Please advice

Hi,
I have a B.S degree in biology. I am applying for CLS program in University of loma linda and Texas Tech University . It is a two year program for a B.S CLS in Loma Linda, but the tuition is pretty high. In Texas Tech University, the program is only 1 year and the tuition is ok, but it only gives me a certificate. I am not young, and I want to finish my study as soon as possible. I live in Cali now. Which way do you think is better for me? Is it easy to find a job with a certificate or I need a BS CLS degree? Please help!

a BS CLS degree would obviously be easier along with your ASCP certification. It basically allows you to work in all areas of the lab.

If getting that certificate allows you to become MT(ASCP) then it shouldn't matter when trying to get a job since you already have a bachelors. Loma Linda is very expensive. If you don't mind moving to Texas and if the tuition is much cheaper, you'll be making the same amount of money either way so I'd go with Texas Tech University.

Thank you for all the advice. The CLS program in Texas Tech University is also a NAACLS accredited MT program, but the tuition is much cheaper. I will go for it.

Texas tech has a great CLS program, high pass rate for the ASCP.

CLS48 in California said: If getting that certificate allows you to become MT(ASCP) then it shouldn't matter when trying to get a job since you already have a bachelors. Loma Linda is very expensive. If you don't mind moving to Texas and if the tuition is much cheaper, you'll be making the same amount of money either way so I'd go with Texas Tech University.

Hi CLS 48,
How can I take a Californian license after I have MT (ASCP) certification? I search the ASCP web and I know that I have to take certifying organization examination, CA quiz. What the quiz is about?I want to work in Cali because all family members live here. I will go to Texas Tech for CLS certificate program. Thank you very much.

Is this a school approved by CLS48? If not you will still not be an official MT and will never be accepted in the lab.

This is the information that I received from Texas tech University

The certificate program is a 12 month online, certificate tract in clinical laboratory science for students who have completed a four-year science degree from an accredited university. Didactic material is delivered online and laboratory sessions are conducted via two, six-day sessions per semester. Additionally, a clinical laboratory preceptorship is required during the final semester. Candidates must have an overall 2.5 GPA based on a 4.0 scale and a 2.5 science GPA on a 4.0 scale. Students who complete requirements for the certificate are eligible to sit for the national certification examination through the American Society of Clinical Pathology Board of Registry and National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel.

Katrina in San Francisco, California said: Hi CLS 48,
How can I take a Californian license after I have MT (ASCP) certification? I search the ASCP web and I know that I have to take certifying organization examination, CA quiz. What the quiz is about?I want to work in Cali because all family members live here. I will go to Texas Tech for CLS certificate program. Thank you very much.

Once you are certified you just have to apply to the state. You take an online quiz about lab laws in CA which is pretty easy I heard. The only hold back is it takes like 4 or 5 months from applying to actually getting your license because the state is slow in processing your paperwork and issuing licenses.

As long as you can take the ASCP, and if you don't mind moving to Texas for a year, then it would be your best option since it's probably alot cheaper.

Thanks a lot

Hi Katrina,

Could you post more information on the 12-month CLS certification program from Texas Tech? I'm starting a 2-year program at the UT MD Anderson in Houston in the fall, and before I decided to do so I had researched schools that offer 1-year programs in the state - to no avail. MD Anderson offers a 1-year certification programs for students with prior science undergraduate degree, but it is close to impossible to get a spot (the number of senior-level candidates depend on the number of juniors from the previous year who didn't make it to the following year for any reason - for this cycle they had a total of ZERO junior who dropped out or flunked out, hence I didn't have a choice but to apply for the 2 year program). But long story short, I didn't find any other 1-year certification programs in any Texas schools, much less ONLINE 12-month programs. I also looked at other programs outside of Texas and all of the 1-year online certification programs they have are only for candidates who are already licensed as MLT's (e.g., University of Cincinnati's MLT to MT bridge program). Could you send me a link and/or provide any other information about the Texas Tech program? Thank you.

Hi Daniel,
It is a new program in Texas Tech.I could not find the link from the school's website. All my information that I received is from the staff. First, I applied to the 2-year program because I did not know about the CLS certification program at the Texas Tech, then the school contacted me and asked me if I want to apply to the new CLS certificate program. You can call Amanda Hothan and ask her about the new program. She is very nice and helpful. I do not think they have the link about the new program yet. The school told me to call Amanda and ask her about the new program. She emailed me a brochure, and all the information that I posted it above. Hope it can help!

Amanda Hothan

Senior Evaluator

TTUHSC School of Allied Health Sciences
Suite 2BC194 | 3601 4th St. Stop 6294
Lubbock, TX 79430

amanda.hothan@ttuhsc.edu

www.ttuhsc.edu/sah

Daniel,
I could not post her phone number, but it is in the School of Allied Health's website.

Daniel, Tarleton University also has a 15 months CLS program.

www.tarleton.edu/~clinlab/Programs/CLS_MT.html#AboutProgram

I am currently attending the 1 year program in CLS at Austin State Hospital in Texas. The program here is really great. Plus, you bypass the huge tuition charged at universities AND you get a monthly stipend AND free health insurance. Also, you get year-round training at a hospital. The only problem is that they only accept 4 people.

I looked up Texas Tech HSC's CLS program and they do have a 12-month tract (certificate or Bachelor's). I've completed an application over the weekend and I'm just waiting for a response from them.

Katrina, thank you so much for all the information. By the way, did you already get accepted to the program? If you did, how long did it take you to get a decision from them? Did they tell you how many students they're admitting for the upcoming class? How many spots do they have left? I've already emailed Amanda Hothan about this but I have yet to get a response. Any more information you can give me about your application process will be greatly appreciated. Thanks again!

Kj,

Thanks for the info as well. Come to think of it, I did find out that the Methodist Hospital here in Houston has a similar program, but they only admit so many people every year. I did apply and was accepted to UT MD Anderson's program, but it's a 2-year tract, and I will only end up with a second Bachelor's degree. Texas Tech Health Science Center's program offer a 12-month, 2nd Bachelor's degree tract, and the didactic part of the program is offered online.

I'm trying my luck on Texas Tech, and I'm really hoping to make the cut.

Daniel,
I have just changed my application from 2 year program to 1 year program in the middle of May. I am still waiting for the response from the school. Did Amanda Hothan reply you yet?

I haven't heard from Ms. Hothan yet. I called the school this morning and they said that they're pretty busy with orientations this week, so they might be slow in responding to emails. I'll let you know when I get a response.

Hi Katrina,

Any news from Texas Tech yet? I checked with Ms. Hothan and she told me that as far as she knows they haven't started admitting anybody into the program yet, and my application should be picked up for review by the admissions committee some time this week. July 15 is the application deadline, but she said we shouldn't have to wait till after then to get a response from them.

Do you know if potential candidates need to do an interview? The other school I applied for did (which I thought was kind of unnecessary). I'm hoping the answer is no - I wouldn't want to have to drive 6 hours to Lubbock for a silly interview... hehe. Also, would you be interested in exchanging email addresses? Would be a lot easier to email than to find your posts on this forum ;). Thanks!

Hi Daniel,
Ms. Hothan told me that my application is with the admissions committee two week ago. we do not need to do an interview. I hope I will get the response from them this week.

I got accepted to another school, but its tuition fee is very expensive and it is the 2 year program. Texas tech is my first choice.
You can send me your email through my temporary email: katrina99920@yahoo.com because I do not want to post my email on a public website. Keep in touch, Daniel.

CLS48, I'm trying to get into CLS, hopefully after I complete my Associates. Mt. Sac has a biology AS degree program (Histologic Technician Training). After completion, I can attend a school for BS degree in in CLS. Am I headed in the right direction?

It depends. If you want to go to school in so cal, your options are Cal St. Dominguez Hills and Loma Linda. For Dominguez Hills, you should apply to get into their undergraduate school and take your prereqs there, and then apply to their CLS rotation phase of the program. You could go your route, but you may be taking extra unnecessary years by doing that.

For loma linda, you can apply after you have your AS. However, they do have certain prereqs that need to be done before you can apply, so you must look at their website to see what you need. If you go this route, you won't lose much time taking 2 years at mt. sac, and finishing 2 years at loma linda with a BS in CLS.

Dominguez would be alot less cheaper and loma linda is probably around 26K a year now so you'd have to get loans. For making the same amount of money, dominguez hilss is the better deal.

Of course if you apply to some of the programs up north or even out of state then they may have different requirements so you should look at their websites.

Hey all,pls can anyone tell me where to apply here in texas for a 12month or less training in medical technology.i'm supposed to be applying this summer against next yr spring or summer but i've been searching for schools/or hospitals with paid internship,i aint getting any.pls can u guys help m with list of school accepting for training and wat are d requirements necessary.

Hi Olivia,

Texas Tech Health Science Center in Lubbock has a 12-month program (either certificate or 2nd Bachelor's degree). I believe they're taking applications through July 15 for the upcoming class. It does require that you have a previous Bachelor's degree, along the science prerequisites and a 2.5 minimum overall GPA. See previous posts on this thread for more information, or you can check out Texas Tech's website.

Good luck!

Hey dan,thanks alot for respondin to my post.....do u know when d next class will be starting,if one apply now cus i need to start up by next summer?And, r u already into d programme....if yes,can u give m a hint of wat is happening in the training?how did u get to d application link.

Hi Olivia,

They're still taking applications for Fall '09 semester, but if you're not aiming to get in the program until fall of next year then you might have to wait another year to apply. Like you I'm a fellow applicant trying to get in the program - I finished my application just a couple weeks ago and I'm still waiting for a response from them (hopefully it'll be any day now).

As far as the program, like I've mentioned it's a 12-month program (Fall, Spring, and Summer), and you have the option to either work on a certificate or a 2nd Bachelor's degree. The application requirements, curriculum, and program length are the same for both. The didactic part of the program is completely online, but you need to attend two 6-day labs every semester in Lubbock. There's also a 6-week internship towards the end of the program.

Here's a link to the school's website that shows their pre-requisite requirements and program curriculum:

www.ttuhsc.edu/sah/cls/default_2nd_degree_postbac.aspx

Also, if you live in the Houston area, you might be interested in checking out UT MD Anderson's CLS program. They offer a 2-year Bachelor's degree and a 1-year certificate program. However, they only offer so many spot for the 1-year program every year, so it's very competitive. I actually applied for this year's class and was admitted to the 2-year program. Application deadline is January 1st for the Fall class of that year. Here's a link to MD Anderson's website:

www.mdanderson.org/education-and-research/education-and-training/schools-and-programs/school-of-health-professions/programs-courses/clinical-laboratory-science/index.html

Hope this helps.

Hey dan,i'm so grateful gettin dis informations frm u. i really do appreciate.pls,if u don't mind....can u explain to me, d didatic part of d programme,...what it means?And lastly,is it only during d fall semester dat one can apply?

By didactic I meant the theory/lecture part of the program. This is done online, as opposed to going into a classroom for face-to-face lectures with your professor. The laboratory part of the program, wherein you get hands-on training in different laboratory techniques, is done on-site, meaning you have to actually go to the Lubbock campus.

Yes, they only admit students in the fall, but the application period starts in the summer preceding that.

Thank you so much,Dan.....i think i got it now.pls,if u get to hear about any other schs dat one can apply for spring...pls do let m knw,cus i think i may not be able to apply for texas tech till next yr.I ve yet to take d immunology,histology and analytical...dis fall.so,i don think if i apply now.....they will consider me.....i don knw wat to do,whether to call and ask them bout it or so?I so can't wait till next yr fall....dats a longtime.....

Dear Katrina and Daniel,
I am also interested in the CLS certificate programs at Texas Tech, but I did not find the application materials from their website. Could you please send me those forms, such as the application form, reference forms and others? By the way, I wrote to Ms. Amanda Hothan yesterday, but have not recieved feedback from her.

My email address is ymzhong2008@hotmail.com.

I appreciate your time and help.

Hi Yiming,

You go to the link below, choose merlin application, and create your id and password to log in.
Good luck!
www.ttuhsc.edu/sah/admissions/application.aspx

Thank you so much, Katrina.
It seems they do not need reference forms?

No, they do not need recommendation letters.

Thanks a lot, Katrina.

You are welcome.

Hi, Katrina,
It seems the San Jose State University in Cali also provides a 12-months online certificate program. Why not try this since you are in Cali?

Hi Yiming,
It is impossible for a new grad like me to get in the CLS program in SJSU. Most of the applicants have clinical or work experiences. Many accepted applicants have worked in hospital for many years.

Wow, it is hard.

It's amazing, in Cali the CLS programs are at their capacity, where as all across the country CLS programs have little or no interest, do you think it has to do with Cali has the higest salary for CLS....

Katrina,

Thanks for posting that info.
I'm in san jose (2 miles away from SJSU school) and have been slowly trying to get pre-reqs done so I can apply to SFSU or SJSU, but getting into classes just sucks! And, I don't think SJSU offers a CLS online program.. Their program is hands on four days a week (mon-thurs) with in person class day every friday.

Hi Alex,
The CLS on line program in SJSU is for intership students those work in hospitals which are very far from school, like Baskerfield, Riverside....When you do interwiew, professor Mara will tell you about that.

Hi Katrina,

Earlier in this thread I advised you to go to the Texas Tech program because it was cheaper. However, yesterday I saw this posted in another thread:

Jec1182 in Fresno, California said: Sorry to tell you all-I'm an MT (ASCP) and CLS (NCA). I moved to California last year only to find that I can't work here as an MT. That's right-I graduated from a well-recognized ASCLS-accredited program. Because of the structure (2+2), California refuses to recognize it as sufficient education. So my 4-year degree (BS CLS), my student rotations, and 1.5 years of experience mean nothing out here. If you're not educated in California or the Phillippines, you're out of luck. There are unions out here, that's why the wages are high. Don't move out here unless you're cool with being told you have to go back to school for a degree you already have.

So, I would advise you to make sure if you do go out of CA, that CA does accept your program as a full CLS education to be eligible to get the state license. I had thought all you needed was MT(ASCP) and you'd be fine, but that may not be the case. If you do go to Loma Linda or any CLS school in CA, you know for sure it is accepted.

This is interesting...

Isn't there only one accrediting agency for CLS programs in the United States (ie., NAACLS)? So, it should mean that NAACLS-accredited program anywhere in the US meet or exceed standards for CLS training, and should therefore be acknowledged in any state? Seems to me that this is more of a union politics issue than an education standards issue. California unions limit potential CLS employees in the state by making it hard for out-of-state graduates to seek employment in CA, thereby keeping the influx low and demands (and consequently, the salaries) high.

Is there a website you could point us to that provides information on employment standards for CLS in California? If a foreign-educated CLS could more readily seek employment in CA than someone who has a US-degree from an accredited and reputable program out of state, then I for one would like to question the validity of Jec1182's claim.

Hi CLS 48,
Thank you for your information. I will do a research, and email Department of Public Health in Cali to ask about it.

I have got admission in CLS certificate program as Post Baccalaureate student (since I already have Masters and Bachelor) at FL Gulf Coast Univ to complete 32 credit hrs. It is 1 yr prog with didactic on line and full 1 yr training in community hospitals etc. Also got admitted at UCF as 2nd degree student to complete 65 credit hrs with 2 yr course. Both allow me to sit in MT (ASCP) exam. Not decided which one should I go for. I am not young so want to do soon so that can get job eraly and sustain my family.

Please comment which one is worthwhile to do. Is it easy to get job after done certification.
Comments will be helpful.
Thanks,

Hi CLS 48,
I did a research and found that all I need to work in CA is I must be an MT(ASCP), apply to get the state license (the fee is 203 usd), wait to get an ID (about 3 months), and take a CA on line test. This test is about CA law.
Here is the link:
secure.cps.ca.gov/cltreg/clsls_examinfo.asp

Katrina in Oakland, California said: Hi CLS 48,
I did a research and found that all I need to work in CA is I must be an MT(ASCP), apply to get the state license (the fee is 203 usd), wait to get an ID (about 3 months), and take a CA on line test. This test is about CA law.
Here is the link:
secure.cps.ca.gov/cltreg/clsls_examinfo.asp

I can't see the link because it says it's a secure link. Your best bet is to actually talk to someone to make sure and not just look at the internet. The guy who posted that was ASCP certified but couldn't get the license supposedly because of his education.

The state is a bit disorganized and you don't want to go through all that education just to find out it is not enough. In your application, they will ask about your education, and not just if you are ASCP certified. So, just make sure.

Ok I did research.

secure.cps.ca.gov/cltreg/faq.asp

Q: I am certified by ASCP or AAB, can I have my California license?
A: No, you must apply online, pay the application fee, and be qualified by LFS as meeting California education and training/experience requirements. If your certification is after 2002 for ASCP and 2003 for AAB, you can request a verification to be sent to LFS. In addition you need to take the online CA quiz.

So what are those requirements for your education?
secure.cps.ca.gov/cltreg/Business_Code_for_CLS.pdf

I have a bachelors in Bio also but I wouldn't have qualified with just my education because I did not have the required hours. I had to go to a CLS program to take more classes. From the pdf, it seems like your education needs one of the below:

1.Graduating from a US college with a baccalaureate and a major in
clinical laboratory science, the last year of which course shall have been primarily clinical
laboratory procedures in a clinical laboratory training school acceptable to the department or...

2.Graduating with a BS degree in another science with an additional year as a CLS trainee. Your education needs, 1) 16 semester or equivalent quarter hours of chemistry, including instruction in analytical and biological chemistry; (2) 18 semester or equivalent quarter hours of biological science, including instruction in
immunology, hematology and medical microbiology which may include bacteriology,
mycology, virology and parasitology; (3) 3 semester or equivalent quarter hours of physics, including instruction in principles of light and electricity; or

3... continued on the next post

A minimum of two years of experience as a licensed trainee or the equivalent as determined
by the department doing clinical laboratory work embracing the various fields of clinical
laboratory activity in a clinical laboratory acceptable to the department and 90 semester hours or
equivalent quarter hours of university or college work in which are included the following
coursed, or essential equivalent as may be determined by the department: general inorganic
chemistry -8; quantitative analysis -3; basic biological sciences -8; bacteriology -4; provided,
however, that university or college work completed after July 1, 1973, must include at least:
(1) 16 semester or equivalent quarter hours of chemistry, including instruction in analytical
and biological chemistry;

(2) 18 semester or equivalent quarter hours of biological science including instruction in
immunology, hematology and medical microbiology which may include bacteriology,
mycology, virology and parasitology;

(3) 3 semester or equivalent quarter yours of physics, including instruction in principles of
light and electricity.

I know most bio degrees do not get immunology and hematology and the proper amount of chemistry. So check what you have. If you don't have enough you're better off going to a school that gives you all that. Loma Linda's program makes you take all those classes the first year of the program.