What Is a Doctor of Clinical Laboratory Science (DCLS) Degree?

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High Complexity Lab Director addressing others in the lab

The healthcare industry is notable for being a demanding field to work in. This is especially true for laboratory science professionals. These critical roles are responsible for accurate diagnosis and providing results that can be used when deciding a patient’s best path to recovery.

The University of Cincinnati has been a staple institution in this industry for more than 80 years, and is always working to provide innovative educational experiences for professionals in this field trying to advance. This is what led to the full laboratory science education pathway now offered through UC Online. These online programs are built to give students the opportunity to learn what they need to qualify for an advanced position while still balancing obligations like a job and a family.

For professionals in the field interested in advancing their careers, the latest edition to the lab science education pathway provides the best opportunity: The Doctor of Clinical Laboratory Science (DCLS). This new doctorate program is specialized to ensure that lab science professionals qualify for advanced positions in laboratory leadership and in educational settings.

What is a DCLS Program?

The Doctor of Clinical Laboratory (DCLS) is the first doctoral degree of its kind offered though UC Online. It is built to provide advanced education and emphasize the competencies outlined for laboratory professionals by industry organizations such as the American Society of Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS) and the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). These competencies are based on improving the quality, efficiency, and safety of laboratories across the nation to improve the overall quality of healthcare.

According to these competencies, students who finish this doctoral program will be able to:

Provide customized, patient-centered consultation services to help with clinical decision-making among healthcare teams for their patients.
Monitor laboratory data and perform tests and diagnostic procedures for patients using informatics and analytics to improve accuracy and reduce costs and errors.
Conduct research and apply evidence to demonstrate clinical laboratory tests and algorithms to improve the quality, efficiency, and safety of testing processes.
Educate healthcare providers and the public, including patients and their families, about the indications, evidence, preparation, and interpretation of lab testing, including at-home self-testing.
Direct laboratory operations to comply with all state and federal laws and regulations, including guidelines determined by professional licensure boards and certification/accreditation agencies.
Participate in public and private health policy decision-making at all organization and government levels using evidence.

Why Pursue a DCLS?

The laboratory science industry has been fighting personnel shortages for years. While advances in technology, such as automation, have helped address some of these concerns, there is still high demand for qualified leaders inside and outside of the lab. A DCLS degree is one of the top credentials that lab scientists can earn in this field. Professionals with this degree are understood to be among the most qualified in the field and can fill the roles that are impossible to supplement by automation.

One of these roles is a High Complexity Laboratory Director (HCLD). This is a specified position common throughout the industry whose function is defined by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) in association with the Centers for Disease Control to ensure functional laboratories. HCLDs are advanced laboratory leaders who have technical and medical knowledge about laboratory methods to ensure results are accurate. These directors are also skilled leaders who use their expertise to manage teams of laboratory scientists and guide their organizations to success.

Beyond the laboratory, a DCLS is also highly useful for developing laboratory scientists through higher education. Scientists with the DCLS qualification are commonly found in colleges throughout the country as professors who pass their knowledge and skills to the upcoming generation of laboratory scientists interested in advancing to new heights in their careers.

Those who are interested in becoming an impactful leader inside and outside of the laboratory will benefit greatly from the academic credentials and skills the DCLS will provide. In an industry where filling vacancies is critical for delivering accurate results to healthcare providers, now is a perfect time to advance your career in laboratory science.

Educational Requirements for a DCLS Program

The educational requirements to enroll in the Doctor of Clinical Laboratory Science at the University of Cincinnati are meant to be accessible for professionals at many education levels. Students are eligible for the DCLS program with a completed bachelor’s or master’s degree. Those who qualify at the bachelor’s level will have a somewhat longer journey to complete the program, but the road to the higher qualifications of a doctorate can be started from the undergraduate level.

In addition to a completed degree, applicants to the Doctor of Clinical Laboratory Science must provide:

Certification Verification: Verification of a Generalist Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) or Medical Technologist (MT) from a qualified organization – ASCP, ASCPi, AMT, or equivalent
Employment Verification: Applicants must show at least two years of prior clinical, industry, or research experience relating to laboratory science
GPA Requirements: Applicants must have at least a B average (3.0/4.0 system) in all college work.
Statement of Purpose: Each applicant must provide a 1,000-word statement of purpose that addresses personal, professional, and academic goals that highlights prior leadership and education experience

You can see the full list of educational requirements for the program offered through UC Online at the program’s admission requirements page.

Why Choose a DCLS Program from UC?

The University of Cincinnati is known for its unparalleled online learning experience offered through UC Online. The online programs UC has to offer are built with working professionals in mind so they can efficiently earn their degrees and advance in their careers. The online doctorate offers the following benefits:

Asynchronous Coursework: All coursework is done online at the student’s pace making it easy to balance life and job commitments.
Renowned Faculty: Like the UC’s online Master’s in MLS Leadership program, the DCLS is directed by 2024 ASCLS President, Dr. Patricia Tille. She leads the rest of the renowned faculty working to deliver the best learning experience through UC Online.
Real-World Research and Clinical Applications: As part of the DCLS curriculum, students will be working in local health care institutions conducting clinical research that contributes to advancements in lab science. Students can complete this requirement in local institutions and avoid costly travel to complete the program.
Application to Graduation Student Support: UC is known for its dedicated support system that helps students from the time they apply to the program until they graduate. This same support will be there for students of the DCLS.

How UC Sets Itself Apart with a “Full Education Pathway”

The University of Cincinnati has offered online programs in laboratory science for more than 20 years, and has honed its expertise in education across many collegiate levels. From the undergraduate to the doctorate level, UC is here to offer a quality education experience at any level.

The online Bachelor’s in Medical Laboratory Science, Master’s in Medical Laboratory Science Leadership serve as precursors for the Doctor of Clinical Laboratory Science. Each program is made to flow seamlessly into the next with the DCLS being especially accessible from the master’s program. Regardless of what level of college you’re in, the University of Cincinnati is here to make the pathway upward as manageable as possible

Contact the University of Cincinnati today to Start Your Journey

Are you ready to take the next step in your lab science education journey? Visit the Doctor of Clinical Laboratory Science webpage to get started on your application. The DCLS program currently only starts during the Fall Cohort each year. Submit your application early as there are a limited number of spots available each cohort!

If you have any questions, we encourage you to connect with an advisor directly via email or by calling directly at (833) 556-8611 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long is the DCLS Program?

The Doctor of Clinical Laboratory Science program consists of 81 credit hours for most students with a bachelor’s degree and 60 for students with their master’s. A full-time student can finish this program in as little as 3 years, while most part-time students can finish in as little as 6.