Clinical Laboratory Scientist Training Certificate

The University of California San Diego Clinical Laboratory Scientist Training Program certificate is a one-year (12 month) program of training in the field of clinical laboratory medicine and technology. Trainees who successfully complete the program will be eligible to take the certification exam offered by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) Board of Certification, and the CLS Licensing exam offered by the California Department of Public Health.

The goal of the UC San Diego Clinical Laboratory Scientist Training Program is to provide trainees with the necessary academic instruction and professional training of the highest quality in the field of laboratory medicine to pass a nationally recognized certification examination, obtain licensure in the state of California and meet the employment needs of the California healthcare industry. The program continuously and consistently strives to insure at minimum, entry level competence of its trainees in each discipline of the clinical laboratory environment.

Practical training will be gained through hands-on clinical laboratory experience at UC San Diego Health System clinical laboratory facilities including the Center for Advanced Laboratory Medicine (CALM), the UC San Diego Medical Center - Hillcrest, Thornton Hospital-La Jolla, and Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego. Trainees of our affiliate institution will participate in practical training at the Palomar Health facilities at the Medical Center, and the Downtown campus. Lectures will be conducted at the CALM, the Medical Center, and Thornton Hospital. The program is augmented by visits to biotechnology and commercial companies, veterinary facilities and various laboratories.

The University of California, San Diego is the sponsoring institution of the UC San Diego Clinical Laboratory Scientist Training Program. UC San Diego School of Medicine Department of Pathology, also supports various accredited residencies (such as those in Anatomical Pathology, Laboratory Medicine and Neuropathology) and fellowship programs (Surgical Pathology, Hematopathology, and Neuropathology).

The program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), approved by the UC San Diego School of Medicine Associated Health Professional Education Committee (AHPEC), and licensed by the California Department of Public Health, Laboratory Field Services.

Affiliate Institution - Palomar Health System, clinical laboratories, Escondido, CA

Note: For a complete list of academic and essential function requirements, selection criteria, curriculum, program costs, other financial information, withdrawal policy, etc., please contact the program coordinator at clsprogram@ucsd.edu or 858-657-5714. There is no tuition. No monthly stipend is offered.

• Additional Certificate Information (pdf)

• Admission Requirements (pdf)