Categorical Curriculum

Purpose: The curriculums presented offer students an opportunity to become nationally certified in one of the following categories: Blood Bank (Immunohematology), Chemistry, Hematology, or Microbiology. National certification facilitates employment in medical laboratories. Some students selecting this option may hold a previously earned bachelor's degree. This program is sometimes referred to as a "Second Degree" program.

Eligibility: Students who are enrolled at MSU in a degree-seeking major; either undergraduate, graduate, or those enrolled as a second degree-candidate are eligible to apply. Formal application to the medical laboratory science (MLS) major is required.

Credentialing: Students must complete the appropriate course work, complete the clinical experience, and then will be eligible to sit for the categorical exam in the specific discipline offered by the Board of Certification of the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). Specific details are explained on the web at ASCP.

Clinical Phase: The candidate for the categorical will be placed at a clinic site affiliated with the MSU MLS Program, as space permits.

Interested students should contact Dr. John Gerlach (gerlach@msu.edu).