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Program Details

Learn about KU Medical Center's DCLS program that provides advanced theory, research and clinical residency.

The doctorate in clinical laboratory science (DCLS) at KU Medical Center is the third program of its kind in the United States.

The DCLS is an advanced-practice degree for actively practicing American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)-certified medical laboratory scientists.

As a new member of the health care team, the role of DCLS helps interpret lab data and its implications, thus improving patient outcomes. In this role, students have the opportunity to be at the forefront of health care education for advanced practice.

The 77-credit hour program includes courses in: advanced theory, clinical correlations, research and a one-year, full-time clinical residency at a clinical affiliate. Core curriculum may be completed as a distance learning program and on a part-time basis.

For additional details about the program, including policies and procedures, please review the program's student handbook (PDF) and the school's student handbook.

Core Curriculum + Research

  • Advanced theory courses building on the foundation of the bachelor's-level clinical laboratory science curricular content
  • Integration of knowledge from health policy and management, pharmacology, health care education, public health, epidemiology and advanced pathophysiology
  • Innovative approaches to clinical education including clinical correlations, evidence-based medicine, and interprofessional practice
  • Completion of research courses and development of projects, culminating in a capstone project

Residency Immersion

  • Residents are integrated into patient care alongside physicians, nurses, pharmacists and other health care professionals
  • Focus on laboratory test selection, result interpretation, and application to the clinical decision-making process to contribute towards the provision of quality patient care
  • Address proper utilization of lab tests, correct specimen requirements, and interfering factors affecting results

Mission

The mission of the KU doctorate in clinical laboratory science program is to provide a setting where qualified students can prepare themselves for advanced practice in the clinical laboratory sciences.

The opportunities are to be such that graduates will become valuable members of the health care team by providing consultative laboratory services to improve patient care and safety, reduce costs through appropriate lab testing and utilization, and perform evidence-based research to advance the practice of clinical laboratory science.

The program strives to develop in each graduate an understanding of, and an appreciation for, the needs and concerns of the patient and other members of the health care team.

Program Goals

Upon completion of the degree program, graduates should be able to perform the following:

  1. Provide patient-centered, customized consultation services on appropriate test selection and interpretation for the purpose of clinical decision-making among the interprofessional health care team and for the patient.
  2. Monitor laboratory data, test utilization and diagnostic testing processes for individual patients and populations using informatics and analytics to reduce diagnostic errors, improve efficiency, and reduce costs.
  3. Conduct research and apply evidence to demonstrate clinical utility of laboratory tests and algorithms and to improve the quality, efficiency and safety of the overall diagnostic testing process.
  4. Educate health care providers, patients, their families, and the general public on the indications, best evidence, patient preparation, and interpretation of clinical laboratory testing including home self-testing.
  5. Direct laboratory operations to comply with all state and federal laws and regulations, as well as guidelines determined by professional boards of licensure, and certification/accreditation agencies.
  6. Participate in public and private health policy decision-making at all organization and government levels using best evidence.

Future Careers

  • health care consultant
  • laboratory director
  • patient educator for health care providers
  • research
  • academia

Faculty

Learn about the expert faculty in the Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences.

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;60018-5119; 773.714.8880

Advising and Questions

Renee Hodgkins, Ph.D., MT(ASCP)
DCLS Program Director
clsed@kumc.edu

KU School of Health Professions

University of Kansas Medical Center
Clinical Laboratory Science
3901 Rainbow Boulevard
Mailstop 4048
Kansas City, KS 66160
913-588-5220 • 711 TTY