommendations

N/A

 

APPLICATION PROCESS

1. Application Submission

Applications and references are submitted through the Office of Admissions' online application.  Programs will have access to applicant’s files and documents only after OAA has officially processed them into the Augusta University electronic applicant database system. 

Application materials and documents (e.g. transcripts, proof of degree, transcript evaluations, etc) are submitted directly to and processed through Augusta University’s OAA:

Augusta University

The Office of Academic Admissions  

1120 15th Street, Benet House

Augusta, GA 30912  

2. Check Status

Applicants can monitor OAA’s receipt and processing of their application and application documents into the Augusta University system using the online status check.  Application decisions will not be made until all official documents have been received and processed into the Augusta University’s electronic applicant database system by Augusta University’s OAA. 

3. Application Review

The program/academic college for which you are applying will review your Graduate School application and supporting documents.  Interviews will be scheduled and considered, as applicable to individual programs. Taken together, the whole of your application should demonstrate substantial preparation for graduate study in the field for which you are seeking admittance.

Exceptions and/or waivers of minimum requirements must first be supported and approved at the program level and then formally approved by the Dean of The Graduate School.

4. Decision Notification

Upon recommendation of the program/academic college, The Graduate School will review your credentials and applicant profile and make a formal, official decision for your admittance. Official notice of your admission can only come from the dean of The Graduate School via notification from Augusta University’s Office of Academic Admission.

5. Next Steps After Acceptance

Upon acceptance, please submit your Admissions Acceptance Contract and official final transcripts, if necessary to the address below or electronically to graduateadmissions@augusta.edu

Augusta University

The Office of Academic Admissions  

1120 15th Street, Benet House

Augusta, Georgia 30912 

Immunizations must be submitted to Student Health prior to enrollment.

Financial Aid

Housing

 

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