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Doctorate of Clinical Laboratory Sciences

The Doctorate of Clinical Laboratory Sciences (DCLS) is an advanced professional doctorate designed for practicing clinical laboratory scientists who wish to further their level of clinical expertise and to develop leadership and management skills. The purpose of the program is the development of clinical laboratory sciences graduates who function as practitioners, community leaders, educators, and scholars in the profession of clinical laboratory science and the discipline of clinical laboratory science. Graduates of the program will generate, disseminate, and apply knowledge to enhance the understanding of laboratory assessment of health and disease.

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• The Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Science (DCLS) program at the University of Texas Medical Branch was the first to be granted Initial Accreditation.
• DCLS is the second program to be established in the United States.
• There are 35 students currently enrolled in the DCLS program.
• The first UTMB DCLS class graduated in August 2019.

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Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences

Doctorate Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science

The KU Medical Center DCLS program prepares MLS-certified professionals for roles on the patient-facing healthcare team.

Become a part of the shifting paradigm in healthcare delivery.

Advance your career.

The KU DCLS program prepares the actively practicing, currently ASCP-certified medical laboratory scientist for advanced practice in clinical laboratory science with no GRE required.

Distance-learning friendly

Core Courses have online options available. Students can customize the core courses in a part-time or full-time basis.

Clinical residency

Improve your interprofessional practice by working side by side with members of the healthcare team in an immersive, full-time clinical experience.

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. NAACLS 5600 N. River Rd, Suite 720 Rosemont IL 60018-5119; 773.714.8880

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2024-25 Academic Catalog

Doctor of clinical laboratory sciences.

The Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Science (DCLS) is the 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. Clinical Laboratory Science professionals holding the DCLS will provide a critical interface between practice, research, and health care policy. They will assure the effective and appropriate utilization of laboratory tests and information by eliminating unnecessary tests and ordering tests that should have been ordered but were not. This will result in decreased costs, earlier diagnosis, and improved patient outcomes.

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. Course delivery may include face-to-face, online, and hybrid formats.  The core curriculum may be completed 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. 

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, and molecular diagnostics. The core curriculum also includes clinical correlations, evidence-based medicine, and interprofessional practice.  Information gained from this course work is integrated with knowledge from other disciplines in health care such as health policy and management, pharmacology, health care education, public health and epidemiology, and advanced pathophysiology.

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 capstone project suitable for publication.  Research projects will advance practice in clinical laboratory medicine, such as the development and implementation of diagnostic and interpretive algorithms, clinical practice guidelines, and collaborative interprofessional patient care.  

The one-year clinical residency will provide immersion in the workings of the health care system by integrating the resident into patient care alongside physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and other health care professionals in clinical practice environments at program affiliates. During the residency, the students will work with management, laboratory staff, physicians, nurses, and other members of the healthcare team to provide guidance in laboratory utilization and interpretation thereby optimizing patient outcomes. The residency focuses on laboratory test selection and result interpretation. In addition to the direct learning by the resident, he or she can educate the patient and the other members of the health care team on the proper utilization of lab tests, correct specimen requirements, and interfering factors affecting results. 

Graduates of this program will be prepared to act as consultants to health care providers, serve as laboratory directors, educate patients and health care providers, perform and disseminate research on evidence-based practice and test utilization, and enter academic positions.

The DCLS curriculum addresses the competencies established for the profession by the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Science Oversight Committee and NAACLS accreditation guidelines for the DCLS. 

Admission to the doctorate in clinical laboratory science program is a competitive application process. Applications are submitted online.  Applications and supporting materials are reviewed, and qualified applicants are invited for a personal interview. Detailed instructions on how to apply are posted on the doctorate in clinical laboratory science program website. Students are admitted for the fall semester only. Applications for the fall semester must be received by March 1 for first consideration.

In order to be considered for admission into this program, the following are required:

Completed prerequisite course work

• Bachelor's degree in a life science (e.g., biochemistry, biology, cell biology, clinical laboratory science, microbiology, molecular biosciences etc.) must be completed prior to enrollment in the program. 
• A NAACLS-accredited MLS/MT program must be completed (or equivalent).  Applicants holding MLS(ASCP) certification through Route 2 are eligible to apply if having completed a NAACLS-accredited or military MLT program.

Grade point average

• Cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale is required. 
• For applicants who transferred credits into their Bachelor’s degree, the Office of Graduate Studies will take those credits into consideration for the cumulative Bachelor’s GPA.
• Applicants with a GPA below 3.00 may be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis.

Required credentials

• Professional certification as a generalist from the American Society of Clinical Pathology Board of Certification is required: MLS(ASCP)CM or MLS(ASCPi)CM.  MLS(ASCP) is accepted with proof of continuing education.

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) is required at the time of application. Preference will be given to those with experience as a generalist or who have worked in multiple areas of the clinical laboratory. Applicants with less than two-years of full-time experience may be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis.
• The department will evaluate work experience and determine if the work experience criteria are met for each applicant.

Health and physical requirements

• Good physical and mental health are essential. Physical or other disabilities are evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the program and by the Office of Equal Opportunity and Academic Compliance. Please review  the program's technical standards  for details.
• Physical examinations are required prior to the time of registration for classes at KU Medical Center.
• All students are required to carry health insurance. KU Medical Center offers a health insurance policy for eligible students. Selected for the Kansas Board of Regents institutions by the State of Kansas, this plan is offered through Student Health Services at KU Medical Center and is underwritten by UnitedHealthCare Student Resources. For information about the policy, please visit  www.uhcsr.com/kumc . Students exclusively taking courses online are not eligible to enroll in the Basic Student Plan through UnitedHealthCare.

Background check/drug screening

• The Joint Commission requires all incoming students to pay for a background check and provide the report to the university. This one-time fee must be paid directly to the company performing the background investigation. This requirement only applies to students officially admitted into the program. A drug screen may also be required by each clinical residency site the student utilizes during the program. More:  School of Health Professions background check and drug screening.

English language proficiency All applicants, regardless of citizenship or residency status, are required to have command of the English language. Proof of English language proficiency may be required through the TOEFL or IELTS testing systems, a personal interview, the personal goals statement or other methods.

• Internet-based TOEFL minimum requirements: at least 23 or higher on the reading and listening sections; a score of 5.0 or 23 or higher on the writing section; a score of 26 or higher on the speaking section.
• IELTS minimum requirements: overall band score of 7.5 and no part score lower than 7.0.

International Students An applicant is considered an international student if he or she requires a visa, or currently resides in the U.S. with non-immigrant status, or currently resides in the U.S. while applying for permanent residency. Additional requirements and documentation are required for international students to become eligible for KU programs. Please review the  information for international students  before applying.

Applicants will be assessed based on these requirements.   After an applicant has been admitted, a program may defer an applicant's admission for one year after which time the applicant must submit a new application.  Admission requirements are subject to change. In most cases, use the catalog of the year student entered the program. Other years’ catalogs ».

DCLS Core Course Descriptions

Seminar course that addresses topics and issues relevant to DCLS clinical practice, including ethical and social issues in healthcare practice, health informatics, and communication techniques needed for interaction with healthcare colleagues and patients. Repeatable. Prerequisite: Admission into the Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Science program, or consent of instructor.

This course will address various aspects of teaching in healthcare settings. This includes educating patients and their families, educating other healthcare professionals, and the more formal area of undergraduate and graduate education. Education theory, pedagogical methods, educational resources, learning objectives, and evaluation techniques applicable to each type of educational situation will be addressed. Prerequisite: Admission into the Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Science program, or consent of instructor.

This course focuses on the enhancement of scientific and technical knowledge in nucleic acid-based testing for the diagnosis of acquired and hereditary genetic disorders, and infectious diseases. Topics include an in-depth review of the theory of molecular techniques and the application of these techniques in inherited disorders, oncology, infectious disease, pharmacogenetics, histocompatibility, identity determination, and genomics. Prerequisite: Admission into the Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Science program, or consent of instructor.

A discussion of research methods used in clinical laboratory sciences, with an emphasis on selecting and applying appropriate research designs. Includes an overview of the research methods and various approaches in current use in clinical laboratory science; focused on research question formulation; internal and external validity of research; variable measurement and reliability, and generalizability of findings. Specific approaches covered include non-experimental, experimental and quasi-experimental designs, epidemiologic methods (e.g., cohort and case-control studies), survey research, and qualitative research. Prerequisite: Admission into the Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Science program, or consent of instructor.

Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) encompasses Evidence-Based Medicine and Evidence-Based Laboratory Medicine. EBP is a problem-based approach to decision making using research evidence combined with clinical expertise, the patient's values, circumstances, and the clinical context. This course addresses the historical development of EBP, why using EBP in clinical decision making improves patient care, when and how to implement and use EBP in clinical decision making, and how to discuss the EBP finding with patients, family members, and other healthcare practitioners. Evaluating research studies for their applicability to EBP and designing research studies based on clinical evidence focused on laboratory testing will make up most of the course content, activities, and assignments. Prerequisite: Admission into the Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Science program, or consent of instructor.

This course focuses on in depth physiology and pathophysiology together with the principles of current and emerging chemistry tests. Emphasis on the correlation between chemistry tests and disease states, interpretation and limitations of chemistry test results. Current clinical chemistry literature, clinical scenarios, case studies, and advanced laboratory practice issues will be used to enhance knowledge and skills. Prerequisite: Admission into the Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Science program, or consent of instructor.

This course focuses on enhancement of scientific and technical knowledge in hematology and hemostasis to consult with other healthcare practitioners on the selection of screening and diagnostic tests for hematological disorders, interpretation of results, and recommendations for follow-up testing. Topics to be investigated include physiology and regulation of the hematopoietic system and hemostasis, and the genetic, molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of selected hematological disorders such as anemias, leukemias, lymphomas, and disorders of hemostasis with additional focus on utilization of appropriate hematology, hemostasis, and molecular diagnostic tests, and reducing turn-around time. Prerequisite: Admission into the Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Science program, or consent of instructor.

This course focuses on enhancement of scientific and technical knowledge in clinical immunology and transplantation in order to consult with other healthcare practitioners on clinical applications and diagnostic and therapeutic testing of immune-mediated diseases. Topics include autoimmunity, hypersensitivity, immunotherapy and immunotoxicology, transplantation and HLA testing/compatibility, cancer immunology and immunodeficiency. This course also includes test methodologies in cellular, humoral, and molecular immunology, selection and interpretation of test results, and recommendations for follow-up testing for patient monitoring. Prerequisite: Admission into the Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Science program, or consent of instructor.

Course Description: This course focuses on enhancement of scientific and technical knowledge in clinical microbiology necessary for consultation with other healthcare practitioners for (i) the selection of screening and diagnostic tests for suspected infectious diseases, (ii) interpretation of results, and (iii) recommendations for follow-up testing. Topics to be investigated include utilizing molecular diagnostic tests, antimicrobial susceptibility testing and resistance mechanisms, bioterrorism, biofilms, opportunistic and emerging infections, utilization of appropriate microbiology tests, evidence based practice in clinical microbiology, and reducing turn-around time. Current scientific literature, clinical scenarios, case studies, and advanced laboratory practice issues will be used to enhance knowledge and skills. Prerequisite: Admission into the Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Science program, or consent of instructor.

This course will explore advanced blood banking theory and transfusion medicine concepts pertaining to basic-to-advanced serological testing techniques, blood product utilization, molecular immunohematology testing methods, quality assurance, and other relevant topics. Learners will be re-introduced to specialized blood banking procedures including (but not limited to) the following: ABO/Rh, antibody screens, antibody identification, fetal screen, elutions, phenotyping, and crossmatching. Using case studies and discussion, learners will correlate laboratory data to clinical disease processes encountered in transfusion medicine. Prerequisite: Admission into the Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Science program, or consent of instructor.

Course Description: This course will correlate clinical presentation and laboratory testing as it relates to physiological changes associated with select diseases of major organ systems (e.g., endocrine, muscle, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, gastrointestinal, immune, nervous, and reproductive). Prerequisite: Admission into the Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Science program or instructor permission.

This course will complement DCLS 851 Clinical Correlations I and will correlate clinical laboratory testing as it relates to physiological changes associated with patient symptomology (e.g., chest pain, shortness of breath, unresponsiveness, fever of unknown origin, jaundice) and treatment in a consultation model. Prerequisite: Admission into the Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Science program or instructor permission.

An introductory course to core competencies in interprofessional education and practice for healthcare teams including roles and responsibilities, values and ethics, teamwork, communication, and collaborative practice as it relates to the improvement of patient safety outcomes and the provision of quality patient care. Prerequisite: Admission into the Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Science program, or consent of instructor.

This course will explore laboratory quality, utilization, accreditation, regulation, and management topics. Core course content explores the selection, implementation, strengths, and weaknesses of appropriate quality assurance programs to maintain desired quality goals. All aspects of laboratory services will be explored to enhance consultative skills that will be applied in the clinical residency. The use of practice guidelines, critical or clinical pathways, algorithms and reflex testing, direct access testing, evidenced-based practice, and outcomes measurements, as well as initiatives to change the practice of laboratory services in all phases (pre-analytical, analytical, and post analytical) are covered. Prerequisite: Admission into the Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Science program, or consent of instructor.

Faculty-guided, student-directed individualized study for students enrolled in the DCLS program who need additional enrollment associated with their plan of study. The specific course requirements are to be described in the Independent Study proposal form to be completed by the student and approved by the faculty mentor and DCLS Program Director prior to enrollment. Can be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Admission into the Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Science program.

The Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Science (DCLS) program at the University of Kansas is designed to prepare certified medical laboratory scientists for advanced practice in multiple venues including clinical institutions, reference laboratories, physician practices, industry, public health agencies, government facilities, and academic institutions. Course work is divided between advanced theory courses ("Core Curriculum"), research, and clinical residency. The DCLS curriculum addresses the competencies established for the profession by the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Science Oversight Committee and NAACLS accreditation guidelines for the DCLS.

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. The core curriculum can be complete on a part-time basis, but the DCLS Research and Clinical Residency components require one year of full-time enrollment.
• 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 DCLS 815 (Research Methods in Clinical Laboratory Sciences) and DCLS 820 (Evidence Based Practice) meets the Research Skills requirement.
• Successful completion of PRVM 853 (Responsible Conduct of Research) or PTRS 807 (Ethics in Health Care) meets the Responsible Scholarship requirement.
• Successful completion of the DCLS comprehensive examination. Prior to starting the clinical residency, a comprehensive examination is required of all degree candidates. Students will demonstrate their (i) command of the clinical laboratory science body of knowledge, (ii) ability to analyze data, and (iii) expertise in the broad scope of clinical practice. Students must be in good academic standing (i.e. hold a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA) to be eligible for the comprehensive examination. The examination must be completed prior to enrollment in residency courses with a minimum score of 80% to be considered successful. 
• Successful completion of the DCLS Research Project requirement. A prospectively planned and approved translational research project which is advisor-guided, student-directed, and designed to support and enhance students’ ability to apply their graduate knowledge and achieve tangible outcomes. The DCLS Research Project is a three-course series (DCLS 901, DCLS 902, DCLS 903) that includes all aspects of a translational research project, including the planning, data collection, analysis/interpretation of results, preparation, and presentation of the research project, both oral and written. Research projects will advance practice in clinical laboratory medicine, such as the development and implementation of diagnostic and interpretive algorithms, clinical practice guidelines, and collaborative interprofessional patient care.
• Successful completion of the DCLS Clinical Residency requirement. A three-course series (DCLS 911, DCLS 912, DCLS 913), this year-long clinical residency is designed to develop the DCLS professional to meet national professional responsibilities. Residency places the student in clinical practice environments at program affiliates. During the residency, the students will work with management, laboratory staff, physicians, nurses, and other members of the healthcare team to provide guidance in laboratory utilization and interpretation thereby optimizing patient outcomes. Residency is provided in structured clinical rotations occurring at clinical affiliates. Skills and knowledge will be evaluated through competency-based assessments and portfolio development. The portfolio will contain documentation of experiences and work products developed during the residency rotations. This may include de-identified summaries of consultations, papers and abstracts published or submitted, PowerPoint presentations, method evaluation data and/or written procedures from utilization projects. 
• Successful completion of the DCLS Capstone requirement. The capstone is completed during the final semester of the program and consists of a written and an oral examination. The written component consists of a manuscript suitable for publication based on the research requirement described above. The oral examination is a defense of the manuscript and can include questions regarding general knowledge of clinical laboratory science concepts and applications.    
• Enrollment in a minimum of one (1) credit hour the semester the student will graduate.
• Successful completion of the following courses:

Core Curriculum

* DCLS 800 will be taken during each residency semester. 

Degree requirements and course descriptions are subject to change. Any courses taken as an equivalent must be approved by the Graduate Director and the Office of Graduate Studies. In most cases, use the catalog of the year student entered the program.  Other years’ catalogs» .

The DCLS is a minimum 76 credit hour program designed to be completed in a three year time frame if enrolled full time (see program progression below, part-time options are available).  Course work is divided between the "Core Curriculum" (advanced theory courses) completed in the first two years of full-time study, and one full year of full-time clinical residency (during which research and residency courses are completed).  

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

Students enroll in DCLS 800 during each clinical residency semester.

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, including hospitals, reference, public health, and physician office settings. Therefore, the following abilities and expectations must be met by all students in the program.

Essential Observational Requirements

• Read and comprehend text, numbers, and graphs displayed in print and other visual displays.
• Perform comparative observations of text, movement, shapes, graphs, colors, etc.
• Observe and respond to subtle cues of individual’s moods, temperament, and social behavior.
• Observe, learn from, and analyze medical record content, including discernment and use of clinical and administrative data displayed within the medical record.
• Observe, learn from, and analyze statistical, financial, and reimbursement data, including utilizing spreadsheets, software, databases, and performing mathematical calculations.
• Observe, learn from, and analyze class demonstrations and experiences in disciplines relevant to Clinical Laboratory Sciences that include but are not limited to information management, biochemistry, physiology, statistics, clinical correlations, and research methodology.

Essential Movement Requirements

• Perform actions requiring coordination of both gross and fine muscular movement, equilibrium and use of senses.
• Move freely and safely about healthcare settings (hospitals, patient rooms, clinics, laboratory, etc.).
• Travel to sites both on and off campus involved in coursework and residency.
• Perform moderately taxing continuous physical work over several hours.
• Use an electronic keyboard to generate, calculate, record, evaluate, and transmit information.
• Prepare assignments, both written and on-line.
• Deliver public presentations to large and small audiences.

Essential Communication Requirements

• Read, interpret, and comprehend technical and professional materials (e.g., textbooks, journal articles, handbooks, instruction manuals, and patient healthcare records).
• Be able to share and to elicit information from patients, healthcare providers, peers, and research collaborators verbally and in a recorded format.
• Assimilate information to prepare papers, produce reports, and complete documentation for patient care and research purposes.
• Effectively, confidently, sensitively, and confidentially communicate with patients, laboratory staff, and healthcare providers regarding laboratory test selection, interpretation, and follow-up.
• Communicate effectively (speaking, writing, typing, graphics, or telecommunication) with faculty, students, laboratory staff, patients, and other healthcare professionals.
• Take paper and computer examinations.

Essential Intellectual Requirements.

• Understand and perform measurements, calculations, synthesis, analysis, reasoning and problem solving.
• Participate in research activities involving the laboratory or patient oriented research activities.
• Possess sufficient judgment to recognize and correct performance deviations.

Essential Behavioral and Social Requirements

• Manage the use of time and be able to systematize actions in order to complete academic, professional and technical tasks within realistic constraints.
• Possess the emotional health necessary to effectively employ intellect, act ethically, and exercise appropriate judgment.
• 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.
• 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.
• Adapt to professional and technical change, being flexible and creative.
• Use appropriate language.
• Demonstrate empathy when appropriate.
• Work effectively in inter-professional teams.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the rationale and justification for one’s performance.
• Demonstrate attention to detail and flexibility to function in a clinical and/or research setting.
• Recognize potentially hazardous materials, equipment, and situations and proceed safely in order to minimize risk of injury to self and nearby individuals.
• Practice honesty, compassion, and responsibility.
• Be forthright about errors or uncertainty.
• Critically evaluate one’s own performance, accept constructive criticism, and look for ways to improve.
• Critically evaluate the performance of students, patients, and healthcare providers, tactfully offering constructive comments.
• Provide professional and technical services while experiencing the stresses of heavy workloads (i.e., large number of tasks to complete in a limited amount of time), task- related uncertainty (i.e., ambiguous test-ordering, ambivalent test interpretation), emergent demands (i.e., "stat" test orders, interaction with other members of the healthcare team), and a distracting environment (i.e., high noise levels, crowding, complex visual stimuli).

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At Liberty, you can customize your health sciences degree by selecting a specialization in the area that interests you the most.

Liberty University’s 100% online  PhD in Health Sciences – General  degree allows you to personalize your degree to match your unique academic and career goals. In addition to taking core research and health sciences courses, you can complete several specialized courses in an area of your choosing.

View the  Degree Completion Plan .

Exercise and Sport Science

Liberty University’s 100% online  PhD in Health Sciences – Exercise and Sport Science  degree is designed to help further your knowledge in the areas of sport performance, exercise science, and occupational performance. Our goal is to help you pursue advanced roles in sports science, kinesiology, strength training and conditioning, and more.

Trauma-Informed Care

Liberty University’s 100% online  PhD in Health Sciences – Trauma-Informed Care  degree can help equip you to work with victims of trauma using best practices in crisis and first responder training, community response, assessment and testing, and empirically supported treatments. This program is one of the first of its kind to teach trauma from an allied health perspective, as most programs cover trauma in an education or behavioral science context.

Not sure what to choose?

Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.

Tuition & Aid

Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have frozen tuition rates for the majority of our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.

Eligible current and former military service members and their spouses may qualify for a special rate of $300/credit hour ( learn more ) .

All Tuition & Fees

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Financial Aid Forms & Eligibility

Scholarship Opportunities

Admission Information for Liberty’s Doctoral Degree in Health Sciences

Admission requirements.

• A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required) .
• Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system). A regionally or nationally accredited master’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA is required for admission in good standing.
• Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy .

Preliminary Acceptance

If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:

• Be in your final term and planning to start your doctoral degree after the last day of class for your master’s degree.
• Complete a Master’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
• Submit an official transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show that you are within 6 credit hours of completion for a 30-48 credit hour master’s degree or within 9 credit hours of completion for a 49+ credit hour master’s degree.
• Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new doctoral degree.

Transcript Policies

Official college transcript policy.

An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to [email protected] .

Admissions Office Contact Information

(800) 424-9596

(888) 301-3577

Email for Questions

[email protected]

Email for Documents

[email protected]

Liberty University Online Admissions Verification

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Lynchburg, VA 24515

Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.

Who May Qualify?

• Active Duty
• Reserve/National Guard
• Veterans/Retirees
• Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees

Military Tuition Discount

We want to help you find the doctoral degree you want – at a price you’ve earned. As a thank-you for your military service, Liberty University offers eligible current and former service members like you or your spouse multiple pathways to earn a doctoral degree for only $300/credit hour . Find out how you can take advantage of this unique opportunity as you work toward your goal of reaching the pinnacle of your profession – for less.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is liberty accredited.

Liberty University is accredited by  SACSCOC , the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Are there networking opportunities in this program?

You’ll have the opportunity to network with leaders and experts in allied health from across the country while pursuing your online health sciences degree.

Is the program flexible?

Our 100% online courses give you the freedom to earn your degree on your schedule.

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Boston University Academics

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• PhD in Pathology & Laboratory Medicine

For contact information, please visit the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine website .

Pathology, the study of disease, integrates all aspects of biomedical science to further the understanding of disease processes and develop methods for diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of disease. The PhD in Pathology & Laboratory Medicine is for students who want to participate in breakthrough scientific research and contribute to the advancement of biomedical knowledge, learning how diseases work at a mechanistic level. Graduates will be prepared for postdoctoral fellowships, science writing, running a lab as a principal investigator, and shaping science policy at the government level.

Our department focuses particularly on cancer, immunologic, inflammatory, and neurologic disorders. We have a strong and diverse faculty composed of core and joint members who offer multiple research and training opportunities in experimental pathology.

Current foci of research by departmental faculty and students include:

• The development of the brain
• Disorders of brain development and normal aging
• Effects of nutrition on the developing brain
• Disorders of cell cycle and cell signaling in the pathogenesis and progression of cancer
• Normal and abnormal immunological responses to infectious agents and environmental toxins and to other stimuli
• The neuroscience of Alzheimer’s disease
• Traumatic brain injury
• The pathogenesis of asthma
• Development of immunotherapies for cancer and infectious diseases

Prospective applicants to the PhD program in Pathology must enter via the Program in Biomedical Sciences (PiBS). This program emphasizes interdisciplinary training for the first year, after which time students will be free to transition into one of the doctoral programs offered by the Department of Pathology.

Program in Biomedical Sciences (PiBS)

The Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine participates in the Program in Biomedical Sciences (PiBS), which offers training toward the PhD degree by integrating the foundations of interdisciplinary biomedical research with focused investigation and preparation for career advancement.

In the first year, PhD students will participate in the Foundations in Biomedical Sciences (FBS) core curriculum as well as have the opportunity to select elective courses focused on area-specific interests. Additionally, trainees will engage in laboratory rotations, journal clubs, and research seminars. Trainees will work closely with a faculty advisor in the development of an individual plan that will be tailored to serve specific research and professional goals. After selection of a laboratory, students will join the program/department with which the mentor is affiliated and continue advanced studies towards candidacy.

For more on how to apply, please visit our website .

Program Overview

The doctoral program is broadly based, offers research training in both basic and clinical investigations of disease, and encourages students to integrate the two areas where appropriate in their doctoral research. The core curriculum provides course, seminar, and laboratory opportunities for students to learn the pathogenesis, morphology, and cell and molecular biology of human diseases and laboratory techniques used to study them.

Laboratories of faculty in the department and other faculty in Graduate Medical Sciences provide opportunities for doctoral dissertation research in many aspects of the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of disease.

Students are expected to fulfill all course requirements, choose a dissertation laboratory, and begin preparatory dissertation research within four semesters. They then take the qualifying examination and, if successful, present a dissertation research proposal to their faculty committee and proceed with their research. Students in the alternative tracks follow a modified curriculum in which certain departmental requirements are substituted by requirements of the respective interdepartmental program.

Our faculty members are committed to facilitating all pathology graduate students’ efficient progress through our graduate programs, in a goal-oriented manner. The student group is enthusiastic and interactive. And our graduates pursue careers in academia, biotechnology settings, government laboratories and, if also medically trained, in clinical specialties.

Specializations

In addition to the pathology curriculum, students may choose from three additional specialized tracks:

• Pathology—Cell and Molecular Biology
• Pathology—Immunology
• Pathology—Neuroscience

Specialized coursework offered through the department includes:

• Basic and Experimental Pathology
• Protein Modification and Molecular Basis of Human Diseases
• The Business of Science

Involvement with the MD/PhD Program

• Pathology regularly participates in evening sessions with the MD/PhD students where research opportunities within pathology are discussed.
• Dr. Remick serves on the MD/PhD admissions committee to review applicants and rank interviewed applicants.
• Several faculty members in pathology serve as interviewers for the MD/PhD applicants, providing a critical component since the group struggles to find sufficient MD interviewers.
• Recent MD/PhD graduates who have defended and gone back to graduate medical school are Bryan Belikoff (Remick Lab/Defended Spring 2010), Besam Khidhir (Haber/Harvard Lab/Defended Spring 2010), Chad Mayer (Kurosawa Lab/Defended Spring 2014), David Stepien (Remick Lab/Defended Spring 2013), Louis Vaickus (Remick Lab/Defended Spring 2010), Terry Hsieh (Remick Lab/Defended Spring 2016), Melody Lun (Off-Site-Childrens Hospital/Lehtinen Lab/Defended Spring 2016), and Nisma Mujahid (Off-Site-Massachusetts General Hospital/Fisher Lab/Defended Spring 2017).

Program Structure

Md/phd and phd general requirements.

A course of study and laboratory experience extending over one to two years is followed by a qualifying examination, which is taken within one semester after completion of required coursework. The proposal for dissertation research is then developed and presented to the dissertation committee; the proposed research extends over another two to three years and is performed under the guidance of the major advisor with the help and advice of the committee.

The Director of Graduate Studies serves as a curriculum advisor to all students in the first two years of the program and approves the course registration forms. After the required courses are completed, the student’s research advisor provides direction in the choice of additional courses.

Laboratory rotations are performed in the first year of study to:

• Acquaint students with research opportunities in the program
• Teach a variety of approaches to research and teach specific research methods
• Permit choice of a laboratory for dissertation research. The dissertation research advisor should be chosen and preliminary work in the area of research begun early in the second year of study

Sample Curriculum for PhD and MD/PhD

For first-year PiBS students interested in pathology, the following courses are recommended.

First-Year Fall (10 credits)

• GMS AN 704 Statistics (2 cr) (or equivalent)
• GMS FC 701 Foundations/Protein Structure (2 cr)
• GMS FC 702 Foundations/Genome Structure & Function (2 cr)
• GMS FC 703 Foundations/Cell Architecture & Dynamics (2 cr)
• GMS PA 710 Principles of Basic and Applied Pathology (2 cr)

First-Year Spring (10 credits)

• GMS FC 704 Foundations/Biomedical Sciences (2 cr)
• GMS PA 510 Medical Immunology (2 cr)
• GMS PA 700 Basic and Experimental Pathology (4 cr)
• GMS elective (2 cr)

Second-Year Fall (10 credits)

• GMS PA 800 Pathology Seminar (2 cr)
• GMS PA 810/811 Business of Science (recommended) or elective (2 cr)
• GMS PA 900 Pathology Lab Rotations (2 cr)
• GMS PA 901 Pathology Research (2 cr/varies)
• GMS electives (2 or 4 cr)

Second-Year Spring (10 credits)

• GMS PA 801 Special Topics–Spring (2 cr)
• GMS PA 901 Pathology Research (4 cr/varies)
• GMS PA 910 Human Biospecimens for Research (2 cr)
• Directed Studies (credits as needed)

Required to Sit for the Qualifying Exam

• GMS FIBS I–IV

Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) is presented by Boston University, requires participation in four sessions of two hours each (usually one session per semester), and results in an NIH certificate. Summer sessions are also offered.

For second-year PiBS students interested in pathology, the following courses are required/recommended.

• GMS PA 800 Pathology Seminar (required for qualifying exam) (2 cr)
• GMS PA 700 Basic and Experimental Pathology (required for qualifying exam) (4 cr)
• Directed Studies (credits as needed)

Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)  is presented by Boston University, requires participation in four sessions of two hours each (usually one session per semester), and results in an NIH certificate. Summer sessions are also offered.

For MD/PhD students interested in pathology, the following courses are required/recommended.

First-Year Fall (1o credits)

• GMS AN 704 Statistics (or equivalent) (2 cr)
• GMS PA 810/811 Business of Science (recommended) (2 cr)
• GMS elective (2 or 4 cr)
• GMS PA 800 Pathology Seminar (elective) (2 cr)

Additional Requirements

Participation and attendance in the Departmental Friday Seminar are required through all terms of study and research. Two course credits are given for one term (beginning in second year for Cell Biology Track).

For all students pursuing the combined MD/PhD degree, PA 510 Immunology and PA 700 Pathology requirements are fulfilled by the medical curriculum.

Each student is required to present a seminar in the departmental seminar series in addition to their dissertation defense. This is usually done in the fourth year.

Qualifying Exams

Chobanian & Avedisian SOM Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine

Pathology PhD graduate students are eligible to take this compulsory examination after successfully completing the required coursework. This will typically take place at the end of second year for PhD students and at the end of third year for the MD/PhD students.

There is one exam period each year: May–June.

Written (computer-typed) examination—6–8 hours

Morning and afternoon sessions consist of essay questions based on individual coursework, directed readings, critiques of selected publications (with an emphasis on experimental design), and evaluation of pathology seminars. These study instructions are provided by the individual members of the examination committee no more than two months prior to the examination. The students are responsible for contacting the committee members. None of the suggested study material/publications can be brought to the exam. The answers will be submitted anonymously to the examiners for grading. Copies of past exams are available. All candidates will provide a list of their coursework and grades to the examination committee. Upon passing the written exam, students will proceed to the oral examination, which takes place 7–10 days after the written exam.

Oral examination—1 ½–2 hours

Exam evaluation : Pass/Fail/Conditional Pass. In the event of a conditional pass, the examining committee will define the appropriate corrective steps and a time frame for completing these steps.

After passing the qualifying examination, the graduate student will proceed with selection of their thesis committee.

Current members of the committee are: Dr. J. K. Blusztajn, Dr. B. Slack (committee chair), Dr. I. Delalle, Dr. D. Remick, and Dr. N. Rahimi. Alternate member: Dr. J. Sharon.

PhD Thesis/Doctoral Dissertation Committees

The committee must consist of at least five members, which includes the student’s thesis advisor. At least three members must have primary or secondary appointments in the Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine at the time they are asked to join the committee.

For a complete description of requirements for assembly of the committee, please visit the BU Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine website .

Admission & Financial Assistance

Criteria for admission.

Students must have received a baccalaureate degree from an accredited university. Additional criteria considered by the admissions committee include:

• A good academic record/GPA
• GRE test results and TOEFL for international students
• Personal statement
• Letters of references
• Interview evaluation (if invited)
• Interest level in pathology research
• All aspects of the applicant, including research experience and publications, are considered in the decision process

Financial Support

All PhD and MD/PhD students who are admitted to the program automatically receive a stipend, tuition, activity fees, and health insurance. For the 2018–2019 academic year, the stipend is $34,000.

Students are also eligible to compete for support from outside agencies, such as the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. While in graduate school, students are also eligible to compete with other GMS students for research and travel awards from the department and the Chobanian & Avedisian SOM .

Additional Opportunities

Research opportunities that provide students with the techniques and knowledge necessary to confront scientific problems

Teaching opportunities through the  Chobanian & Avedisian SOM , BU CityLab Academy, BU Metropolitan College, and Chobanian & Avedisian SOM Student Affairs office tutoring program

Departmental seminars provide students with the opportunity to hear and interact with pathologists and basic scientists from a variety of disciplines

Journal Club allows students to lead discussions about current literature, fundamental papers, or new ideas in their fields of study

Core Facilities

• Animal Research Resource Center
• Biomedical Imaging Center
• Cellular Imaging Core
• Experimental Pathology Laboratory Service Core Facility
• Flow Cytometry Core Facility
• High Throughput Screening Core
• Microarray Resource Core Facility
• Molecular Genetics Core Facility
• Proteomics Core Facility

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• The Vesalius Certificate
• Anatomy & Neurobiology
• Behavioral Neuroscience
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College of Public Health

Quick links, doctoral training, drph public health and clinical laboratory science and practice.

The DrPH track in Public Health and Clinical Laboratory Science and Practice is designed to provide professionals with an advanced public health education and training to prepare individuals for leadership roles in public health and clinical laboratory settings. The program was designed in response to reports demonstrating a critical shortage of laboratory professionals and a need to rebuild the workforce pipeline in public health laboratories. Coursework was developed and implemented by professionals in public health laboratory leadership positions across the country with an emphasis on enhancing laboratory leadership, management, and scientific expertise.

This DrPH degree is a 46-credit hour post-master’s degree encompassing course work and doctoral project requirements designed to provide aspiring public health laboratory directors eligible requirements to sit for the American Board of Bioanalysis (ABB) Director’s and American Board of Microbiology (ABMM) examinations. Applicants must currently work in public health or clinical laboratories which will allow them to perform bench research to meet these requirements. The core curriculum includes courses in laboratory management, safety and security, microbiology, molecular biology and diagnostics, and bioinformatics. The DrPH degree is completed through distance learning with only three mandatory on-campus institutes which allow public health laboratory professionals to connect with other professionals and broaden their public health practice. The online format allows students to continue to work fulltime and advance their education without interrupting their careers. 

View the Program

Tuition & Fees

View Tuition & Fee Info

Get Started!

Start Applying Now

• Andrew Cannons
• Leah Gillis
• Jill Roberts  (Concentration Lead)
• Monica Uddin
• Derek Wildman
• Experiential Learning Students in the DrPH program are using their own workplaces for their APE/Doctoral Project.
• Careers This DrPH degree was designed to provide aspiring public health laboratory directors eligible requirements to sit for the American Board of Bioanalysis (ABB) Director’s and American Board of Microbiology (ABMM) examinations. Graduates of the program are currently working as laboratory directors in both public health and clinical laboratories.

To learn more, please contact a Pre-Admissions Advisor at (813) 974-6505 or via email at  [email protected] . 

You may also reach out to the Program Director, Dr. Jill Roberts, at  [email protected] .

PhD in Biological Sciences in Public Health

Prepare for a high-impact academic or research career at the forefront of the biological sciences in public health..

As a student in the PhD in biological sciences in public health program, you will gain expertise in the prevention and treatment of diseases that affect thousands—even millions—of people. Working with leading public health scientists, you will learn both mechanistic and quantitative approaches to biomedical research, while specializing in one of four areas of investigation:

• The metabolic basis of health and disease
• Immunology and infectious diseases
• Gene-environment interactions
• Inflammation and stress responses

Each area of investigation emphasizes biochemical, cell biological, and genetic approaches to understanding disease. In your research, whether basic or translational, you will apply cutting-edge tools and techniques to advance the understanding, treatment, and prevention of human diseases that significantly impact global populations today. Current research within our laboratories includes these and other diseases and risk factors:

• Atherosclerosis
• Chagas’ disease
• Environmental exposure to toxins
• Inflammatory diseases
• Kidney disease
• Metabolic syndrome
• Tuberculosis

As a graduate of the program, you will be prepared for a career as a faculty member in a college, university, medical school, research institute, or school of public health. You may also choose to pursue a career in research at a government agency, or in the private sector at a consulting, biotech, or pharmaceutical firm.

The program provides broad interdisciplinary knowledge of both mechanistic and quantitative approaches to biomedical research and prepares graduate students for research careers with courses in the following areas:

• Biochemistry, Genetics
• Biostatistics
• Cell biology
• Epidemiology
• Immunology/Infectious diseases
• Molecular biology
• Toxicology/Cancer cell biology

All students admitted to the PhD in biological sciences in public health program, including international students, are guaranteed full funding, which includes a stipend, tuition, and health insurance for five years, provided they maintain satisfactory progress.

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

To qualify for admission, applicants must demonstrate strong enthusiasm and ability for the vigorous pursuit of scientific knowledge. Minimum requirements include a bachelor’s degree and undergraduate preparation in the sciences.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Like all PhD (doctor of philosophy) programs at the School, the PhD in biological sciences in public health is offered under the aegis of the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Harvard Griffin GSAS). Applications are processed through the Harvard Griffin GSAS online application system . The program is located within the Division of Biological Sciences at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

OUR COMMUNITY: COMMITTED, ACCOMPLISHED, COLLABORATIVE

As a PhD candidate in the biological sciences in public health program, you will be part of a diverse and accomplished group of students with a broad range of research and other interests. The opportunity to learn from each other and share ideas outside of the classroom will be one of the most rewarding and productive parts of the program. The School fosters those relationships by sponsoring an “informal curriculum” of seminars, journal clubs, retreats, and other opportunities that will broaden your knowledge, hone your presentation skills, and teach you how to critically evaluate scientific literature while providing a supportive, collaborative community within which to pursue your degree. Our location in the heart of Boston’s Longwood Medical Area—home to Harvard Medical School, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and many world-class hospitals—makes collaboration with eminent laboratory and clinical researchers a natural part of the educational experience. And when you graduate, you will benefit from Harvard’s unparalleled global network of alumni leaders.

LEARN MORE Visit our website at www.hsph.harvard.edu/biological-sciences for more information or contact [email protected]

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Clinical Laboratory Science, Master of Science

Clinical Laboratory Science

Master of Science

Course Delivery

Total Credits

Credit Hour

Minimum Duration

• Program Details

Course Information

Admissions requirements.

• Tuition & Fees

Program Overview

The Masters of Science degree in Clinical Laboratory Science emphasizes the multidisciplinary nature of the laboratory sciences, encourages research that crosses traditional laboratory disciplines, and promotes innovative thinking. The curriculum is customized to the student's interests and to supporting the students research project. Students conduct research projects with resident and adjunct faculty. MSU Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics (BLD) graduate students choose our program for its clinically relevant courses in diagnostic theory and application, low student to faculty ratio, and program flexibility. This program can be completed fully through Michigan State University online. For students interested in updating their technical skills, there is also the option to take advanced level lab course(s.) BLD Masters program students come from various disciplines, including the medical laboratory, industry, academic research labs and other health related backgrounds.

Program Outcomes

The BLD Graduate Program faculty help students create the curriculum and research plans that fit their education and career goals. This can include coursework in topics such as molecular diagnostics, immunodiagnostics, advanced flow cytometry, mass spectrometry, biomedical laboratory operations, transfusion medicine/hemostasis, cell biology, statistics, information technology, scientific writing and research in the sciences.

The student will also complete a research project in an area of interest under the guidance of expert BLD faculty and local mentors. Through the project, the student investigates an area of interest, collects data and refines their scientific writing and presentation skills. For some students, this can lead to professional publications and/or presentations. Students can also use the coursework from this program to prepare for national credentialing exams in specific content areas such as molecular biology, flow cytometry, etc.

Please note that our courses do not directly provide eligibility for national credentialing exams. For details on credentialing, please see: https://www.ascp.org/content/board-of-certification/get-credentialed or contact the BLD program to see if our program advisors can provide any course plans that would align with your credentialing goals. Unfortunately, our masters program does not provide a path to certification through the ASCP B.O.C.

Career Outlook

This program provides the foundation for career advancement in the biomedical sciences through laboratory leadership, hospital specialist roles, life sciences research, PhD programs, and medical laboratory science education faculty/program director roles. The BLD faculty mentor students in professional development and networking, and this mentorship also creates career advancement opportunities.

A Top-Ranked Education

• 32nd among Best Public Universities in America — U.S. News & World Report, 2021
• A Top 100 Global University — Times Higher Education and U.S. News & World Report, 2021

Dr. Rachel Morris

Graduate program director, to be accepted to this program, you must have:.

• A bachelor's degree in science from an accredited college or university
• Previous work experience - Résumé
• Taken the GRE or have certification as a medical laboratory professional through ASCP
• Taken the TOEFL (Only required if English is not your native language)
• A written personal statement or letter of intent 
• 3 letters of recommendation
• Official transcripts from all previous schools

To apply to this program:

• Complete a university graduate application.
• Official transcripts sent to mailing address is: Michigan State University Hannah Administration Building 426 Auditorium Road, Room 250 East Lansing, Michigan 48824-2604 
• Official general GRE (Graduate Record Exam) scores. GRE scores can be up to 5 years old. The MSU GRE code is 1465. The BLD Department Code is 0601.
• For applicants in which English is not their first language, an English Language Proficiency test must be taken. Test takers should use the Michigan State University code 1465.

Application Deadline

November 5th

Tuition & Fees  per credit

Cost of Attendance

The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible. In addition to tuition and fees, there are other expenses associated with your Cost of Attendance. A breakdown of a graduate student budget can be found here .

The MSU Value Promise

You can be ensured a return on your investment at Michigan State University.

As one of the top research universities in the world, Michigan State University has advanced the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community.

MSU has been offering online degree programs for over 20 years. Our maturity is evident in the high quality of the learning experience enjoyed by our online students.

MSU provides programs and initiatives that support and enhance diversity. We will expand our campus and external partnerships to put in place inclusive recruitment and retention practices. We nurture and promote individuals’ varied experiences and perspectives, ensuring structures and processes make possible full participation by all members of our community.

MSU’s nationally recognized online programs foster student growth and well-being throughout their academic career. We will expand inclusive mentoring practices and accelerate improvement across units to implement evidence-based practices to ensure our students complete successfully.

Continuing education  can be one of the most exciting, challenging, and rewarding experiences you undertake in your life. We hope you consider becoming a Spartan, to learn online and reach your career goals.  With highly ranked online programs and exceptional professors, we educate students who advance the common good with uncommon will.

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• v.8; Jan-Dec 2021

The Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Sciences: A New Curriculum to Enhance the Connection of the Laboratory to Health Care Providers

Jose h. salazar.

1 Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA

2 Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA

Christopher J. Zahner

Vicki s. freeman, michael laposata.

This report discusses the need for a Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Sciences program and describes a curriculum to train Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Sciences students. The Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Sciences program was developed to help reduce diagnostic errors in patient care by enhancing connections between the clinical laboratory and health care providers. Data are presented from program implementation in 2016 to 2017 academic year to 2019 to 2020 regarding the faculty and student demographics, program statistics (eg, admissions and attrition rates), and effectiveness. Perceptions of program effectiveness were obtained via surveys from 28 faculty physicians who supervised Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Sciences students during clinical service rotations. Another survey assessed the preferred type of practice after graduation of 33 students. Over the 4-year period, the program had a 50% rate of admission and a 21.8% attrition rate. As of December 2020, 15 students graduated from the program. The majority (69%-82%) of physician faculty who completed the survey agreed that Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Sciences students contributed positively at clinical rounds. Approximately two-thirds of students reported a preference to lead a Diagnostic Management Team or serve as an advanced practice provider in a Diagnostic Management Team with leadership provided by an MD/DO or PhD. This report provides useful information for other institutions that may want to establish similar Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Sciences programs. Early data suggest that our program effectively trains doctoral-level advanced practice medical laboratory scientists, who may play an important role in improving patient safety by reducing diagnostic errors and providing value-based, optimal patient care.

Introduction

Over the past several decades, advanced practice providers have played increasingly important roles in many areas of medicine. At this time, it would be difficult for most physicians to imagine working without the partnership of a physician assistant or nurse practitioner, especially those in academic medical centers, where multidisciplinary health care teams are the norm. Advanced practice providers also help fill the critical need for health care providers in rural and underserved areas.

With the substantial increase in number, complexity, and costs of laboratory tests in recent years, there is a growing need for input from experts to provide recommendations for appropriate selection and evaluation of these tests and to aid in interpreting their results. The rapid growth in laboratory testing has produced complex issues in test selection and interpretation, time and effort challenges, financial concerns, and increased potential for error, all of which have created a demand for more advanced training of medical laboratory scientists in the field of clinical pathology.

Pathologist assistants have become important components of the team in many pathology practices. Although pathologist assistants are well trained to assist in specimen preparation and processing, they are not trained to analyze and review medical records to provide recommendations for test selection or to provide interpretation of laboratory results. To create expert-driven, patient-specific interpretations of complex clinical laboratory evaluations, it is necessary to review medical records for all information related to a patient’s medical conditions. In academic medical centers, pathology residents and fellows often serve in an advanced practice role to perform initial reviews of medical records and prepare preliminary interpretations and recommendations for providers who ordered the tests. However, residents and fellows are not available in all medical practice settings, and pathology assistants have a restricted scope of practice. Therefore, the need to create a program to produce doctoral-level advanced practice medical laboratory scientists (APMLS) was recognized.

The need for APMLS to participate in generating narrative reports of complex clinical laboratory evaluations is especially compelling at this time. For the past 3 to 4 decades, the vast majority of pathologists have not had adequate professional support to help guide fellow physicians in test selection and interpretation of complex clinical laboratory evaluations because payments are substantially higher for anatomic pathology activities than for professional activities in laboratory medicine. 1 - 3 Further, current payment systems provide no reimbursement to expert laboratory directors with a doctoral degree other than an MD or DO degree for advising colleagues on test selection and result interpretation.

Along with the rising complexity of test options, diagnostic errors are increasing at an alarming rate. The concept of diagnostic error emerged prominently with a 2015 report by the National Academy of Medicine 1 indicating that at least 1 error in diagnosis is experienced by every adult American. The consequences of these errors can be life-threatening. A major contributor to diagnostic error is the rapid expansion of available laboratory tests, many of which are extremely costly. 4 - 6

To circumvent diagnostic errors, Diagnostic Management Teams (DMTs) have been implemented by many institutions in a number of areas, including coagulation, transfusion medicine, toxicology, autoimmunity, liver disease, and anemia. They have even been used to review cases of suspected child abuse. 5 A DMT is a group of experts who conduct focused meetings to ensure correct selection of laboratory tests and proper interpretation of complex test results within specific fields or disease groups. 7 Diagnostic Management Team experts include pathologists, physicians in other specialties, and non-MD/DO laboratory experts. In this report, we show that a doctoral-prepared APMLS can be an effective intermediate care provider.

This report describes the results of a survey-based Quality Improvement/Quality Assurance project exploring the characteristics and outcomes of the Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Sciences (DCLS) program at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston, Texas. Because of the nature of this study, the UTMB Human Research Protections Program deemed it exempt from formal review by our institutional review board. Student confidentiality was fully protected.

Data were collected for the UTMB DCLS program from its inception in the 2016 to 2017 academic year to the 2019 to 2020 academic year. The study included all 55 DCLS students admitted to the program during the 4 years. Student demographic, employment, admission, and attrition data were collected through normal operations of the university. Student project information, program curricula, and faculty contributions were obtained from the program leadership.

A total of 28 faculty physicians who were supervisors during the students’ clinical service rotations completed an anonymous survey to assess DCLS student contributions as part of the clinical rounding team (which also included medical students and residents). The survey was completed once per faculty physician between May 2020 and August 2020. Respondents used a 5-part Likert scale (from strongly agree to strongly disagree) to rate their agreement with 4 statements covering these domains: (1) service as a clinical laboratory resource, (2) consultation regarding laboratory test selection, (3) consultation regarding interpretation of laboratory tests, and (4) overall benefit to clinical performance.

In total, 33 DCLS students completed an anonymous cross-sectional survey after they completed over half of their clinical rotations to assess the preferred area of employment upon graduation with a DCLS degree. The options were as follows: (1) laboratory consultant and DMT lead, (2) laboratory director but not act as a DMT lead, (3) academic practice but not act as a DMT lead, (4) regulatory setting (CMS, CLIA, etc), or (5) other.

A postgraduation survey was completed by 12 of the 15 DCLS graduates. This anonymous survey was distributed approximately 1 year after graduation. The survey focused on employment outcomes and self-perceived competence.

Program Description

University of Texas Medical Branch is one of 3 institutions in the United States that has organized a DCLS program to help address diagnostic error and incorrect test selection. The DCLS degree extends the expertise of the individual beyond that of an entry-level clinical laboratory scientist 8 and provides a career development opportunity for clinical laboratory scientists seeking a doctoral degree.

Our DCLS curriculum was developed by Clinical Laboratory Sciences (CLS), MD, and PhD faculty and structured to meet doctoral standards set by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences. Degree requirements and criteria for awarding the degree include didactic coursework, clinical requirements, and research courses. The program curriculum is taught in 9 semesters over 3 years ( Figure 1 ). The curriculum is summarized in Table 1 and consists of 1728 contact hours organized into 4 sections: (1) courses designed to develop diagnostic expertise (864 hours), (2) DMT rotations (432 hours), (3) clinical service experiences (288 hours), and (4) research courses (144 hours). The courses to develop diagnostic expertise are organized by discipline and consist of online lectures and written assessments. Each student rotates through 8 DMT rotations, ranging from an Anemia DMT to a Toxicology DMT (as shown in Table 1 ). The clinical service experiences involve participating in direct patient contact (rounds) under the supervision of clinical faculty. Each student rotates through 6 diverse clinical service rotations, including obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry, geriatrics, and nephrology services, as well as a general internal medicine ward service and the surgical intensive care unit.

Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Sciences (DCLS) curriculum sequence.

DCLS Curriculum Content.

Abbreviation: DCLS, Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Sciences.

The clinical practice experience (sections 2 and 3) allows DCLS students to develop collaborative skills required to properly advise health care providers on test selection and result interpretation in the clinical setting. This experience encompasses a total of 16 weeks on campus, with 8 hours of daily clinical assignments. Before and after attending on-campus clinical sessions, the students receive supplemental classroom instruction on the use of diagnostic tests outside the clinical laboratory.

A doctoral project containing publishable data is also required for graduation. Project work is completed during the last 2 years of the curriculum and is based on original research data derived from clinical projects. The topic of the project is selected by the student, with the aid and approval of the student’s doctoral project committee. The committee also supports and supervises the student while conducting the project. Successful oral defense is required for completion of the DCLS degree. Figure 2 depicts the milestones for completing the doctoral project and the overall DCLS curriculum.

Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Sciences (DCLS) curriculum milestones.

Student Admissions and Attrition

Figure 3 is a year-by-year presentation of student admission and attrition rates. The overall acceptance rate for 2016 to 2017 through 2019 to 2020 was 50% (55/110). With an overall 21.8% (12/55) attrition rate, the remaining number of students in the program or who had graduated by the end of 2019 to 2020 was 43. In 2016 to 2017 and 2017 to 2018, approximately two-thirds of the applicants were admitted. In 2017 to 2018, 10 of the 20 admitted students withdrew from the program, representing an attrition rate of 50% for that cohort. Accordingly, we reduced the proportion of applicants who were admitted to less than one-half (46%) the following year. In 2019 to 2020, the admission rate was 33%, and as of December 2020, the attrition rate for students admitted in 2018 to 2019 and 2019 to 2020 is 0%.

Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Sciences (DCLS) student admissions and attrition from 2016 to 2017 to 2019 to 2020.

Almost twice as many women than men have been admitted to our program since its inception. The most common age range at admission was 35 to 44 years, with 43% of students in this age group. A total of 80% of accepted applicants worked in a clinical laboratory bench setting for more than 6 years. Overall, 68% of admitted candidates identified Texas as their home state, presumably because our institution is in Texas. The remaining 32% of students were from diverse areas of the United States.

Doctoral Project Topics

A total of 15 students graduated from our DCLS program as of December 2020 (8 from the 2016 to 2017 admission cohort and 7 from the 2017 to 2018 cohort). Table 2 lists all doctoral project titles and outcomes for these graduates. Most projects focused on DMT initiation or laboratory test utilization. Six projects examined the use of DMTs for various hematologic and endocrine disorders. The non-DMT projects focused on diagnostic errors attributed to laboratory test utilization (8 projects) and the shortcomings of opioid prescription changes and documentation reconciliation (1 project).

Doctoral Projects of Doctorate of Clinical Laboratory Sciences Graduates.*

† Project outcomes for all 15 students graduating from the program as of December 2020. For all projects, data collection has been finalized, and doctoral project papers have been written and successfully defended.

Faculty Characteristics and Clinical Evaluations

Table 3 provides information regarding the faculty of our DCLS program. Although the program is administered by the School of Health Professions, most faculty are not members of the CLS Department. Most teaching is performed in a clinical setting by faculty who hold appointments in the pathology or internal medicine departments and have an MD/DO degree. These faculty include the instructors for the online courses, the DMT leaders (MD pathologists or PhD clinical laboratory directors), and the clinical service MD faculty.

Faculty Supervision.

The results of evaluations by MD faculty on the clinical service units are shown in Figure 4 . Of the 28 responders, 69% to 82% responded positively to the 4 statements about the presence of DCLS students at clinical rounds (“agree” or “strongly agree” with statements reflecting positive contributions from the students).

Physician faculty assessments of Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Sciences (DCLS) students during rounds (n = 28).

Student Employment Preferences

Figure 5 shows responses to the student survey regarding work preferences upon obtaining a DCLS degree. Approximately two-thirds of students reported a preference to lead a DMT or serve as an advanced practice provider in a DMT with leadership provided by an MD/DO or PhD. Most of the other students wanted to be a laboratory director or work in an academic setting but not be a DMT leader.

Survey of Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Sciences (DCLS) student employment preference upon graduation from the program (n = 33). CLIA indicates clinical laboratory improvement amendments; CMS, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Other includes conducting clinical research.

Postgraduation Outcomes

Fifty percent of graduates were offered a new job upon graduation, and 57% of graduates accepted a new job position within 6 months of graduation ( Figure 6 ). Thirty-three percent of graduates were offered a job promotion at their current place of employment. Figure 7 shows employment job titles of graduates at the time of admission into the program and 1 year after graduation. Figure 8 shows the results of perceived competence 1 year after completion of the DCLS program. The graduates rated their competence as good or excellent for all 6 items evaluated.

Job opportunities after graduation (n = 12).

Employment job titles of students at program admission and 1 year after graduation (n = 12).

Self-perceived competence 1 year after completion of the Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Sciences (DCLS) program (n = 12).

In this report, we have described the characteristics and outcomes of the DCLS program at our institution. It provides useful information for other institutions that may want to establish similar programs to educate clinical laboratory scientists at the doctoral level.

The DCLS curriculum is a clinical doctorate program that builds on prior technical knowledge of medical laboratory scientists. The program leads to a clinical doctorate that differs from a PhD degree. The main difference is a broader focus on clinical training in the DCLS program and an emphasis on DMT leadership. Our students are exposed to a wide variety of clinical settings and receive multispecialty mentorship and instruction from faculty clinicians and educators during the program. The ability to participate as a student APMLS expert in laboratory testing on multiple DMTs and as part of a clinical health care team during direct patient provides our DCLS students with extensive experience in developing and utilizing algorithms both inside and outside the laboratory.

Currently, 3 DCLS programs exist in the United States: our program and programs at Rutgers University, New Jersey, and Kansas University Medical Center. Although admission requirements for these programs vary from institution to institution, the following criteria are the minimum recommended standards for admission into our DCLS program: (1) completion of a National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science–accredited Medical Laboratory Science program (or equivalent international program), (2) a baccalaureate degree, and (3) generalist Medical Laboratory Scientist certification. Some institutions have additional admission criteria, such as a minimum number of years of experience as a practicing clinical laboratory scientist. In our program, the criteria for awarding the DCLS degree are substantial, requiring a total of 1728 contact hours consisting of didactic coursework (derived from asynchronous distance education), clinical experiences, and a doctoral project.

When the DCLS program was initially proposed at UTMB, there were questions about the role of successful graduates in medical practice. One of the major barriers to widespread implementation of DMTs is the lack of individuals with sufficient content knowledge to serve as DMT leaders. 9 In our experience, our recent DCLS graduates have been able to create interpretive comments and recommendations in DMT team leadership roles that mimic the roles of a resident physician on the DMT. Figure 9 shows an example of a narrative interpretation generated by a Coagulation DMT. The DMT process involves identifying cases, reviewing medical records, preparing brief summaries of the medical history, providing tentative interpretations of the laboratory data in the clinical context of the specific patient, and making recommendations for additional or reduced testing, as appropriate. Our DCLS graduates are well positioned to become leaders of DMT teams. When they assume this role, they should be salaried (similar to PhD DMT leaders), as there is currently no accepted way to bill insurance companies for this interpretive and consultative work.

Example of an interpretation generated by a coagulation Diagnostic Management Teams (DMT).

Importantly, DCLS graduates pay tuition to earn their degree, unlike PhD fellows who receive funding from institutions to complete fellowship training. This is an economic advantage for institutions and could lead to the widespread development of DCLS DMT leaders in multiple areas of diagnostic medicine. Widespread implementation of DMTs may have major impacts on improving patient care by reducing diagnostic errors. The graduation of 5 to 10 individuals each year from multiple institutions over the next 10 years should provide a workforce of hundreds of DCLS graduates.

In our program, the attrition rate decreased over the 4 years since its initiation. This was likely due to changes in our admission rates and the quality of the applicants. In the last 2 admission cycles (2018-2019 and 2019-2020), the admission rates were lower, and the preadmission accomplishments of the applicant pool were greater. Over 50% of graduates accepted new job positions as a result of completing the program. Our graduates have primarily attained positions as laboratory directors or faculty in academic health science centers.

The role of doctoral-level pharmacists as members of multidisciplinary health care teams in patient-facing rounds has become well accepted. The ability to obtain input from a pharmacist during rounds to discuss the appropriateness, dose, frequency, or cost of a drug has proven valuable. 10 An advanced-level practitioner with a DCLS degree can provide similar input. Nevertheless, not all graduates or students in our program aspire to participate as an advanced practitioner in a DMT or consult on test selection and result interpretation. As more graduates enter the field of laboratory medicine, it is likely that additional roles for DCLS graduates will emerge.

Conclusions

Over the past few decades, a clinical doctoral degree has been created for individuals who obtained nondoctoral degrees in pharmacy with the goal of improving patient outcomes. 10 The concept of a clinical doctoral degree for clinical laboratory scientists arose with similar goals, to improve patient safety by reducing diagnostic errors and to provide value-based, optimal patient care. In its earliest stages, the APMLS service is proving highly useful inside and outside of the clinical laboratory. As DCLS programs continue to evolve, it will be critical to collect and analyze data to obtain evidence of the full impact of DCLS graduates on patient care.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the UTMB internal medicine and pathology faculty, staff, and residents.

Declaration of Conflicting Interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Funding: The author(s) received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

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Discover the Ph.D. Program at Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

Ph.d. program, ph.d. program overview.

At Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, you’ll discover a unique research training environment of academic inquiry and scientific discovery, combined with exceptional intellectual and technological resources designed to help you achieve your highest scientific career goals.

Through the Ph.D. program, you’ll acquire a broad expertise in biomedical science with the opportunity to go deeper into your primary area of research interest.

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Guaranteed 5-year internal fellowship

includes full tuition, stipend, and benefits

Whether you’re preparing for graduate school or applying now, the Mayo Clinic experience for biomedical science Ph.D. students is different.

Program highlights:

• Research training by leading investigators in fields ranging from molecules to populations, all in the context of exceptional health care.
• Embedded within a top academic medical center, you’ll have access to clinical data from more than 6 million patient histories.
• A Career Development Internship program where senior students experience networking opportunities in career settings different from those of their research mentors.
• A national destination for research training of students from backgrounds underrepresented in science. Mayo’s NIH-funded IMSD is more than two decades old, and Mayo invented the NIH PREP concept.
• Join about 250 students who have access to 300+ faculty members in small class sizes.
• 87% of graduates since 1989 are employed in academia or industry.
• Three campuses in Minnesota, Florida, and Arizona with diverse research opportunities.
• Every student is awarded a fellowship for five years that fully covers tuition.
• Ph.D. students receive a stipend and health benefits.

See yourself here

Hear from students and faculty to get an idea of what it's like to learn here, live here, and be a Ph.D. student at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science.

"I can be the scientist I want to be"

Choosing your area of specialization

You'll choose from one of eight  biomedical science specialty tracks within our Ph.D. Program. Track choice is indicated during the application process and confirmed after admission. But you'll be able to do research and learn in any Mayo laboratory that interests you, even if it's not within your track.

Perspectives on our Ph.D. Program

"Collaboration is massive here"

Collaborative research and learning environment

The hallmark of research at Mayo Clinic is the highly collaborative interaction that occurs between investigators in basic science and clinical areas. While each investigator has a competitively funded independent lab, collaboration with graduate students and staff across the institution is common. As a Ph.D. student, you’re free to select any Mayo mentor, regardless of which track you choose.

"Allowed me to build my own team"

Teaching opportunities

Tutoring and teaching opportunities are available and optional for our Ph.D. students. If you’re interested in developing these skills, serving as a tutor or a teaching assistant can help cement the knowledge you gain from your coursework.

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Apply between Sept. 1 and Dec. 4 for the following academic year.

To get in touch with the Ph.D. Program, fill out the form on the Contact Us page .

Ph.D. and master's degree program catalog (2023-2024), rev. 5-11-23

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Sample Curriculum

Recent Thesis and Dissertation Titles

Major Program Requirements

• C808 Graduate Student Seminar (2 – 4 cr)
• C859 Research in Pathology (45 cr. minimum)

Minor program requirements: 12 credits in a related discipline; 6 of which must be obtained from a single department or program.

A total of 90 credits are needed for degree completion; this total includes at least 35 credits of didactic course work and at least 45 credits of C859 Research in Pathology. Electives chosen from other IU School of Medicine basic science departments and other IUPUI basic science departments vary depending on the research interests of the individual student.

Academic Advising

An IBMG adviser guides each student to make decisions about course work to ensure that he or she is familiar with the department, the faculty, and the research opportunities available. The student, with the adviser and with involved faculty members, selects a major adviser based on the premise that the student will complete the PhD research project under the guidance of that adviser. The major adviser assists the student in selecting additional faculty as needed to make up the PhD advisory committee.

The advisory committee is responsible for preparing and administering the doctoral qualifying examination. After the doctoral qualifying examination has been completed, the research committee is selected. The research committee guides the student to completion of the PhD.

The research project is the focus of the PhD program; research opportunities are available in many areas of pathology. The Graduate Faculty of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine works to match students with projects that are appropriate to their individual areas of interest and expertise.

PhD Experimental Pathology Track

The PhD Experimental Pathology program provides the basis for a career of teaching and performing pathology research in academic medicine or in science-related industries.

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Karen Sanburn 635 Barnhill Drive, MS A128 Indianapolis, IN 46202 -5120 317-274-1623 317-278-2018 (fax) Email Karen Sanburn  

Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering

Protect the environment while building the economy. Study at North Dakota's premier Energy University.

North Dakota's vast energy resources can play a critical role in easing the nation's energy dependence. Our graduates play a big part in ensuring these resources are acquired responsibly and sustainably.

Why earn a Ph.D. in environmental engineering?

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If you're an international student, refer to the international application process for deadlines.

Protecting the environment is a challenge that spans industries and disciplines. UND's Ph.D. programs in Environmental Engineering are linked to other programs in the College of Engineering & Mines. This includes our Chemical, Civil, Mechanical, Petroleum, Geological Engineering, and Energy Engineering programs. We also work closely with industry, businesses and communities to develop new technologies, solve infrastructure-related problems and develop new technologies.

You'll become a proficient researcher, working with talented faculty whose research interests include:

• Air quality
• Greenhouse gas capture and sequestration
• Ground water
• Flaring of stranded gas
• Responsible and economical use of natural resources

Ph.D. Programs in Environmental Engineering

The Ph.D. program is offered through UND's Institute for Energy Studies (IES). This multidisciplinary institute is focused on training a generation of energy experts. You will develop energy technologies that are economically competitive, reliable, sustainable and politically and environmentally acceptable.

Faculty have relationships with a wide variety of industries, municipalities, consulting firms, government agencies and research-funding organizations. This provides opportunities for your own research and collaboration.

Participate in ongoing research opportunities at the Energy & Environmental Research Center  (EERC). It works with state, federal and industry clients to solve energy and environmental needs.

Gain access to on-campus EPA-certified laboratory facilities. These include the multi-disciplinary Environmental Analytical Research Laboratory (Leonard Hall), Civil Engineering Environmental and Hydraulics Laboratories, and Chemical Engineering Laboratories.

Flexible research options allow online students to choose projects relevant to their current job.

As a Ph.D. candidate, you'll complete an oral exam, present an annual progress report outlining your research, and defend a dissertation.

What to do with a Ph.D. in environmental engineering?

Environmental engineers play a key role in protecting air, water and soil quality and providing solutions to remediate impacts from emissions sources. Environmental engineering Ph.D. graduates will be prepared for careers in government, academia, or industries including:

• Recycling: Lead initiatives in sustainable waste management. You’ll develop innovative strategies to optimize recycling processes and reduce environmental impact.
• Waste Disposal: Design and manage efficient waste disposal facilities. You’ll leverage advanced techniques to address complex challenges associated with landfill management, hazardous waste disposal, and waste-to-energy conversion.
• Water and Air Pollution Control: Be at the forefront of safeguarding our natural resources. You’ll develop and implement sophisticated technologies to monitor and mitigate pollution sources. Whether designing water treatment plants or air quality control systems, you’ll play a pivotal role in preserving ecosystems, public health, and regulatory compliance.
• Pipeline Operations: Contribute to the safe and sustainable transport of resources. From oil and gas pipelines to water and sewage systems, you’ll ensure the integrity of infrastructure while minimizing ecological disturbances and potential risks.
• Data Science: Leverage your expertise to analyze vast datasets. You’ll employ advanced statistical models and machine learning algorithms to extract valuable insights, inform decision-making processes, and enhance environmental monitoring strategies.
• Consulting: Become a trusted advisors for businesses, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. You’ll provide strategic guidance on sustainable practices, regulatory compliance, and environmental impact assessments.

Environmental Engineering Ph.D. Courses

CHE 504. Air Pollution Control. 3 Credits.

Identification of major air pollutants from stationary and mobile sources and methods of controlling their emissions; dispersion of air pollutants in the atmosphere; photochemical air pollution; federal and state regulations. Prerequisite: Background equivalent to CHEM 122 , MATH 265 , and PHYS 252 is expected.

GEOL 540. Water Sampling and Analysis. 3 Credits.

Techniques of water and sediment sampling and analysis using equipment in the UND Water Quality Laboratory. Results are interpreted in the context of the natural systems from which the samples are taken. Enrollment is limited to eight students per section. A laboratory fee is required. Prerequisite: CHEM 121 .

CHE 501. Advanced Transport Phenomena. 3 Credits.

This course is designed to give an advanced treatment of momentum, heat, and mass transfer suitable for graduate students in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, and environmental engineering. This course will involve using advanced mathematics to model transport systems of importance in engineering science and design. Prerequisite: CHE 301 and MATH 266 . S, even years.

CE 535. Hazardous Waste Management. 3 Credits.

Regulations, generation, storage, transportation, disposal, classification, fate and transport of contaminants, environmental audits, pollution prevention and management facilities, remediation alternatives, physical-chemical treatment, bioremediation, stabilization/solidification, thermal processes. Prerequisite: CE 306 and CHEM 121 .

CE 531. Principles of Water and Wastewater Treatment. 3 Credits.

Environmental quality, water quality modeling, water wastewater treatment systems, sludge processing, solid wastes, hazardous wastes, environmental law. Prerequisite: Background/knowledge of fluid mechanics; additional information is available in the CE Graduate Student Handbook on the CE Department website and the CE graduate student blackboard site. S.

CE 525. Surface Hydrology. 3 Credits.

Extreme rainfalls and flood frequency analysis, regionalization; runoff generations, routings, and basin modeling; urban storm water design; GIS and remote sensing applications in hydrology; recent techniques and development in surface hydrology. Prerequisite: Background/knowledge of hydrology; additional information is available in the CE Graduate Student Handbook on the CE Department website and the CE graduate student blackboard site. S.

Online Ph.D. Environmental Engineering

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UND is one of the most affordable online engineering colleges in the region. For this Ph.D. program, we offer the same online tuition rates regardless of your legal residency. Compare and you’ll see UND is lower cost than similar four-year doctoral universities.

Flexible Online Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering Courses

UND’s online engineering Ph.D. courses mirror those offered on campus. As an online doctoral student, you’ll follow the same curriculum, watch the same lectures and have the same deadlines for completing lessons and exams as a student on campus. Depending on the professor you may:

• Access course materials, assignments and recorded lectures.
• Communicate with engineering faculty and classmates.

With asynchronous classes, you do not attend class at a set time. If you need to balance work, family, and other commitments, this flexible format allows you to learn anywhere at any time.

Depending on your instructor, you’ll learn online through:

• Lesson modules
• Streaming video content
• Virtual libraries
• Posted lectures
• Online simulations

There will be times when you interact with your instructor and classmates through online discussion boards, polls, and chat rooms.

Your learning revolves around materials that can be accessed on your own time within a set time frame. However, this is not a self-paced course. You’ll have structure and deadlines.

Research Requirement for Online Environmental Engineering Ph.D. Students

Environmental Engineering Ph.D. online students are expected to perform cutting edge research and must be selected by a research faculty member to join their research group or act as advisor. Most of these students will be required to complete research work in person, or possibly at research facilities at your own location, which will depend on the project, thesis topic and faculty advisor to determine how much of the program can be completed online.

Campus Visit

For students completing the Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering by online delivery, a minimum of three campus visits are required and you'll need to make a presentation during each visit. One of these presentations can be the oral presentation for the qualifying exam. Additionally, a Ph.D. candidate should be present for the Ph.D. dissertation defense.

Top-Tier Online Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering

Over a third of UND's student population is exclusively online; plus, more take a combination of online and on campus classes. You can feel reassured knowing you won't be alone in your online learning journey and you'll have resources and services tailored to your needs. No matter how you customize your online experience, you’ll get the same top-quality education as any other on campus student.

• Same degree:  All online programs are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) . Your transcript and diploma are exactly the same as our on-campus students.
• Same classes: You’ll take courses from UND professors, start and end the semesters at the same time and take the same classes as a student on campus.
• Real interaction:  You can ask questions, get feedback and regularly connect with your professors, peers and professionals in the field.
• Your own academic advisor:  As an invaluable go-to, they’re focused on you, your personal success and your future career.
• Free online tutoring:  We're here to help you one-on-one at no cost. Plus, get access to a variety of self-help online study resources.
• Unlimited academic coaching:  Need support to achieve your academic goals or feeling stumped by a tough course? We'll help with everything from stress and time management to improving your memory to achieve higher test scores.
• Full online access: Dig into virtual research at UND's libraries. Improve your writing skills with online help from the UND Writing Center. Get online access to career services, veteran and military services, financial services and more.
• 24/7 technical support:  UND provides free computer, email and other technical support for all online students.
• Networking opportunities: Our significant online student population means you’ll have a large pool of peers to connect with. UND has numerous online events and activities to keep you connected.

Best Online College

Our high alumni salaries and job placement rates, with affordable online tuition rates make UND a best-value university for online education. UND's breadth of online programs rivals all other nonprofit universities in the Upper Midwest making UND one of the best online schools in the region.

UND ranks among the best online colleges in the nation for:

• Affordability
• Student satisfaction (retention rate)
• Academic quality (4-year graduate rate)
• Student outcomes (20-year return on investment per Payscale.com)

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Violeshia Greene, MS/MLS ’24  MS in Medical Laboratory Science

Violeshia Greene’s journey into health care began in middle school, where she discovered her calling while caring for her grandmother. The innate sense of responsibility she felt during those moments ignited a passion for helping others that would shape her career path.

Initially considering careers as a dental hygienist, nurse, or doctor, Greene realized her introverted nature suited a role where she could make a significant impact behind the scenes. This realization led her to the medical laboratory profession , where she found fulfillment and purpose.

“I love the medical laboratory profession and I can’t see myself in any other field,” Greene said. “I desire to bring awareness to the medical laboratory science profession. We are a hidden profession, yet we are very much needed in the healthcare industry.”

“That’s one reason I chose PCOM,” Greene added. “The post-professional route of the program gave me an advantage to gain more insight about the profession and accommodated my full-time job.”

She draws inspiration from her parents, who have consistently supported and guided her, instilling in her a deep sense of faith and resilience.

Beyond her academic pursuits, Greene finds joy in a variety of hobbies, including reading, writing, playing basketball, tennis, playing the flute, and dancing.

As she approaches graduation, Greene offers words of encouragement to her peers: “Keep going, and don't give up.”

She finds resonance in Maya Angelou's wisdom, “You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don’t make money your goal. Instead pursue the things you love doing and then do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off of you.”

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